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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 Callala Bay is $1.10m, with units at $445k. House values have moved 4.3% 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
Callala Bay has an estimated 2,120 residents, down from 2,234 at the 2021 Census — a change of 114 people, or 5.1%. The population has thinned by an average 1.2% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 277 residents on each 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
AreaSearch evaluations of broader regional ABS updates, alongside 20 validated new addresses added since the Census, place the resident population for the suburb of Callala Bay at approximately 2,120 as of Aug 2026. This assessment, drawn from the ABS June 2025 ERP figures, indicates a contraction of 114 people (5.1%) compared to the 2021 Census count of 2,234 people. With a density of 277 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per resident and capacity for future expansion. Gains in population across recent times were generated almost entirely by overseas migration.
Projections for the suburb of Callala Bay are informed by 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling (base year 2022) as well as 2022 NSW State Government SA2 releases (base year 2021), with age cohort rates extended across 2032 to 2041. Overall numbers are modeled to drop by 19 persons by 2041 under these frameworks. In contrast, older segments are slated to rise, predominantly within the 85 and over demographic, which is expected to increase by 39 people. <i>See the age section for more details.</i>
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
114 new dwellings have been approved in Callala Bay over the past five years, an average of 22 a year. That is 8.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 5, well below 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
Analysis of ABS building approvals allocated by AreaSearch shows that the suburb of Callala Bay has averaged approximately 22 residential approvals annually, totaling roughly 114 homes across the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, alongside 5 in FY-25 to date. With recent population declines, this volume of construction has maintained balance with demand and supported buyer choice. The mean construction cost for these approvals stands at $726,000, pointing toward an emphasis on higher-end residential development. In addition, $760,000 in commercial development has been approved during the current financial year, demonstrating subdued commercial building activity.
Per capita residential construction in the suburb of Callala Bay has run 29.0% above the regional average over the 5 year period, maintaining healthy market choice while underwriting existing asset values, notwithstanding a recent deceleration in activity. Recent approvals comprise 67.0% detached houses and 33.0% medium and high-density housing, delivering a wider spectrum of price points and dwelling sizes ranging from freestanding houses to compact alternatives. This trend contrasts with the established built form (currently 95.0% houses), reflecting fewer greenfield opportunities, shifting household preferences, and a requirement for attainable density. A ratio of 607 people per dwelling approval underlines the area's subdued development pace. Given forecasts of an unchanging or shrinking population base, demand pressure on the local housing stock should ease, opening favorable conditions for prospective purchasers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Callala Bay
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 46 current infrastructure and development projects close to Callala Bay, worth an estimated $5.48 billion. 10 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and retail. 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
Strategic infrastructure investments and major projects exert a powerful influence on community development. No major pipeline projects have been identified by AreaSearch as directly active within the area, though key regional initiatives of relevance include the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Regional Transport Plan 2041, Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity, the South Pacific Offshore Wind Project, and the Paling Yards Wind Farm.
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
Revitalisation of Vincentia Village Shopping Mall Precinct
Council has revitalised the Burton Street Mall at Vincentia Village shopping centre to create a vibrant community hub and attract tourists. The $4.3 million upgrade, partially funded by the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund, includes a raised outdoor dining area, shade structures, an improved car park, amenity upgrades, landscaping, street furniture, and a new playground/water play area. The project aims to stimulate the local economy and was officially completed in May 2024.
Vincentia Coastal Village - Project Modification 9 and Concept Plan Mod 17
Modification application for the Vincentia Coastal Village Concept Plan (MP06_0060-Mod-17) and the Vincentia District Town Centre Stage 1 project approval (MP06_0025-Mod-9). The modification seeks amendments to staging, land uses, car parking, and a reduction in gross floor area, incorporating specialty retail, bulky goods, a pet store, a vet, a medical centre, a gym, and a 120-place child care centre. Approved by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in February 2026.
West Culburra Development
Masterplanned mixed-use community on approximately 46 hectares along Culburra Road, delivering around 400 new homes (244 low-density residential lots plus approximately 160 medium-density apartments), a town centre expansion with mixed-use commercial and retail space, 13 industrial lots, sports fields, parks and environmental reserves. The State Significant Development concept plan was approved by the NSW Land and Environment Court in December 2021. EPBC approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was granted in May 2025.Stage 1 DA (DA2025/2276) covering 244 residential lots, 13 industrial lots, roads and civil infrastructure was lodged with Shoalhaven City Council in November 2025 and placed on public exhibition until December 2025. Early works DAs for site preparation were approved by council in May 2025. A minimum 10% affordable housing component (approximately 40 dwellings) will be gifted to a tier-1 Community Housing Provider.
