Glenugie
The most striking fact about Glenugie is its demographics: 81.2% of residents are male, making it one of the most gender-skewed suburbs in NSW, likely reflecting the presence of a custodial facility in the area. The suburb spans 106.35 km2 with only 1,298 residents, giving a density of 12.2 people per km2, well below state and national averages. Household income sits in the 22.6th percentile nationally, lower than most comparable rural NSW localities.
Local council: Clarence Valley
Population
1,298
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,166/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Every dwelling (100%) is a separate house, so buyers face no apartment-or-house trade-off. Bedroom stock skews large: 40.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 41.7% have 3 bedrooms, which suits families seeking rural acreage living. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning the current price level is broadly serviceable for median-income households in the area. However, household income sits at the 22.6th percentile nationally, lower than most Sydney and regional city benchmarks, so buyer affordability depends on equity brought in rather than local wages.
For Buyers
Every dwelling (100%) is a separate house, so buyers face no apartment-or-house trade-off. Bedroom stock skews large: 40.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 41.7% have 3 bedrooms, which suits families seeking rural acreage living. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,300, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, meaning the current price level is broadly serviceable for median-income households in the area. However, household income sits at the 22.6th percentile nationally, lower than most Sydney and regional city benchmarks, so buyer affordability depends on equity brought in rather than local wages.
For Investors
Rental demand in Glenugie is thin: only 13.9% of households rent, far below the national average, and the vacancy rate sits at 10.9%, which is elevated compared to typical investor-grade markets. Only 3 development applications were lodged in the prior 12 months, all for new dwelling houses, so supply pressure is low. The 80.5% residential stability rate means most households stay put year on year, limiting tenant turnover opportunity. The investment case rests primarily on land-price appreciation in the Clarence Valley corridor rather than rental income, but the 65.3% one-year price move warrants caution about sustainability.
Development Activity
Total DAs
19
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Glenugie's 81.2% male population share stands far above the national benchmark of roughly 49%, an anomaly that shapes almost every other demographic metric. The median age is 35, five years younger than the national figure, consistent with a working-age institutional population. University qualifications reach only 1.1%, which is approximately 29 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting an employment base dominated by trades and public administration rather than knowledge-sector roles. Overseas-born residents account for 16.0%, which is 5.6 percentage points below the national figure. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below national. Volunteering runs at 18.8% among the broader community, above what the income profile would suggest.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
All 100% of Glenugie's dwellings are separate houses, a detached-dominant profile that matches its rural, large-lot character across 106.35 km2. The outright ownership rate of 46.8% is notable: nearly half of homes are fully paid off, higher than most comparable low-income rural suburbs nationally. Mortgage holders account for 39.2% and renters just 13.9%, well below the national renting share. Bedroom distribution leans large: 40.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 41.7% have 3 bedrooms, compared to metro suburbs where smaller stock dominates. Monthly mortgage at $1,300 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7% keep repayments below the stress threshold for current buyers.
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$500
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $520 · units $415
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$496
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.9%
Unoccupied
10
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.6%
Couples with children
61.4%
Couples, no children
17.5%
Single parent
57
Total families
Economy & Employment
The top employing industry is Public Administration at 22.6% of local workers, which likely reflects the presence of a correctional facility and is the primary driver of the suburb's unusual male-skewed demographics. Construction follows at 15.1% and Healthcare at 13.2%, with Hospitality at 9.4% and Transport at 7.5%. By occupation, Managers, Professionals and Clerical/Admin roles each count 14 workers, while Labourers number 13, suggesting a flat occupational hierarchy rather than a knowledge-economy profile. Unemployment is 13.9% among the labour force, above national averages, though the participation rate of 8.0% reflects that the majority of the 1,298 residents are not counted as part of the civilian labour market, consistent with an institutional population rather than a standard residential workforce.
Unemployment
13.2%
Labour Force
106
Unemployed
14
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.2%
Part-time
42.4%
Participation
8.4%
Employed
92
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
1.1%
Postgraduate
0.2%
Born Overseas
16.0%
Dwellings
80
Transport to Work
Transport in Glenugie is entirely car-dependent: 100% of workers drive, with no recorded public transport or active travel. The suburb's 106.35 km2 footprint at 12.2 people per km2 means services and schools are distant by design. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on facilities in nearby Grafton and the surrounding Clarence Valley region. Crime data is not available at the suburb level. The rent-to-income ratio sits at 30.0%, at the boundary of rental stress for current tenants, and the household income sits in the 22.6th percentile nationally, lower than most NSW rural towns. The volunteering rate of 18.8% indicates a degree of community participation that is above average relative to the income level.
Drive
79.0%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
N/A
Work from Home
21.0%
Growth Outlook
The suburb has only 3 development applications in 12 months, all for new detached dwellings, indicating that supply response is negligible relative to any demand signal. The residential stability rate of 80.5% means most existing households are long-term stayers, so price gains reflect external buyer interest rather than local churning. The area spans 106.35 km2 with a density of just 12.2 per km2, which is lower than most rural NSW localities, and the large-lot rural character constrains subdivision-led densification. Future growth trajectory depends on whether Clarence Valley demand extends this far inland, rather than on local demographic or employment drivers.
Population trend: Clarence Valley council area
Glenugie sits in the Clarence Valley council area. These are the council area's residents, not Glenugie's.
Residents 2025
56,874
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Glenugie compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glenugie a good suburb to live in?
Glenugie offers large-lot rural living with 100% detached houses, a median age of 35 and a volunteering rate of 18.8%. However, household income sits at the 22.6th national percentile and there are no schools recorded within the suburb. Car ownership is essential as 100% of workers drive to work, with no public transport.
What schools are in Glenugie?
No schools are recorded within the Glenugie suburb boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,298 spread across 106.35 km2, families typically access schools in nearby Grafton and surrounding Clarence Valley towns. The local university qualification rate is 1.1%, well below the national average.
Is Glenugie safe?
Suburb-level crime statistics are not available for Glenugie in this dataset. As context, the suburb has a notable demographic profile with 81.2% male residents, likely linked to a correctional facility in the area. The residential stability rate is 80.5%, meaning most households are long-term locals.
Is Glenugie good for property investment?
The 65.3% one-year price rise suggests demand from outside the suburb, but only 3 development applications were lodged in 12 months, signalling limited supply pressure.
How is Glenugie's population changing?
Glenugie has a population of 1,298 across 106.35 km2, giving a density of 12.2 per km2, lower than most rural NSW localities. The residential stability rate of 80.5% means the majority of households are long-term residents. The suburb has had only 3 development applications in the past 12 months, indicating minimal new housing supply.
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).
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