Flinders (NSW)

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

The population of the suburb of Flinders (NSW) is estimated to be around 7,051 as of February 2026. This reflects a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 7,118 people, a change inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 6,832 following examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2024 and validation of 11 new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 3,052 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Primary drivers of population growth were interstate migration contributing approximately 47.0% of overall gains, with natural growth and overseas migration also positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.

Considering these projections, the suburb is forecast to experience significant population growth, increasing by 33.6% from 7,051 to an estimated 9,439 persons by 2041.

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

Flinders experienced limited development activity with an average of two approvals per year over the five-year period ending 2018, resulting in 14 dwellings. This low level is typical of rural areas where housing needs are modest and construction activity is constrained by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It's important to note that due to the small number of approvals, individual projects can significantly impact annual growth statistics.

Compared to Rest of NSW, Flinders had much lower development activity. Recent building activity consisted entirely of attached dwellings, reflecting decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options. Between 2018 and 2041, Flinders is projected to add 2,369 residents according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate (Q2 2021). If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Future projections show Flinders adding 2,369 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified six projects likely to affect this region. Notable projects include New Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services, The Waterfront Shell Cove, Shell Cove Sport and Recreation Facility, and Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program. Relevant details are provided below.

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

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.

Employment performance in Flinders has been broadly consistent with national averages

Flinders has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.0%, showing relative stability over the past year (AreaSearch data). As of December 2025, 4,103 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1% compared to Regional NSW's 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Flinders is high at 79.5%, above Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, 25.0% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows strong specialization with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.2% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities (Census data). Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 0.1%, labour force by 0.6%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment decline of 1.2% and labour force decline of 0.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts (May-25) project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Flinders' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 shows that Flinders' median income is $52,491 and average income is $66,990. This compares to Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215 in the same period. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, estimated median income is approximately $57,142 and average income is around $72,925. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 72nd percentile ($2,103 weekly) and personal income is at the 53rd percentile. The predominant income cohort in Flinders is 36.3% (2,559 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999 per week, similar to the regional average of 29.9%. Housing costs consume 16.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 71st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Flinders, as per the latest Census, consisted of 73.7% houses and 26.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Flinders stood at 29.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 46.1% and rented dwellings at 24.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, while the median weekly rent was $490. Nationally, Flinders' mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households are 82.8% of all households, including 43.1% couples with children, 25.0% couples without children, and 14.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up 17.2%, with lone person households at 15.6% and group households comprising 1.5%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Flinders aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 17.8%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 42.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (30.9%). Educational participation is high at 31.8%, comprising 11.3% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 3.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 3.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Flinders has 44 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 42 different routes that together facilitate 474 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 158 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transportation at 97%. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 25% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 67 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Flinders's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data for Flinders residents shows positive outcomes overall.

Mortality rates and health conditions are generally in line with national benchmarks. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts compared to national averages. Private health cover is present in approximately 53% of the total population (~3,767 people), slightly above the average for SA2 areas. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.9% and 7.6% of residents respectively. A majority (71.3%) report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Under-65 residents show better-than-average health outcomes. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.2% (1,001 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Flinders records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Flinders' population was found to align with the broader area's average in terms of cultural diversity, with 83.7% born in Australia, 93.2% being citizens, and 84.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Flinders, comprising 62.8%, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. The top three ancestral groups based on parents' country of birth are English (26.2%), Australian (25.5%), and Other (7.6%).

Notably, Macedonian ancestry is overrepresented in Flinders at 6.5% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Spanish at 1.5% (vs 0.3%), and Serbian at 1.1% (vs 0.2%).

Flinders's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Flinders is 36 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 and somewhat younger than Australia's average of 38 years. The 15-24 age group constitutes 15.2% of the population in Flinders, compared to Regional NSW, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 4.4%. According to data from the post-2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 13.8% to 15.2%, and the 75-84 cohort has risen from 3.4% to 4.4%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 15.7% to 14.2%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 13.8% to 12.7%. Population forecasts for 2041 suggest significant demographic changes in Flinders, with the 25-34 age group projected to grow by 50% (an increase of 426 people), reaching a total of 1,273 from its current figure of 846.