Bayswood Development
Master planned residential community integrated with natural bushland near Jervis Bay National Park, focused on sustainability. The design includes water sensitive urban design (WSUD) within parklands, an extensive urban drainage network, and sewer and water reticulation. An old document suggested a total yield of 607 residential lots.
Worrigee Road Subdivision
Development-approved subdivision creating 134 low-density semi-rural residential lots across two parcels totaling 95.61 hectares. The site includes the former Vineyards Golf Links and an adjacent rural property. Lot sizes range from 2,500 to 4,869 square meters, zoned R2 Low Density Residential, featuring full urban services including sewer, water, power, and NBN connectivity.
HomeCo Vincentia
Retail centre serving the local community, formerly known as Vincentia Marketplace, now owned and operated by HomeCo. Major tenants include Woolworths and ALDI, along with 31 specialty stores. It features free parking and is a key convenient shopping destination in the Shoalhaven region. The centre's developer was Fabcot.
New Primary School and Public Preschool in Worrigee
A new primary school for approximately 550 students and a public preschool for up to 60 children per day to serve the growing communities of Worrigee and South Nowra, which have seen a 150 percent increase in new dwellings over the past decade. The three-storey primary school will feature 24 modern classrooms with multipurpose spaces, three support learning classrooms, a multipurpose hall with canteen and covered outdoor learning area (COLA), library, staff and administration facilities, sports field and multipurpose sports court, and onsite parking.The co-located preschool will feature three specially designed rooms and a quality outdoor play area, along with an administration area, amenities, staff kitchen and storage. Part of the NSW Government's commitment to deliver 100 new public preschools, with artist's impressions released to the community in April 2026. The preschool is expected to open in 2027 and the primary school in 2028.
Bay and Basin NSW Ambulance Station
The upgrade and reconfiguration of the Bay and Basin NSW Ambulance Station was delivered as part of Stage 1 of the NSW Government's Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) Program. This initiative enhanced emergency services across regional NSW by providing modern, purpose-built facilities for paramedics. The program focus included internal parking for emergency vehicles, administration areas, and improved staff amenities to meet growing local health needs.
842 residents of Callala Bay are employed, from a labour force of 870. Unemployment sits at 3.2%, with participation at 47.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,704, about 80% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market is characterized by skilled workers and strong participation in essential services, with an unemployment rate standing at 3.2% based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. Across the suburb of Callala Bay, 842 residents were employed as of March 2026. The local jobless rate sits 0.9% beneath the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, whereas participation remains subdued at 47.6% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census figures show only 12.8% of workers operating from home, an indicator subject to COVID-19 restriction patterns. Key sectors employing local residents include health care & social assistance, public administration & safety, and construction.
Public administration & safety shows exceptional concentration, capturing a workforce share 2.0 times higher than the regional average. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.6% of workers, compared to 5.3% regionally. The balance between local working numbers and resident worker counts indicates constrained local employment generation. Over the year to March 2026, AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM data shows the workforce expanded by 0.1% while total employed residents declined by 1.5%, driving a 1.6 percentage point increase in local unemployment. Across Regional NSW over the same period, employment fell by 0.9% and the labour force contracted by 0.4%, lifting unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. Applying national industry projections from Jobs and Skills Australia (Mar-26)—which project economy-wide employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years—to the local industrial profile suggests potential employment gains of 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years for local residents (a weighted extrapolation provided for illustrative context, excluding local demographic projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Callala Bay is $1,289 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $645 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $48,252 a year against an average of $60,823. 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
According to AreaSearch's release of ATO taxpayer records for financial year 2023, the suburb of Callala Bay recorded a median income of $48,252 and a mean of $60,823, trailing the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215, as well as national benchmarks. Accounting for 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, modelled values reach approximately $53,232 (median) and $67,100 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, personal, family, and household incomes placed between the 18th and 19th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket includes 30.4% of taxpayers (644 people) earning $800 - 1,499, whereas the $1,500 - 2,999 band leads regionally at 29.9%.
