Batemans Bay

An assessment of population growth drivers in Batemans Bay reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the population of Batemans Bay is estimated at around 1,691 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 118 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,573 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,683 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest Economic Regional Population (ERP) data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 76 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 50 persons per square kilometer. Batemans Bay's growth rate of 7.5% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area (2.6%) and SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 69.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 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. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian non-metropolitan areas, with Batemans Bay expected to expand by 303 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 7.1% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Batemans Bay when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Batemans Bay recorded around 30 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 150 homes from FY-21 to FY-25. So far in FY-26, 16 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY-21 and FY-25.

Commercial approvals registered this financial year amount to $82.8 million. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Batemans Bay has 260.0% more new home approvals per person. New building activity shows 73.0% detached dwellings and 27.0% attached dwellings from FY-21 to FY-25. With around 84 people per dwelling approval, Batemans Bay is considered a growth area. Population forecasts indicate it will gain 120 residents by 2041.

Population forecasts indicate Batemans Bay will gain 120 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Batemans Bay Community Health Facility, Batemans Bay Dredging, Clyde Street Mixed Use Tourist and Residential Development, and Beach Road Residential Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Batemans Bay has a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar jobs, with tourism and hospitality sectors prominently featured. The unemployment rate is 7.4%, as aggregated by AreaSearch from statistical area data.

As of June 2025585 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.8% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Batemans Bay lags at 39.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include accommodation & food, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. The area has a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.7 times the regional average.

However, education & training is under-represented, with only 3.4% of Batemans Bay's workforce compared to 9.6% in Rest of NSW. There are 1.5 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.1%, alongside a 4.3% employment decline, causing unemployment to rise by 0.8 percentage points. This compares to Rest of NSW where employment fell by 0.1%, labour force expanded by 0.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Batemans Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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 income in Batemans Bay is below the national average. The median assessed income is $36,751 and the average income stands at $45,635. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures where the median income is $49,459 and the average income is $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Batemans Bay would be approximately $41,385 (median) and $51,390 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Batemans Bay all fall between the 0th and 6th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 38.9% earning $400 - $799 weekly (657 residents), differing from patterns across the metropolitan region where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 29.9%. Lower income households are notably prevalent, with 51.4% earning below $800 weekly, indicating affordability pressures for many residents. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 75.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 2nd percentile.

Batemans Bay features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Batemans Bay's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 40.4% houses and 59.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's composition of 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Batemans Bay stood at 33.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 9.0% and rented ones at 57.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent in Batemans Bay was $285, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Batemans Bay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Batemans Bay features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 42.8% of all households, including 8.5% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 10.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 57.2%, with lone person households at 52.0% and group households comprising 5.2%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

The educational profile of Batemans Bay exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 11.2%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are also common, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 10.4% and certificates for 29.9%.

Education is actively pursued by a substantial 21.3% of the population, including 7.3% in primary education, 4.2% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities seem to be situated outside the immediate catchment area, necessitating families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

The analysis shows that as of 2021, there are 25 active public transport stops in Batemans Bay. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 36 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 559 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as excellent, with residents on average located 183 meters from the nearest stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages 79 trips per day, which translates to approximately 22 weekly trips per stop.

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

Batemans Bay faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Only approximately 45% (~762 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.3%) and mental health issues (11.0%), while 54.6% report having no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 59.6%. As of 2021, 32.4% (~547 people) are aged 65 and over, with seniors showing mixed health outcomes compared to the general population.

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

Batemans Bay, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity index of below average. Its population composition was 85.6% Australian citizens, 81.5% born in Australia, and 92.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 55.4% adherents compared to 49.0% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.7%), Australian (29.5%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal (6.9%) and Croatian (0.6%) populations were higher than regional averages of 3.6% and 0.3%, respectively, while Maltese population was slightly higher at 0.5%.

Batemans Bay ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Batemans Bay is 52 years, significantly higher than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and also well above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age cohort is notably over-represented in Batemans Bay at 13.3%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 6.5%. This concentration of the 75-84 age group is well above the national average of 6.0%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of the population in the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 8.4% to 10.0%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 16.2% to 14.9%. Population forecasts for Batemans Bay indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 63%, adding 44 residents to reach a total of 116. Conversely, the number of individuals aged 15 to 24 is expected to fall by 14%.