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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Population growth drivers in Swansea - Caves Beach are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
Swansea - Caves Beach's population, according to AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 13,162 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a growth of 603 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,559. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,153 in June 2025 and an additional 222 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 406 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential for further development. The area's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeds that of the SA3 area at 3.2%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 63.7% to overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.
AreaSearch uses 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 are utilized, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts indicate an above median population growth for Australia's regional areas, with the area expected to expand by 2,415 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 18.2% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Swansea - Caves Beach among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide
Swansea - Caves Beach has granted approximately 97 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 487 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, 50 approvals have been recorded to date. On average, 1.6 new residents arrive per newly constructed home each year between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost of new dwellings is $480,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.
This financial year has seen $8.2 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus. Compared to the rest of NSW, Swansea - Caves Beach demonstrates 86.0% higher building activity per capita, offering buyers greater choice. Recently, construction has comprised 90.0% detached houses and 10.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character appealing to those seeking space for families. The location has approximately 180 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market.
Population forecasts estimate Swansea - Caves Beach will gain 2,400 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Swansea - Caves Beach
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Swansea - Caves Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally
Twelve projects were identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. These include Caves Beach Ambulance Station, Swansea Channel Permanent Dredging Solution, 42-44 Lake Road Residential Development, and South East Growth Area Plan. The following details those considered most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant
A proposed seawater desalination water treatment plant adjacent to the existing Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant, being developed as a 'plan ready' drought response project under the Central Coast Water Security Plan. The current concept is a reverse osmosis facility with an initial capacity of 30 ML/day, with provision in the EIS for staged expansion up to 40 ML/day to support normal water supply if needed. The preferred design uses a direct ocean intake located around one kilometre offshore from Jenny Dixon Reserve, with the transfer pump station relocated to the desalination plant site (replacing the earlier Lakes Beach underground well concept under Budgewoi Beach) and connected by a deep tunnel bored about 25 metres below ground. Brine would be discharged via the existing Norah Head ocean outfall. Council is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement, with a community drop-in session held in August 2025 and another planned for the second quarter of 2026. The plant would only be constructed if dam storage falls below the 45 percent trigger at Mangrove Creek Dam, with construction estimated to take 3 to 4 years once activated. GHD has been appointed as the specialist consultant supporting concept design and statutory approvals.
Caves Beach Ambulance Station
A new purpose-built ambulance station to boost frontline emergency care and improve emergency response times across Lake Macquarie, servicing Caves Beach, Swansea, and surrounding communities including Nords Wharf, Catherine Hill Bay, Murray's Beach, and Cams Wharf. The site at Kayuga Close has been secured, and the project is proceeding with design development and planning approval. It is part of the NSW Government's $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
Swansea Channel Permanent Dredging Solution
A permanent dredging solution for Swansea Channel, the entrance to Lake Macquarie, involving a Beaver 30 dredge vessel and sand transfer system to maintain safe navigation for vessels, with sand pumped to Blacksmiths Beach. The project includes upgrades to the Blacksmiths boat ramp and aims to address ongoing sand accumulation issues.
Swansea Channel Dredging and Sand Transfer System
Multi-stage program to maintain safe navigation in Swansea Channel and deliver a permanent dredge and sand transfer system. Stage 3 maintenance dredging occurred in mid-2025 focusing on the Dog Leg, while Council has awarded a $7.4m tender to supply a Beaver 30 dredge and associated sand transfer system. Installation is scheduled from late 2025 to mid-2026, with commissioning targeted for mid-2026. Transport for NSW will operate the system for at least five years, with dredged sand to nourish Blacksmiths Beach.
Pelican Foreshore Stabilisation Project
Comprehensive coastal erosion management project addressing foreshore stabilization at Pelican through rock groyne construction, sand nourishment, and protective structures. Part of Lake Macquarie's Coastal Management Program to protect emergency and recreational assets from ongoing erosion in the dynamic Lake Macquarie channel environment. The project includes multiple precincts with works to stabilize the foreshore, protect community infrastructure, and maintain public access to the waterfront.
Crangan Bay Residential Estate
A 623 lot masterplanned environmentally inspired residential estate on the Central Coast, surrounded by National Parks and enjoying nearly 1 km of lakefront reserve on Lake Macquarie. The estate offers large, easy-to-build fully serviced home sites with stages being released progressively. Stages 1 and 2 are complete and registered. Stage 3/4 is completed with registration in progress, and Stage 5 is currently selling off the plan with registration due late 2026. The estate includes a children's playground, community spaces, and a lakeside boardwalk/pathway. Project updates are as current as July 2025.
