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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Batemans Bay is $762k, with units at $565k. House values have moved 4.9% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Batemans Bay has an estimated 1,744 residents, up from 1,573 at the 2021 Census — a change of 171 people, or 10.9%. Growth has averaged 3.0% a year over five years. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 69.0% of that increase. Density is about 53 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to ABS population updates examined for the surrounding region alongside new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Batemans Bay has an estimated population of 1,744 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 171 individuals (10.9%) compared to the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 1,573 residents. This adjustment is based on the resident count of 1,739 estimated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 and 90 validated new addresses added since the Census. Such population levels result in a density of 52 persons per square kilometer, offering plenty of space for each resident.
The expansion rate of 10.9% in the suburb of Batemans Bay since the 2021 Census outpaced the broader SA3 territory (2.6%) as well as the SA4 territory, positioning it as a key driver of growth. The expansion was largely fueled by arrivals from other states, who accounted for roughly 69.0% of the net population increase over recent times. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied to each SA2 zone. Where this data is unavailable, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are substituted. The age-specific growth trajectories from these datasets are projected forward for all locations from 2032 to 2041. Future demographic forecasts indicate that the suburb of Batemans Bay is set to experience growth exceeding the median of national non-metropolitan zones, with the population projected to rise by 367 individuals by 2041 based on combined SA2 figures, yielding an overall expansion of 20.8% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
158 new dwellings have been approved in Batemans Bay over the past five years, an average of 31 a year. That places the area in the 67th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 18 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 31, broadly in line with that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
ABS building approval statistics mapped to local levels by AreaSearch indicate that Batemans Bay averages approximately 31 residential approvals annually, culminating in 158 total homes sanctioned over the preceding 5 financial years. In the current FY-26 period, 29 approvals have been logged. With an average population influx of 1.5 people per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, demand matches supply closely to foster stable conditions, while the average construction cost of new builds stands at $634,000, indicating a focus by builders on high-end, premium housing. Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $35.0 million during this financial year, pointing to strong corporate investment locally.
Batemans Bay shows 258.0% higher per capita building activity than the Rest of NSW, providing buyers with abundant options despite a recent slowdown in construction pace. This level is also much higher than the national baseline, reflecting solid developer interest. Recent building consists of 75.0% separate houses and 25.0% townhouses or units, maintaining a low-density character that favors detached homes for buyers seeking extra space. Builders are focusing more on separate housing than the historical split suggests (which was 40.0% at the Census), matching a strong appetite for family residences despite general density trends. The ratio of about 78 people per approval indicates a growing locality. Long-term forecasts suggest Batemans Bay will add 362 new residents by 2041, measured from the latest AreaSearch quarterly figures. Existing building trends indicate that the supply of new housing is well-positioned to satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth above current expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Batemans Bay
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 7 current infrastructure and development projects inside Batemans Bay. A further 21 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $1.29 billion. 10 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes to local infrastructure, planning schemes, and major developments have a significant impact on local trends. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 8 projects expected to influence the community. Key developments include the Batemans Bay Community Health Facility, Batemans Bay Dredging, the 3 Clyde Street Mixed Use Tourist, Residential & Retail Development, and the 24 Beach Road Residential Development, with details of the most relevant projects listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Batemans Bay Community Health Facility
New purpose-built community health facility offering various healthcare services including allied health, Aboriginal health, community mental health, drug and alcohol, child, youth and family services, primary healthcare, consultation, treatment, pathology, group rooms, and a gymnasium. The facility will bring together a range of services in one location including women's health and mental health services.
Batemans Bay Dredging
Regular dredging of the Clyde River Bar to maintain safe vessel movement, improve navigation, and support local businesses, tourism, and the economy. Includes removing approx. 30,000 cubic metres of sand and placing it in water to nourish nearby beaches.
The Sebel Hotel
Replacement of the Batemans Bay Hotel with a four-storey hotel and luxury apartments, including more than 70 hotel rooms, 11 luxury three-bedroom townhouse apartments, a gym, breakfast room, business centre, and 72 carparking spaces.
3 Clyde Street Mixed Use Tourist, Residential & Retail Development
Proposed hotel/serviced apartment, permanent residential apartment, and retail development in two, 4 and 5 level buildings. Comprises 46 hotel rooms/serviced apartments, 10 permanent residential apartments, 2 ground level retail tenancies, and on-site parking.
24 Beach Road Residential Development
DA approved residential development site with an existing motel offering holding income. Proposed for 34 apartments with unobstructed views, designed for building efficiency. Waterfront locale.
Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan
A visionary document setting out the strategic planning framework for development over 25 years, guiding the scale, pattern, and broad location of development, including provision for new housing and business. It aims to balance demands for new housing, commercial development, and servicing with environmental preservation and character retention.
Batemans Bay Waterfront Master Plan and Activation Strategy
A master plan and activation strategy for the Batemans Bay waterfront, aiming to create a richer variety of uses, programs, and amenity, enhance public spaces, improve access, and stimulate mixed-use development.
Lot 5 Bunderra Circuit Residential Subdivision
DA-approved 21-lot residential subdivision on a 52,684 sqm englobo site at Malua Bay on the NSW South Coast. Lots range from 619 sqm to 11,470 sqm, all north-facing, with a leafy coastal setting near Malua Bay Beach and Batemans Bay. Vegetation clearing is complete and the site is ready for civil works. The englobo parcel sold in 2024/25 for $2.7 million.
724 residents of Batemans Bay are employed, from a labour force of 776. Unemployment sits at 6.7%, with participation at 49.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,628, about 151% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Batemans Bay possesses a balanced workforce spanning white and blue collar employment, with tourism and hospitality sectors prominently featured, an unemployment rate of 6.7%, and 3.1% in estimated employment growth over the past year, based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 724 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.6% above Regional NSW's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation lags significantly (49.4% compared to Regional NSW's 60.6%). Based on Census responses, a low 6.2% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.
