Ulladulla

Ulladulla lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Ulladulla's population is approximately 17,627 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 601 people, a 3.5% rise from the 2021 Census count of 17,026 individuals. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,443 in June 2024 and an additional 232 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 376 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Ulladulla has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outperforming its SA3 area. Interstate migration contributed approximately 64.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 using 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts indicate a significant population increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas, with Ulladulla expected to gain 5,337 persons by 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of 29.2% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Ulladulla among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Ulladulla has seen approximately 140 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 702 homes. As of FY-26, 45 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.5 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply and demand market with stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $332,000.

There have also been $32.6 million in commercial approvals this financial year, reflecting strong commercial development momentum. Compared to the rest of NSW, Ulladulla has seen slightly more development activity, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values, although there has been a moderation in recent periods. Recent construction comprises 62.0% detached houses and 38.0% medium to high-density housing, offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more affordable compact options.

This is a significant shift from the current housing mix of 87.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Ulladulla reflects a low density area with around 236 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate Ulladulla will gain approximately 5,145 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Development activity is keeping pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Ulladulla has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 35thth percentile nationally

"Seventeen projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the Ulladulla Harbour Masterplan, 131 St Vincent Street Mixed-Use Precinct, Ulladulla Public School Upgrade, and Ulladulla High School Upgrade.".

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.

AreaSearch analysis indicates Ulladulla maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Ulladulla has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate was 3.1% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4%.

As of September 2025, 6,947 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, which is 0.7% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Ulladulla is 47.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food services, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence in Ulladulla, with 2.2% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.4%, while labour force increased by 3.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.5%, labour force fall by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ulladulla's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Ulladulla SA2 has incomes below the national average. The median income is $40,667 while the average stands at $54,433. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures: a median income of $49,459 and an average of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Ulladulla are approximately $45,795 (median) and $61,297 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reports that incomes in Ulladulla fall between the 11th and 13th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. Income brackets indicate that 27.6% of Ulladulla's population (4,865 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Ulladulla, with only 84.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

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

Ulladulla's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 86.7% houses and 13.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ulladulla was 51.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.2% and rented ones at 22.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,647, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Ulladulla was $351, similar to Non-Metro NSW's figure of $350. Nationally, Ulladulla's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,647 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $351 compared to the national figure of $375.

Ulladulla has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households comprise 68.8% of all households, including 20.9% couples with children, 36.0% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.2%, with lone person households at 28.8% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the Rest of NSW average.

Educational outcomes in Ulladulla fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area has university qualification rates of 19.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 31.1%. Education pursuit is active among 23.8% of the population, including 8.8% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.0% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.8% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 7.4% in secondary education, and 2.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ulladulla has 211 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 31 different routes that collectively facilitate 465 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is considered good, with residents generally residing 207 meters away from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 66 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Ulladulla is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Ulladulla faces significant health challenges, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% (around 8,319 people), compared to 49.3% in the rest of NSW and a national average of 55.3%. The most frequent medical conditions are arthritis (13.6%) and mental health issues (8.6%).

About 60.3% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 59.4% in the rest of NSW. Ulladulla has a larger senior population, with 31.7% aged 65 and over (around 5,591 people), compared to 27.8% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population overall.

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

Ulladulla's population shows low cultural diversity, with 86.2% born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 95.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 53.0%, compared to 52.6% regionally. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.9%), Australian (29.1%), and Irish (9.3%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry is slightly higher than regional averages at 8.8%. Maltese and Welsh ancestries are also present at 0.6%, matching regional figures.

Ulladulla ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Ulladulla's median age at 51 years is significantly higher than the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than the Australian median of 38. The 65-74 cohort is notably over-represented in Ulladulla at 17.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.3%. This concentration of the 65-74 cohort is well above the national average of 9.4%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has grown from 10.1% to 11.4% of Ulladulla's population, while the 55-64 cohort has declined from 15.3% to 13.2%. By 2041, Ulladulla is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 45-54 group projected to grow by 43%, reaching 2,697 people from 1,882.