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, as of November 2025, is approximately 10,051. This figure represents an increase of 163 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,888. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data: 10,018 as of June 2024 and an additional 104 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 39 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Narooma-Bermagui has shown resilience with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 76.3% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Narooma-Bermagui is projected to increase by 1,118 persons, reflecting a total increase of 10.8% over the 17-year period.

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

Narooma-Bermagui has recorded approximately 45 residential property approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25229 homes were approved, with an additional 8 approved in FY26 so far. On average, 2.1 people moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $435,000, aligning with regional trends. This year has seen $9.5 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Narooma-Bermagui shows 19.0% lower construction activity per person but ranks among the 55th percentile nationally.

The area's new building activity comprises 81.0% standalone homes and 19.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving its low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 277 people per dwelling approval, Narooma-Bermagui exhibits characteristics of a low-density area. Future projections estimate Narooma-Bermagui will add 1,083 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that may impact the area. 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 conditions in Narooma - Bermagui face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Narooma-Bermagui has a skilled workforce with tourism and hospitality prominent. Its unemployment rate is 5.7% as of June 2025.

There are 3654 residents employed, with an unemployment rate at 5.7%, compared to Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 41.0%, significantly lower than the regional average of 56.4%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and retail trade. Accommodation & food has a strong presence with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level, while manufacturing is underrepresented at 3.6% compared to the regional average of 5.8%.

Local employment opportunities appear limited based on Census data comparisons. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 3.6%, with employment down by 5.1%, leading to a 1.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. This contrasts with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.1%. State-level data from Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Narooma-Bermagui's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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 that income in Narooma - Bermagui SA2 is lower than average nationally. The median income is $37,558 and the average income stands at $51,133. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $49,459 and the average income is $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $42,294 (median) and $57,581 (average). Census data indicates that household, family and personal incomes in Narooma - Bermagui all fall between the 4th and 9th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that the $400 - 799 bracket dominates with 31.0% of residents (3,115 people), unlike the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. Housing costs are modest, with 87.0% of income retained, but total disposable income 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 evaluation, 83.4% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 16.5% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 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, lower than 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 median mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below 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 making up 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

Educational qualifications in the Narooma-Bermagui trail region show that 22.9% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to 32.2% in New South Wales. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.4% and graduate diplomas at 3.4%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15 and above holding them. This includes advanced diplomas (12.4%) and certificates (29.7%).

A significant 22.2% of the population is currently engaged in formal education, including 8.1% in primary education, 7.1% in secondary education, and 1.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis indicates 295 active public transport stops operating within the Narooma-Bermagui area as of 17th March 2023. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 32 individual routes. Collectively, these routes facilitate 373 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as excellent, with residents typically located approximately 164 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages around 53 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 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, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Common medical conditions include arthritis (13.8%) and mental health issues (8.5%). Around 58.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 59.6% in Rest of NSW. The area has 37.4% (~3,758 people) aged 65 and over, 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's cultural diversity is below average, with 84.3% of its population born in Australia and 89.4% being citizens. English is spoken at home by 95.8%. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 45.4%.

Judaism, at 0.1%, is proportionally similar to Rest of NSW (0.1%). The top three ancestry groups are English (33.1%), Australian (27.8%), and Irish (10.1%). Scottish ancestry is notably higher at 9.5% compared to the regional average of 8.6%. Australian Aboriginal ancestry is also slightly higher at 3.7%, compared to 3.6%. Welsh ancestry, at 0.6%, is marginally higher than the regional average of 0.5%.

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

Narooma-Bermagui has a median age of 58, which is significantly higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's figure of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 21.4% of the population in Narooma-Bermagui, compared to Rest of NSW's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 6.5%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above Australia's figure of 9.4%. 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%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 17.7% to 15.1%, and the 65-74 group dropped from 22.9% to 21.4%. Demographic modeling suggests that Narooma-Bermagui's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. Leading this demographic shift, the 45-54 group is expected to grow by 38%, reaching 1,405 people from 1,019. Conversely, the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.