Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head
Statistical Area - sa2

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head's population is around 13,399 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 923 people (7.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,476 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,215 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 487 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 63 persons per square kilometer. Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head's 7.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.8%), along with the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 91.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Examining future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of non-metropolitan areas nationally is forecast, with the area expected to expand by 5,509 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 39.6% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head averaged approximately 132 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. A total of 664 homes were approved during this period, with an additional 31 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 2.2 people moved to the area per new home constructed each year over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value for new homes was $333,000. This financial year has seen $7.3 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting the residential character of the area. Compared to Rest of NSW, Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head recorded 104.0% more construction activity per person as of FY-26. The dwelling approvals consisted of 79.0% detached houses and 21.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes.

As of FY-26, there were approximately 112 people per dwelling approval in the location, indicating an expanding market. Population forecasts suggest Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head will gain 5,312 residents by 2041. Construction activity is keeping pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 26 projects that could impact the region. Notable projects include Precinct 3 Concept Plan - Old Bar, Old Bar Manning Point Coastal Management Program, Old Bar Multi Dwelling Housing, and Old Bar Growth Areas. The following list details those most likely to be 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 performance in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head has a skilled workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 2.6% as of June 2025.

Employment stability remained relatively consistent over the past year. There were 5,752 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 1.1% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 47.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries of employment among residents included health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction.

Health care & social assistance had notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence with 2.8% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. Local employment opportunities appeared limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 0.3%, labour force grew by 0.9%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. Rest of NSW recorded employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, with unemployment rising 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head reported a median taxpayer income of $46,885 and an average income of $57,124 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $52,797 and the average income will be around $64,327, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head fall between the 16th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 28.8% of residents (3,858 people) earn within the $800 - $1,499 bracket, which differs from regional patterns where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. After housing costs, 85.1% of income remains, ranking at the 18th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.6% houses and 12.5% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 87.7% houses and 12.3% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head was 51.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (28.2%) or rented (20.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,430. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $300. Nationally, Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 71.0% of all households, including 21.8% couples with children, 39.0% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.0%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 20.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (12.1%) and certificates (32.1%).

Educational participation is high at 25.2%, including primary education (10.0%), secondary education (7.1%), and tertiary education (2.4%). The three schools in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head have a combined enrollment of 832 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 979) offering balanced educational opportunities. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available nearby. Local school capacity is limited at 6.2 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.3, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

The analysis of public transport in the area encompassing Old Bar, Manning Point, and Red Head shows that there are currently 255 operational transport stops. These stops facilitate a variety of bus routes, totalling 25 individual services. The combined weekly passenger trips across all these routes amount to 350.

The accessibility of transport in this region is deemed excellent, with residents on average being situated just 174 meters away from the nearest transport stop. On a daily basis, there are an average of 50 trips made across all routes, which equates to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.

Health performance in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head faces significant health challenges, as indicated by health data. Both younger and older age groups have a notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is low in the area, with approximately 48% of the total population (~6,471 people) having it, compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 12.6% of residents) and asthma (8.4%). Conversely, 59.7% of residents claim to have no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 57.7%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 33.8% (4,527 people) compared to Rest of NSW's 30.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head are above average and better than those of the general population.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Old Bar-Manning Point-Red Head, surveyed in June 2016, had a population with 88.0% born in Australia, 91.8% being citizens, and 96.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 56.7%. This compares to 57.6% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (32.6%), Australian (31.4%), and Irish (8.9%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 3.9% compared to the regional average of 5.8%. Scottish representation was similar at 8.3%, while Maltese was slightly higher at 0.5% compared to the region's 0.4%.

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head has a median age of 53, which is considerably higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Relative to Rest of NSW, Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head has a higher concentration of 65-74 residents at 19.6%, but fewer 25-34 year-olds at 7.5%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 9.8% to 11.1% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 12.0% to 11.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Old Bar - Manning Point - Red Head's age structure. The 65 to 74 group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 3,411 from 2,620.