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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 Mollymook Beach is $1.15m, with units at $848k. House values have moved 0.6% 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
Mollymook Beach has an estimated 2,375 residents, down from 2,531 at the 2021 Census — a change of 156 people, or 6.2%. The population has thinned by an average 1.4% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 711 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
According to ABS demographic data and recent address validations by AreaSearch, the suburb of Mollymook Beach has a population of approximately 2,375 as of May 2026. This represents a drop of 156 residents (6.2%) from the 2,531 individuals recorded in the 2021 Census. This change is calculated from an estimated local population of 2,344 based on the June 2025 ABS ERP release, combined with 53 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Consequently, the suburb of Mollymook Beach has a density of 711 persons per square kilometer, a level that aligns with typical benchmarks across AreaSearch analysis.
Demographic expansion has been primarily supported by arrivals from interstate, who accounted for about 65.0% of all population increases recently. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are applied to SA2 areas. For localities without this coverage, figures are supplemented by NSW State Government SA2 forecasts from 2022 with a 2021 baseline. Age-specific growth trends from these models are further projected for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, the suburb of Mollymook Beach is anticipated to experience substantial growth, placing it in the top quarter of regional locations nationally. The population is projected to expand by 604 persons by 2041, representing a total increase of 24.1% over a 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
63 new dwellings have been approved in Mollymook Beach over the past five years, an average of 12 a year. That is 5.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 4, 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 building approval statistics indicates that the suburb of Mollymook Beach averages approximately 12 new home approvals annually, with a total of 63 dwellings approved over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 4 approvals during FY-26. Amid population contraction, residential supply has kept pace with demand, fostering a balanced market that offers good opportunities for buyers. New residential projects command an average construction cost of $672,000, suggesting builder focus is directed toward higher-end, premium properties. The rate of building approvals per resident in the suburb of Mollymook Beach is about three-quarters of the average across the Rest of NSW, placing the area in the 83rd percentile of all assessed locations nationwide, despite a recent pickup in construction activity.
Of these recent approvals, 56.0% consist of standalone houses and 44.0% comprise medium-density housing like townhouses or apartments. This shifting composition introduces more diverse housing options, ranging from family residences to affordable, smaller units. This is a notable departure from the current housing stock, which is dominated by houses at 90.0%, suggesting a dwindling supply of vacant land, changing consumer preferences, and the demand for more varied housing choices. The ratio of approximately 125 people for each approval indicates a low-density environment. Forecasts indicate the suburb of Mollymook Beach will add 573 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly assessments. Should development continue at its current pace, residential supply may not keep up with demand, potentially intensifying buyer competition and driving up property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mollymook Beach
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| 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 Mollymook Beach, worth an estimated $2 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $2.39 billion. 11 are already under construction and 10 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and retail. 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
Local planning decisions and public infrastructure initiatives represent key drivers of property market performance. In total, 2 projects have been identified that could impact the local area. Prominent works include South Mollymook Coastal Protection Works, Motel Molly, Managing Growth in Ulladulla, Milton and Surrounds, and Milton Ulladulla Bypass, with details of the most relevant developments listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
South Mollymook Coastal Protection Works
Shoalhaven City Council is seeking construction funding for approximately 300 m of upgraded seawall at South Mollymook Beach. Detailed engineering and landscape design was finalised in June 2025 via a grant partnership with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). The works will replace ageing seawall structures to protect roads, stormwater infrastructure, a sewerage pump station, the foreshore path, Mollymook Surf Life Saving Club, and Mollymook Golf Club from coastal hazards.All pre-construction requirements including environmental assessment, community consultation, and agency approvals are complete. Tender and construction timelines are subject to funding confirmation.
Ulladulla Harbour Masterplan
Transport for NSW Maritime is leading a comprehensive masterplan process for Ulladulla Harbour in partnership with Shoalhaven Council and Crown Lands. The process will create a shared vision balancing commercial fishing needs with recreational appeal, establishing a roadmap for future development of this maritime asset.
