Eden

An assessment of population growth drivers in Eden reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Eden's population was around 3,563 as of November 2025. This reflected an increase of 138 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,425. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,460 in June 2024 and an additional 60 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a density ratio of 37 persons per square kilometer. Eden's growth rate of 4.0% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.6%. The population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration, contributing approximately 70.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections were used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to this methodology, the area's population is expected to decline by 280 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 85 and over age group, projected to increase by 95 people.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Eden recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Eden has recorded approximately 14 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years, totalling 71 homes. In FY-26 so far, 1 approval has been recorded. On average, 1.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. However, this figure has eased to 0.9 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. New properties are constructed at an average value of $368,000.

This year, $9.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Eden shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and places among the 79th percentile nationally, though building activity has accelerated recently. New development consists of 71.0% detached dwellings and 29.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving Eden's low density nature.

With approximately 148 people per approval, Eden reflects a low density area. Population projections indicate stability or decline, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures, which could benefit potential buyers.

Eden has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely to affect this region. Notable projects are Eden Town Centre Revitalisation, Fenbury - Eden (Cattle Bay), Sapphire of Eden, and Storey Avenue and Princes Highway Roadworks. 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.

Employment conditions in Eden face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Eden has an employment mix that includes both white and blue collar jobs, with tourism and hospitality sectors notably present. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 6.4%.

In comparison to Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%, Eden's unemployment rate is 2.6% higher. Workforce participation in Eden stands at 44.4%, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Notably, accommodation & food has a strong presence with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance has limited presence at 14.1%, compared to the regional average of 16.9%. Labour force levels in Eden decreased by 5.4% over the 12 months to September 2025, accompanied by a 5.5% employment decline, leading to an unemployment increase of 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Statewide, NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs) as of 25-Nov, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Eden's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Eden SA2 had a median income of $41,129 and an average income of $51,051. These figures are lower than the national averages. For comparison, Rest of NSW had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for Eden SA2 as of September 2025 would be approximately $46,315 (median) and $57,489 (average). Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Eden fall between the 3rd and 8th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 30.6% of residents earn between $400 - 799 per week, differing from broader area patterns where earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 dominate with 29.9%. The prevalence of lower-income residents (40.1% earning less than $800/week) suggests constrained household budgets across much of the area. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Eden, with only 84.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile nationally.

Eden is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The latest Census showed that in Eden, 79.3% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 20.7% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Eden was at 47.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.4% and rented ones at 31.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Eden was $1,517, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. The median weekly rent in Eden was $270, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Eden's median mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863. Eden's median weekly rents were also lower at $270 compared to the national figure of $375.

Eden features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 63.2% of all households, including 17.4% couples with children, 33.2% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 33.9% and group households comprising 2.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Eden faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 14.5%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.4%, followed by graduate diplomas (2.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (30.8%).

Educational participation is high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in primary education, 7.8% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Eden's public transport analysis shows 55 active stops in operation, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 22 individual routes, offering a total of 332 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 219 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 47 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Eden faces significant health challenges with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Approximately 46% (~1,653 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.7% of residents) and mental health issues (8.6%), while 57.3% claim to be free from medical ailments, compared to 59.6% in Rest of NSW. Eden has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 33.5% (1,193 people) than Rest of NSW's 31.7%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Eden is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Eden's population shows lower cultural diversity, with 87.7% citizens, 87.2% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Eden at 50.2%, compared to 49.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are English (33.4%), Australian (28.9%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation in Eden is higher at 5.9% (regional average: 3.6%), French at 0.6% (vs regional 0.4%), and Hungarian at 0.3% (vs regional 0.2%).

Eden ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Eden's median age in 2021 was 53, significantly higher than the Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and substantially exceeding the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Eden had a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (17.0%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.7%). This 65-74 concentration was well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Eden's population aged 75 to 84 grew from 9.6% to 12.4%, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.0% to 10.4% and the 65 to 74 group dropped from 18.4% to 17.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Eden's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 68%, reaching 243 people from 144. This growth will be driven entirely by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, both the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.