Batemans Bay

Population growth drivers in Batemans Bay are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Batemans Bay's population was approximately 8,707 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents a rise of 126 individuals, or 1.5%, since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,581 people. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,670 in June 2024 and an additional 98 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 136 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential room for development. Over the past decade, Batemans Bay has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming the SA3 area. Interstate migration was the primary driver of population growth, contributing approximately 68.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, Batemans Bay is projected to experience above median population growth among Australian non-metropolitan areas, with an expected increase of 1,654 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 18.4% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Batemans Bay recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Batemans Bay has received approximately 44 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 224 homes. As of FY-26, 26 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodated around 1.6 new residents per year. However, this figure has decreased to 0.1 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value of new properties is $634,000.

This financial year, Batemans Bay has seen $85.2 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of NSW, Batemans Bay maintains similar development levels per capita, preserving market balance. New developments consist of 70% detached dwellings and 30% attached dwellings, reflecting a low-density market with approximately 337 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, Batemans Bay is projected to grow by 1,600 residents, with building activity keeping pace with growth projections, potentially increasing competition among buyers as the population expands.

Batemans Bay has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 19thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 8 projects that are likely to impact the area. Notable among these are the Batemans Bay Community Health Facility, the 24 Beach Road Residential Development, the Batemans Bay Dredging project, and The Sebel Hotel. The following list details those projects deemed most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Batemans Bay face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Batemans Bay's workforce is balanced across white and blue collar jobs, with tourism and hospitality prominent. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 6.9%.

In this month, 3,307 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.3% higher than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation in Batemans Bay lagged significantly at 44.8%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents include retail trade, health care & social assistance, and construction. Retail trade is particularly specialized, employing 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 1.6% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by Census data on working population to local population ratios. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.6%, while employment decreased by 4.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Batemans Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Batemans Bay SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $40,638 and an average income of $50,461. These figures are lower than the national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 for Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $45,762 (median) and $56,824 (average). Census 2021 income data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Batemans Bay fall between the 8th and 11th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 30.1% earning $800 - $1,499 weekly, with 2,620 residents, differing from broader areas where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

Batemans Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Batemans Bay's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 75.6% houses and 24.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Batemans Bay stood at 44.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.2% and rented ones at 31.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,519, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in Batemans Bay was $330, slightly above Non-Metro NSW's figure of $320. Nationally, Batemans Bay's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,519 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $330 against the national figure of $375.

Batemans Bay features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 64.4% of all households, including 18.0% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.6%, with lone person households at 32.6% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Batemans Bay faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.9%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This discrepancy presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 9.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (32.2%).

A substantial 24.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 9.7% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Batemans Bay has 169 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of bus routes, totalling 41 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 599 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport in Batemans Bay is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 170 meters from the nearest transport stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 85 trips per day, equating to approximately 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Batemans Bay is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Batemans Bay faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover is low at approximately 46%, covering about 4,022 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.5% of residents) and mental health issues (9.8%), while 58.1% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of NSW at 59.6%. Batemans Bay has 29.7% of its population aged 65 and over (2,588 people), which is lower than the 31.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges despite performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Batemans Bay ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Batemans Bay, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of 84.1%, with 89.7% of its population being Australian-born citizens who primarily spoke English at home (94.4%). Christianity was the predominant religion, practised by 54.7% of the population, compared to 49.0% in the rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.2%), Australian (28.1%), and Irish (9.2%).

Notably, Batemans Bay had higher proportions of Australian Aboriginal (5.9%, compared to 3.6% regionally), Maltese (0.5%, vs 0.4%), and Polish (0.7%, vs 0.5%) populations.

Batemans Bay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Batemans Bay's median age is 51 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, the 65 - 74 cohort in Batemans Bay is notably over-represented at 16.1%, while the 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 8.9%. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.3% of Batemans Bay's population, while the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 17.3% to 16.1%. By 2041, Batemans Bay is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. The 35 to 44 group is projected to grow by 31%, adding 278 people and reaching a total of 1,174 from the previous figure of 895. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 2%, with an increase of 16 people.