Sussex Inlet - Berrara

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara's population was around 5,029 as of November 2025, reflecting an increase of 335 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 7.1% increase from the previous figure of 4,694 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 4,879 in June 2024 and an additional 239 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 124 persons per square kilometer. Sussex Inlet - Berrara's growth exceeded that of its SA4 region (3.7%) and SA3 area, making it a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 90.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, the area is projected to expand by 1,032 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 17.5% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sussex Inlet - Berrara when compared nationally

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has seen approximately 41 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 206 homes. As of FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents per year arrive for each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand that supports stable market conditions. New properties are being built at an average expected construction cost of $352,000.

This financial year has seen $1.5 million in commercial approvals registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Sussex Inlet - Berrara has experienced slightly more development, with 27.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values.

Recent construction comprises 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 194 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Sussex Inlet - Berrara is expected to grow by 880 residents through to 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 23rdth percentile nationally

Eight projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area, significantly influencing local performance. These key projects include Sussex Inlet Golf Village, Sussex Inlet, St Georges Basin, Berrara, Swan Lake Coastal Management Program, Seniors Housing Suncrest Avenue, Sussex Inlet, and Bay and Basin NSW Ambulance Station. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Sussex Inlet - Berrara has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Its unemployment rate is 4.8%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0% over the past year.

As of September 2025, there are 1,602 residents employed while the unemployment rate is 0.9% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Sussex Inlet - Berrara lags significantly at 36.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Construction is particularly strong with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.2% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 2.0%, while labour force increased by 3.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.7 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.5% and a labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts for May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sussex Inlet - Berrara's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately the same rates, assuming no significant changes in population projections.

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

The Sussex Inlet - Berrara SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $37,779 and an average of $47,621 in financial year 2022. This was below the national average of $52,883 for median income and $70,259 for average income. By September 2025, based on a 12.61% growth in wages since 2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $42,543 (median) and $53,626 (average). According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Sussex Inlet - Berrara fell within the 1st to 4th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest earnings segment consisted of 35.7% earning between $400 and $799 weekly. This was different from regional trends where 29.9% earned between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. Economic pressures were evident with 44.8% of households having modest weekly budgets below $800 after housing costs. After housing expenses, 85.8% of income remained, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Sussex Inlet - Berrara, as per the latest Census, 88.0% of dwellings were houses, with 12.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is similar to Non-Metro NSW's 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sussex Inlet - Berrara stood at 60.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.8% and rented ones at 18.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,504, lower than Non-Metro NSW's $1,733. The median weekly rent was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $350. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,863 and rents substantially below the national figure of $375.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.3% of all households, including 15.4% couples with children, 37.7% couples without children, and 7.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.7%, with lone person households at 36.1% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 12.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 45.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.6% and certificates at 36.8%. Education pursuit is active among 20.1% of the population, including 7.2% in primary, 5.9% in secondary, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

A substantial 20.1% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 7.2% in primary education, 5.9% in secondary education, and 1.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has 133 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of buses operating along 10 routes that together facilitate 172 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 135 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 24 trips per day across all routes, translating to roughly one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older residents. As of June 2016, approximately 46% (~2,313 people) had private health cover, compared to Rest of NSW's 49.3%, and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (15.7%) and mental health issues (8.7%).

Conversely, 51.7% reported no medical ailments, lower than Rest of NSW's 59.4%. As of June 2016, 42.4% (~2,133 people) were aged 65 and over, higher than Rest of NSW's 27.8%. Health outcomes among seniors largely align with the general population's health profile.

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

Sussex Inlet-Berrara has a cultural diversity below average, with 89.4% of its population being citizens, 86.5% born in Australia, and 96.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Sussex Inlet-Berrara, comprising 59.6% of people, compared to 52.6% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups are English (35.0%), Australian (31.2%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, Maltese is overrepresented at 0.8%, Australian Aboriginal is underrepresented at 3.0%, and Scottish is similarly represented at 8.0%.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Sussex Inlet - Berrara's median age as of 2021 was 61 years, which is notably higher than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and significantly above the national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age cohort made up 22.3% of the local population, compared to 9.4% nationally, indicating a notable over-representation in this age group locally. Conversely, the 35-44 age cohort was under-represented at 6.6%. Following the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 13.9% to 14.7% of the population, while the 45-54 cohort declined from 9.7% to 8.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Sussex Inlet - Berrara's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow by 207 people (an increase of 77%) from 269 to 477. Senior residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 53% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends in the area. Conversely, the 55-64 age cohort is projected to decline by 30 people.