Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

The population of the Sapphire Beach statistical area (Lv2) is estimated to be around 2,987 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 327 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,660 people in the same area. The change was inferred from the resident population of 2,831 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), along with an additional 65 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 381 persons per square kilometer. The area's growth rate of 12.3% since the 2021 census exceeded that of its SA3 region (5.4%) and the non-metro area, indicating significant growth compared to other areas. Overseas migration contributed approximately 41.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the Sapphire Beach (SA2), although all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Sapphire Beach (SA2) is expected to have a population increase of 1,149 persons, reflecting a gain of 32.9% in total over these 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sapphire Beach when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Sapphire Beach averaged around 18 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years to FY26. This totals an estimated 91 homes. In FY26 so far, 12 approvals have been recorded. Each year, on average, 2.8 new residents are gained per dwelling built between FY21 and FY25.

The average construction value of new homes is $482,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $354,000, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Rest of NSW, Sapphire Beach shows 63.0% higher new home approvals per person. New building activity comprises 81.0% detached houses and 19.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character.

There are approximately 164 people per dwelling approval in the location. Population forecasts indicate Sapphire Beach will gain 984 residents by 2041 (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

No changes can significantly impact an area's performance like modifications to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects that could potentially affect the region. Key projects include Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, Queensland New South Wales Interconnector, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stops Program (TfNSW), with the following list outlining those most likely to be relevant.

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Employment performance in Sapphire Beach ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Sapphire Beach has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, lower than the Rest of NSW's 3.8%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.0%. As of September 2025, 1,318 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0% below the Rest of NSW average. Workforce participation is 61.1%, slightly higher than the Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance (1.3 times the regional level), construction, and education & training.

Manufacturing is under-represented at 2.3% compared to 5.8% regionally. Over the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 3.0%, while labour force increased by 3.6%, raising unemployment by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment stands at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sapphire Beach's employment mix suggests local employment could grow by 7.3% in five years and 14.9% in ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Sapphire Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $51,245 and an average level of $64,714. Both figures are below the national averages of $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Sapphire Beach would be approximately $55,785 (median) and $70,448 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Sapphire Beach cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 29.6% of locals, with 884 people earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. This is consistent with broader metropolitan trends, where 29.9% fall into the same category. A substantial presence of higher earners is noted, with 31.9% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of their income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Sapphire Beach, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 84.7% houses and 15.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sapphire Beach was 45.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.0% and rented dwellings at 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,174, compared to Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Sapphire Beach was $475, while Non-Metro NSW recorded $370. Nationally, Sapphire Beach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 78.1% of all households, including 32.9% couples with children, 38.2% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.9%, consisting of lone person households at 20.1% and group households comprising 1.6%. The median household size is 2.6 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Sapphire Beach demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Sapphire Beach is notably high, with 34.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the SA4 region's average of 19.8% and the Rest of NSW's average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 23.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 37.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications.

This includes advanced diplomas held by 12.5% of residents and certificates held by 25.1%. Educational participation is high, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes primary education (10.3%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (3.0%).

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

Transport analysis indicates 17 active stops operating within Sapphire Beach, offering mixed bus services. These stops are served by 15 unique routes, facilitating a total of 136 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents generally situated 229 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 19 trips daily across all routes, translating to roughly 8 weekly trips per individual stop.

Sapphire Beach's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Sapphire Beach's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks, with typical health conditions seen across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is held by approximately 53% of the total population (~1,569 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area rate of 48.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (affecting 9.7%) and asthma (6.8%). Around 70% of residents report being free from medical ailments, compared to 63.9% in Rest of NSW. Approximately 23.5% of residents are aged 65 and over (701 people). Health outcomes among seniors in Sapphire Beach are notably strong, outperforming the general population's health metrics.

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

Sapphire Beach had a below average cultural diversity, with 81.8% of its population born in Australia, 91.0% being citizens, and 92.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 53.2% of people in Sapphire Beach. The category 'Other' was overrepresented at 1.2%, compared to 3.3% across Rest of NSW.

In ancestry, English (31.9%), Australian (25.9%), and Irish (10.9%) were the top three represented groups. Notably, South African (0.9%), Scottish (8.9%), and French (0.6%) groups had higher representations than regional averages (0.3%, 8.3%, and 0.5% respectively).

Sapphire Beach hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Sapphire Beach has a median age of 46, which is higher than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 and significantly higher than the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group makes up 14.3% of Sapphire Beach's population, compared to Rest of NSW, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 7.7%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group grew from 6.2% to 7.2% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort declined from 16.0% to 13.9%. By 2041, Sapphire Beach is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition, with the 35 to 44 group projected to grow by 42%, reaching 582 people from 409.