Ettalong Beach

Population growth drivers in Ettalong Beach are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the Ettalong Beach statistical area (Lv2) is around 5,569. This figure reflects an increase of 408 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,161. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 5,506 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 82 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,128 persons per square kilometer, placing Ettalong Beach (SA2) in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 7.9% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 area (3.1%) and SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of 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 from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, an above median population growth is projected for Ettalong Beach (SA2), with an expected increase of 854 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 10.4% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates around 46 new homes approved annually in Ettalong Beach over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 234 homes. As of FY-26, 25 approvals have been recorded. The average increase in residents per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 is 0.4, suggesting supply meets or exceeds demand while supporting potential population growth. The average construction value of new homes is $467,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY-26, $2.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to Greater Sydney, Ettalong Beach records 136.0% more construction activity per person. New development consists of 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% medium and high-density housing. Population forecasts indicate Ettalong Beach will gain approximately 578 residents by 2041, with current development patterns suggesting new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Population forecasts indicate Ettalong Beach will gain 578 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Ettalong Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

AreaSearch has identified five infrastructure projects that could impact the area. These include Dual Occupancy Development at 84 Broken Bay Rd, Gable Glass Room on Bream Road, Jabiru development in Ettalong Beach, and the Ettalong Channel Dredging Project. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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Ettalong Beach has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Ettalong Beach has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.7%.

As of September 2025, 2,220 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Ettalong Beach is lower at 44.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries of employment among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance has a notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Professional & technical services have limited presence with 8.1% employment compared to 11.5% regionally. The predominantly residential area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the past year, employment increased by 2.7% alongside labour force growth of 3.4%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.7 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1%, labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ettalong Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2023 shows Ettalong Beach's median income at $44,204 and average income at $66,587. Greater Sydney's median income is $60,817 with an average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 30, 2023 to September 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $48,120 (median) and $72,487 (average). Census 2021 data indicates Ettalong Beach's household, family, and personal incomes fall between the 6th and 16th percentiles nationally. Income distribution in Ettalong Beach is dominated by the $400 - $799 category at 30.6% (1,704 people), unlike surrounding regions where the $1,500 - $2,999 category dominates at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.0% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 5th percentile.

Ettalong Beach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Ettalong Beach's dwellings, as per the latest Census, comprised 52.1% houses and 47.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 74.2% houses and 25.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ettalong Beach was 44.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 16.9% and rented ones at 38.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, lower than Sydney metro's $2,150. Median weekly rent was $390, similar to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Ettalong Beach's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,950 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $390 versus the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 54.4% of all households, including 13.8% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 45.6%, consisting of 41.2% lone person households and 4.1% group households. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Educational outcomes in Ettalong Beach fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 19.1%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 29.1%. A total of 21.0% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 7.7% in primary, 4.6% in secondary, and 3.2% in tertiary education.

A substantial 21.0% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 7.7% in primary education, 4.6% in secondary education, and 3.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Ettalong Beach has 57 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry and bus services. These are served by 31 individual routes, collectively providing 1,384 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent, with residents typically located 123 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 197 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 24 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Ettalong Beach is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Ettalong Beach faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 53% of the total population (~2,966 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Sydney's 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (12.6%) and mental health issues (9.5%). However, 57.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 64.8% in Greater Sydney. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 35.4% (1,971 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 24.5%.

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

Ettalong Beach, according to a study, showed lower than average cultural diversity. It was found that 79.6% of its residents were born in Australia, with 88.5% being citizens and 91.6% speaking English at home exclusively. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ettalong Beach, accounting for 55.7% of the population.

However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 0.2% versus 0.2%. The top three ancestral groups based on parents' country of birth are English (30.6%), Australian (27.1%), and Irish (9.4%). There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnicities: French is overrepresented at 0.8% compared to the regional average of 0.5%, Welsh is similarly represented at 0.7%, and Maltese is slightly higher at 1.0% versus the regional average of 0.7%.

Ettalong Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Ettalong Beach's median age is 54 years, which is significantly older than Greater Sydney's median age of 37 and higher than the Australian median of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent, making up 17.7% of the population, while those aged 25-34 make up only 8.5%. This is notably higher than the national average for the 65-74 age group, which stands at 9.4%. Post-Census data from 2021 shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 11.6% to 13.5% of the population, while the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 8.0% to 7.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Ettalong Beach's age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow steadily, with an increase of 270 people (36%) from 751 to 1,022. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 88% of population growth, indicating a trend towards demographic aging. Conversely, both the 5 to 14 and the 25 to 34 age groups are expected to decrease in number.