Callala Bay - Currarong
Statistical Area - sa2

Callala Bay - Currarong has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Callala Bay - Currarong's population was around 3,614 as of Aug 2025. This reflected a decrease of 28 people (0.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,642 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,598 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 26 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 21 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilised NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projections indicated a decline in overall population over this period, with the area's population expected to shrink by 36 persons by 2041. However, growth was anticipated across specific age cohorts, led by the 85 and over age group, projected to expand by 68 people.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Callala Bay - Currarong according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Callala Bay - Currarong has averaged approximately 31 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 156 homes. As of FY26, 10 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average expected construction cost value for new dwellings is $661,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY26, $1.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting minimal commercial development activity compared to residential. When compared to Rest of NSW, Callala Bay - Currarong shows moderately higher construction activity, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. New development consists of 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, expanding the range of affordable options. This shift from the area's existing predominantly single-family housing stock (currently 96.0%) reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles.

The location has approximately 159 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Callala Bay - Currarong should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Callala Bay - Currarong has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Jervis Bay Road Intersection Upgrade, Culburra Beach Access Stairs - Penguins Head Road, Revitalisation of Vincentia Village Shopping Mall Precinct, and West Culburra Development. The following list highlights 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.

Employment conditions in Callala Bay - Currarong demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Callala Bay - Currarong has a skilled workforce with 1,464 residents employed as of June 2025. The unemployment rate is 1.9%, lower than Rest of NSW's 3.7%.

Workforce participation is 47.5%, significantly below the regional average of 56.4%. Key employment sectors are health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction, with a notable concentration in public administration & safety at 1.9 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, comprising only 1.2% of the workforce compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.5%, labour force grew by 2.5%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a slight decline in employment (-0.1%), with unemployment rising by 0.4%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Callala Bay - Currarong's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though these are illustrative extrapolations and do not account for localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Callala Bay - Currarong had a median income of $47,654 and an average income of $60,069 among taxpayers. This is lower than the national average. The Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Callala Bay - Currarong would be approximately $53,663 (median) and $67,644 (average) as of September 2025. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Callala Bay - Currarong fall between the 16th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.3% of locals (1,058 people) have incomes ranging from $800 to $1,499, which is the predominant cohort in the area. This contrasts with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. After housing costs, 86.3% of income remains, ranking at only the 19th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Callala Bay - Currarong is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Callala Bay - Currarong, as per the latest Census, 95.6% of dwellings were houses while 4.4% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Callala Bay - Currarong stood at 56.5%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 23.7% and rented dwellings making up 19.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. Weekly rent in the area was recorded at $380 compared to Non-Metro NSW's figure of $350. Nationally, Callala Bay - Currarong's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Callala Bay - Currarong has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 70.7% of all households, including 20.2% couples with children, 39.0% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 27.2% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of NSW.

Educational outcomes in Callala Bay - Currarong fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate in 2016 was 20.1%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials were prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (32.1%). In total, 21.4% of the population was actively pursuing formal education in 2016, with 6.9% in secondary, 6.7% in primary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Callala Public School served the area with an enrollment of 158 students as of 2021, offering balanced educational opportunities typical of Australian schools (ICSEA: 972). The school focused exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. As of 2021, local school capacity was limited at 4.4 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 12.8, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Callala Bay - Currarong has 53 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together offer 184 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living 399 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 26 trips per day across all routes, which equates to roughly 3 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Callala Bay - Currarong faces significant health challenges affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately half (around 1,788 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (affecting 13.3% of residents) and mental health issues (8.2%). Around 56.5% report no medical ailments, slightly below Rest of NSW's 59.4%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 35.6% (1,285 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 27.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are challenging but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Callala Bay-Currarong showed cultural diversity below average, with 84.1% born in Australia, 92.9% citizens, and 94.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 55.0%. Judaism's representation stood out at 0.3%, higher than Rest of NSW's 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (31.4%), Australian (26.6%), and Irish (9.6%). Notably, Scottish (9.5%) and Croatian (1.0%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 8.1% and 0.4%, respectively. Hungarian representation was also slightly higher at 0.4%.

Callala Bay - Currarong ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Callala Bay - Currarong's median age is 55 years, which is higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and the national norm of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 20.9% of the population, while those aged 25-34 are comparatively smaller at 6.7%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of those aged 65 to 74 has increased from 18.6% to 20.9%, while the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.0% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 12.6% to 10.0%, and those aged 25 to 34 have dropped from 7.8% to 6.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Callala Bay - Currarong's age structure. The number of those aged 85 and over is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 61 people (54%) from 113 to 175. This demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 58% of anticipated growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 75 to 84 age groups.