Ulladulla High School Upgrade
Major NSW Government upgrade of Ulladulla High School comprising 8 new general learning classrooms, 3 new support learning classrooms, new and refurbished student amenities, removal of demountables and refurbishment of specialist learning spaces including science, music, food technology, agriculture, woodwork and metalwork facilities. Construction is underway with the new learning building progressing.
Ulladulla Public School Upgrade
Upgrade of Ulladulla Public School comprising 8 new general learning classrooms and 3 new support learning classrooms in a new two-storey building, new and refurbished student amenities, and removal of demountable classrooms. The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was approved on 12 August 2025 and construction began in October 2025. As of mid-2026, the project has reached structural topping out, with early works including foundation piles, underground services and retaining walls complete. Delivered alongside upgrades to Ulladulla High School and Milton Public School under a combined South Coast schools program, with completion targeted for Day 1, Term 1, 2027.
Ulladulla Bunnings Warehouse
Development of a new Bunnings Warehouse store at South Ulladulla to replace the existing smaller format store. The project features an 11,000 square meter facility including a main warehouse, outdoor nursery, timber trade sales area, cafe, and playground. The $16 million investment will relocate operations from the current site at 131 St Vincent Street, which has been rezoned for a major mixed-use redevelopment consisting of approximately 250 apartments and commercial space.
Ridgeway Mollymook
Subdivision delivering 29 titled, ready-to-build residential lots (approx. 509 to 945 sqm) in an elevated setting near Mollymook Beach. Stage 1 registered with lots now selling; project works completed and titles issued.
131 St Vincent Street Mixed-Use Precinct
Major mixed-use development on the former Bunnings site featuring 250 apartments (including 50 affordable housing units for essential workers), up to 5,750sqm of commercial space, and a 120-place childcare centre. The recently rezoned site will include four buildings ranging up to 9 storeys (21 metres).
DA Approved Residential Development Site - Ulladulla Harbour
DA approved site for 22 apartments including 3 one-bedroom, 3 two-bedroom, 13 three-bedroom, and 3 four-bedroom units with harbour views, northerly aspect, and proximity to town amenities like cafes, retail, schools, and medical services.
911 residents of Mollymook Beach are employed, from a labour force of 927. Unemployment sits at 1.8%, with participation at 46.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,024, about 85% 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 is characterized by high skill levels and solid representation in key public sectors, with unemployment sitting at a low 1.8%. Data for March 2026 indicates 911 employed residents. The local unemployment rate sits 2.3% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is considerably lower at 46.7% compared to the regional figure of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 18.9% of local workers operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic containment measures. Local employment is largely centered within health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.
The accommodation & food sector shows high local specialization, employing residents at a rate 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, primary industries like agriculture, forestry & fishing are underrepresented, accounting for only 0.9% of local workers compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. A comparison between the local working population and resident numbers suggests that this predominantly residential locality provides few local job opportunities. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, aggregated from broader statistical areas, the labour force decreased by 1.6% while employment declined by 2.5% during the year to March 2026, which caused unemployment to rise by 1.0 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment contracted by 0.9%, the labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Mollymook Beach. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Mollymook Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mollymook Beach is $1,247 a week (about $65,000 a year), with median personal income at $681 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $45,252 a year against an average of $60,570. 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
Taxpayer data from the financial year 2023 indicates that the suburb of Mollymook Beach recorded a median taxpayer income of $45,252 and an average income of $60,570. These statistics sit below the national benchmarks and compare to median and average incomes of $52,390 and $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $49,922 for the median and $66,821 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, household, family, and individual incomes in the area fall between the 16th and 25th percentiles nationally.
