Surf Beach (NSW)

Surf Beach is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, as of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Surf Beach (NSW) is around 1,854. This reflects a decrease of 80 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,934. The current resident population estimate of 1,833 was derived from AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and address validation since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 425 persons per square kilometer. Population growth in the area was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of non-metropolitan areas nationally, with Surf Beach (NSW) expected to expand by 177 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.2% over the 17 years.

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

Surf Beach had minimal residential development activity from 2015 to 2019 with seven dwelling approvals annually. This low level is typical of rural areas where housing demand is modest and construction activity is limited by local demand and infrastructure capacity. It should be noted that yearly growth figures can vary significantly due to the small number of approvals.

Surf Beach had substantially lower development levels than Rest of NSW and was below national averages during this period. Recent developments were entirely detached dwellings, focusing on family homes suited for those seeking rural lifestyle and space. Developers constructed more detached housing than the existing pattern implied (71.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes. The estimated population density was 652 people per dwelling approval, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Surf Beach is expected to grow by 281 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

No factors impact a region's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects expected to affect this area. Key projects include the Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan, Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra NSW To Victorian Border, Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity, and Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy. 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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While Surf Beach retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.2%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Surf Beach has a skilled workforce with notable representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.2%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025813 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.

Workforce participation in Surf Beach lags behind at 52.9%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. Census responses indicate that only 12.4% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Health care & social assistance has a notably high concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Agriculture, forestry & fishing has limited presence with 0.6% employment compared to 5.3% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force decreased by 5.3%, employment declined by 5.1%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Rest of NSW recorded an employment decline of 0.5%, labour force decline of 0.1%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Surf Beach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The median taxpayer income in Surf Beach is $41,729, with an average of $51,815, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is lower than national averages; Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average income of $65,215. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median will be approximately $45,426 and the average will be around $56,406, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census shows household, family, and personal incomes in Surf Beach fall between the 7th and 13th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 29.9% of residents (554 people) earn within the $800 - 1,499 bracket, differing from regional patterns where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Surf Beach, with only 84.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Surf Beach, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 71.4% houses and 28.6% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. This is compared to Non-Metro NSW's structure which was 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Surf Beach stood at 48.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (22.2%) or rented (29.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, which is below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733 and significantly lower than the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent figure in Surf Beach was recorded at $330, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's figure but substantially below the national average of $375.

Surf Beach features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 64.3% of all households, including 17.8% couples with children, 34.3% couples without children, and 11.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 35.7%, with lone person households at 34.7% and group households comprising 1.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Surf Beach shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area has university qualification rates of 19.3%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (31.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 9.1% in secondary education, and 1.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 42 active transport stops operating within Surf Beach. These comprise a mix of buses serviced by 23 individual routes, collectively providing 269 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 149 meters from the nearest stop. As primarily residential, most commute outward; car remains dominant at 97%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below regional average. Only 12.4% work from home (2021 Census).

Service frequency averages 38 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 6 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Surf Beach is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Surf Beach faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is very low at approximately 47% of the total population (~880 people), compared to 51.9% across Rest of NSW, which is below the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 12.6 and 9.1% of residents respectively. Conversely, 57.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Rest of NSW. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 33.1% of residents aged 65 and over (613 people), which is higher than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW, and national rankings are even higher than the general population.

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

Surf Beach's cultural diversity was found to be below average. Its population comprised 87.3% citizens, 82.3% born in Australia, and 93.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, with 55.2% of people adhering to it, compared to 55.9% across Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestry groups were English (31.9%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (8.7%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.2% in Surf Beach versus 4.6% regionally, while French and Croatian representations were also higher at 0.6% and 0.7% respectively, compared to regional figures of 0.4% and 0.3%.

Surf Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Surf Beach is 52 years, which is significantly higher than Rest of NSW's average of 43 and also above the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Surf Beach at 18.6%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 7.7%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. Between 2021 and present, the population of those aged 15 to 24 has grown from 8.0% to 9.7%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 10.2% to 11.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 14.7% to 13.4%, and the 45 to 54 age group dropped from 13.0% to 11.9%. Population forecasts for Surf Beach indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 85+ cohort is expected to show the strongest growth, increasing by 93% to reach 104 residents. In contrast, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are expected to fall by 3%.