Post-housing disposable income averages 85.8%, positioning the locality at the 22nd percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Callala Bay had 890 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 1% apartments. 25% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 53% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $390 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,697 a month. Rent absorbs 30.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 30.4%. 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 latest Census was composed of 94.6% houses and 5.3% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and alternative formats), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Fully owned properties accounted for 53.2% of tenure, significantly outperforming regional rates, while mortgaged properties stood at 24.9% and rental arrangements at 21.9%. Typical monthly mortgage payments were $1,697 (against $1,733 regionally and $1,863 nationally), while weekly median rents sat at $390 (compared to $330 across Regional NSW and $375 across Australia).
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Callala Bay counted 890 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 24% are couples with children, against 36% couples without children. 25% 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
Family units constitute 72.7% of all households, formed by couples without children (36.2%), couples with children (24.3%), and single parent families (11.3%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 27.3%, consisting of lone person residences (25.2%) and group housing (1.7%). Average household occupancy matches the wider Regional NSW benchmark at 2.4 people.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.2% of adults in Callala Bay hold a university qualification, including 11.6% with a bachelor degree and 3.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 32.0% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 158 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 972 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Higher education qualifications present a local development priority, as university completion rates of 18.2% sit well below the statewide 32.2% level. Bachelor degrees comprise 11.6% of educational attainment, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational pathways are widely held, with 43.0% of individuals aged 15+ holding technical qualifications, split between certificates (32.0%) and advanced diplomas (11.0%). Formal study engages 23.8% of local residents, consisting of 7.7% enrolled in secondary schooling, 7.4% attending primary education, and 2.8% in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Callala Bay means driving: households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Local public transit infrastructure comprises 18 bus stops spread across the suburb of Callala Bay, serviced by 5 unique routes providing 79 weekly passenger trips. Typical walking distance to a stop averages 225 meters. Private vehicles dominate commuting with a 95% share, supported by an average of 1.5 vehicles per household, while 12.8% of workers worked from home at the 2021 Census. Public transport operations provide an average frequency of 11 trips daily across the route network, translating to roughly 4 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
57.8% of residents in Callala Bay report no long-term health condition. 7.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 51.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments from AreaSearch highlight notable public health challenges across mortality and chronic illness metrics, affecting both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage remains relatively limited, encompassing approximately 51% of the population (~1,081 people). Arthritis and mental health conditions represent the leading reported ailments, experienced by 12.6 and 8.7% of residents, respectively. A total of 57.8% of the community reported being free of chronic conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic conditions are prevalent across working-age cohorts, while seniors aged 65 and over represent 33.4% of the population (708 people), exceeding the regional proportion of 23.3% and registering health metrics aligned with national older cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Callala Bay is largely Australian-born, at 84.9% of residents, with 6.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.7%) and Australian (27.9%). 3.8% 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
Cultural background measures show limited diversity, with 84.9% of residents born in Australia, 93.2% holding Australian citizenship, and 94.0% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity forms the primary religious affiliation, representing 56.5% of the population, comparable to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The primary reported ancestral backgrounds are English (30.7%), Australian (27.9%), and Scottish (9.0%). Notable variations from regional averages include residents of Croatian background at 1.3% (versus 0.3% across the region), Russian ancestry at 0.5% (versus 0.2%), and Hungarian background at 0.4% (versus 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Callala Bay is 51, older than 93% of areas nationally. 16.6% 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
Demographics in the suburb of Callala Bay are strongly oriented toward older demographics. AreaSearch August 2026 estimates identify 33.4% of the community within senior and retiree brackets (65+), against 23.3% across Regional NSW, whereas adults aged 25 - 44 represent only 15.3% (compared to 23.5% regionally). The median age is an estimated 51 as at August 2026, mirroring the 2021 Census figure and exceeding regional (43) and national (38) Census medians. The 65+ cohort has expanded from 28.1% at the Census to an estimated 33.4%, and is projected to gain 34 residents (5%) to reach 742 by 2041, whereas child, young adult, and middle-aged groups are forecast to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Callala Bay
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 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 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| 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 — 20 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,234 at the 2021 Census → 2,120 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 Aug 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 (SAL10756). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.