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 ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Batemans Bay's population is estimated at around 1,631 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 58 people (3.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,573 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,548 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 90 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 49 persons per square kilometer. Batemans Bay's 3.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.5%), marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area 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 any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the 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 also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, an above median population growth of Australian non-metropolitan areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 298 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 10.4% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Batemans Bay according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Batemans Bay recorded approximately 27 residential properties granted approval each year between FY-18 and FY-22. In total, this amounts to an estimated 136 homes over these five financial years. As of FY-26, 11 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth. The average value of new properties constructed is $634,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. In FY-26, $35.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Batemans Bay has 227.0% more new home approvals per person, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity shows 67.0% detached dwellings and 33.0% attached dwellings, offering choices across price ranges.

With around 201 people per dwelling approval, Batemans Bay is characterised as a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Batemans Bay will gain 170 residents by 2041, with current development rates comfortably meeting demand and supporting growth beyond current projections.

Batemans Bay has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% 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, Residential & Retail Development (3 Clyde Street), and Beach Road Residential Development (24 Beach Road). The following details those most relevant.

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.

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

Batemans Bay has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Tourism and hospitality sectors are prominent. The unemployment rate is 6.8%.

As of September 2025573 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 9.8%, which is 3.0% higher than the Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation in Batemans Bay is lower at 44.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. According to Census data, only 6.2% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are 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 attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 5.2%, alongside a 4.7% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment fall by 0.5%, labour force contract by 0.1%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, suggest that Batemans Bay's employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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 2023 indicates that income in Batemans Bay is below the national average. The median income is $36,751, while the average income stands at $45,635. This contrasts with Rest of NSW's figures, where the median income is $52,390 and the average income is $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Batemans Bay would be approximately $40,007 (median) and $49,678 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, incomes in Batemans Bay fall between the 0th and 6th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 38.9% earning $400 - $799 weekly (634 residents), differing from metropolitan patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 29.9%. Lower income households are 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 after housing costs, ranking at the 2nd percentile nationally.

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

In Batemans Bay, as per the latest Census evaluation, 40.4% of dwellings were houses while 59.6% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Non-Metro NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% 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 $1,733. The median weekly rent in Batemans Bay was $285, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Batemans Bay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 versus 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 constitute 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 comprise 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 2.4.

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 challenges and opportunities for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 29.9%.

Education pursuit is active among 21.3% of the population, including primary education (7.3%), secondary education (4.2%), and tertiary education (2.2%).

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

Batemans Bay has 28 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 36 different routes, together offering 566 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 183 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to the area's residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 82% of residents, while walking accounts for 14%. On average, there are 0.7 vehicles per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 80 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 20 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Batemans Bay faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment conducted on [insert date]. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 45% of the total population (~735 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.3%) and mental health issues (11.0%), with 54.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. Batemans Bay has a higher proportion of seniors, at 32.3% (526 people), compared to 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present notable challenges, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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, showed lower cultural diversity with 85.6% of its population being Australian citizens, 81.5% born in Australia, and 92.6% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 55.4%, slightly below the Rest of NSW average of 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.7%), Australian (29.5%), and Irish (9.8%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people were overrepresented at 6.9% compared to the regional average of 4.6%, as were Croatians at 0.6% versus 0.3% regionally, and Maltese at 0.5% versus 0.4%.

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 well above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 cohort is notably over-represented in Batemans Bay at 13.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 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 figure of 6.1%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of the population in the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 8.4% to 10.2%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has declined from 16.2% to 14.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the 85+ cohort projected to grow by 59%, adding 43 residents to reach a total of 117. Conversely, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are expected to fall by 8%.