Catalina

Population growth drivers in Catalina are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Catalina is around 2,735. This reflects an increase of 213 people from the 2021 Census figure of 2,522. The current population was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 2,637 residents following examination of ABS' latest ERP data release in June 2024, along with seven validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 706 persons per square kilometer. Catalina's 8.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both its SA3 area (3.5%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 69.0% 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 by this data, 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 project an above median growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Catalina expected to increase by 546 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 16.4% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Catalina according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Catalina has experienced around 6 dwellings receiving development approval each year since FY-21. This totals an estimated 34 homes over the past five financial years. As of FY-26, 7 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.9 new residents per year have been associated with each dwelling approved between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $634,000, indicating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In this financial year, $22.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Catalina has significantly less development activity, at 55.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, the area's development activity is also below average, reflecting its maturity and potentially indicating planning constraints.

New development in Catalina consists of 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The estimated population per dwelling approval is 377 people, reflecting a quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections estimate that Catalina will add 448 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Catalina has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

One project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area: The Sebel Hotel, Batemans Bay Community Health Facility, Batemans Bay Dredging, and Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan are key projects.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Employment conditions in Catalina face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Catalina has a balanced workforce with representation from white and blue collar jobs, notably in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 7.0%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 910 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 3.0% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Catalina lags at 43.8%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. Census responses show that only 8.5% of residents work from home, but Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The leading employment industries among residents are retail trade, health care & social assistance, and construction. Retail trade is particularly notable, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing shows lower representation at 0.9% versus the regional average of 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.5%, while employment declined by 3.6%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.9 percentage points in Catalina. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment contracted by 1.2%, the 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 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Catalina. These projections suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Catalina's employment mix suggests that local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Catalina's median income among taxpayers was $38,456 and average income stood at $47,751 in the financial year 2023. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% would be approximately $41,863 for median income and $51,982 for average income. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Catalina fell between the 7th and 9th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort in Catalina spans 31.2% of locals (853 people) in the $800 - 1,499 category, contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Catalina, with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile.

Catalina is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Catalina's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Catalina stood at 50.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.1% and rented ones at 25.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,560, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Catalina was $355, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Catalina's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Catalina features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.0% of all households, including 19.5% couples with children, 33.8% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 33.0%, with lone person households at 30.0% and group households making up 2.6%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Catalina exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 13.6%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 42.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 32.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 2.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Catalina has 55 active public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 24 different routes, offering a total of 252 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents' homes to the nearest stop is 123 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 95%. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling, below the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, only 8.5% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 36 trips per day, equating to roughly four weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Catalina faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantial across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~1,255 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (12.7%) and mental health issues (10.0%). Conversely, 56.2% of residents report having no medical ailments, lower than the 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. The area has a higher proportion of seniors, with 32.9% aged 65 and over (899 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but generally align with national rankings.

Catalina is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Catalina has a low cultural diversity, with 89.3% citizens, 85.9% born in Australia, and 96.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, accounting for 59.9%, compared to 55.9% regionally. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.1%), Australian (28.0%), and Irish (9.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented at 6.4% in Catalina versus 4.6% regionally, Maltese people at 0.8% versus 0.4%, and French people at 0.6% versus 0.4%.

Catalina ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Catalina is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 and well above the national norm of 38. The 85+ cohort is notably over-represented in Catalina at 6.3%, compared to the regional average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 8.4%. Between 2021 and the present day, the percentage of Catalina's population aged 35-44 has grown from 9.0% to 10.4%, while the percentage of those aged 65-74 has declined from 16.8% to 15.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Catalina. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 58%, adding 100 residents to reach a total of 273. Conversely, the number of individuals aged 15-24 is expected to fall by 4%.