Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores
Statistical Area - sa2

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' population is 9,658 as of Aug 2025. This figure reflects a 488 person increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,170 people. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 9,596 in June 2024 and an additional 99 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 both the SA4 region's 3.2% and non-metro areas, making it a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.2% to overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for national non-metropolitan areas. Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores is projected to increase by 1,628 persons to 2041 based on the latest numbers, recording a total gain of 16.2% 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 averaged approximately 38 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY21 and FY25194 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved so far in FY26. This results in around 3.7 new residents per year for every home built over the past five financial years.

Demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes is $591,000, indicating a focus on quality construction. In FY26, there have been $5.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature.

Compared to the rest of NSW, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores shows roughly 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 59th percentile nationally. New development comprises 72.0% standalone homes and 28.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character while attracting space-seeking buyers with detached housing options. With around 254 people per dwelling approval, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts project an increase of 1,566 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, but heightened competition among buyers may arise as the population grows.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Six projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the area, with key projects including Bayside Brunswick Heads (Wallum), Marshalls Creek Boardwalk, Place Plan for New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby Road Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

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 prominent essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.4%.

As of June 2025, 4,565 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area has a strong specialization in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

Public administration & safety, however, shows lower representation at 3.5% compared to the regional average of 7.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.8%, while employment declined by 4.3%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' employment mix indicates potential local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

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 had a median income among taxpayers of $40,446 and an average of $56,810. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998 during this period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores would be approximately $45,546 (median) and $63,974 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores modestly, between the 33rd and 34th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 34.4% of locals (3,322 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores, 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

The latest Census evaluation showed that 79.5% of dwellings in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores were houses, with the remaining 20.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores was at 38.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.7% and rented ones also at 30.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980. The median weekly rent figure for Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores was recorded as $498, higher than Non-Metro NSW's $450. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the area were above the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher at $498 compared to 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 comprise the remaining 36.4%, with lone person households at 28.1% and group households at 8.3%. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Rest of NSW average.

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

Educational attainment in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores is high, with 32.5% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to the broader NSW average of 21.3%. In this area, 22.3% have bachelor degrees, 6.5% have postgraduate qualifications, and 3.7% have graduate diplomas. Vocational credentials are also common, with 37.6% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications; advanced diplomas account for 13.8%, while certificates make up 23.8%. Educational participation is notable, with 29.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 9.6% in primary, 7.8% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.

Two public schools serve the area - Brunswick Heads Public School and Ocean Shores Public School, collectively educating 518 students. The area has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1035), with balanced educational opportunities. Both schools focus on primary education; secondary options are available in nearby areas. Local school capacity is limited at 5.4 places per 100 residents, compared to the regional average of 13.2, resulting in many families traveling for schooling.

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

Brunswick Heads-Ocean Shores has 37 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 40 different routes that together facilitate 340 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated good, with residents on average located 273 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 48 trips per day across all routes, which equates 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 of common health conditions. Approximately 48% of its total population (~4,664 people) have private health cover, compared to 52.3% across the Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.0% and 8.0% of residents respectively.

A total of 71.3% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 68.0% across the Rest of NSW. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 19.5% (1,880 people) compared to 23.6% in the Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population in health 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 in 2016, 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 dominant religion, accounting for 27.9%.

However, Judaism was overrepresented at 1.5%, compared to 0.6% regionally. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.8%), Australian (23.1%), and Irish (11.6%). Notably, French (1.2%) was slightly overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.9%. Russian (0.5%) and German (4.5%) also showed higher percentages than the respective regional averages of 0.3% and 3.8%.

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has a median age of 43, matching the Rest of NSW figure and exceeding the national average of 38. The 35-44 age group is notably prominent at 16.3%, while the 15-24 group is relatively smaller at 8.6% compared to Rest of NSW. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 35-44 age group has increased from 14.1% to 16.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 14.8% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' age structure. The 35-44 group is projected to grow by 28%, reaching 2,018 people from the current 1,575. Meanwhile, numbers in the 55-64 age range are expected to decrease by 14%.