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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 Shellharbour is $1.39m, with units at $930k. House values have moved 4.8% 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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Shellharbour has an estimated 4,553 residents, up from 3,520 at the 2021 Census — a change of 1,033 people, or 29.3%. Growth has averaged 4.9% a year over five years, faster than 95% of areas nationally. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 47.0% of that increase. That puts 1,866 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 investigations of ABS population statistics for the surrounding region, and recent addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Shellharbour has a population calculated to be approximately 4,553 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 1,033 people (29.3%) compared to the 2021 Census, which counted a population of 3,520 people. This adjustment is deduced from the resident population of 4,526, calculated by AreaSearch after analyzing the most recent ERP statistics published by the ABS (June 2025) and an extra 49 validated new addresses since the Census date.
This population count results in a density ratio of 1,866 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across national areas reviewed by AreaSearch. The 29.3% growth recorded in the suburb of Shellharbour since the 2021 census was higher than the Rest of NSW (4.9%), as well as the SA4 region, positioning it as a leading growth area in the territory. Population expansion for the locality was mainly pushed by interstate migration which accounted for roughly 47.0% of the total population increase during recent times, though all components including natural growth and overseas migration were positive contributors. AreaSearch implements ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 territory, published in 2024 with 2022 as the anchor year. For SA2 territories lacking this information, AreaSearch uses the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, published in 2022 with 2021 as the anchor year. Growth percentages by age bracket from these files are also applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at forward population projections, outstanding expansion, placing within the top 10 percent of Australian non-metropolitan locations, is anticipated over the timeframe with the suburb of Shellharbour projected to expand by 2,097 persons to 2041 based on compiled SA2-level projections, representing a total rise of 45.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
101 new dwellings have been approved in Shellharbour over the past five years, an average of 20 a year. That places the area in the 60th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 20 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 25% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 34, running ahead of 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 by AreaSearch of ABS building permit statistics, distributed from regional data, shows the suburb of Shellharbour has averaged roughly 20 new home permits annually, with a calculated 101 dwellings permitted over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 32 to date in FY-26. Given that an average of 9.5 people per year relocated to the locality for every home constructed over the last 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), demand is notably outpacing supply, which generally exerts upward pressure on valuations and intensifies competition among purchasers, while new homes are built at an average estimated cost of $603,000, indicating that builders are prioritizing the upscale market with premium projects.
Furthermore, $4.9 million in commercial development permits have been registered this financial year, highlighting the residential focus of the locality. Compared to Rest of NSW, the suburb of Shellharbour exhibits roughly 62% of the building activity per capita while ranking in the 40th percentile of locations analyzed across the country, indicating relatively constrained choices for purchasers while boosting demand for pre-existing homes. Recent building activity consists of 25.0% separate houses and 75.0% townhouses or apartments. This preference for denser living options provides cost-effective entry points and draws downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a notable shift from current housing profiles (presently 69.0% houses), indicating decreasing availability of buildable land and aligning with changing lifestyle inclinations and housing cost challenges. With roughly 399 people per permit, the suburb of Shellharbour demonstrates a mature marketplace. Long-term forecasts indicate the suburb of Shellharbour will add 2,070 residents by 2041 (starting from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly calculation). At current building velocities, residential supply could struggle to align with population expansion, potentially intensifying buyer rivalry and underpinning cost appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Shellharbour
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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 10 current infrastructure and development projects inside Shellharbour, worth an estimated $1.21 billion. A further 35 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.17 billion. 11 are already under construction and 20 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and sports & recreation. 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 infrastructure modifications, major developments and planning guidelines exert a major influence on regional outcomes. In total, 11 developments have been tracked by AreaSearch that are anticipated to affect the locality. Primary developments consist of The Waterfront Shell Cove, Shellharbour Village Cultural Precinct, Shell Cove Sport and Recreation Facility, and Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program, with the subsequent list detailing the projects expected to be of greatest significance.
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
Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Program
A state-first two-year pilot program designed to allow mobile tiny homes (moveable dwellings on trailers) to be used as rental accommodation on existing residential lots without a development application. The program aims to address local housing affordability by creating a faster planning pathway through a Local Approvals Policy and amendments to the Shellharbour LEP 2013. The pilot applies to Torrens Title lots with one existing dwelling, excluding flood-prone, bushfire-prone, or heritage-affected land. Following a NSW Government Gateway Determination in March 2026, the proposal underwent public exhibition from 9 April to 8 May 2026, with final submissions accepted until 22 May 2026.
Shellharbour Village Cultural Precinct
The Shellharbour Village Cultural Precinct is a strategic priority aimed at redeveloping the existing library and museum sites into a state-of-the-art regional creative hub. The project includes a contemporary performing arts center, convention spaces, and a digital gallery. It is designed to be a landmark destination that integrates innovative technology with accessible creative spaces for local and visiting artists, fostering community engagement and tourism in the Shellharbour Village area.
Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan
The Shellharbour City Centre Masterplan is a 125-hectare state-led rezoning project aimed at transforming the CBD into a high-density economic and social hub. The proposal facilitates approximately 5,000 new homes, including key worker and social housing, through the redevelopment of the former Shellharbour Hospital and TAFE sites. As of May 2026, the project is advancing toward the public exhibition of the rezoning proposal scheduled for Q2 2026, with finalisation targeted for late 2026 to support the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041.
Shell Cove Sportsfield
A new multi-purpose sportsfield for the growing Shell Cove community, located 300 metres from the Shellharbour Marina boat ramp. First identified in Council's 2005 Section 94 Development Contributions Plan, the facility will provide a full-size multi-use playing field with turf cricket wicket, sportsfield lighting, versatile amenities for men's and women's sport, accessible toilets and an on-site car park with approximately 86 spaces. It is allocated primarily for AFL and cricket, replacing the cricket function of Jock Brown Oval, while remaining flexible for other sporting codes.Detailed design is complete and Council has moved to direct contractor negotiations after rejecting all 12 tenders received for the works as over budget. Early works are expected to begin later in 2026, with main works completion targeted for late 2027 and the facility opening to the community in early 2028.
Shellharbour Residential Apartments - John Street
Proposed 56-apartment residential development accepted into NSW Government's state significant development pathway in May 2025. Multi-storey apartment development in Shellharbour providing modern residential accommodation close to transport and amenities. Located just back from the water on sites currently containing single and two-storey dwellings. Project completion estimated July 2029 to contribute to National Housing Accord targets.
The Waterfront Shell Cove
The Waterfront Shell Cove is a 2.1 billion AUD master-planned coastal community developed by Frasers Property Australia in partnership with Shellharbour City Council. The project features a 270-berth marina, a vibrant town centre, and approximately 3,250 homes. Significant milestones in 2026 include the ongoing construction of the Vela Apartments (completion late 2026) and the official ground-breaking of the Shellharbour Boathouse in April 2026, which will provide dry-stack storage and marine maintenance services upon its scheduled opening in July 2027.
Vela Harbourfront Apartments - Shell Cove
Luxury harbourfront apartments at 15 Quayside Avenue, Shell Cove. 52 oversized 2 and 3-bedroom apartments across two buildings designed by Candalepas Associates. Part of The Waterfront Shell Cove masterplanned community around Shellharbour Marina.
2-4 John Street Residential Development
A proposed 12-storey apartment building up to 60 metres high containing 56 residential apartments in Shellharbour Village. The development was initially rejected by Shellharbour City Council but has been accepted into the State Significant Development pathway through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority. The project is located across from Beverly Whitfield ocean pool in a heritage-sensitive waterfront area. The developer is seeking affordable housing bonuses with 20 percent of units designated as affordable housing. The development has generated significant community opposition due to concerns about scale and character in the low-rise village area.
2,506 residents of Shellharbour are employed, from a labour force of 2,589. Unemployment sits at 3.2%, with participation at 65.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.5% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 3,423, about 75% 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 suburb of Shellharbour possesses a qualified labor force, with essential services industries strongly represented, an unemployment rate of just 3.2%, and 7.1% in estimated employment expansion over the previous year, according to AreaSearch compilations of regional data. As of March 2026, 2,506 local citizens are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.9% below the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, and labor market involvement is significantly above normal (65.8% compared to Regional NSW's 60.6%). Census responses indicate a moderate 24.8% of citizens worked from home, although Covid-19 lockdown restrictions should be kept in mind.
Primary employment sectors for residents consist of health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. On the other hand, agriculture, forestry & fishing displays minimal representation at 0.2% compared to the regional benchmark of 5.3%. The mostly residential locality appears to present restricted work options internally, as shown by comparing the Census working population against the resident population. Based on AreaSearch investigations of SALM and ABS statistics, compiled from broader regional boundaries, the 12-month timeframe saw employment expand by 7.1% alongside a labor force increase of 7.3%, leading the unemployment rate to grow by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced an employment drop of 0.9%, a labor force drop of 0.4%, with unemployment growing by 0.5 percentage points. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 can provide additional perspective on potential future demand in the suburb of Shellharbour. These forecasts, spanning five and ten-year horizons, have been aligned with the local workforce profile to project growth trends. While national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, expansion speeds vary widely across industrial sectors. Integrating these industry-specific forecasts with the employment structure of the suburb of Shellharbour indicates local employment should grow by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted calculation for illustrative reference and does not account for local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Shellharbour is $1,596 a week (about $83,000 a year), with median personal income at $741 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $47,319 a year against an average of $60,389. 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
Based on the most recent postcode level ATO statistics published by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Shellharbour's median taxpayer earnings stand at $47,319, with an average of $60,389. This sits below the national benchmark, and compares to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Taking into account Wage Price Index expansion of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current calculations would point to roughly $52,202 (median) and $66,621 (average) as of March 2026. Census figures show household, family and individual earnings all place modestly in the suburb of Shellharbour, ranking between the 37th and 41st percentiles.
