Prior to European settlement, the Muswellbrook Shire was occupied by people of the Wonnarua/Wanaruah language group. The Wonnarua/Wanaruah people traded and had ceremonial links to their neighbouring tribes such as Awabakal, Darkinung, Geawegal, Kamilaroi, Wiradjuri and Worimi. The Muswellbrook Shire Local Government area is located within the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council boundary. Aboriginal people living in Muswellbrook Shire now comprise 11.7% of the total population according to the 2021 ABS census data.

The Shire consists of two larger towns, Muswellbrook and Denman, as well as a number of outlying rural communities including Sandy Hollow, Wybong, Baerami, Martindale, McCully’s Gap, Widden and Muscle Creek. The boundaries of the Local Government Area (LGA) are marked by Lake Liddell to the east, Goulburn River National Park to the west, Wollemi National Park to the south and bordering Aberdeen in the north. A surprising fact to many is that 1,455km – or 43% – of Muswellbrook Shire’s 3,402km² land coverage is national park. This includes the World Heritage Wollemi National Park.

We are a young community with a rising population. Muswellbrook Shire is a welcoming community offering all the cultural, recreational, educational and community facilities that you would expect to find in a city. It is the main regional centre for the Upper Hunter. The population of Muswellbrook Local Government Area (LGA) is concentrated in the towns of Sandy Hollow, Denman and Muswellbrook.

The estimated residential population for Muswellbrook LGA in 2021 was 16,357 people (ABS). This is up from 16,086 in 2016. Council anticipates modest population growth in the short to medium term. This is largely associated with more affordable housing, a diversifying economy and expanding educational opportunities.

The average population of the Muswellbrook LGA has reflected the ebbs and flows of the mining industry. Annual population growth over the last decade, from 2011 to 2021, was 5.6% – a steady rise for a regional area. The majority of this growth has been concentrated in Muswellbrook, which accounts for over half the growth. However, the 2021 census showed that growth overall since 2016 has only been 1.4%.

The 2021 census indicated that Muswellbrook Shire has a relatively high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples residing in the community at 11.7%. This compares with the 3.4% NSW State average.

Muswellbrook Shire tends to be a younger community with the median age of people being 37 years. In 2021, our population consisted of 6.3% aged 0-4 years (preschool age), compared with NSW at 5.8%; while 21.2% were aged 5-19 years (school age/dependents) compared with NSW at 18.1%. At the other end of the age spectrum, the population has 20.2% of 60 years and over; this compares to 21.2% across the state. The ratio of men to women stayed the same as in 2016 at 51.3% male and 48.7% female.