Casuarina (NSW)

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

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Casuarina (NSW) is around 3,378. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,256 people. The current population estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and analysis of ABS resident population data from June 2024. The population density in Casuarina is approximately 1,260 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Casuarina has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during this period.

For demographic projections, AreaSearch is adopting 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 511 persons to reach approximately 3,889 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 11.1% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Casuarina has seen approximately eight new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around forty homes. As of FY-26, nine approvals have been recorded. Over this period, an average of 2.6 people per year have moved to the area per new home constructed, suggesting strong demand supporting property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $1,037,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Compared to Rest of NSW, Casuarina records about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 62nd percentile nationally, though construction activity has recently intensified. This is below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 44.0% detached houses and 56.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 71.0% houses), likely due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. Casuarina shows characteristics of a low density area with around 234 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Casuarina will gain approximately 374 residents by 2041, maintaining a reasonable pace of construction growth despite potential increasing competition among buyers as population increases.

Population forecasts indicate Casuarina will gain 374 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

Casuarina has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to impact the area: Pama Casuarina, Tweed Valley Hospital, Kings Forest, and Tweed Coast Road Widening and Duplication. These are key projects with potential relevance.

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Employment conditions in Casuarina demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Casuarina has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.5% as of December 2025. This rate is below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation is high at 71.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. A substantial proportion, 29.8%, of residents work from home, though COVID-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 1.0% compared to Regional NSW's average of 5.3%. Labour force levels decreased by 0.1% and employment decreased by 0.2% in Casuarina over the 12 months to December 2025, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Casuarina's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to Casuarina's employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, Casuarina's median income among taxpayers is $62,236. The average income is $94,103. Nationally, this is extremely high compared to Regional NSW's median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for Casuarina would be approximately $67,750 (median) and $102,441 (average) as of September 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Casuarina rank highly nationally, between the 77th and 84th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 32.9% of residents (1,111 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, reflecting regional patterns where 29.9% occupy this range. Notably, 36.7% of Casuarina residents exceed $3,000 weekly earnings, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 17.7% of income, however, strong earnings place disposable income at the 81st percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Casuarina is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Casuarina's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.1% houses and 28.9% other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Regional NSW's dwelling structure of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Casuarina was 30.8%, with the remaining dwellings being mortgaged (46.6%) or rented (22.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Casuarina was $2,500, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Casuarina was recorded at $635, compared to Regional NSW's figure of $330. Nationally, Casuarina's median monthly mortgage repayment is significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while its median weekly rent is substantially above the national figure of $375.

Casuarina features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 83.8% of all households, including 44.8% couples with children, 29.9% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 16.2%, with lone person households at 13.8% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Casuarina demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Casuarina's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 36.1% have university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 21.5% in the SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 25.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 36.5% of residents holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 13.9% and certificates at 22.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.3% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Casuarina has 17 active public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 32 different routes that together facilitate 268 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 174 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area, with cars being the primary mode at 92%. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 29.8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 38 trips per day, translating to roughly 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Casuarina's health outcomes show notable results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Approximately 64% of Casuarina's total population (2,162 people) has private health cover, compared to Regional NSW's 51.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma at 6.7% and mental health issues at 5.8%. About 77.5% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, higher than Regional NSW's 63.3%. Casuarina has 15.1% (510 people) of its population aged 65 and over, lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in Casuarina are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Casuarina ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Casuarina showed lower cultural diversity with 82.3% born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 95.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 50.9%. Judaism, at 0.4%, was overrepresented compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (32.7%), Australian (26.5%), and Irish (10.0%). Notably, Welsh (0.9%) South Australian (0.8%) and New Zealand (0.9%) ethnicities were also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

Casuarina's median age exceeds the national pattern

Casuarina's median age is 41 years, which is lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The age group of 45-54 years shows strong representation at 17.0%, compared to Regional NSW's percentage, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 5.8%. This concentration in the 45-54 age group is well above the national average of 12.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 10.1% to 11.7%, and the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 2.5% to 3.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 18.0% to 16.7%, and the 55 to 64 group has dropped from 12.5% to 11.3%. Demographic modeling suggests that Casuarina's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 16%, adding 90 residents to reach a total of 665. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 5 to 14 and 15 to 24 cohorts.