The statistics show the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket is the most common, containing 29.5% of residents (1,343 people), matching trends in the region where 29.9% occupy the same bracket. Financial stress from housing is prominent, with only 82.4% of income remaining, placing in the 40th percentile, and the locality's SEIFA income metric sits in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Shellharbour had 1,379 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 69% detached houses and 16% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 33% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $420 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 26.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential configurations in the suburb of Shellharbour, measured at the most recent Census, consisted of 68.6% detached houses and 31.4% other housing types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' structures), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other housing types in Regional NSW. Meanwhile, the rate of home ownership in the suburb of Shellharbour was comparable to Regional NSW at 38.6%, with the remaining properties occupied by people with a mortgage (28.2%) or renting (33.2%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was significantly above the Regional NSW average at $2,167, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $420, compared to Regional NSW figures of $1,733 and $330.
Across the country, the suburb of Shellharbour's home loan payments are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents sit substantially above the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Shellharbour counted 1,379 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,784 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 30% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 24% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 73.0% of the total, consisting of 29.5% couples with children, 31.3% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent households. Non-family arrangements constitute the remaining 27.0%, with single person households representing 24.4% and group living situations representing 2.5% of the total. The median household occupancy of 2.5 people exceeds the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
18.9% of adults in Shellharbour hold a university qualification, including 13.5% with a bachelor degree and 3.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 30.5% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 784 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,024 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The locality displays educational gaps, with university graduation rates (18.9%) sitting considerably below the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents a challenge alongside an opening for focused educational strategies. Bachelor degrees represent the largest cohort at 13.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (3.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational and technical qualifications are highly common, with 41.4% of citizens aged 15+ holding trade credentials – advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (30.5%). Enrollment in education is remarkably strong, with 26.0% of citizens currently participating in academic programs. This comprises 7.9% in primary schooling, 7.8% in high school education, and 3.6% enrolled in university or college studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Shellharbour reaches 36 stops on 40 routes, timetabled for about 760 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 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 transit assessment indicates 36 transit stops are active in the suburb of Shellharbour, consisting of bus services. These locations are connected to 40 separate routes, which provide 761 weekly passenger journeys in combination. Transit connection is classified as outstanding, with citizens generally living 176 meters from the closest transit point. Being a primarily residential locality, the majority of citizens travel outward for work - private vehicles represent the dominant mode of travel at 96%. Car ownership averages 1.5 per household. Roughly 24.8% of citizens work from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).
Transit service frequency averages 108 journeys daily across all routes, which corresponds to roughly 21 weekly journeys for each individual transit point.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.1% of residents in Shellharbour report no long-term health condition. 5.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Medical statistics show relatively favorable circumstances for residents of the suburb of Shellharbour, with AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and health disorders showing patterns generally matching national averages, with normal frequencies of typical health issues recorded in both young and old cohorts, and the proportion of residents with private medical coverage recorded as relatively low at roughly 51% of the total population (~2,314 people). The most prevalent health issues in the locality were arthritis and mental health challenges, affecting 10.7 and 7.5% of citizens, respectively, while 66.1% indicated they were free from any medical conditions compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Health statistics for the working-age cohort are generally standard. The suburb has 22.5% of its population aged 65 and over (1,024 people). Health profiles for seniors are above average, with nationwide standings generally aligning with the broader populace.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Shellharbour is largely Australian-born, at 84.4% of residents, with 7.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.0%) and Australian (27.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The suburb of Shellharbour was recorded as having below-average levels of cultural variety, with 84.4% of its population born in Australia, 92.4% holding citizenship, and 92.2% speaking only English in their households. The dominant religion in the suburb of Shellharbour was identified as Christianity, representing 60.8% of residents. This compares to 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW. Regarding family heritage (parents' place of birth), the three most common backgrounds in the suburb of Shellharbour are English, representing 30.0% of the population, Australian, representing 27.7% of the population, and Irish, representing 8.7% of the population.
Furthermore, there are clear variations in the proportions of other ancestral groups: Spanish is highly represented at 1.3% of the suburb of Shellharbour (compared to 0.3% across the region), Macedonian at 2.4% (compared to 0.4%) and Maltese at 1.6% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Shellharbour is 46, older than 82% of areas nationally. 24.5% 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
With a median age of 46, the suburb of Shellharbour is slightly older than the Regional NSW benchmark of 43 and notably older than the national average of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is highly represented at 17.0% compared to Regional NSW, while the 5 - 14 bracket is less common at 9.3%. This concentration in the 55 - 64 range is significantly higher than the national figure of 11.2%. Post-2021 Census statistics show the 15 to 24 age bracket has expanded from 12.0% to 14.2% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 6.4% to 8.0%.
On the other hand, the 5 to 14 bracket contracted from 10.7% to 9.3%. By 2041, the suburb of Shellharbour is projected to undergo clear adjustments in its age structure. Driving the demographic changes, the 65 to 74 bracket will expand by 52% (294 people), growing to 864 from 569.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Shellharbour
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 | Jul 2026 last month all 10 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 Jul 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 — 49 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (3,520 at the 2021 Census → 4,553 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 (SAL13548). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.