The primary employment sectors for local workers are food and accommodation services, retail outlets, and healthcare assistance. The region displays a strong concentration in food and accommodation services, employing people at a rate 2.7 times the regional standard. In contrast, educational services are underrepresented at 3.4% compared to the regional figure of 9.6%. Having 1.5 workers for every resident at the time of the Census indicates the locality acts as an employment hub, drawing commuting workers from nearby areas to fill its surplus of positions. Based on SALM and ABS statistics aggregated across wider regions, the year leading to March 2026 saw employment climb by 3.1% and the labor force expand by 2.4%, which reduced the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. Conversely, Regional NSW saw employment shrink by 0.9% and the labor force contract by 0.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point increase in joblessness. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia issued in May-25 offer additional perspective on future labor requirements in Batemans Bay. These five-year and ten-year national outlooks have been aligned with local industries to estimate future trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary widely by industry. Applying these national sector weights suggests local jobs could grow by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Batemans Bay is $791 a week (about $41,000 a year), with median personal income at $539 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $36,751 a year against an average of $45,635. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode data from the ATO compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 shows a median taxpayer income of $36,751 and an average of $45,635. These figures sit below the national average and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 would be roughly $40,544 for the median and $50,345 for the average. Census data places family, household, and individual incomes between the 0th and 6th percentiles on a national scale.
Income distribution shows 38.9% of the population (678 individuals) earn between $400 - 799 weekly, contrasting with the broader region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is largest at 29.9%. With 51.4% of the population earning under $800/week, household budgets are tight for most residents. Affordability pressures are notable, with just 75.9% of income left over after housing costs, placing the area in the 2nd percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Batemans Bay had 775 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 40% detached houses and 42% apartments. 9% are owned with a mortgage, 57% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $285 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 36.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 37.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The local housing stock at the Census was composed of 40.4% separate houses and 59.6% alternative housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, differing from the Regional NSW profile of 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. Home ownership rates lagged the regional average at 33.6%, with the remaining properties being purchased via a mortgage (9.0%) or occupied by tenants (57.4%). The median mortgage repayment was $1,300, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while weekly rent was recorded at $285, compared to the regional median of $330.
Nationally, local mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Batemans Bay counted 775 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 859 today, averaging 1.8 people each. 9% are couples with children, fewer than in 98% of areas nationally, against 22% couples without children. 52% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 42.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 8.5%, couples without children at 21.9%, and single parent units at 10.7%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 57.2%, comprising single-person households at 52.0% and group households at 5.2%. The average household size of 1.8 persons is below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
11.2% of adults in Batemans Bay hold a university qualification, including 8.2% with a bachelor degree and 1.4% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Academic metrics show lower educational attainment, with university completion rates at 11.2% compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees make up the largest share at 8.2%, with graduate diplomas at 1.6% and postgraduate qualifications at 1.4%. Vocational and technical skills are common, with 40.3% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificate level credentials at 29.9%. A total of 21.3% of the community is currently enrolled in formal studies. This comprises 7.3% attending primary schools, 4.2% in secondary schools, and 2.2% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Batemans Bay reaches 28 stops on 36 routes, timetabled for about 570 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.7 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport analysis identifies 28 transport stops in the area, which consist of bus services. These stops are served by 36 distinct routes, which provide 566 passenger trips per week. Transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 183 meters from the nearest stop. Because the suburb is mostly residential, most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 82%, while 14% walk to work. Vehicle ownership averages 0.7 cars per household, which is below the regional average. A relatively low 6.2% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Services run at an average frequency of 80 trips per day across the network, which equates to about 20 weekly trips for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
54.6% of residents in Batemans Bay report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 11.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health analyses by AreaSearch concerning mortality statistics and chronic ailments show significant challenges, with common medical issues notable among both youth and senior groups, and private health coverage is low at roughly 45% of the community (~786 people). This compares to 51.9% coverage across Regional NSW and a national benchmark of 55.7%. The most common chronic conditions are arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 13.3 and 11.0% of the population, respectively. Meanwhile, 54.6% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic health conditions are prevalent among working-age individuals.
Seniors aged 65 and over represent 33.9% of the local population (591 people), which is higher than the Regional NSW share of 23.4%. Health challenges for this senior cohort rank higher relative to national benchmarks than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Batemans Bay is largely Australian-born, at 81.5% of residents, with 7.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.7%) and Australian (29.5%). 6.9% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays lower levels of cultural diversity, with 85.6% holding citizenship, 81.5% born in Australia, and 92.6% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 55.4% of residents, which is close to the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three largest ancestries reported are English at 31.7%, Australian at 29.5%, and Irish at 9.8%. There are also notable differences in other groups, with Australian Aboriginal ancestry overrepresented at 6.9% compared to 4.6% regionally, Croatian at 0.6% compared to 0.3%, and Maltese at 0.5% compared to 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Batemans Bay is 53, older than 95% of areas nationally. 19.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 53 is higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the national average of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, there is a higher proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 age bracket (14.0%) and fewer children aged 5 - 14 (6.4%). The proportion of residents aged 75 - 84 is higher than the national average of 6.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age range grew from 8.4% to 10.1%, and the 15 to 24 range rose from 7.2% to 8.5%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 7.0% to 6.4%.
By 2041, demographic projections indicate shifts in the age structure, led by a 76% increase in the 85+ bracket (54 people), rising from 71 to 126. The 15 to 24 age bracket is projected to grow by 2% (2 people).
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Batemans Bay
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 7 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jul 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 90 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,573 at the 2021 Census → 1,744 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL10229). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.