The $1,500 - 2,999 weekly household income bracket accounts for 28.6% of households (679 units), mirroring the regional trend where 29.9% of households fall into this range. Although residents retain 87.2% of their income due to modest housing expenses, overall disposable income sits in the 20th percentile nationwide, and the local SEIFA index ranks in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mollymook Beach had 1,071 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 3% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 59% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $380 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,700 a month. Rent absorbs 30.5% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Census data reveals that standalone houses constitute 89.7% of the dwelling stock in the suburb of Mollymook Beach, while semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings account for 10.2%, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Home ownership is high, with 59.0% of homes owned outright, while 23.5% are mortgaged and 17.6% are rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,700 sits below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, whereas the median weekly rent of $380 is higher than the regional average of $330. Nationally, mortgage costs are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mollymook Beach counted 1,071 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 89% of areas nationally, against 43% couples without children. 28% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families comprise 69.6% of all households, consisting of couples without children at 42.9%, couples with children at 18.7%, and single parents at 7.9%. Single person households account for 28.1% of households, while group arrangements make up 2.1%, bringing total non-family households to 30.4%. The median household size stands at 2.2 people, which is smaller than the regional average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
27.7% of adults in Mollymook Beach hold a university qualification, including 18.9% with a bachelor degree and 5.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 90% of areas nationally. A further 28.4% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational attainment is high, with university qualification rates at 27.7% of residents aged 15+, which is higher than the SA3 average of 19.0% and the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are held by 18.9% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.3% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational and technical training is also highly represented, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, comprising advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 28.4%. A total of 22.6% of residents are enrolled in formal education, with 9.4% in primary school, 5.9% in high school, and 2.6% in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Mollymook Beach means driving: households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport infrastructure consists of 27 active transit stops offering bus services. These stops connect to 9 distinct routes, which together provide 96 passenger trips weekly. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 216 meters from their nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, resulting in a high rate of outward commuting, with cars being the dominant mode of travel for 96% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 cars per home, which is below the regional average. In addition, 18.9% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during pandemic restrictions.
Services run at an average frequency of 13 daily trips across all routes, translating to approximately 3 weekly departures from each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
62.0% of residents in Mollymook Beach report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 83% of areas nationally. 6.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators in the suburb of Mollymook Beach are positive, showing low rates of chronic disease and mortality across age groups. Private health insurance coverage is held by approximately 51% of residents, representing around 1,209 people. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health concerns, affecting 13.6% and 7.3% of the population, respectively. However, 62.0% of residents reported having no long-term health issues, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health outcomes for the working-age population align with wider trends. The proportion of residents aged 65 and over is high at 37.8% (897 people), compared to 23.4% regionally.
Health indicators for these older residents are strong, with national rankings consistent with the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Mollymook Beach is largely Australian-born, at 84.7% of residents, with 3.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (34.1%) and Australian (26.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays low levels of cultural diversity, with 84.7% of residents born in Australia, 91.2% holding citizenship, and 96.3% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant faith, practiced by 53.6% of the population. The most pronounced deviation from regional norms is seen in Judaism, which is practiced by 0.4% of residents compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW. The primary ancestral lines are English at 34.1%, Australian at 26.4%, and Irish at 11.7%. Some backgrounds are overrepresented compared to regional averages, including Scottish at 9.9% of the population (compared to 8.0% regionally), Hungarian at 0.4% (compared to 0.2%), and Welsh at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mollymook Beach is 56, older than 98% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 12.2% 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 of 56 years in the suburb of Mollymook Beach is older than the regional median of 43 years and the national median of 38 years. The 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented at 22.0% of the population, well above the national share of 9.4%, while young adults aged 15 - 24 are less represented at 6.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 11.1% to 12.5%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has grown from 10.7% to 12.0%, while the 55 to 64 group has declined from 15.8% to 13.0%.
By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes, with the 75 to 84 age group expected to grow by 35%, adding 105 residents to reach 402.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mollymook 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 | May 2026 3 months ago 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 May 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 — 53 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,531 at the 2021 Census → 2,375 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 (SAL12681). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.