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 was 9,170 as of August 2021. By June 2024, it had risen to an estimated 9,596, an increase of 488 people (5.3%) since the census. This growth can be attributed to 99 validated new addresses and overseas migration contributing approximately 58.2% of population gains. The area's population density was 177 persons per square kilometer as of June 2024. Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores' population growth exceeded that of the SA4 region (3.2%) and the non-metro area between August 2021 and June 2024. AreaSearch projects the area's population to increase by 1,628 persons to 2041, resulting in a total gain of 16.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above median population growth of national non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the area expected to increase by 1,628 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording 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 13 approved so far in FY26. This results in around 3.7 new residents per year for every home built during these years.

The demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically increases competition among buyers and puts upward pressure on prices. The average construction value of new homes is $591,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. In the current financial year, there have been $5.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 59th percentile nationally. The new development consists of 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. Population forecasts indicate that the area will gain approximately 1,566 residents by 2041. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects potentially affecting this region. Notable initiatives include Bayside Brunswick Heads (Wallum), Marshalls Creek Boardwalk, New Brighton Place Plan, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores developments, and the Mullumbimby Road Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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 skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is 0.2% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

There are 4,565 residents employed, with workforce participation similar to Rest of NSW at 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area is particularly specialized in accommodation & food, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level. Conversely, public administration & safety has lower representation at 3.5% compared to the regional average of 7.5%.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.8%, while employment declined by 4.3%, resulting in a fall in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1% and labour force expand by 0.3%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, losing 19,270 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate that national employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 30, 2022 shows Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores had a median taxpayer income of $40,446 and an average of $56,810. This is below the national average. Rest of NSW's median was $49,459 with an average of $62,998 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since June 30, 2022, current estimates would be approximately $44,733 for median and $62,832 for average income by March 2025. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes modestly in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores, between the 33rd and 34th percentiles. The earnings profile indicates that 34.4% of locals (3,322 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, similar to metropolitan regions where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.1% of income remaining after housing costs, 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 dwelling structure in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores, as per the latest Census, consisted of 79.5% houses and 20.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores was at 38.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (30.7%) or rented (30.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $498, higher than Non-Metro NSW's $450 and substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 constitute 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 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 significantly higher than broader benchmarks. 32.5% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in Rest of NSW and 24.3% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are 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 aged 15+ 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. Brunswick Heads Public School and Ocean Shores Public School collectively serve 518 students, demonstrating typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1035) with balanced educational opportunities. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Limited local school capacity means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling - the area has only 5.4 school places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.2.

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

Transport analysis indicates 37 operational stops in Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores area. These are served by bus routes exclusively. There are 40 individual routes providing a total of 340 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 273 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 48 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 9 weekly trips per 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 has above-average health outcomes for both young and old age groups, with low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 48% (about 4,664 people), compared to 52.3% across the rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.0% and 8.0% of residents respectively.

71.3% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 68.0% in the rest of NSW. As of 2021, 19.5% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,880 people), lower than the 23.6% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly 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 had a cultural diversity profile similar to the wider region's average, with 85.6% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (79.5%), speaking English only at home (91.2%). Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 27.9%. Judaism was overrepresented at 1.5%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 0.6%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (29.8%), Australian (23.1%), and Irish (11.6%). Notably, French (1.2% vs regional 0.9%), Russian (0.5% vs 0.3%), and German (4.5% vs 3.8%) ethnicities were also overrepresented.

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

Brunswick Heads - Ocean Shores has a median age of 43, which is equal to that of the 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%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of people aged 35-44 has increased from 14.1% to 16.3%, while the percentage of individuals aged 55-64 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 35-44 age group is expected to grow by 28%, reaching a total of 2,018 people from its current figure of 1,575. Conversely, the number of individuals aged 55-64 is projected to decrease by 14%.