Rathmines Park Transformation
Comprehensive redevelopment of Rathmines Park into a regional recreation destination. Features a $2+ million transformation including Lake Macquarie's biggest skate park, new pump track, youth activity areas, upgraded playground equipment, new playground, learn-to-ride area, youth hub, sports facilities, walking trails, and waterfront amenities. Enhanced connection to Lake Macquarie foreshore with improved accessibility and parking.
Salts Bay Littoral Rainforest Protection and Enhancement Works
Rehabilitation of endangered littoral rainforest ecosystem at Swansea Heads through targeted weed control, erosion management, and revegetation. The project addressed invasion of transformer weeds, urbanization impacts including rubbish dumping, and track erosion from unauthorized public access. Works included planting over 1,000 native species, installation of fencing to formalize access points, and comprehensive bush regeneration to protect this rare coastal ecological community. The project was supported by the NSW Coast and Estuary Grant Program and involved collaboration with OzFish Unlimited, Landcare NSW, and Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council. Supporting infrastructure improvements included sealing of Salts Bay Road and construction of a car park to improve controlled access while protecting the sensitive ecosystem.
Employment
Swansea - Caves Beach has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks
Swansea - Caves Beach has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of December 2025. This is 0.3% lower than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation was somewhat below standard at 55.6%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, 28.0% of residents worked from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.
Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.4% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 0.2%, while labour force increased by 1.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.3 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Swansea - Caves Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, although this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
Swansea-Caves Beach SA2 had median taxpayer income of $52,858 and average income of $68,743 in financial year 2023. This was slightly above national averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average) for Regional NSW. By March 2026, estimated median income would be approximately $58,313 and average income $75,837, based on a 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. Incomes in Swansea-Caves Beach ranked modestly according to 2021 Census figures, between the 25th and 30th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The largest income segment comprised 27.3% of residents earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 29th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Swansea - Caves Beach is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Swansea - Caves Beach, as per the latest Census evaluation, 79.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 20.2% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwelling types. In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Swansea - Caves Beach stood at 45.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 32.5% and rented dwellings accounting for 22.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,080, exceeding Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Swansea - Caves Beach was $360, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Swansea - Caves Beach were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Swansea - Caves Beach has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size
Family households constitute 72.0% of all households, including 26.6% couples with children, 32.2% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 26.1% and group households making up 1.9% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, aligning with the Regional NSW average.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Swansea - Caves Beach shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
The area's university qualification rate is 19.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (31.0%). Educational participation is high, with 25.2% currently enrolled in formal education.
This includes 9.4% in primary education, 7.2% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Swansea - Caves Beach has 168 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 25 individual routes that collectively facilitate 711 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing within 190 meters of the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward, with the car being the primary mode of transportation at 95%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 28% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
The service frequency averages 101 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately four weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health outcomes in Swansea - Caves Beach are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts
Swansea - Caves Beach shows below-average health indicators based on AreaSearch's assessment.
Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are somewhat typical of the general population but higher than the national average among older cohorts. Private health cover is at approximately 53% of the total population (~7,015 people), slightly leading the average SA2 area. The most common conditions are arthritis (12.2%) and mental health issues (8.6%), with 60.7% reporting no medical ailments compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents face notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 28.5% of residents aged 65 and over (3,747 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Swansea - Caves Beach is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Swansea-Caves Beach had a cultural diversity below average, with 88.5% born in Australia, 93.4% being citizens, and 96.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 55.1%. This compares to Regional NSW's 55.9%.
Top ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (29.9%), and Irish (8.8%). Notably, Welsh (1.0%) and Scottish (8.6%) were overrepresented compared to Regional NSW's 0.5% and 8.0%, respectively. Maltese at 0.6% was also slightly higher than the regional average of 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Swansea - Caves Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Swansea - Caves Beach has a median age of 49, which is higher than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Locally, those aged 65-74 make up 14.9% of the population, significantly higher than the Regional NSW average and well above the national average of 9.4%. Conversely, individuals aged 25-34 constitute only 7.0% of the population, a notable underrepresentation compared to the Regional NSW figure. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of those aged 15-24 has increased from 9.6% to 11.5%, while the 45-54 age group has seen a decline from 13.1% to 12.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Swansea - Caves Beach's age structure. The 75-84 age cohort is expected to grow by 453 people (a 35% increase), rising from 1,289 to 1,743 individuals. Meanwhile, the number of those aged 15-24 is projected to decrease.