Bega

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Bega is around 5,120 people. This reflects a growth of 107 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,013 people. The current resident population stands at 5,114, as estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 139 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 164 persons per square kilometer. Bega's population growth rate of 2.1% since the census is within 0.5 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.6%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains in recent periods, driving primary growth for the suburb.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where ABS data is not available, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections anticipate future population dynamics, expecting an increase just below the median of national regional areas by 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb of Bega is expected to expand by 443 persons by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 8.5% over the 16-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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Bega has recorded around 32 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 162 homes. So far in FY-26, 20 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.6 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25.

New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations. The average value of new homes being built is $496,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In terms of commercial development, $20.9 million in approvals have been registered this financial year, demonstrating moderate levels of activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Bega shows moderately higher building activity, balancing buyer choice with support for current property values. Recent construction comprises 50% detached dwellings and 50% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the current housing mix of 88% houses.

This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points, suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Bega has approximately 170 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Population forecasts estimate Bega will gain 437 residents through to 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

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified three projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include the South Bega Urban Land Release Planning Proposal, the Bega Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade, the Barrack Street Bega Redevelopment Project, and the Princes Highway Safety And Capacity project from Nowra, NSW to the Victorian border. The following list provides details on those projects that are 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.

Bega shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Bega's skilled workforce has an unemployment rate of 4.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 2,244 residents employed with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. The workforce participation rate is lower than Regional NSW's at 56.1% compared to 60.5%.

Census responses indicate that only 8.5% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. Notably, health care & social assistance employs 1.3 times the regional average. However, education & training employs only 6.8% of local workers compared to Regional NSW's 9.6%.

The area may have limited local employment opportunities as suggested by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between December 2024 and November 2025, Bega's labour force decreased by 4.4%, while employment declined by 3.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years nationally, but growth varies significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Bega's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localized population projections.

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 2023 shows Bega had a median income among taxpayers of $40,419 with an average level of $49,511. This is below the national average and compares to levels of $52,390 and $65,215 across Regional NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $44,590 (median) and $54,621 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Bega all fall between the 13th and 21st percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows 28.7% of the population (1,469 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the region where 29.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 13th percentile.

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 recorded at the latest Census, consisted of 88.3% houses and 11.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bega was at 38.3%, aligning with Regional NSW's figure, while the remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (27.8%) or rented (33.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bega was $1,408, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Bega was recorded at $320, compared to Regional NSW's $330. 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 lower-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, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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 disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity 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 primary (12.1%), secondary (8.3%), and tertiary (2.6%) levels.

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

Bega has 104 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by 37 different routes that collectively provide 572 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 183 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Bega's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 87%, with 10% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a relatively low 8.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 81 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Health data for Bega shows significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover in Bega is extremely low at approximately 47% of the total population (around 2,385 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 11.0% and 10.8% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 59.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. Bega has 25.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,326 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings even higher than those for the general population.

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 shows lower cultural diversity, with 88.5% being citizens, 90.3% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 48.4%. Judaism's representation is notably higher than regional averages, accounting for 0.1% of Bega's population compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW.

The top three ancestral groups are Australian (33.2%), English (30.7%), and Irish (9.4%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Australian Aboriginal is slightly overrepresented at 4.8%, German at 4.1%, and Dutch at 1.2%.

Bega hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Bega has a median age of 43, which is equal to the Regional NSW figure and higher than the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that the 75-84 year-olds make up 9.6% of the population, while the 55-64 group comprises 11.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the percentage of 75 to 84-year-olds has increased from 8.3% to 9.6%, and the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 13.7% to 11.1%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Bega's age structure. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 37%, reaching 672 people from the current 492. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 55% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 65 to 74 and 55 to 64 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.