Nambucca Heads
Statistical Area - sa2

Nambucca Heads has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Nambucca Heads' population is approximately 7,324 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 213 people, a 3.0% rise from the 2021 Census count of 7,111 residents. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,216 in June 2024 and an additional 205 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 235 persons per square kilometer. Nambucca Heads' 3.0% growth since the census is within 1.5 percentage points of the SA3 area's 4.5%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Interstate migration contributed approximately 79.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, 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. By 2041, Nambucca Heads is expected to increase by 952 persons based on the latest population numbers, with an overall increase of 11.5% over the 17-year period.

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

Nambucca Heads granted approval for approximately 37 residential properties annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25186 homes were approved, with an additional 17 approved in FY26 so far. On average, one new resident arrived per year for each new home over these five years, indicating balanced supply and demand, stable market conditions, and an average dwelling construction cost of $321,000.

This financial year has seen $11.6 million in commercial approvals, reflecting moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the rest of NSW, Nambucca Heads maintains similar construction rates per capita, sustaining market balance with the broader area. The new building activity comprises 84% standalone homes and 16% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With around 260 people per approval, Nambucca Heads reflects a low-density area. Future projections estimate an addition of 839 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Nambucca Heads has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 28thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified seven projects that could affect this region. Notable ones are Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), Vista Apartments, Nambucca Heads Lifestyle Estate, and the conversion of 14-22 Boundary Street Macksville into serviced apartments for tourism accommodation. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Nambucca Heads faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Nambucca Heads has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Key sectors include essential services, with an unemployment rate of 7.7%.

Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 0.9%. As of June 2025, 2,489 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 4.1%, higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Nambucca Heads lags at 37.4% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Major employment areas for residents are health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade.

Notably, accommodation & food employs 1.8 times the regional level. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 2.0% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparisons. Between June 2024 and May 2025, employment increased by 0.9% alongside labour force growth of 0.9%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 7.7%. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise to 4.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Nambucca Heads' employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.9% 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

Nambucca Heads had a median taxpayer income of $39,093 and an average income of $53,671 in financial year 2022. These figures are below the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average). By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $44,023 and $60,439 respectively, based on a 12.61% increase since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, income levels in Nambucca Heads fall between the 1st and 4th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest earnings segment consists of 37.5% of residents earning $400-$799 weekly, compared to the regional trend where 29.9% earn $1,500-$2,999 weekly. Financial pressure is evident, with 47.7% of households having modest weekly budgets below $800. Housing affordability is a severe issue, with only 82.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

Dwelling structure in Nambucca Heads, as per the latest Census, comprised 74.7% houses and 25.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nambucca Heads was 48.0%, with the rest mortgaged or rented at 17.8% and 34.3% respectively. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,330. Median weekly rent in Nambucca Heads was $285, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents substantially lower at $375.

Nambucca Heads features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 55.3% of all households, including 14.0% couples with children, 27.8% couples without children, and 12.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 44.7%, with lone person households at 41.6% and group households making up 3.2%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 13.9%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 9.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 31.7%. A total of 24.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 8.8% in primary, 7.7% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

The four schools in Nambucca Heads have a combined enrollment of 1,229 students. The area has varied educational conditions with two primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 16.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.1, indicating that the area serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

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

Transport analysis shows 36 active stops operating in Nambucca Heads. These include both train and bus services. There are 30 individual routes servicing these stops, providing a total of 370 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 308 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 52 trips per day across all routes, which equates to around 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Nambucca Heads faces significant health challenges, with various conditions impacting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 47% (~3,442 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (14.3%) and mental health issues (10.2%), while 51.8% report no medical ailments compared to 58.0% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 36.0% (2,634 people), higher than the 28.1% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors largely align with those of the general population.

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

Nambucca Heads, surveyed in June 2016, had low cultural diversity with 88.7% citizens, 87.3% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion (53.3%). Judaism, though small (0.2%), was higher than Rest of NSW's 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.0%), Australian (29.9%), Irish (8.9%). Notable differences included overrepresentation of Australian Aboriginal (6.9% vs regional 7.5%), Scottish (8.4% vs 7.5%), and French (0.5% vs 0.3%).

Nambucca Heads ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Nambucca Heads is 56 years, which is notably higher than Rest of NSW's average of 43 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group makes up 18.0% of the population, compared to Rest of NSW's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort comprises 8.0%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 8.2% to 9.2%, while the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 15.8% to 14.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Nambucca Heads's age structure. The 35-44 cohort is projected to grow by 30%, adding 203 residents to reach 881. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 15-24 cohorts.