Narooma - Bermagui
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Narooma - Bermagui are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Narooma-Bermagui's population is 10,045 as of Aug 2025. This shows a 157 person increase (1.6%) since the 2021 Census which recorded 9,888 people. This change was estimated from ABS figures: 10,016 in June 2024 and 102 new addresses validated since the Census date. The population density is 39 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade (Aug 2015 - Aug 2025), the area's growth rate was 1.0% compound annually, outperforming its SA3 region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 76.3% of recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For unscheduled areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections (released in 2022 with a base year of 2021) are applied. Age group growth rates from these aggregations are used for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the population is projected to increase by 1,118 persons (10.8% total increase), following trends of non-metropolitan areas nationally.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Narooma - Bermagui when compared nationally

Narooma-Bermagui recorded approximately 39 residential properties granted approval each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis. Over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, around 198 dwellings were approved. In FY26, up until now, three dwellings have been approved.

On average, over these five years, 2.1 new residents per year were associated with each dwelling, indicating healthy demand which supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $435,000, consistent with regional patterns. This financial year has seen $9.5 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development.

Compared to the Rest of NSW, Narooma-Bermagui has 18% less new development per person but ranks among the 56th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity shows 81% detached houses and 19% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 277 people per dwelling approval, Narooma-Bermagui exhibits characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate that Narooma-Bermagui will gain approximately 1,089 residents by the year 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Narooma - Bermagui has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified four projects that are anticipated to impact this area. Notable projects include the Bermagui Water Security Project, Sapphire Cove Estate - Bermagui, Riverbend Bermagui, and Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra NSW To Victorian Border.

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

Employment conditions in Narooma - Bermagui face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Narooma-Bermagui has a skilled workforce with significant presence in tourism and hospitality sectors. The unemployment rate here is 5.7% as of June 2025.

In this period, 3654 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.0 percentage points higher than Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation lags 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, but manufacturing representation is lower at 3.6% versus the regional average of 5.8%.

From Jun-24 to Jul-25, labour force decreased by 3.6% and employment declined by 5.1%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%. As of Sep-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs) with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%, favourably comparing to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Narooma-Bermagui's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4%% over five years and 13.2% over ten years.

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

Narooma-Bermagui's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $37,558. The average income stood at $51,133 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of NSW, which were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest median and average incomes will be approximately $41,539 and $56,553, assuming a Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022. Census 2021 data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Narooma-Bermagui fall between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 31.0% of locals (3,113 people) earn between $400 and $799, unlike the region where the predominant cohort falls within the $1,500 to $2,999 category at 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 87.0% income retention, total disposable income ranks at just the 7th percentile nationally.

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

In Narooma-Bermagui, as recorded in the latest Census, 83.4% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 16.5% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This is comparable to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 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. Weekly rent in the area averaged $290, lower than Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Narooma-Bermagui's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially lower at $290 against the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 64.0% of all households, including 15.9% couples with children, 39.5% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 33.3% and group households comprising 2.6%. 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

Educational qualifications in Narooma-Bermagui region show that 22.9% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university degrees, compared to the state average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent with 42.1% of residents aged 15 years and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.4%) and certificates (29.7%). A significant portion of the population is actively pursuing education, with 8.1% in primary, 7.1% in secondary, and 1.7% in tertiary education.

The region's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,063 students as of the latest data. The Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) for Narooma-Bermagui is 958, indicating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision in the region is balanced with three primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Narooma-Bermagui has 295 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 different routes that collectively offer 373 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 164 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 53 trips per day across all routes, which equates 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 residents. Approximately 46% (~4,660 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.8%) and mental health issues (8.5%), while 58.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 59.6% in Rest of NSW. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 37.4% (3,755 people), higher than the 31.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors 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 cultural diversity index of below average. It was reported that 84.3% of its population were born in Australia, with 89.4% being Australian citizens and 95.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 45.4% of the population in Narooma-Bermagui.

There was a notable overrepresentation of Judaism, which made up 0.1% compared to the regional average of 0.1%. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (27.8%), and Irish (10.1%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.5%, Australian Aboriginal at 3.7%, and Welsh at 0.6% compared to regional averages of 8.6%, 3.6%, and 0.5% respectively.

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 also exceeds Australia's median age of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 21.4% of the population, compared to 9.4% nationally and 17.7% in the Rest of NSW. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort makes up only 6.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 8.0% to 9.8%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 6.4% to 7.8%. During this period, the 55-64 cohort declined from 17.7% to 15.1%, and the 65-74 group decreased from 22.9% to 21.4%. Demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Narooma - Bermagui's age profile by 2041, with the 45-54 group projected to grow by 38%, reaching 1,405 people from 1,018. Meanwhile, the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.