Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores

Population growth drivers in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' population was 9,660 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 490 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,170. The change is inferred from an estimated resident population of 9,596 in June 2024 and an additional 100 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 177 persons per square kilometer. Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' growth rate of 5.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's 3.3%, making it a growth leader in the area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.2% of overall population gains during recent periods, with natural growth and interstate migration also being positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where data is not available, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics project an above median growth for national non-metropolitan areas, with Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores expected to increase by 1,628 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 16.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has averaged approximately 38 new dwelling approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25194 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved so far in FY26. Each year, on average, around 3.7 new residents have been associated with every home built during these years.

This demonstrates a significant demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices and increases competition among buyers. The average value of new homes being constructed is $591,000, indicating an emphasis on quality construction compared to regional levels. In FY26, there have been $5.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature.

Comparatively, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores shows around 75% of the construction activity per person relative to the Rest of NSW, and it ranks among the 58th percentile nationally when assessed against other areas. The new development consists of approximately 72.0% standalone homes and 28.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with its emphasis on detached housing. With around 254 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores exhibits characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to grow by 1,564 residents through to 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with these growth projections, although buyers may experience heightened competition as the population continues to increase.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Six projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include Bayside Brunswick Heads (Wallum), Marshalls Creek Boardwalk, New Brighton Place Plan, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores development, and Mullumbimby Road Upgrade. The following details those considered most relevant.

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While Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.4%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.4%.

There are 4,565 residents in work, which is 0.2% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, and workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area shows strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level, but public administration & safety has lower representation at 3.5% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.8% while employment declined by 4.3%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 percentage points.

In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. By November 2025, NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $40,446 and an average of $56,810. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $45,546 (median) and $63,974 (average). The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores modestly, between the 32nd and 33rd percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 34.4% of locals (3,323 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% fall into this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 28th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores, as per the latest Census evaluation, 79.5% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 20.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores was 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.7% and rented ones at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980. The median weekly rent stood at $498, higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $450. Nationally, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $498 versus the national figure of $375.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 63.6% of all households, including 23.3% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 14.2% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 28.1% and group households comprising 8.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of NSW.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 32.5% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 24.3% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 22.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.6% of residents holding them - advanced diplomas (13.8%) and certificates (23.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis indicates 37 active transport stops operating within Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 40 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 340 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 273 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 48 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores shows superior health outcomes for both young and elderly residents, with low prevalence rates for common health conditions. Private health cover is held by approximately 48% of the total population (~4665 people), compared to 52.3% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 8.0%) and mental health issues (8.0%), with 71.3% reporting no medical ailments, higher than the Rest of NSW figure at 68.0%.

The area has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 19.5% (1880 people), compared to 23.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming general population metrics.

In terms of cultural diversity, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Brunswick Heads-Ocean Shores, surveyed between August 2016 and July 2017, had a cultural diversity profile roughly matching the wider region's average. 85.6% of its population were citizens, 79.5% were born in Australia, and 91.2% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 27.9%.

Judaism was overrepresented, making up 1.5%, compared to the regional average of 0.6%. The top three ancestral groups were English (29.8%), Australian (23.1%), and Irish (11.6%). Notably, French (1.2% vs 0.9%), Russian (0.5% vs 0.3%), and German (4.5% vs 3.8%) ethnicities showed higher representation than the regional averages.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has a median age of 43, which is equal to that of Rest of NSW and higher than the national average of 38. The age profile shows that individuals aged 35-44 make up 16.3% of the population, while those aged 15-24 constitute only 8.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of people aged 35 to 44 has increased from 14.1% to 16.3%, while the percentage of individuals aged 55 to 64 has decreased from 14.8% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in the age structure of Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores. The number of people aged 35 to 44 is expected to grow by 28%, reaching 2,018 from 1,575. Conversely, the population aged 55 to 64 is projected to decrease by 15%.