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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 Emerald Beach is $1.03m, with units at $1.02m. House values have moved 5.2% 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
Emerald Beach has an estimated 2,718 residents, up from 2,677 at the 2021 Census — a change of 41 people, or 1.5%. Growth has averaged 0.6% a year over five years, slower than 83% of areas nationally. That puts 181 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
Determined from ABS demographic statistics for the wider region and address updates verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Emerald Beach has an estimated population of 2,718 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 41 individuals (1.5%) from the 2021 Census, when 2,677 residents were recorded. This adjustment is calculated from a base resident count of 2,709, calculated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, combined with 4 newly confirmed addresses established after the Census. The resulting population density is 180 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and possibilities for additional housing projects.
Throughout the last ten years, the suburb of Emerald Beach has shown stable expansion with a compound yearly growth rate of 1.8%, higher than the surrounding SA3. Overseas arrivals were the main driver, contributing 41.0% of the demographic expansion in recent times, though natural increase and interstate arrivals also remained positive. AreaSearch is employing ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas is forecast, with the suburb of Emerald Beach expected to increase by 1,020 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 37.2% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
25 new dwellings have been approved in Emerald Beach over the past five years, an average of 5 a year. That is 1.9 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 2, 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 indicates that the suburb of Emerald Beach averages approximately 5 residential building approvals annually. This totals 25 approved dwellings over the 5 fiscal years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, with an additional 2 approvals recorded during the current FY-26 period. Historically, construction has yielded 3.4 new residents per completed home between FY-21 and FY-25. This indicates that supply is lagging behind demand, which typically escalates purchaser rivalry and elevates property values. Newly built homes carry an average construction valuation of $482,000, indicating a developer focus on high-end residential offerings.
Additionally, commercial building approvals of $275,000 have been registered in the current fiscal year, pointing to a predominantly residential orientation. Compared to the Rest of NSW, building approval volume is low, tracking at 55.0% below the regional per capita average. This limited addition of housing stock generally supports valuations and demand for existing dwellings. Approvals also run below national benchmarks, reflecting the built-out status of the area and potentially indicating planning constraints. Detached houses account for 86.0% of new approvals, while semi-detached and attached options make up the remaining 14.0%, maintaining a low-density environment that attracts purchasers seeking larger land sizes. There are approximately 2708 residents in the area for every single approved dwelling, highlighting the quiet pace of local development. Long-term forecasts suggest the suburb of Emerald Beach will add 1,011 residents by 2041, according to recent quarterly models. If building trends remain at current levels, housing additions will fall short of demographic growth, which may heighten buyer competition and drive property appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Emerald Beach
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 one current infrastructure or development project inside Emerald Beach, worth an estimated $13 million. A further 36 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $4.78 billion. 12 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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
Infrastructure updates, major regional projects, and planning changes are primary drivers of local property trends. A total of 4 projects have been identified that are expected to influence the local area. Key developments include the 15-17 Pine Crescent & Ti-Tree Road Residential Subdivision, Seacrest Estate, the PP-2023-1583 - Sandy Beach Community Hub Re-zoning, and the Sandy Beach Reserve Community Hub and Active Youth Space Project, with details on the most relevant schemes provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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
Ti-Tree Road / Pine Crescent Residential Subdivision
Proposed 113 lot low density residential subdivision on approximately 49.6 ha between Ti-Tree Road and 15-17 Pine Crescent at Sandy Beach, including new internal roads and drainage and bushfire access. The development application by Elite Constructions NSW Pty Ltd seeks to create 113 residential lots plus a residue lot on land partly zoned residential and partly environmental conservation. In April 2025 the Northern Regional Planning Panel unanimously refused the 113 lot DA on flooding, environmental and infrastructure impact grounds, so the project currently has no development approval and would require a new or amended application to proceed.
PP-2023-1583 - Sandy Beach Community Hub Re-zoning
A planning proposal to rezone the site from R2 Low Density Residential to E1 Local Centre and amend the minimum lot size, formalising a current development operating under existing use rights.
15-17 Pine Crescent & Ti-Tree Road Residential Subdivision
Development application to subdivide land at Ti-Tree Road and Pine Crescent, Sandy Beach, to create 113 low-density residential lots, 1 biodiversity stewardship lot and associated roads, bulk earthworks and services. The Northern Regional Planning Panel refused the DA (0220/25DA; Panel Ref PPSNTH-367) on 29 April 2025, citing flood and stormwater risk, impacts on coastal wetlands and Hearnes Lake, and unresolved design and servicing issues. The applicant, Elite Constructions NSW, has since lodged a Class 1 appeal against the refusal in the NSW Land and Environment Court.An amended proposal was placed on public exhibition by Coffs Harbour City Council, drawing more than 800 objections and one submission in support.
Seacrest Estate
A residential estate offering land and house & land packages, designed for a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Stage 3 is completed and nearly sold out, with Stage 4 now released due to high demand.
Sandy Beach Reserve Community Hub and Active Youth Space Project
Building a new playground, pathways, picnic facilities, skate park, and multi-purpose court at Sandy Beach Reserve, based on the 2017 Masterplan. The project aims to provide better play opportunities and community facilities.
Plantations by Ingenia Lifestyle Extension
Expansion of the existing Plantations by Ingenia Lifestyle land lease community in Woolgoolga delivering approximately 178-180 new homes for over 55s together with a second clubhouse, wellness facilities, community spaces and associated road infrastructure. Construction officially commenced in February 2026 following development approval.
