Chart Color Schemes
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 Surf Beach (NSW) is $807k, with units at $583k. House values have moved 5.3% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Surf Beach (NSW) has an estimated 1,834 residents, down from 1,934 at the 2021 Census — a change of 100 people, or 5.2%. The population has thinned by an average 1.0% a year over five years, slower than 99% of areas nationally. That puts 421 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
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census the suburb of Surf Beach (NSW)'s population is estimated at around 1,834 as of May 2026. This reflects a decrease of 100 people (5.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,934 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,823, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 420 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development.
Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 68.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of Australia's non-metropolitan areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 144 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting with an increase of 7.2% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Annual approvals stand at only a single new dwelling, representing seven builds across the five-year timeframe, which indicates very quiet construction conditions in Surf Beach. This minimal growth is typical for country locations where demand remains low and residential needs are limited. Because numbers are so low, any individual development can heavily shift relative proportions and annual updates. Building activity in Surf Beach falls far behind the rates seen across the Rest of NSW, and similarly trails wider Australian trends. The houses constructed recently have been exclusively standalone dwellings, catering to the space requirements of families choosing a country lifestyle.
Furthermore, builders are focusing on detached options at a rate higher than the historical baseline of 71.0% reported at the Census, indicating persistent preference for standalone homes. According to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch, the local area is expected to add 133 residents by 2041. If the current pace of building persists, the supply of homes may fall behind this demographic expansion, potentially heightening competition for properties and encouraging stronger appreciation in values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Surf Beach (NSW)
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 28 current infrastructure and development projects close to Surf Beach (NSW), worth an estimated $1.29 billion. 10 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and transport & logistics. 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 projects and planning changes significantly impact area performance. AreaSearch has identified no projects that are expected to influence this locality. Relevant regional initiatives include the Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan, the Princes Highway Safety And Capacity project from Nowra, NSW to the Victorian Border, Sydney-Canberra Rail Connectivity And Capacity, and the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with the most significant listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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
Lot 5 Bunderra Circuit Residential Subdivision
DA-approved 21-lot residential subdivision on a 52,684 sqm englobo site at Malua Bay on the NSW South Coast. Lots range from 619 sqm to 11,470 sqm, all north-facing, with a leafy coastal setting near Malua Bay Beach and Batemans Bay. Vegetation clearing is complete and the site is ready for civil works. The englobo parcel sold in 2024/25 for $2.7 million.
The Sebel Hotel
Replacement of the Batemans Bay Hotel with a four-storey hotel and luxury apartments, including more than 70 hotel rooms, 11 luxury three-bedroom townhouse apartments, a gym, breakfast room, business centre, and 72 carparking spaces.
Future Rosedale
A masterplanned community featuring 741 residential lots, open space, and ecological lots. The project is focused on creating a coastal lifestyle with a strong emphasis on environmental conservation and community spaces.
Batemans Bay Community Health Facility
New purpose-built community health facility offering various healthcare services including allied health, Aboriginal health, community mental health, drug and alcohol, child, youth and family services, primary healthcare, consultation, treatment, pathology, group rooms, and a gymnasium. The facility will bring together a range of services in one location including women's health and mental health services.
24 Beach Road Residential Development
DA approved residential development site with an existing motel offering holding income. Proposed for 34 apartments with unobstructed views, designed for building efficiency. Waterfront locale.
Batemans Bay Dredging
Regular dredging of the Clyde River Bar to maintain safe vessel movement, improve navigation, and support local businesses, tourism, and the economy. Includes removing approx. 30,000 cubic metres of sand and placing it in water to nourish nearby beaches.
3 Clyde Street Mixed Use Tourist, Residential & Retail Development
Proposed hotel/serviced apartment, permanent residential apartment, and retail development in two, 4 and 5 level buildings. Comprises 46 hotel rooms/serviced apartments, 10 permanent residential apartments, 2 ground level retail tenancies, and on-site parking.
Greater Batemans Bay Structure Plan
A visionary document setting out the strategic planning framework for development over 25 years, guiding the scale, pattern, and broad location of development, including provision for new housing and business. It aims to balance demands for new housing, commercial development, and servicing with environmental preservation and character retention.
733 residents of Surf Beach (NSW) are employed, from a labour force of 762. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 48.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,492, about 81% 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 a strong presence of skilled professionals in essential service areas, paired with a low jobless rate of 3.7% according to AreaSearch regional aggregations. Employment was held by 733 residents in March 2026, which is 0.4% lower than the 4.1% rate for Regional NSW, though the participation rate of 48.2% remains well below the regional benchmark of 60.6%. Census data indicates that just 12.4% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions. The local workforce is heavily concentrated within the fields of construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.
