Soldiers Point

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

As of February 2026, the estimated population of Soldiers Point is around 1,622. This figure reflects an increase from the 2021 Census count of 1,564 people, marking a rise of 58 individuals (3.7%). The current resident population estimate of 1,590 by AreaSearch, following analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 43 validated new addresses since the Census date, indicates this growth trend. This population density translates to approximately 1,488 persons per square kilometer, exceeding national averages assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Soldiers Point has shown steady growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration was the primary driver for population growth in recent periods, contributing about 98.0% of overall population gains.

AreaSearch employs ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 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. These projections suggest that Soldiers Point will experience population growth just below the median of locations outside capital cities between now and 2041, with an expected increase of 88 persons reflecting a total rise of approximately 3.5%.

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

Soldiers Point has seen approximately 24 residential properties approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 120 homes have been approved, with a further six approved in FY-26 so far. The average number of people moving to the area per dwelling built over these years is zero.

This indicates that supply is meeting or exceeding demand, offering greater buyer choice and potential for population growth beyond projections. The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is $721,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, $9.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Soldiers Point shows 141.0% higher development activity per person, creating greater choice for buyers, although construction activity has recently eased. This high level of activity is significantly above the national average, indicating strong developer confidence in the location. New building activity in Soldiers Point consists of 48.0% detached dwellings and 52.0% medium to high-density housing.

This focus on higher-density living provides more affordable entry points, appealing to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. The area has around 113 people per dwelling approval, characteristic of a low-density area. Looking ahead, Soldiers Point is projected to grow by 56 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Soldiers Point has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

In total, zero projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the area. Key projects include 100 Salamander Way Residential Development, Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan, Salamander Bay Shopping Centre Expansion, and Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan (LEP) & Development Control Plan (DCP). The following list details those most relevant:.

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

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The employment environment in Soldiers Point shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Soldiers Point has a skilled workforce with prominent tourism and hospitality sectors. Its unemployment rate was 2.7% as of December 2025. Over the past year, employment stability was relative.

There were 640 residents in work while the unemployment rate was 1.2% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 46.2%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. A high 29.8% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Leading employment industries among residents comprised accommodation & food, construction, and retail trade.

The area showed strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level. Health care & social assistance employed just 11.6% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 16.9%. The predominantly residential area offered limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. During the year to December 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.5%, while employment declined by 0.3%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.1 percentage points. This contrasted with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, the labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Soldiers Point. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, estimated local employment growth patterns at 6.2% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, using simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes without considering localised population projections.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch reports median taxpayer income in Soldiers Point as $46,850 and average income at $66,744 for financial year 2023. Nationally, the figures were $52,390 (median) and $65,215 (average). By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $51,001 and average income $72,658, based on an 8.86% growth rate since FY2023. Census data from 2021 ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Soldiers Point between the 24th and 32nd percentiles. Income brackets show that 27.7% of locals fall into the $800 - $1,499 category, while in metropolitan regions, the $1,500 - $2,999 category is predominant at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 22nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Soldiers Point, as per the latest Census, consisted of 62.3% houses and 37.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Soldiers Point was 48.0%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (26.7%) or rented (25.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Soldiers Point was $2,152, exceeding Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Soldiers Point was recorded at $400, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Soldiers Point's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Soldiers Point has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.6% of all households, including 18.5% couples with children, 40.7% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 31.4%, with lone person households at 28.9% and group households comprising 3.1%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 22.2%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This disparity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common, at 14.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 39.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 27.4%.

A substantial 20.8% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 7.3% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 2.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Soldiers Point has 14 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totaling 18 individual services. Together, these routes facilitate 394 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located just 119 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most residents commute outward to other areas for work or leisure. Car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 92% of residents.

However, vehicle ownership per dwelling averages only 1.3, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a significant proportion of residents, at 29.8%, work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 56 trips per day, equating to approximately 28 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Soldiers Point is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Soldiers Point shows better-than-average health outcomes according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 53% (~865 people) of Soldiers Point residents have private health cover, slightly above the average SA2 area rate. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (13.1%) and asthma (7.2%). About 59.5% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. Soldiers Point has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 36.1% (585 people), compared to 23.4% in Regional NSW. While health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Soldiers Point, surveyed in 2016, exhibited lower cultural diversity with 80.9% of its residents born in Australia and 91.4% being citizens. English was the language spoken at home by 94.6%. Christianity dominated religious affiliation at 56.9%.

Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.3%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.1%. In terms of ancestry, English (35.4%) and Irish (9.7%) were prominent, while Australian (24.7%), Welsh (1.0%), French (0.7%), and Scottish (9.1%) showed notable divergences from regional averages.

Soldiers Point ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Soldiers Point is 56 years, which is notably higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and Australia's average of 38 years. The age group of 65-74 years shows a strong representation at 19.9%, compared to Regional NSW, while the 5-14 year cohort is less prevalent at 7.8%. This concentration in the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 years has grown from 7.8% to 9.7%, and the 75-84 year cohort has increased from 12.1% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 year age group has declined from 12.7% to 10.9%, and the 5-14 year cohort has dropped from 9.2% to 7.8%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Soldiers Point's age structure. The 85+ year cohort is projected to grow by 58%, adding 25 residents to reach a total of 69. This growth is part of an overall trend towards demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing 61% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 year and 5-14 year age cohorts.