Bega

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

As of Nov 2025, Bega's population is estimated at around 5,152, reflecting an increase of 139 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 2.8% increase from the previous population count of 5,013. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 5,036 following examination of ABS ERP data released in Jun 2024, along with an additional 136 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 165 persons per square kilometer. Bega's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area at 2.8% compared to 2.6%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2-level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an increase just below the median of national regional areas, with Bega expected to expand by 457 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 7.6% over the 17-year period.

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

Bega recorded approximately 35 residential properties granted approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 177 homes. In FY26 so far, 8 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. The average construction cost value of new homes was $496,000.

Commercial approvals this financial year amounted to $19.4 million, indicating moderate commercial development levels. Compared to the rest of NSW, Bega exhibited moderately higher building activity, 22.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. New building activity comprised 47.0% detached houses and 53.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 88.0% houses. Bega reflected a low-density area with around 206 people per approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Bega is expected to grow by 391 residents through to 2041.

Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

AreaSearch has identified three projects that could impact the area due to changes in local infrastructure. Key projects include the South Bega Urban Land Release Planning Proposal, the Bega Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade, and the Barrack Street Bega Redevelopment Project. Additionally, the Princes Highway Safety And Capacity project from Nowra, NSW to the Victorian border is also notable.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Bega faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Bega has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 5.2%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, 2,243 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.5% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Bega is lower at 52.5%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, education & training employs only 6.8% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 9.6%. Local employment opportunities appear limited, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 3.7%, alongside a 4.8% employment decline, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 1.1 percentage points. This contrasts with 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 offer insights into potential future demand within Bega. These projections suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Bega's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2022 shows Bega had a median taxpayer income of $40,419 and an average income of $49,511. These figures are below the national averages of $53,886 (median) and $70,825 (average). In Rest of NSW, median and average incomes were $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year ending June 2022, estimated current incomes for Bega are approximately $45,516 (median) and $55,754 (average), as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Bega all fall between the 13th and 21st percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 28.7% of Bega's population (1,478 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the regional average of 29.9%. 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

The dwelling structure in Bega, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.3% houses and 11.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Bega was 38.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (27.8%) or rented (33.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bega was $1,408, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,517. The median weekly rent in Bega was recorded at $320, matching the Non-Metro NSW figure but significantly below the national average of $375 for rents and $1,863 for mortgage repayments.

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 constitute 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%, substantially lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 8.4% and certificates at 29.9%. Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 12.1% in primary, 8.3% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

Six schools operate within Bega, educating approximately 1,841 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1002) and balanced educational opportunities. The area functions as an education hub with 35.7 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 12.7, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Bega has 99 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 39 different routes that together facilitate 610 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 181 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 87 trips across all routes, which works out to approximately six 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 obstacles for Bega, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 47%, affecting around 2,400 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most frequent medical issues are arthritis (11.0%) and mental health concerns (10.8%), while 59.5% report no medical ailments, comparable to Rest of NSW's 59.6%. Bega has 24.8%, or around 1,277 people aged 65 and over, lower than the 31.7% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors show 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 population was found to be less culturally diverse, with 88.5% being citizens, 90.3% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home as of the last available data on 27th June 2016. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 48.4%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented with 0.1%, compared to the rest of NSW's 0.1%.

The top three ancestry groups were Australian at 33.2%, English at 30.7%, and Irish at 9.4%. Notably, Australian Aboriginal were more represented in Bega at 4.8% (vs regional 3.6%), German at 4.1% (vs 3.6%), and Dutch at 1.2% (vs 1.4%).

Bega hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bega has a median age of 43, which is equal to the Rest of NSW figure and higher than the national average of 38. The age profile indicates that those aged 5-14 years make up 13.4%, while those aged 55-64 years constitute 11.4%. According to the 2021 Census, the 0-4 age group has increased from 5.6% to 6.5% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has decreased from 13.7% to 11.4%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Bega's age structure. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 39%, reaching 639 people from the current 458. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 53% of total population growth, reflecting Bega's aging demographic trend. In contrast, the 65-74 and 15-24 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.