Narooma - Bermagui

Population growth drivers in Narooma - Bermagui are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Narooma-Bermagui's population was 9,888 as of the 2021 Census. As of Nov 2025, it is around 10,051, an increase of 163 people (1.6%). This change is inferred from ABS' June 2024 estimate of 10,018 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 39 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, ending in Nov 2025, Narooma-Bermagui's compound annual growth rate was 1.0%, driven primarily by interstate migration contributing approximately 76.3% of overall population gains. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Narooma-Bermagui's population is expected to increase by 1,118 persons to around 11,199, reflecting a total increase of 10.8% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Narooma - Bermagui when compared nationally

Narooma-Bermagui has approved approximately 45 residential properties annually. Between FY21 and FY25229 homes were approved, with an additional 20 approved in FY26 to date. On average, 2.1 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five financial years, indicating strong demand for housing.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $327,000. In FY26, commercial approvals totaling $9.5 million have been registered, demonstrating steady commercial investment activity in the region. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Narooma-Bermagui has seen 19.0% less new development per capita.

Nationally, it ranks at the 55th percentile for areas assessed. The area's housing stock consists of 81.0% detached houses and 19.0% medium to high-density housing, reflecting its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 277 people per dwelling approval, Narooma-Bermagui is characterized by a low-density population. Population forecasts suggest that Narooma-Bermagui will gain 1,083 residents by 2041. Given current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Narooma - Bermagui has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 15thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects likely affecting the region. Key projects are Bermagui Water Security Project, Sapphire Cove Estate - Bermagui, Riverbend Bermagui, and Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra, NSW To Victorian Border. 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 drivers in Narooma - Bermagui are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Narooma - Bermagui has a skilled workforce with prominence in tourism and hospitality sectors. As of September 2025, the unemployment rate is 4.8%.

The area's employment rate is 3,656 residents, which is 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is lower at 41.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. The area specializes in accommodation & food with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level, while manufacturing shows lower representation at 3.6% versus the regional average of 5.8%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 5.3% and employment declined by 5.2%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced employment decline of 0.5% and labour force decline of 0.1%, with a rise in unemployment rate of 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Narooma - Bermagui's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

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

The Narooma - Bermagui SA2's median income among taxpayers was $37,558 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $51,133 during the same period. This compares to figures for Rest of NSW which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates project median income to be approximately $42,294 and average income to be around $57,581 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family and personal incomes in Narooma - Bermagui all fall between the 4th and 9th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 31.0% of locals (3,115 people) predominantly earn within the $400 - 799 category, differing from the regional norm where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominates at 29.9%. Housing costs are modest in Narooma - Bermagui, with 87.0% of income retained as disposable income, which ranks at just the 6th percentile nationally.

Narooma - Bermagui is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Narooma-Bermagui, as per the latest Census, 83.4% of dwellings were houses while 16.5% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Narooma-Bermagui stood at 58.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.7% and rented ones at 20.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. Median weekly rent in the area was $290, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Narooma-Bermagui's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $290 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 64.0% of all households, including 15.9% that are couples with children, 39.5% that are couples without children, and 8.3% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 2.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

Educational outcomes in Narooma - Bermagui fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

In the Narooma-Bermagui trail region, 22.9% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university degrees, compared to NSW's 32.2%. This indicates potential for educational development. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15 years and above holding them.

Advanced diplomas account for 12.4% and certificates for 29.7%. A significant 22.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education. This includes 8.1% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

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

Narooma-Bermagui has 295 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 unique routes that collectively facilitate 373 weekly passenger trips. The region's transport accessibility is deemed excellent, with residents on average situated 164 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, service frequency averages 53 trips across all routes, translating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Narooma-Bermagui faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 46% (~4,663 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Arthritis is the most prevalent condition, affecting 13.8% of residents, followed by mental health issues at 8.5%. Conversely, 58.0% claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly lower than Rest of NSW's 59.6%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 37.4% (3,758 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 31.7%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in the region are above average, outperforming general population metrics.

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

Narooma-Bermagui, as per the 2016 Census, had a population with 84.3% born in Australia, 89.4% being citizens, and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 45.4%. Judaism, however, was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (27.8%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was higher at 9.5% than the regional average of 8.6%. Australian Aboriginal ancestry was also slightly higher at 3.7%, compared to the region's 3.6%. Welsh ancestry was marginally overrepresented at 0.6%, compared to the regional average of 0.5%.

Narooma - Bermagui ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Narooma - Bermagui is 58, which is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group makes up 21.4% of the population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort represents only 6.5%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and now, the 35-44 age group has grown from 8.0% to 9.8%, and the 15-24 cohort has increased from 6.4% to 7.8%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.7% to 15.1%, and the 65-74 group has dropped from 22.9% to 21.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Narooma - Bermagui's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 45-54 group is projected to grow by 38%, reaching 1,405 people from the current 1,019. However, the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.