Bega

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the Bega statistical area (Lv2) as of Nov 2025 is around 5,150. This reflects an increase of 137 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,013 people in the Bega (SA2). The change was inferred from the resident population of 5,013 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS on Jun 2024 and an additional 136 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 165 persons per square kilometer. The Bega (SA2)'s growth rate of 2.7% since census positions it within 0.7 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.4%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 50.0% 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. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median of national regional areas is expected in the Bega (SA2), with an expected expansion of 460 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 7.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Bega shows around 32 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 162 homes. As of FY-26, 13 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built over this period is 0.8 people per year. This indicates that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, offering more buyer options and potentially driving population growth beyond current expectations.

The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $496,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $20.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW over the past five years, Bega shows moderately higher building activity, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. Recent construction comprises 51% detached dwellings and 49% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing mix of 88% houses.

This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Bega has approximately 171 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bega is expected to gain 396 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Bega has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified three projects likely to affect the region. Notable projects are South Bega Urban Land Release Planning Proposal (2016), Bega Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade (2020-2022), Barrack Street Bega Redevelopment Project (2018-present), and Princes Highway Safety And Capacity project from Nowra, NSW to Victorian border (2019-ongoing). The following details projects most relevant to the area.

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The labour market performance in Bega lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Bega has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate is 4.5%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, Bega had 2,258 residents employed, an unemployment rate of 4.5% compared to Rest of NSW's 3.8%. Workforce participation was at 52.5%, lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Health care & social assistance had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, education & training employed only 6.8% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 9.6%. The area appeared to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In a 12-month period ending in September 2025, Bega's labour force decreased by 5.2% while employment declined by 5.1%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. This contrasted with Rest of NSW where employment contracted by 0.5%, the labour force fell by 0.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. This compared favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Bega. These projections suggested national employment would expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates differing significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Bega's employment mix indicated local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2023, Bega had a median income among taxpayers of $40,419 with an average level standing at $49,511. This was below the national average and compared to levels of $52,390 and $65,215 across Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% from financial year ended June 2023 to September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $44,000 and average income would be around $53,898 by that date. Census data from 2021 shows household, family and personal incomes in Bega all fall between the 13th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income distribution data indicates 28.7% of Bega's population (1,478 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Bega, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 13th percentile nationally.

Bega is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Bega's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.3% houses and 11.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bega was at 38.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.8% and rented ones at 33.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,408, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent figure in Bega was recorded as $320, equal to Non-Metro NSW's figure. Nationally, Bega's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 64.7% of all households, including 22.2% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 14.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.3%, with lone person households at 32.4% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

Bega shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.0%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This indicates a need for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (29.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 12.1% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in Bega shows 104 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 37 different routes, providing a total of 572 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of the transport system is rated excellent, with residents on average being located 183 meters from their nearest stop.

Across all routes, there is an average service frequency of 81 trips per day, which equates to approximately five weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Bega. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 47% (~2,399 people) have private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.0%) and mental health issues (10.8%). About 59.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the Rest of NSW at 59.6%. Bega has 24.8% (1,277 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 31.7% in the Rest of NSW. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but perform better than the general population in health metrics.

Bega is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Bega's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 88.5% of its population being citizens, 90.3% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the main religion in Bega, comprising 48.4% of its population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to the regional average of 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups in Bega are Australian (33.2%), English (30.7%), and Irish (9.4%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented at 4.8% in Bega compared to the regional average of 3.6%, as are German residents at 4.1% versus 3.6%. Dutch residents are underrepresented at 1.2% compared to the regional figure of 1.4%.

Bega hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Bega has a median age of 43 years, which matches the figure for the Rest of NSW and is higher than the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 5-14 years make up 13.4% of the population, while those aged 55-64 years constitute 11.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the percentage of children aged 0-4 years has increased from 5.6% to 6.5%, whereas the proportion of those aged 55-64 years has decreased from 13.7% to 11.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Bega's age structure. Notably, the number of people aged 75-84 years is expected to grow by 39%, reaching 639 from 458. The combined population growth for those aged 65 and above will account for 53% of the total increase, reflecting Bega's aging demographic trend. Conversely, the populations aged 65-74 years and 15-24 years are projected to decrease.