East Tamworth
East Tamworth stands out for its 81.6% separate-house share and a 39.1% university-educated population, 9.0 percentage points above the national comparison. Its 5,417 residents have a median age of 40, while household income sits at the 60.2 percentile. The suburb is more settled than its 25.7% address turnover suggests, with 74.3% staying at the same address. Compared with nearby South Tamworth and West Tamworth, East Tamworth reads as a lower-density residential pocket, with 366.6 people per square kilometre and 2.3 people per household. Its Anglo-leaning ancestry profile and strong professional base add a distinct social mix, while the detached housing pattern supports family households and long-term owners.
Population
5,417
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,711/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
47
Buyers get a predominantly detached market: 81.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 11.0% semi-detached homes and 6.3% apartments. The typical household mortgage is $1,616 per month, with repayments equal to 21.8% of household income. Renting costs $325 per week, or 19.0% of income, so both ownership and rental costs appear manageable for households with stable earnings. Three-bedroom homes account for 41.3% of dwellings and four-plus-bedroom homes for 34.6%, suiting families or buyers needing office space. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of Tamworth, the trade-off is less dwelling variety, while 36.0% outright ownership points to a settled owner base.
For Buyers
Buyers get a predominantly detached market: 81.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 11.0% semi-detached homes and 6.3% apartments. The typical household mortgage is $1,616 per month, with repayments equal to 21.8% of household income. Renting costs $325 per week, or 19.0% of income, so both ownership and rental costs appear manageable for households with stable earnings. Three-bedroom homes account for 41.3% of dwellings and four-plus-bedroom homes for 34.6%, suiting families or buyers needing office space. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of Tamworth, the trade-off is less dwelling variety, while 36.0% outright ownership points to a settled owner base.
For Investors
East Tamworth has a meaningful rental market, with 35.3% of households renting and a median weekly rent of $325. The 9.7% vacancy rate indicates more available rental choice than a tightly constrained market, which can reduce short-term leasing pressure but may also limit rent growth. Forty-seven development applications were recorded over 12 months, including demolitions, dwelling work, garages and alterations, suggesting ongoing property renewal rather than one large new estate. Compared with lower-vacancy investment locations, landlords may need to compete on condition, parking and proximity to services. The suburb's 81.6% separate-house share can support family-oriented rentals, while 2.3 people per household points to modest average occupancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
285
Last 12 Months
47
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+23.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
East Tamworth has a median age of 40, aligned with the national comparison, while 39.1% of residents hold university qualifications, 9.0 percentage points above the national figure. Only 12.2% of residents were born overseas, 9.4 percentage points below the national comparison, giving the suburb a more locally rooted profile than many metropolitan areas. English ancestry is recorded for 2,234 people, followed by Irish at 825 and Scottish at 655. Christianity is reported by 3,167 residents and no religion by 1,661. Average household size is 2.3 people, 0.2 below the national comparison, consistent with the suburb's 45.9% share of couples without children. Compared with more recently settled areas, East Tamworth has a stronger Anglo-Celtic demographic base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.6%
Houses
11.0%
Townhouse
6.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is weighted toward traditional family dwellings, with 81.6% separate houses, 41.3% three-bedroom homes and 34.6% with four or more bedrooms. Tenure is relatively evenly divided between outright owners at 36.0%, mortgage holders at 27.5% and renters at 35.3%. The mortgage-to-income share is 21.8%, while rent represents 19.0% of household income, indicating that reported housing costs are not dominating typical household budgets. Vacancy is 9.7%, which is higher than conditions in a tightly supplied rental market and gives tenants more choice. Compared with more apartment-heavy parts of Tamworth, East Tamworth provides larger, lower-density housing, but buyers should check recent settled sales before setting a price ceiling.
Mortgage / mo
$1,616
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $325.
$500
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $530 · units $383
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$915
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
235
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.0%
Couples with children
45.9%
Couples, no children
16.8%
Single parent
1,461
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is East Tamworth's largest recorded industry at 26.1%, representing 511 workers, followed by education at 15.5% and 304 workers. Public administration accounts for 8.9%, professional and technical services 7.9%, and construction 5.6%. The occupational structure ranks professionals first at 817 people, ahead of managers at 340, clerical and administrative workers at 320, community and personal service workers at 316, and trades workers at 297. This concentration in health, education and public services helps explain the suburb's 39.1% university-qualified share. Unemployment is 4.1%, participation is 64.4% and full-time employment is 63.5%, while household income sits at the 60.2 percentile. Compared with a purely trade-led regional economy, East Tamworth has a broader professional base.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
2,833
Unemployed
115
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.5%
Part-time
32.0%
Participation
64.4%
Employed
2,718
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.1%
Postgraduate
8.9%
Born Overseas
12.2%
Dwellings
2,190
Transport to Work
Daily travel is strongly car-oriented: 71.3% of employed residents drive, compared with 0.1% using public transport and 3.9% walking or cycling. Work from home accounts for 18.3%, which can reduce commuting pressure for some households but makes home layout and internet reliability more important. East Tamworth covers 14.78 square kilometres at 366.6 people per square kilometre, giving it a lower-density feel than more compact urban areas. Volunteering is reported by 22.2% of residents, while 6.2% need assistance with core activities. Families should check current school options and enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb lines. For safety decisions, review current NSW Police information and recent local conditions rather than relying on a suburb-wide assumption.
Drive
71.3%
Public Transport
0.1%
Walk / Cycle
3.9%
Work from Home
18.3%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How East Tamworth compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Tamworth a good suburb to live in?
East Tamworth suits households seeking detached housing, established streets and a car-oriented lifestyle. Separate houses make up 81.6% of dwellings, while 18.3% of employed residents work from home. Compared with more transit-led areas, daily life here is likely to depend more on private vehicles.
What is the median house price in East Tamworth?
Check recent settled sales in postcode 2340 before setting a budget, as prices can vary by street, land size, condition and bedroom count. The housing profile is weighted toward three-bedroom homes at 41.3% and four-plus-bedroom homes at 34.6%, so comparing like-for-like properties is important.
What schools are in East Tamworth?
Families should check current primary and secondary options against the exact address and enrolment zone. School boundaries can differ across a 14.78 square kilometre suburb and nearby areas, so confirm eligibility directly before signing a contract or lease.
Is East Tamworth safe?
Safety can vary by street, property type and time of day, so review current NSW Police crime information and recent local reports before deciding. Use postcode 2340 as a starting point, then inspect the immediate area at different times rather than relying only on a suburb-wide impression.
Is East Tamworth good for property investment?
East Tamworth may suit investors seeking family-oriented rental housing, with 35.3% of households renting and weekly rent at $325. However, the 9.7% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a tightly supplied market. Forty-seven development applications in 12 months also make property condition and local competition important.
How is East Tamworth's population changing?
East Tamworth has 5,417 residents today. Address turnover is 25.7%, while 74.3% stayed at the same address, indicating moderate movement alongside a substantial settled base. Change is more likely to appear through household replacement and gradual redevelopment than rapid churn.
What development is happening in East Tamworth?
Forty-seven development applications were recorded over 12 months. The recorded work includes demolitions, dwelling houses, garages, additions and alterations, pointing to dispersed residential renewal rather than one clearly defined large project. Check council approvals and conditions for any property close to a proposed site.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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