Woolgoolga Town Centre Masterplan
A vision and strategic planning framework adopted by Coffs Harbour City Council in February 2018 to guide growth and change in Woolgoolga's town centre to 2036. Comprising three parts - a Town Centre Framework, Precincts and Implementation Plan, and Supporting Information - the Masterplan outlines over 24 actions spanning immediate to long-term timeframes. New local planning controls stemming from the Masterplan came into effect in February 2024, alongside an approved Woolgoolga Movement and Place Plan addressing transport, streetscape improvements and road networks around the beachside town centre.
34 Trafalgar Street Residential Flat Building
Demolition of existing dwelling, construction of a 5-storey residential flat building containing 10 luxury apartments, and strata subdivision.
1,297 residents of Emerald Beach are employed, from a labour force of 1,325. Unemployment sits at 2.1%, with participation at 61.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.9% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,195, about 81% 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 workforce exhibits high levels of education and a strong presence in essential services, with an unemployment rate of only 2.1%. As of March 2026, there are 1,297 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 2.0% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is comparable to the regional average of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 16.5% of the working population operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The health care & social assistance sector shows a high concentration, employing workers at 1.3 times the Regional NSW average rate. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 2.6% of local employment, which is lower than the Regional NSW average of 5.3%. A comparison of the Census working population against resident workers indicates that local employment opportunities within the immediate area are limited. According to SALM and ABS figures for the year ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.2% while employment fell by 1.0%, causing the unemployment rate to drop by 0.2 percentage points. Over the same period, Regional NSW recorded a 0.9% reduction in employment and a 0.4% decline in the labor force, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National forecasts published in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia point to future labor demands. These five-year and ten-year projections have been applied to local data to model future employment trends. Globally, national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying by industry. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could grow by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Emerald Beach is $1,813 a week (about $94,000 a year), with median personal income at $811 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $43,518 a year against an average of $54,956. 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
ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year show that local personal incomes are below national benchmarks, with a median of $43,518 and an average of $54,956. This is lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $48,009 for the median and $60,627 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes fell around the national 52nd percentile. The largest income cohort comprises 35.4% of residents (962 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the broader regional pattern where 29.9% fall into this bracket.
Housing expenses account for 15.7% of income, but solid overall earnings keep disposable income at the 55th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the 6th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Emerald Beach had 934 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 94% detached houses and 2% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 22% rented and 37% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $463 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,950 a month. Rent absorbs 25.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing mix consists of 93.9% standalone houses and 6.2% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional NSW where standalone houses represent 82.6% and alternative dwellings comprise 17.4%. Home ownership rates stand at 37.4%, which is slightly lower than regional averages, with the remaining properties split between those with active mortgages (40.9%) and rental agreements (21.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,950 is higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $463 is higher than the regional average of $330.
Nationally, local mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Emerald Beach counted 934 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 34% are couples with children, against 33% couples without children. 16% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 81.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 34.0%, couples without children at 33.4%, and single-parent households at 14.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 18.2%, with single-person households representing 16.0% and shared group households representing 2.1%. The average household occupancy is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
29.3% of adults in Emerald Beach hold a university qualification, including 21.3% with a bachelor degree and 5.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 28.3% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local educational profile is characterized by high attainment, with university graduation rates at 29.3% of those aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA4 average of 19.8% and the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are held by 21.3% of the cohort, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational education is also prominent, with 40.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 28.3%. Study participation is high, with 30.9% of the population enrolled in formal learning programs.
This cohort includes 11.6% in primary schools, 8.9% in secondary schools, and 3.2% in higher education institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Emerald Beach reaches 34 stops on 19 routes, timetabled for about 150 services a week. The typical home sits about 170 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport networks include 34 active bus stops within the suburb of Emerald Beach. These connections are served by 19 routes, providing a total of 151 passenger journeys weekly. Physical access is high, with residents living an average of 171 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential character of the suburb of Emerald Beach, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 95%. Households average 1.8 cars, which is higher than the Regional NSW average. Work-from-home arrangements were recorded at 16.5% in the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.
Service runs average 21 times daily across all active routes, which represents approximately 4 weekly services for each individual transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.5% of residents in Emerald Beach report no long-term health condition. 4.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.7% 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
Local health outcomes are positive, with low rates of common chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 49% of the population (~1,324 people) holding private cover. This is lower than the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national benchmark of 55.7%. The most prevalent chronic health issues are arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 8.8% and 8.5% of residents respectively. Conversely, 69.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health profiles for working-age residents are typical.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 19.9% of the population (540 people), below the Regional NSW average of 23.4%. Health indicators among these older residents are positive, ranking higher nationally than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Emerald Beach is largely Australian-born, at 85.3% of residents, with 4.2% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.0%) and Australian (26.7%). 3.5% 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 diversity measures are below national averages, with 85.3% of residents born in Australia, 90.6% holding citizenship, and 95.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 42.2% of the community. Judaism shows a minor relative overrepresentation, accounting for 0.1% of the population, which matches the Regional NSW average of 0.1%. The primary ancestral backgrounds reported are English at 32.0%, Australian at 26.7%, and Scottish at 9.5%. There are minor differences in other backgrounds, with French heritage representing 0.9% of residents (compared to 0.4% regionally), Hungarian at 0.3% (compared to 0.2%), and New Zealand heritage at 0.8% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Emerald Beach is 41. 18.9% 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
The median age is 41 years, which is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 43 years but higher than the national median of 38 years. Children aged 5 to 14 represent a high proportion of the population at 15.1% compared to Regional NSW, while young adults aged 25 to 34 are less common at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age bracket increased from 4.5% to 6.4% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 13.6% to 12.0%, and the 25 to 34 bracket decreased from 10.2% to 8.9%.
Long-term modeling suggests the demographic mix will change by 2041, with the 35 to 44 cohort projected to grow by 45%, adding 176 residents to reach a total of 568.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Emerald Beach
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 1 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,677 at the 2021 Census → 2,718 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 May 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 (SAL11414). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.