Byron Bay

Byron Bay lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Byron Bay's population, as of Nov 2025, is estimated at around 6,767 based on ABS population updates and new addresses validated by AreaSearch. This reflects a growth of 437 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,330. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,664 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 245 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 353 persons per square kilometer. Byron Bay's growth rate of 6.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (3.3%) and the non-metro area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 92.0% 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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a growth of 654 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 5.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Byron Bay among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Byron Bay averaged approximately 70 new dwelling approvals annually between FY21 and FY25. Around 352 homes were approved in these five years, with an additional 37 approved so far in FY26. On average, around 0.9 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years.

New construction has been matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth. The average value of new dwellings is $1,600,000, indicating a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This year, $54.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating significant local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Byron Bay has 86.0% more construction activity per person, which should provide buyers with ample choice. New building activity consists of approximately 51.0% standalone homes and 49.0% medium and high-density housing, offering choices across price ranges.

With around 85 people per approval, Byron Bay reflects a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Byron Bay is expected to grow by 402 residents through to 2041. Current construction levels should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Byron Bay has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of twenty projects that are expected to impact this area. Notable projects include Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade, Bohemian Byron Bay, MARE Apartments, and 29 Shirley Street Apartments. The following list details those projects likely to be 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.

The labour market in Byron Bay demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Byron Bay has a highly educated workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.0%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025, there are 3,521 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.7% below Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is 59.7%, comparable to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include accommodation & food, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Byron Bay specializes in accommodation & food, with an employment share 3.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, health care & social assistance employs only 11.8% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 16.9%. The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a higher-than-average level of local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 5.0%, while employment declined by 4.7%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw an employment decline of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and a rise in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Byron Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Byron Bay's median income among taxpayers is $39,019. The average income in Byron Bay is $81,046. These figures are among the highest in Australia. In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Byron Bay's median income would be approximately $43,939 by September 2025. The estimated average income in Byron Bay by that date is $91,266. According to the 2021 Census figures, household incomes in Byron Bay rank between the 39th and 50th percentiles. Family incomes also fall within this range, as do personal incomes. The earnings profile shows that the largest segment of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with 28.1% falling into this category (1,901 residents). This is consistent with broader trends across regional levels, where 29.9% of residents earn within the same income bracket. Housing affordability pressures in Byron Bay are severe, with only 77.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 31st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Byron Bay displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Byron Bay, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 56.4% houses and 43.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's 75.1% houses and 24.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Byron Bay was at 36.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (21.3%) or rented (42.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,980. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $600, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $450. Nationally, Byron Bay's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Byron Bay features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 53.3% of all households, including 17.2% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 46.7%, with lone person households at 33.9% and group households comprising 12.8%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Byron Bay shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Byron Bay has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 39.8% holding university qualifications compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 24.3% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 29.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.0% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (14.0%) and certificates (19.0%). Educational participation is high in Byron Bay, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 7.2% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education. The area's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,675 students, serving distinct age groups with three primary and one secondary school. Byron Bay functions as an education hub, offering 24.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 13.2, and attracting students from surrounding communities. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA value of 1074.

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

Byron Bay's public transport analysis shows 63 active stops operating within the area. These include both train and bus services. There are 46 individual routes serving these stops, which together facilitate 686 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 253 meters from their nearest stop. The service frequency averages 98 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 10 weekly trips per stop.

Byron Bay's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Byron Bay shows excellent health outcomes with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 59% (3,987 people), compared to 52.3% across Rest of NSW.

Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.4 and 6.2% of residents respectively. A total of 74.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 68.0% in Rest of NSW. The area has 18.0% (1,218 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 23.6% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

Byron Bay was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Byron Bay had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 16.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 33.0% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Byron Bay, accounting for 28.5%. Judaism was overrepresented compared to Rest of NSW, comprising 1.4% versus 0.6%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (28.9%), Australian (19.5%, lower than regional average), and Irish (10.9%). Spanish (1.8%) and French (1.8%) were notably overrepresented compared to regional averages, while German was slightly higher at 4.7%.

Byron Bay's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Byron Bay has a median age of 38, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure at 43 but equivalent to the national norm also at 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 23.0% of Byron Bay's population, higher than Rest of NSW but significantly above the national average of 14.5%. In contrast, the 5-14 age group makes up only 6.9% of Byron Bay's population. Following the Census conducted in August 2021, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 15.2% to 16.6%, while the 25 to 34 cohort has risen from 21.7% to 23.0%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 12.8% to 10.6%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Byron Bay's age profile by 2041. The 35 to 44 cohort is expected to grow by 22%, adding 241 people, reaching a total of 1,365 from the current figure of 1,123. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 age groups.