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

Moruya-Tuross Head's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 8,706, indicating a growth of 106 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 1.2% change from the previously reported figure of 8,600. The population estimate for June 2024 was 8,684, with an additional 59 validated new addresses contributing to the growth. This results in a population density of 52 persons per square kilometer. Comparing Moruya-Tuross Head's growth rate of 1.2% since the census with the SA3 area's rate of 3.4%, the former demonstrates competitive growth fundamentals, being within 2.2 percentage points of the latter. Interstate migration accounted for approximately 55.9% of overall population gains during recent periods in Moruya-Tuross Head.

AreaSearch relies on ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below Australia's non-metropolitan median, with Moruya-Tuross Head expected to expand by 691 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 7.7% over the 17-year period.

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 approximately 39 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 196 homes. As of FY2025/26, 37 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were noted between FY2020/21 and FY2024/25. The average construction value for new properties is $368,000.

This financial year, $4.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of NSW, Moruya-Tuross Head records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks in the 51st percentile nationally. New building activity comprises 80% detached dwellings and 20% townhouses or apartments.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 357 people. Future projections suggest Moruya-Tuross Head will add 669 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified five projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include South Moruya Roundabout, IRT Moruya Community-Integrated Seniors Housing, New Eurobodalla Regional Hospital, and Moruya Bypass. The following 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Moruya - Tuross Head faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Moruya-Tuross Head has a skilled workforce with prominent essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.2% as of September 2025. There were 3,553 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.3% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation lagged at 48.8%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census responses, only 12.9% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction had a significant presence with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 2.6%, compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 5.4% alongside a 5.5% employment decline, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In comparison, Rest of NSW had an employment decline of 0.5%, labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these 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, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 indicates that Moruya - Tuross Head SA2 has a median income among taxpayers of $43,208 and an average of $54,421. These figures are lower than the national averages. The Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $47,036 (median) and $59,243 (average). Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Moruya - Tuross Head fall between the 10th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 27.9% of the population, equating to 2,428 individuals, fall within the $400-$799 income range, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500-$2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. After housing costs, 86.6% of income remains, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census evaluated the dwelling structures in Moruya - Tuross Head as 91.5% houses and 8.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moruya - Tuross Head was at 53.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 26.7% and rented ones at 19.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Moruya - Tuross Head's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were 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 account for 67.0% of all households, including 18.1% that are couples with children, 39.1% that are couples without children, and 9.0% that are 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 is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of 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's university qualification rate is 21.4%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (31.3%). A total of 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 9.0% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

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

Moruya - Tuross Head has 297 active public transport stops, served by 34 routes offering 347 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent with residents typically 178 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with outward commuting prevalent and cars being the dominant mode at 94%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.5 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 12.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 49 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per stop.

The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's 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. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,074 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (13.8%) and mental health issues (8.7%). 58.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 34.3% of residents aged 65 and over (2,983 people), higher than the 23.0% in Rest of 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 had a cultural diversity index below the average, with 89.2% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia (86.8%), and speaking English only at home (97.2%). Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 51.4% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.4%), Australian (30.0%), and Irish (10.1%).

Notably, Hungarian (0.4%) and Welsh (0.7%) ethnicities were overrepresented in Moruya-Tuross Head compared to the regional averages of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Scottish ethnicity was also slightly higher at 8.5%.

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

The median age in Moruya-Tuross Head is 56 years, notably exceeding Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and significantly higher than Australia's 38 years. The 65-74 age group shows strong representation at 20.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 15.9% and the national figure of 9.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 8.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has grown from 9.6% to 10.8%, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 19.3% to 16.7%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Moruya-Tuross Head's age structure. The 75-84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 24%, adding 226 residents to reach 1,162. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 51% of anticipated population growth, while declines are projected for the 5-14 and 55-64 cohorts.