Sussex Inlet - Berrara
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara's population was around 5,029 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 4,694 people. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 4,879, with an additional 239 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a density ratio of 124 persons per square kilometer. Sussex Inlet - Berrara's population grew by 7.1% between the 2021 Census and Nov 2025, exceeding the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.7%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 90.5% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch's projections for Sussex Inlet - Berrara are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate an above median population growth for locations outside capital cities, with Sussex Inlet - Berrara expected to expand by 1,032 persons to 2041, resulting in 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, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 new residents arrive per year for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $352,000.

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

Recent construction comprises 81.0% detached dwellings and 19.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 194 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market. Looking ahead, 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 while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified eight projects likely to affect this region. Key projects include Sussex Inlet Golf Village, St Georges Basin, Berrara, Swan Lake Coastal Management Program, Seniors Housing Suncrest Avenue, and Bay and Basin NSW Ambulance Station. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Sussex Inlet - Berrara has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Sussex Inlet - Berrara has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.4% as of June 2025, which is 0.2% lower than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Employment grew by an estimated 3.4% over the past year. As of June 2025, 1,570 residents were employed, with a workforce participation rate of 36.2%, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Construction is particularly strong, employing 18% of local workers compared to the regional average of 10%.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 1.2%, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Over the past year, employment increased by 3.4% while labour force grew by 2.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw a slight decline in employment and an increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sussex Inlet - Berrara's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara had a median taxpayer income of $37,779 and an average of $47,621 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national average median income of $49,459 and average income of $62,998 for Rest of NSW. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes would be approximately $42,543 (median) and $53,626 (average). The 2021 Census showed that household, family, and personal incomes in Sussex Inlet - Berrara fell between the 2nd and 4th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicated that 35.7% of residents earned between $400 and $799 weekly, compared to 29.9% in the region earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. Economic circumstances were reflected by 44.8% of households operating on modest weekly budgets below $800. After housing expenses, 85.8% of income remained, ranking at the 4th 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 figures of 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sussex Inlet - Berrara stood at 60.7%, with mortgaged properties at 20.8% and rented ones at 18.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,504, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in the area was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $350. Nationally, Sussex Inlet - Berrara's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were 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 constitute 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 account for 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, which is 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 12.1%, 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 8.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 45.4% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (8.6%) and certificates (36.8%).

A substantial 20.1% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.2% in primary education, 5.9% in secondary education, and 1.8% in tertiary education. Sussex Inlet Public School serves local educational needs within Sussex Inlet - Berrara, with an enrollment of 260 students as of the latest data. The school focuses exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas from 2005 onwards. Limited local school capacity (5.2 places per 100 residents vs 12.8 regionally) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling since 2006.

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. The total weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes is 172.

Residents' accessibility to transport is rated excellent, with an average distance of 135 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 24 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 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. Approximately 46% (~2313 people) have private health cover, lower than Rest of NSW's 49.3%, and below the national average of 55.3%. Arthritis and mental health issues are prevalent, impacting 15.7% and 8.7% respectively, while 51.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 59.4% in Rest of NSW.

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 42.4% (2133 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 27.8%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

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 showed lower cultural diversity, with 89.4% citizens, 86.5% born in Australia, and 96.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 59.6%, compared to 52.6% regionally. The top ancestry groups were English (35.0%), Australian (31.2%), and Irish (9.0%).

Notably, Maltese were overrepresented at 0.8% (vs regional 0.6%), Australian Aboriginal at 3.0% (vs 4.4%), and Scottish at 8.0% (vs 8.1%).

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

Sussex Inlet - Berrara's median age in 2021 was 61 years, significantly higher than Rest of NSW's 43 and Australia's national average of 38. The 65-74 age group constituted 22.3% of the local population, notably over-represented compared to Rest of NSW's average, while the 35-44 year-olds were under-represented at 6.6%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group was well above the national average of 9.4%. Following the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 13.9% to 14.7%, while the 45 to 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 (77%), from 269 to 477. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 53% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 55-64 age group is projected to decline by 30 people.