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 is around 3,614 as of Aug 2025. This reflects a decrease of 28 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,642 people. The change is 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 equates to a density ratio of 21 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, according to this methodology, the area's population is expected to shrink by 36 persons. However, specific age cohorts are projected to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, which is anticipated 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 each year over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, totalling 156 homes. As of FY26 so far, 10 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average value of new dwellings approved is $661,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY26, $1.8 million worth of commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting minimal commercial development activity in the area compared to residential. When compared to the rest of NSW, Callala Bay - Currarong shows moderately higher construction activity, at 23.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This balance supports current property values while providing buyer choice. New development consists of 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, expanding the range of medium-density options to create a mix of opportunities across price brackets.

This shift represents decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options in the area, which currently has 96.0% houses. 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 ones are 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 details those most relevant.

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

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

Callala Bay - Currarong had an unemployment rate of 1.7% with estimated employment growth of 3.5% in the year to June 2025. As of that date, 1,464 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation was at 47.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment was concentrated in health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction, notably so in public administration & safety with levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing was under-represented, with only 1.2% of the workforce compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census data analysis.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.5%, labour force grew by 2.5%, reducing unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1% with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Statewide in NSW to Sep-25, employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, compared to the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from 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 this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does 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 among taxpayers of $47,654 and an average of $60,069. This is lower than the national average. The Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimates for March 2025 would be approximately $52,705 (median) and $66,436 (average). Census data indicates 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) earn between $800 and $1,499 annually, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. After housing expenses, 86.3% of income remains, ranking at 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

As evaluated in the latest Census, 95.6% of dwellings in Callala Bay - Currarong were houses, with the remaining 4.4% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. This compares to 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 dwellings making up 23.7% and rented properties accounting for 19.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. Weekly rent in the area was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $350. Nationally, Callala Bay - Currarong's median monthly mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than Australia's average of $1,863, while weekly rents were higher at $380 compared to 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% consisting of couples with children, 39.0% consisting of couples without children, and 10.3% being single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 27.2% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which matches 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 the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials were held by 43.2% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 32.1%.

In 2016, 21.4% of the population was actively pursuing formal education, including 6.9% in secondary, 6.7% in primary, and 2.6% in tertiary education. Callala Public School, established in Currarong, had an enrollment of 158 students as of 2021. The school focuses on primary education with an ICSEA value of 972, indicating typical Australian school conditions and balanced educational opportunities. Secondary options are available in nearby areas due to limited local school capacity (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. These are served by a mix of buses operating along 10 routes that together offer 184 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is good, with residents typically located 399 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 26 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 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 with a variety of conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% of the total population (~1,788 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 13.3%) and mental health issues (8.2%). Conversely, 56.5% report no medical ailments compared to 59.4% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 35.6% (1,285 people) than the state average of 27.8%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges despite performing 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 was found to have low cultural diversity, with 84.1% of its population born in Australia and 92.9% being citizens. The majority spoke English only at home, at 94.6%. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 55.0% of residents.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented, comprising 0.3%, compared to 0.1% regionally. Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.4%), Australian (26.6%), and Irish (9.6%). Some other ethnicities showed notable differences: Scottish at 9.5% (regional average 8.1%), Croatian at 1.0% (regional average 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (regional average 0.2%).

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

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