Sussex Inlet

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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the Sussex Inlet statistical area's population is estimated at around 4,108 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 220 people (5.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,888 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 4,084, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 238 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 111 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. The Sussex Inlet's 5.7% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (4.6%), along with the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by interstate migration that contributed approximately 91.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, 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, 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. Moving forward with demographic trends, an above median population growth of Australia's regional areas is projected, with the Sussex Inlet (SA2) expected to expand by 876 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 19.6% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Sussex Inlet when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval data indicates Sussex Inlet has seen approximately 40 new home approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 202 homes. As of FY-26, 21 approvals have been recorded. The average number of new residents per year arriving for each new home is 1.4 between FY-21 and FY-25, suggesting a balanced supply and demand market supporting stable conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $478,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY-26, $1.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Sussex Inlet records 50.0% more construction activity per person, offering greater choice for buyers despite a slowdown in recent years. New building activity comprises 82.0% standalone homes and 18.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low-density nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 129 people per dwelling approval, Sussex Inlet exhibits characteristics of a low-density area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Sussex Inlet is expected to grow by approximately 806 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Sussex Inlet has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones include Sussex Inlet Golf Village, St Georges Basin, Berrara, Swan Lake Coastal Management Program, Seniors Housing Suncrest Avenue, and Bay and Basin NSW Ambulance Station. The following list focuses on those most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Sussex Inlet are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Sussex Inlet's workforce spans white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.0%.

As of September 2025, 1,288 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%, 1.1% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 35.0%, significantly lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors included health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food, with notable concentration in construction at 1.7 times the regional average. Agriculture, forestry & fishing were under-represented, with only 1.0% of Sussex Inlet's workforce compared to 5.3% in Rest of NSW.

Employment opportunities appeared limited locally based on Census data comparison. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.0%, labour force by 3.9%, raising the unemployment rate by 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sussex Inlet's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The suburb of Sussex Inlet has an income level below the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending June 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Sussex Inlet is $36,956, with an average income of $46,583. This compares to figures for the Rest of NSW of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $40,230 (median) and $50,710 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Sussex Inlet all fall between the 1st and 3rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that the predominant cohort spans 36.6% of locals (1,503 people) with incomes in the $400 - $799 category, differing from patterns across the region where the $1,500 - $2,999 category dominates with 29.9%. Economic circumstances indicate widespread financial pressure, with 46.1% of households operating within modest weekly budgets below $800. After housing costs, 85.2% of income remains, though this ranks at only the 3rd percentile nationally.

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

The dwelling structure in Sussex Inlet, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.9% houses and 10.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 87.8% houses and 12.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sussex Inlet stood at 60.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.0% and rented dwellings at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,511, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Sussex Inlet was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $350. Nationally, Sussex Inlet's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,511 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375 at $310.

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

Family households constitute 61.4% of all households, including 14.8% couples with children, 37.6% couples without children, and 8.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.6%, with lone person households at 36.5% and group households comprising 2.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.3.

Sussex Inlet faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.1%, 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 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (7.8%) and certificates (36.4%).

A substantial 20.2% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.6% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 1.8% in tertiary education.

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

Sussex Inlet has 129 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together offer 161 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest stop is 135 meters, indicating excellent transport accessibility.

On average, there are 23 trips per day across all routes, equating to about one weekly trip per individual stop.

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

Sussex Inlet faces significant health challenges, affecting both younger and older residents. The rate of private health cover is low at approximately 45%, covering around 1,866 people, compared to 49.1% across Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%. Common medical conditions include arthritis (affecting 15.6%) and mental health issues (8.8%).

Around half (50.8%) claim no medical ailments, lower than the 59.4% in Rest of NSW. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 43.5% (1,786 people), compared to 27.8% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are broadly similar to those of the general population.

Sussex Inlet is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Sussex Inlet had a cultural diversity below average, with 89.4% citizens, 85.9% born in Australia, and 96.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 60.5%, compared to 52.6% across Rest of NSW. Top ancestry groups were English (34.9%), Australian (30.8%), and Irish (8.7%).

Maltese was notably higher at 0.8% (vs regional 0.6%), Scottish at 8.3% (vs 8.1%), and Polish at 0.7% (vs 0.5%).

Sussex Inlet ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Sussex Inlet's median age is 61 years, which is significantly older than Rest of NSW's median age of 43 and higher than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Sussex Inlet has a notably higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (22.5% locally vs. 19.0% in Rest of NSW) and a lower percentage of residents aged 35-44 (6.7% locally vs. 8.7% in Rest of NSW). The national average for the 65-74 age group is 9.4%. According to the 2021 Census, Sussex Inlet's population aged 75 to 84 grew from 14.4% to 15.1%, while the percentage of residents aged 45 to 54 declined from 9.2% to 8.1%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant changes in Sussex Inlet's age structure. The number of residents aged 85 and above is projected to grow by 79%, from 242 to 435 people. Residents aged 65 and above will contribute significantly to population growth, driving 55% of the increase. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 55 to 64 is projected to decline by 9 people.