Moruya - Tuross Head

Moruya - Tuross Head has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Moruya - Tuross Head's population is around 8,703 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 103 people (1.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,600 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,684 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 56 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 52 persons per square kilometer, providing ample space per person. Moruya - Tuross Head's 1.2% growth since the census positions it within 2.3 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.5%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration, which contributed approximately 55.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. As we examine future population trends, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to expand by 691 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, recording a gain of 7.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

Moruya - Tuross Head has recorded around 39 residential properties granted approval each year, totalling 196 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 41 approvals have been recorded. Given an average of 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand seem well-matched, fostering stable market dynamics, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $368,000. Additionally, $4.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature.

Compared to the rest of NSW, Moruya - Tuross Head records about three-quarters of the building activity per person and ranks in the 51st percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity consists of 80.0% detached dwellings and 20.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated count of 357 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low-activity development environment.

Future projections show Moruya - Tuross Head adding 672 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Moruya - Tuross Head has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects and planning initiatives. In total 5 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include South Moruya Roundabout, IRT Moruya Community-Integrated Seniors Housing, New Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, and Moruya Bypass, with the below list detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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.

The employment landscape in Moruya - Tuross Head presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.8%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Moruya - Tuross Head features a skilled workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of only 3.8%. As of December 2025, 3,552 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.1% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation lags significantly (48.6% compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%). Based on Census responses, a low 12.9% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The area has a particular employment specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Meanwhile, agriculture, forestry & fishing has a limited presence with 2.6% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. While local employment opportunities exist in the area, it appears many residents commute elsewhere for work, based on the count of the Census working population relative to the local population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, the labour force decreased by 4.4% alongside a 3.8% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW recorded an employment decline of 1.2%, a labour force decline of 0.8%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Moruya - Tuross Head. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Moruya - Tuross Head's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Moruya - Tuross Head SA2's median income among taxpayers is $43,208, with an average of $54,421. This is lower than average on a national basis, and compares to Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $47,036 (median) and $59,243 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Moruya - Tuross Head all fall between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 27.9% of the population (2,428 individuals) fall within the $400 - 799 income range, diverging from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. After housing, 86.6% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 13th percentile nationally.

Moruya - Tuross Head is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure within Moruya - Tuross Head, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 91.5% houses and 8.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Moruya - Tuross Head was well beyond that of Regional NSW, at 53.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (26.7%) or rented (19.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Regional NSW average at $1,517, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $310, compared to Regional NSW's $1,733 and $330. Nationally, Moruya - Tuross Head's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Moruya - Tuross Head features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 67.0% of all households, comprising 18.1% couples with children, 39.1% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 33.0%, with lone person households at 30.5% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size of 2.2 people is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Moruya - Tuross Head fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (21.4%) substantially below the NSW average of 32.2%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (31.3%).

A substantial 24.2% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 297 active transport stops operating within Moruya - Tuross Head comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 34 individual routes, collectively providing 347 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 178 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward - the car remains the dominant mode at 94%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling. A relatively low 12.9% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 49 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 1 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Moruya - Tuross Head is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Moruya - Tuross Head faces significant health challenges, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,073 people). This compares to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The national average is 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 13.8 and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 58.1% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 34.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,009 people), which is higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Moruya - Tuross Head was found to be below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 89.2% of its population being citizens, 86.8% born in Australia, and 97.2% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Moruya - Tuross Head is Christianity, which makes up 51.4% of the population. This compares to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Moruya - Tuross Head are English, comprising 32.4% of the population, Australian, comprising 30.0% of the population, and Irish, comprising 10.1% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Hungarian is notably overrepresented at 0.4% of Moruya - Tuross Head (vs 0.2% regionally), Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.5%) and Scottish at 8.5% (vs 8.0%).

Moruya - Tuross Head ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The 56-year median age in Moruya - Tuross Head is notably higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 and significantly higher than Australia's 38 years. The 65 - 74 age group shows strong representation at 20.5% compared to Regional NSW, whereas the 5 - 14 cohort is less prevalent at 8.2%. This 65 - 74 concentration is well above the national 9.5%. Following the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 9.6% to 10.7% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 19.3% to 16.4% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 9.3% to 8.2%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Moruya - Tuross Head's age structure. The 75 to 84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 25%, adding 229 residents to reach 1,162. Demographic aging continues as residents 65 and older represent 51% of anticipated growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 cohorts.