Sussex Inlet

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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Sussex Inlet is around 4,108, reflecting an increase of 220 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 5.7% increase from the previous census figure of 3,888. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4,084, based on examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024), and an additional 240 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 111 persons per square kilometer. Sussex Inlet's growth rate exceeded that of its SA4 region (4.8%) and SA3 area, marking it as a leader in regional growth. Interstate migration 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, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, an above median population growth is projected for Australia's regional areas, with Sussex Inlet expected to expand by 870 persons, reflecting a gain of 19.7% in total over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows approximately 40 new homes approved annually in Sussex Inlet over the past five financial years, totalling around 202 homes. As of FY-26, 21 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.4 new residents arrive per year for each new home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating a balanced supply-demand market with stable conditions. The average construction value of new properties is $478,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment.

This financial year has seen $1.4 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting minimal commercial development activity compared to residential. Sussex Inlet records 50.0% more construction activity per person than the Rest of NSW, offering greater choice for buyers despite a recent slowdown in building activity. Approximately 82.0% of new constructions are standalone homes, preserving the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers with an average of around 129 people per dwelling approval. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Sussex Inlet is expected to grow by 808 residents by 2041, suggesting that current construction levels should adequately meet demand and create favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Looking ahead, Sussex Inlet is expected to grow by 808 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, 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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified six projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are 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 details those most relevant.

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

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.

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

Sussex Inlet's workforce is balanced across white and blue-collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.9% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 2.1% over the past year. There are 1,289 residents in work, but the unemployment rate is higher than Rest of NSW's rate at 3.8%, and workforce participation is lower at 37.1%.

Only 12.0% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food sectors. Construction employment is notably high, at 1.7 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employment is low at 1.0%, compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Limited local employment opportunities are suggested by the resident population vs working population count. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.1% while labour force rose by 4.0%, leading to a 1.8 percentage point unemployment rate rise. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and labour force decline by 0.1%, with a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Sussex Inlet's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localised population projections.

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

Sussex Inlet's median income among taxpayers was $36,956 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $46,583 during the same period. These figures are lower than Rest of NSW's median and average incomes of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, estimates suggest Sussex Inlet's median income will be approximately $40,230 and average income around $50,710, based on an 8.86% growth in wages since financial year 2023. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Sussex Inlet all fall within the first to third percentiles nationally. The predominant income cohort in Sussex Inlet is 36.6% of locals (1,503 people) earning between $400 and $799 per week, unlike the regional pattern where earnings between $1,500 and $2,999 dominate at 29.9%. Economic conditions in Sussex Inlet reflect widespread financial pressure, with 46.1% of households operating on modest weekly budgets below $800 after housing costs. After deducting housing expenses, 85.2% of income remains for these households, ranking at the third percentile nationally.

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

Sussex Inlet's dwelling structures, 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 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Sussex Inlet was at 60.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.0% and rented ones at 19.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,511, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Sussex Inlet was $310, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Sussex Inlet's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,511 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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 2.4.

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 difference presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.4%). Trade and technical skills are prevalent, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 7.8% and certificates at 36.4%.

A substantial 20.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 7.6% in primary, 6.1% in secondary, 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 ten different routes that together offer 161 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically living within 135 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from Sussex Inlet. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 95% of residents. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in the area, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, only 12.0% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 23 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop. A map accompanies this data, showing the hundred nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Sussex Inlet is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Sussex Inlet faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~1,866 people), compared to 51.9% in Rest of NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (15.6%) and mental health issues (8.8%). Meanwhile, 50.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Rest of NSW. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 44.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,811 people), higher than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, aligning broadly with national rankings for 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, surveyed in 2016, had low cultural diversity: 89.4% were citizens, 85.9% born there, and 96.4% spoke English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 60.5%, compared to 55.9% regionally. Top ancestry groups were English (34.9%), Australian (30.8%), Irish (8.7%).

Notable differences included Maltese (0.8% vs regional 0.4%), Scottish (8.3% vs 8.0%), and Polish (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 Australia's national average of 38. Compared to the Rest of NSW average, Sussex Inlet has a notably over-represented cohort of 65-74 year-olds (23.0%) while those aged 35-44 are under-represented (6.7%). This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.5%. According to the 2021 Census, Sussex Inlet's population aged 25 to 34 grew from 6.7% to 7.4%, while those aged 55 to 64 declined from 17.7% to 16.4% and those aged 45 to 54 dropped from 9.2% to 8.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Sussex Inlet's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow significantly, expanding by 185 people (74%) from 250 to 436. Senior residents aged 65 and above will drive 53% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 55-64 age cohort shows minimal growth of just 3%, with an increase of only 18 people.