Moruya - Tuross Head
Statistical Area - sa2

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 was 8,774 as of November 2025, according to AreaSearch's analysis. This figure represents an increase of 174 people from the 2021 Census total of 8,600, reflecting a growth rate of 2.0%. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 8,684 in June 2024 and an additional 59 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 53 persons per square kilometer. Moruya-Tuross Head's growth rate since the census is within 0.6 percentage points of the SA3 area's rate of 2.6%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 55.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to expand by 691 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 6.8% in total 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 properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 196 homes. As of FY2025-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were seen between FY2020-21 and FY2024-25. New properties are constructed at an average value of $368,000.

In FY2025-26, $4.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Moruya-Tuross Head records around three-quarters of the building activity per person and ranks among the 52nd percentile nationally. New building activity comprises 80% detached dwellings and 20% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's low-density nature.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 357 people. Future projections indicate Moruya-Tuross Head adding 601 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should meet demand comfortably, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Moruya - Tuross Head has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified five projects potentially 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 likely most relevant.

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

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

Moruya-Tuross Head has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 4.7%.

The area's residents in work totalled 3,574, with an unemployment rate 1.1% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation was lower at 45.4%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence at 2.6% compared to the regional 5.3%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.5%, alongside a 4.7% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW had an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moruya-Tuross Head's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting 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 for financial year 2022 shows Moruya - Tuross Head had a median income among taxpayers of $40,674 and an average of $52,166. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $45,803 (median) and $58,744 (average). Census data indicates 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 2,447 individuals, fall within the $400-$799 income range, unlike 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 only the 14th percentile nationally.

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

In Moruya-Tuross Head, as per the latest Census, 91.5% of dwellings were houses, with 8.5% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moruya-Tuross Head stood at 53.8%, similar to Non-Metro NSW, with the rest being mortgaged (26.7%) or rented (19.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517, matching Non-Metro NSW's average, while median weekly rent was $310, slightly below Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Moruya-Tuross Head's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Moruya - Tuross Head features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 67.0% of all households, including 18.1% couples with children, 39.1% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.0%, with lone person households at 30.5% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which matches the average for the Rest of NSW.

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 the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.1% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 31.3%. A total of 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 9.0% in primary, 7.2% in secondary, and 2.1% in tertiary education.

Moruya-Tuross Head's three schools have a combined enrollment of 837 students. The area has two primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups, with school places per 100 residents at 9.6, below the regional average of 12.7. Some students may attend schools in adjacent areas due to varied educational conditions across Moruya-Tuross Head.

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

Moruya-Tuross Head has 268 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 unique routes that together offer 335 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 178 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there are an average of 47 daily trips, equating to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Moruya - Tuross Head faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. Private health cover stands at approximately 46%, covering around 4,053 people, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.8%) and mental health issues (8.7%). In contrast, 58.1% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 59.6%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 34.3% or around 3,006 people, compared to the Rest of NSW's 31.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming general population metrics.

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, as per the Census 2016, showed cultural diversity below average. Its population was predominantly Australian-born citizens with English as their primary language: 89.2%, 86.8%, and 97.2% respectively. Christianity was the predominant religion at 51.4%, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 49.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.4%), Australian (30.0%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Hungarian (0.4%) and Welsh (0.7%) were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. Scottish representation was similar 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 proportion, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 8.4%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group has grown from 9.6% to 10.8% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 19.3% to 16.7%. By 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Moruya - Tuross Head's age structure. The 75-84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 23%, adding 218 residents to reach 1,162. Demographic aging continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 51% of anticipated growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 5-14 cohorts.