Tathra

Tathra has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

As of Feb 2026, Tathra's population is estimated at around 1,568, reflecting an increase of 41 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 2.7% increase from the previous population of 1,527. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 1,509, following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 75 persons per square kilometer. Tathra's growth rate of 2.7% since the census is within 0.8 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 3.5%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in the suburb.

AreaSearch adopts 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 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 136 persons to reach 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 4.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Tathra recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Tathra has experienced around 5 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 27 homes between FY-21 and FY-25. So far in FY-26, 3 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling built over this period has resulted in an average of 2.7 new residents per year, indicating solid demand that supports property values.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $496,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, $3.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Rest of NSW, Tathra shows approximately 61% of the construction activity per person, placing it among the 59th percentile of areas assessed nationally. Recent construction comprises 57.0% detached dwellings and 43.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a growing mix of housing types to provide options across different price points. This is a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 77.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

The location has approximately 260 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low density market. Population forecasts indicate Tathra will gain 77 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

AreaSearch has identified 0 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra, NSW To Victorian Border, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail.

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While Tathra retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.0%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Tathra has a well-educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.0% as of AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025687 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 1.0% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 52.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, a moderate 13.5% of residents worked from home. The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and education & training. Employment in accommodation & food was particularly notable at 1.9 times the regional average.

Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 2.5% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. The area appeared to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between May-24 and May-25, labour force decreased by 3.9%, while employment declined by 3.6%, resulting in a fall of 0.3 percentage points in unemployment rate. This contrasted with Regional NSW where employment contracted by 1.2%, labour force fell by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Tathra's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

In financial year 2023, Tathra had a median taxpayer income of $45,686 and an average income of $55,962. These figures are below the national averages of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Regional NSW. By September 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $49,734 and an average income of $60,920, based on an 8.86% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023. According to Census 2021 data, household incomes rank at the 14th percentile while personal incomes are at the 38th percentile. Income distribution shows that 28.5% of Tathra's population falls within the $800 - $1,499 range, contrasting with Regional NSW where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is most prevalent at 29.9%. Despite modest housing costs allowing for 86.7% income retention, total disposable income ranks at the 18th percentile nationally, and Tathra's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

In Tathra, as per the latest Census, 76.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 23.2% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Tathra stood at 52.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.2% and rented ones at 27.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,603, below Regional NSW's average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Tathra was $320, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Tathra's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 61.2% of all households, including 16.5% couples with children, 35.9% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 38.8%, with lone person households at 36.5% and group households comprising 2.5% of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Tathra aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Tathra's educational attainment is notably higher than broader standards. Among residents aged 15+, 31.4% have university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 21.5% in SA3 areas. This significant educational edge places Tathra favourably for knowledge-based prospects. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 21.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 34.7% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 24.6%. Additionally, 20.2% of the population is actively engaged in formal education. This includes 6.9% in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 2.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 27 active public transport stops in Tathra, offering mixed bus services. These stops are served by 7 distinct routes, collectively facilitating 120 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 157 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most commuters travel outward; cars remain dominant at 91%, while 8% walk. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 13.5% of residents work from home, potentially reflecting COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 17 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 4 weekly trips per individual stop.

Tathra's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Tathra. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were assessed by AreaSearch for both young and old age cohorts, revealing low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover was found to be relatively low at approximately 49% of the total population (~770 people), compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area were arthritis, impacting 12.4% of residents, and mental health issues, affecting 8.4%. A total of 61.3% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age residents showed above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 35.7% of residents aged 65 and over (559 people), higher than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

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

Tathra's population showed low cultural diversity, with 87.9% born in Australia, 94.0% being citizens, and 95.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, practiced by 45.2%. Buddhism had a higher representation in Tathra than Regional NSW, 1.5% compared to 0.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (33.1%), Australian (29.0%), and Irish (12.9%). Notably, Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.3%, Scottish at 8.6%, and German at 4.2%, compared to regional averages of 0.2%, 8.0%, and 3.1% respectively.

Tathra ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Tathra is 56 years, which is notably higher than Regional NSW's average of 43 years and significantly exceeds Australia's national average of 38 years. The 65-74 age group comprises 20.5% of the population in Tathra, compared to Regional NSW's figure, while the 5-14 cohort makes up only 7.2%. This concentration of the 65-74 age group is well above the national average of 9.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 0-4 age group has grown from 2.7% to 4.4%, and the 75-84 cohort has increased from 10.0% to 11.5%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has declined from 19.6% to 17.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Tathra's age structure. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 34%, adding 61 residents to reach a total of 242. Demographic aging will continue as residents aged 65 and older represent 64% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 5-14 and 15-24 age cohorts.