Upper Hunter
Upper Hunter scores well on community services (62/100) but only 32/100 on sustainability — a gap worth watching.
"Scone — horse capital of Australia and Upper Hunter pastoral elegance"
New South Wales · regional council · Pop. 14,408
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
49 out of 100
#43 of 79 regional councils in NSW
#74 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 32/100 |
| Community Services | 62/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 45/100 |
| Core Operations | 59/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Upper Hunter performs strongest in community services (better than 62% of peers), with room to improve in financial sustainability (currently at the 32th percentile).
What Makes This Place Unique
Scone — horse capital of Australia and Upper Hunter pastoral elegance
Upper Hunter covers Scone, Murrurundi, and Merriwa in the thoroughbred breeding heartland.
Known For
- Scone — Horse Capital of Australia
- Thoroughbred studs
- Burning Mountain
- Upper Hunter pastoral heritage
Living Here
Country town living in beautiful horse country.
Hidden Gem
Burning Mountain — an underground coal seam burning for 6,000+ years.