Jobs in health care & social assistance are particularly prominent, running at 1.2 times the rate seen across the wider region. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing represents a minor fraction of local employment at 0.6% compared to 5.3% regionally. The high proportion of residents relative to local Census jobs suggests that this residential pocket provides few employment options within its own boundaries. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures show that over the 12 months ending in March 2026, the local labor pool contracted by 4.3% while the number of employed residents dropped by 4.1%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point fall in unemployment. This diverged from Regional NSW, where employment shrank by 0.9%, the overall labor force decreased by 0.4%, and unemployment increased by 0.5 percentage points. Future labor requirements in Surf Beach can be evaluated against national employment forecasts released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local workforce structure to model future opportunities. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with significant variation across different fields. Weighting these national sector trends against the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could rise by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, representing a basic mathematical projection rather than a localized population forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Surf Beach (NSW) is $1,099 a week (about $57,000 a year), with median personal income at $612 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,729 a year against an average of $51,815. 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
Tax data for the financial year 2023 indicates a median taxpayer income of $41,729 and an average of $51,815 in Surf Beach. These figures trail national levels, as well as the median of $52,390 and average of $65,215 recorded for Regional NSW. Adjusting these numbers for the 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since the financial year 2023 suggests estimated values of approximately $46,035 for the median and $57,162 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the area place Surf Beach between the 7th and 13th percentiles nationwide.
The most common weekly income bracket, containing 548 residents or 29.9% of the population, was $800 - 1,499, which differs from the wider region where 29.9% of households fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Households experience severe financial pressure, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the 9th percentile for affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Surf Beach (NSW) had 826 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 71% detached houses and 10% apartments. 22% are owned with a mortgage, 29% rented and 49% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $330 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,517 a month. Rent absorbs 30.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 31.9%. 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 make up 71.4% of properties in Surf Beach, with the remaining 28.6% consisting of semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or other housing formats, compared to the Regional NSW breakdown of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other configurations. Home ownership in the area is exceptionally high at 48.6%, compared to regional levels, with the rest of the market split between mortgaged properties at 22.2% and rental homes at 29.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,517 was significantly lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while weekly rents sat at a median of $330, matching the regional median of $330.
Nationally, mortgage costs in the area are much lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national level of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Surf Beach (NSW) counted 826 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.1 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 35% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.9 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of local households at 64.3%, consisting of couples without children at 34.3%, couples with children at 17.8%, and single parents at 11.3%. Non-family households represent the remaining 35.7%, which is largely composed of single-person households at 34.7% and group homes at 1.3%. The typical household size of 2.1 people is lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.3% of adults in Surf Beach (NSW) hold a university qualification, including 12.2% with a bachelor degree and 5.2% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 80% of areas nationally. A further 31.2% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Tertiary education rates in the area are quite low, with only 19.3% of residents holding a university qualification compared to the state benchmark of 32.2%. This gap presents a clear focus area for targeted educational strategies. Bachelor degrees represent the most common high-level qualification at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate study at 5.2% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Technical and trade qualifications are highly prevalent, with 41.7% of citizens aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, which include advanced diplomas at 10.5% and certificates at 31.2%. A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 25.9% of residents currently enrolled in an educational program.
This includes 9.4% in primary schools, 9.1% in high schools, and 1.6% studying at the tertiary level.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Surf Beach (NSW) reaches 42 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 270 services a week. The typical home sits about 150 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.3 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
The local transit network consists of 42 active transport stops within Surf Beach, which are served by buses. These locations are connected to 23 distinct routes that provide 269 weekly passenger journeys. Transit access is highly rated, with residents living a median distance of 149 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is primarily residential, most workers travel out of the suburb, with private cars being the primary mode of travel for 97% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles, which is lower than the regional baseline.
Only 12.4% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions. The typical service frequency across all routes is 38 journeys daily, which translates to roughly 6 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
57.1% of residents in Surf Beach (NSW) report no long-term health condition. 6.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 47.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Evaluations of chronic conditions and mortality rates indicate that Surf Beach experiences significant health challenges across both older and younger demographics, while private health insurance rates are very low, covering only about 47% of residents, or approximately 870 people. This compares to a coverage rate of 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent diagnoses locally, affecting 12.6% and 9.1% of the population, respectively, while 57.1% of residents reported having no long-term health conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Health issues are particularly elevated among working-age residents, and the population has a high concentration of older citizens, with 34.1% of residents aged 65 and over (625 people), compared to 23.4% regionally, with health rankings showing more challenges than the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Surf Beach (NSW) is largely Australian-born, at 82.3% of residents, with 6.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (31.9%) and Australian (27.5%). 5.2% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity measures show the area is below average, with citizens making up 87.3% of the population, 82.3% of residents born in Australia, and 93.3% speaking only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, practiced by 55.2% of the population, which is close to the 55.9% average across Regional NSW. English ancestry is the most common at 31.9%, followed by Australian at 27.5% and Scottish at 8.7%. Certain backgrounds show higher representations than regional norms, with Australian Aboriginal residents comprising 5.2% of the local population compared to 4.6% across the region, French heritage at 0.6% compared to 0.4%, and Croatian ancestry at 0.7% compared to 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Surf Beach (NSW) is 52, older than 95% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 17.6% 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 52 years in Surf Beach is notably older than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national median of 38. The 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented at 18.8% locally compared to regional averages, and sits well above the national rate of 9.4%, while the 25 - 34 cohort is underrepresented at 7.8%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age bracket has expanded from 10.2% to 12.3%, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 8.0% to 9.8%. Over the same period, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.0% to 11.1%, and the 55 to 64 group decreased from 14.7% to 13.2%.
Future projections for 2041 point to significant changes, with the 85+ bracket expected to grow the fastest at 69%, adding 37 residents to reach a total of 93, while declines are anticipated in the 55 to 64 and 5 to 14 demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Surf Beach (NSW)
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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 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) | Jul 2026 last 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,934 at the 2021 Census → 1,834 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 (SAL13712). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.