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 Nov 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Surf Beach (NSW) is around 1,855. This reflects a decrease of 79 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,934 people in the suburb. The current resident population estimate of 1,850 was inferred by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 425 persons per square kilometer in the suburb. Population growth for 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, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. 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 a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 169 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 15.0% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Surf Beach has seen minimal construction activity with two new dwellings approved annually over the past five years, totalling ten. This low level of development is typical in rural areas due to modest housing needs and limited construction activity influenced by local demand and infrastructure capacity. The small sample size means individual projects can significantly impact annual growth figures.

Compared to Rest of NSW and national averages, Surf Beach has substantially lower development levels. Recent building activity consists solely of standalone homes, reflecting the area's rural character where larger properties are common. However, there is a higher proportion of detached housing being constructed (71.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes. By 2041, Surf Beach is projected to gain 279 residents according to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate.

If current construction levels continue, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Surf Beach has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

No factors impact an area's performance more than changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified zero projects that could potentially 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, with the following list detailing 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 4.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Surf Beach has a skilled workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 4.0%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of June 2025824 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.3% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation in Surf Beach lags behind Rest of NSW at 44.6% compared to 56.4%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs just 0.6% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Labour force levels decreased by 3.3% and employment declined by 4.1% in Surf Beach over the 12 months to June 2025, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw an employment contraction of 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Surf Beach's employment mix indicates that local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released in financial year 2022, Surf Beach had a median income among taxpayers of $41,729. The average income was $51,815. These figures are below the national averages of $49,459 and $62,998 for Rest of NSW respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 is approximately $46,991, with average income estimated at $58,349. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Surf Beach fall between the 7th and 13th percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 29.9% of locals (554 people), earning between $800 - 1,499 annually. This differs from broader area patterns where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Surf Beach, with only 84.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

Surf Beach is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The latest Census evaluated Surf Beach's dwelling structure as 71.4% houses and 28.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Surf Beach was 48.6%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (22.2%) or rented (29.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Surf Beach was $1,517, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $330, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $320. Nationally, Surf Beach's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,517 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 35.7%, with lone person households at 34.7% and group households making up 1.3%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.2.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 19.3%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 41.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (31.2%). Educational participation is high at 25.9%, comprising primary education (9.4%), secondary education (9.1%), and tertiary education (1.6%).

Schools appear to be located outside the immediate catchment area, requiring residents to access them in neighboring regions.

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

The analysis of public transport in Surf Beach shows that there are 41 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 22 individual routes providing service. The combined weekly passenger trips across all these routes amount to 252.

The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 149 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 36 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 6 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Surf Beach is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Critical health challenges are evident at Surf Beach, with various health conditions impacting both younger and older age cohorts. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 47%, covering around 880 people out of a total population.

This figure is lower than the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (affecting 12.6% of residents) and mental health issues (9.1%). Conversely, 57.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 59.6% across Rest of NSW. The population aged 65 and over comprises 33.0%, totaling approximately 612 people, which is higher than the 31.7% recorded in Rest of NSW.

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, assessed for cultural diversity, showed 87.3% citizens, 82.3% born in Australia, and 93.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 55.2%, compared to 49.0% regionally. The top three ancestral groups were English (31.9%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (8.7%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal (5.2%) was overrepresented compared to regional levels (3.6%), as were French (0.6%) and Croatian (0.7%) populations.

Surf Beach ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Surf Beach has a median age of 53, which is higher than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and substantially exceeds the national norm of 38. Compared to Rest of NSW, Surf Beach has a higher concentration of residents aged 65-74 (18.4%), but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.3%). This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 10.2% to 11.8%, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 8.0% to 9.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 cohort has declined from 14.7% to 13.5%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Surf Beach's age structure. The 35 to 44 group is projected to grow by 25 people (from 200 to 250), while the 15 to 24 cohort is expected to decline by 0 people.