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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Batemans Bay is around 1,631, reflecting a growth of 58 people since the 2021 Census. This increase represents a 3.7% rise from the previous figure of 1,573 residents. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 1,548 following the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 90 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 49 persons per square kilometer. Batemans Bay's growth rate of 3.7% since the 2021 Census exceeds that of the SA3 area at 3.5%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.0% to overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 project an above median growth rate for national non-metropolitan areas, with the area expected to increase by 315 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 14.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Batemans Bay recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Batemans Bay has experienced around 28 dwellings receiving development approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 140 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. So far in FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were added over these five financial years.

New construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average value of new properties constructed is $634,000, indicating developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26 alone, $35.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Batemans Bay has 222.0% more new home approvals per person as of the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. This suggests strong developer confidence in the location and creates greater choice for buyers, though development activity has moderated in recent periods.

New building activity shows 69.0% detached dwellings and 31.0% attached dwellings, featuring an increasing blend of attached housing types offering choices across price ranges. New construction favours detached housing more than current patterns suggest (40.0% at Census), demonstrating ongoing robust demand for family homes despite increasing density pressures. With around 177 people per dwelling approval, Batemans Bay shows characteristics of a low density area. Population forecasts indicate Batemans Bay will gain 232 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 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 projects), and Beach Road Residential Development (2 projects). The following list details those most relevant.

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

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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 with both white and blue collar jobs, prominent tourism and hospitality sectors, and an unemployment rate of 6.5%. As of December 2025576 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.6% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%, and workforce participation stands at 44.0%, significantly lower than Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census data, only 6.2% of residents work from home, but Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The leading employment industries among residents are accommodation & food, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. Batemans Bay shows a notable concentration in accommodation & food, with employment levels at 2.7 times the regional average. Conversely, education & training is under-represented, with only 3.4% of Batemans Bay's workforce compared to 9.6% in Regional 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 nearby regions.

Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.2%, alongside a 3.2% employment decline, causing unemployment to fall by 1.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates varying 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, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized 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 ending June 30, 2023 shows median income in Batemans Bay suburb was $36,751, with average income at $45,635. This is below Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. By September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $40,007 and average income $49,678, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data from 2021, incomes in Batemans Bay fall within the lowest national percentiles: 0th-6th for household, family, and personal incomes. Income analysis reveals that 38.9% of residents earn $400-$799 weekly (634 people), differing from metropolitan regions where $1500-$2999 is dominant at 29.9%. Lower income households are prevalent in Batemans Bay, with 51.4% earning below $800 weekly, suggesting 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

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 compares to Regional NSW's 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 Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Batemans Bay was $285, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Batemans Bay's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,300 versus Australia's 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, smaller than the Regional 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 the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 8.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (1.6%) and postgraduate qualifications (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 29.9%.

A substantial 21.3% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.3% in primary education, 4.2% in secondary education, and 2.2% in tertiary education.

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 that together facilitate 566 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing 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 14% walk. On average, there are 0.7 vehicles per dwelling, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 6.2% of residents work from home, which might 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. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 45% of the total population (~735 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (13.3%) and mental health issues (11.0%). Conversely, 54.6% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age population health challenges are notable due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 32.3% aged 65 and over (526 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present further 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 census conducted on 27 June 2016, exhibited below-average cultural diversity. The population was predominantly Australian citizens, with 85.6% holding citizenship, and 81.5% having been born in Australia. English was spoken at home by 92.6% of the population.

Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 55.4% of residents, slightly lower than the Regional NSW average of 55.9%. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.7%), Australian (29.5%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, certain ethnic groups had higher representation in Batemans Bay compared to regional averages: Australian Aboriginal at 6.9% versus 4.6%, Croatian at 0.6% versus 0.3%, 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 Regional NSW's average of 43 and also above the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age cohort is notably over-represented in Batemans Bay at 13.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 9.6% and the national figure of 6.1%. Conversely, the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 6.9%, compared to Regional NSW's 12.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 35-44 age group has grown from 8.4% to 10.6%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 7.2% to 8.5%. However, the 65-74 cohort has declined from 16.2% to 14.8%. Population forecasts for Batemans Bay indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 65%, adding 47 residents to reach 121. In contrast, the number of 15-24 year-olds is expected to fall by 5%.