Terrigal - North Avoca

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

Terrigal - North Avoca's population is around 15,468 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,849 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 15,437 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 46 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,476 persons per square kilometer. Terrigal - North Avoca's growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (2.3%) and the SA4 region between Nov 2021 and Nov 2025. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 76.9% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises 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 applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on latest annual ERP population numbers, an above median population growth is projected for Terrigal - North Avoca, with an expected increase of 3,432 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 22.0% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Terrigal - North Avoca when compared nationally

Terrigal - North Avoca has seen approximately 46 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 231 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 new residents per year have accompanied each home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating supply lagging demand. New homes are being constructed at an average value of $548,000.

This financial year has seen $3.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Terrigal - North Avoca shows 18.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks among the 47th percentile nationally, implying somewhat limited buyer options while demand for established properties strengthens. Recent construction comprises 42.0% standalone homes and 58.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the area's existing housing (74.0% houses) suggests decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles. The location has approximately 555 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Terrigal - North Avoca will gain 3,401 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Terrigal - North Avoca has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 39thth percentile nationally

A total of 28 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Notable projects include Wamberal Beach Coastal Protection Works, completed in June 2015. The development at 310 Terrigal Drive began construction in July 2016 and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Another residential development at the same location was approved in April 2017, with no completion date available yet.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Terrigal - North Avoca performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Terrigal - North Avoca has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 1.4% in June 2025, which is lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.3%. As of June 2025, 8,209 residents were employed while workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training, with health care & social assistance showing particularly strong specialization at 1.4 times the regional level. Professional & technical services had limited presence with 8.3% employment compared to 11.5% regionally.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited as indicated by Census data. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.3% and labour force increased by 2.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% during this period. State-level data for NSW as of Nov-25 shows employment contracted by 0.03% with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Terrigal - North Avoca's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Terrigal - North Avoca SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $54,768 and an average level of $83,072. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Sydney's levels of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $61,674 (median) and $93,547 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Terrigal - North Avoca cluster around the 72nd percentile nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 28.5% of residents (4,408 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket weekly, reflecting metropolitan region patterns where 30.9% occupy this range. A substantial proportion of high earners (34.7%) have incomes above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 74th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Terrigal - North Avoca is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Terrigal - North Avoca, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.8% houses and 26.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Sydney metro's 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Terrigal - North Avoca stood at 40.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.0% and rented ones at 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,500, higher than Sydney metro's $2,150. The median weekly rent figure was $520 compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Terrigal - North Avoca's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 at $520.

Terrigal - North Avoca has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households compose 75.1% of all households, including 33.6% couples with children, 30.5% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 21.8% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Terrigal - North Avoca shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Terrigal - North Avoca's residents aged 15+ have a higher proportion with university qualifications at 33.8%, compared to the broader SA4 region (20.8%) and SA3 area (25.7%). This educational advantage is led by bachelor degrees (23.6%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 35.6% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (13.7%) and certificates (21.9%). Educational participation is notably high, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (10.2%), secondary education (8.5%), and tertiary education (5.2%).

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 Terrigal - North Avoca shows that there are 110 active transport stops currently operating. These stops offer a mix of bus services. There are 45 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 659 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located approximately 176 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 94 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Terrigal - North Avoca is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Terrigal - North Avoca shows higher-than-average health outcomes for both young and elderly residents. Common health conditions have low prevalence: arthritis affects 7.8%, asthma 6.8%, while 71.5% report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 64.8%. Private health cover is high at 61% (9,481 people), exceeding Greater Sydney's 54.7% and the national average of 55.3%.

The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, with 22.6% (3,500 people) compared to Greater Sydney's 24.5%. Senior health outcomes are particularly strong, outperforming general population metrics.

Terrigal - North Avoca ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Terrigal-North Avoca showed lower cultural diversity with 78.6% of its population born in Australia, 89.2% being citizens, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 53.9%. Judaism, however, was slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top groups were English (31.9%), Australian (25.9%), and Irish (9.8%). Notable divergences included Welsh at 0.8% (vs regional 0.7%), South African at 0.8% (vs 0.5%), and New Zealand at 0.9% (vs 0.7%).

Terrigal - North Avoca's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Terrigal - North Avoca is 43 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 12.3% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up a smaller proportion at 8.5%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of those aged 75 to 84 has increased from 6.5% to 7.9%, and the 15 to 24 age group has risen from 11.6% to 12.7%. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 9.8% to 8.5%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 13.3% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Terrigal - North Avoca's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow exceptionally, increasing by 790 people (210%) from 375 to 1,166. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 53% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.