Batehaven

Batehaven has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of November 2025, Batehaven's population is estimated at around 1,841, reflecting a decrease of 70 people since the 2021 Census. This decrease represents approximately 3.7% of the suburb's previous population of 1,911. AreaSearch validated this estimate following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 17 new addresses since the Census date. The estimated resident population of 1,834 equates to a density ratio of 719 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Interstate migration primarily drove recent population growth in Batehaven, contributing approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during these 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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median for locations outside capital cities. By 2041, Batehaven is expected to grow by approximately 216 persons, reflecting a gain of around 15.8% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Batehaven, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Batehaven had around 8 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 44 homes. As of FY-26, 1 approval has been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling were added between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting balanced supply and demand with stable market dynamics. New properties are constructed at an average value of $604,000, reflecting quality-focused development.

This financial year, $362,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Batehaven has 19.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 30th percentile nationally, implying limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. Recent construction consists of 89.0% detached houses and 11.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving Batehaven's low density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

Developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (69.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 546 people, indicating a quiet and low activity development environment. By 2041, Batehaven is expected to grow by 290 residents according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Construction maintains a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may face growing competition as population increases.

Batehaven has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

No changes can significantly impact an area's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 0 projects that could potentially affect this area. Notable projects include The Sebel Hotel, Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan, Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra NSW To Victorian Border, and Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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Employment conditions in Batehaven face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Batehaven's workforce comprises a mix of white and blue-collar jobs, with key services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 6.2%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of June 2025739 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 2.6% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 43.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food services. Retail trade shows notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, education & training has lower representation at 5.3% versus the regional average of 9.6%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between Jun-24 and Jul-25, labour force decreased by 4.4%, with employment down by 5.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.1%, labour force expand by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's Sep-22 national employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Batehaven's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

In financial year 2022, Batehaven had a median taxpayer income of $40,570 and an average income of $50,376. Nationally, the median was $49,459 and the average was $62,998. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $45,686 (median) and $56,728 (average), based on a 12.61% growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, Batehaven's household, family, and personal incomes fell between the 8th and 11th percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that 32.1% of Batehaven's population (590 individuals) earned within the $800 - $1,499 range, while in the region, the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket was leading at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 83.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile.

Batehaven displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Batehaven, as per the latest Census, consisted of 68.6% houses and 31.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Batehaven was at 40.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (22.3%) or rented (37.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,365, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $320, matching Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Batehaven's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 60.6% of all households, including 13.2% couples with children, 33.7% couples without children, and 13.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.4%, with lone person households at 36.6% and group households comprising 2.7%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

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

The area has university qualification rates at 16.6%, considerably lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 29.5%.

A substantial 23.8% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.8% in secondary, 7.2% in primary, and 2.0% in tertiary education. Educational institutions include St Bernard's Primary School and Batemans Bay High School, serving a total of 997 students. The area has an ICSEA score of 948, indicating varied educational conditions. It functions as an education hub with 54.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 12.7, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Batehaven has 55 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 36 different routes that together offer 309 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 105 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 44 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Batehaven faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is low, at approximately 47% of the total population (~863 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.0%) and mental health issues (10.9%), while 53.1% report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 59.6%. As of 2021, 32.2% of residents are aged 65 and over (592 people). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Batehaven are better than those of the general population.

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

Batehaven's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.0% of its population being citizens, 82.2% born in Australia, and 93.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Batehaven, accounting for 56.0% of the population, compared to 49.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.1%), Australian (27.3%), and Irish (9.7%).

Notably, Croatian representation was higher than average at 1.0%, compared to 0.3% regionally. Similarly, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.2%, compared to 3.6%. Scottish representation was also slightly higher at 8.9%, compared to 8.6%.

Batehaven ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Batehaven has a median age of 53, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Batehaven has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (15.9%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (7.5%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 9.3% to 10.7%, while the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 10.1% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 16.4% to 14.7%, and the 65 to 74 group has dropped from 17.3% to 15.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Batehaven's age structure. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 93 people, reaching 181 from 93. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 cohort is projected to decline by 4 people.