Tuross Head

An assessment of population growth drivers in Tuross Head reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to ABS population updates evaluated for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Tuross Head has a population estimated at 2,272 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 81 people (3.4%) from the 2,353 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from an estimated resident population of 2,267, which AreaSearch determined using the June 2025 ABS ERP release and 27 validated new addresses added since the Census date. With this population level, the density stands at 143 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density and potential for future growth. Interstate migration was the primary driver of population gains, accounting for approximately 56.00000000000001% of all positive population movements in recent times.

AreaSearch incorporates population projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for each SA2 unit, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, and relies on 2022 NSW State Government SA2 projections with a 2021 base year where the former is unavailable. Age group growth rates from these sources are applied to local projections spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on these figures, the suburb of Tuross Head is projected to experience population growth slightly below the national median for regional communities, adding 199 persons by 2041 and representing an overall expansion of 8.5% over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Tuross Head is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Residential building activity in Tuross Head is very low, averaging 2 dwelling approvals annually, which totals 14 dwellings over the five-year period. These limited figures reflect the rural character of the locality, where construction is generally spurred by localized housing demands rather than broad market dynamics. Because of the small sample size, individual development projects can disproportionately alter annual statistics and comparisons.

Tuross Head experiences a much lower volume of residential construction than the Rest of NSW, a trend that also sits below national averages. Newly approved dwellings consist of 75.0% standalone houses and 25.0% medium and high-density options, matching the local preference for low-density rural living. This distribution contrasts with the existing housing stock, which is 96.0% houses, showing that developable land is becoming scarcer and that there is a growing need for diverse, accessible housing alternatives. The ratio of 415 people per dwelling approval highlights this quiet, low-growth residential building environment.

Future forecasts indicate that Tuross Head will add 194 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If the current rate of construction persists, the supply of new housing may fall short of population growth, which could increase competition among buyers and support upward pressure on prices.

Tuross Head has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes in local planning, infrastructure projects, and development initiatives are key drivers of regional growth. A search by AreaSearch identified no new projects expected to impact the local area. Key regional projects of note include Princes Highway Safety And Capacity: Nowra, Nsw To Victorian Border, Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, Regional NSW Road Network Safety Improvements, and Corridor Preservation For East Coast High Speed Rail, with the primary relevant projects listed below.

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

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The employment landscape in Tuross Head presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.1%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

The workforce in Tuross Head is highly skilled and features a strong representation in essential services, alongside an unemployment rate of 3.1% according to aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 836 employed residents, with the unemployment rate sitting 1.0% below the 4.1% recorded across Regional NSW, while workforce participation is notably low at 40.6% compared to the regional benchmark of 60.6%. Census data indicates that a moderate 14.8% of employed residents worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and accommodation & food. Accommodation & food represents a key local specialty, employing residents at a rate 1.4 times the regional average, whereas agriculture, forestry & fishing is underrepresented at 1.5% compared to the regional rate of 5.3%. A comparison between the Census working population and resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are relatively scarce.

An analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated by AreaSearch indicates that in the year ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 2.7% and total employment fell by 2.3%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.4 percentage points. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 0.9%, the labour force contract by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate rise by 0.5 percentage points. National employment projections from May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia provide further context on local trends, which have been modeled against the local industry profile. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could rise by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, representing a basic weighting extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.

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

Taxpayer statistics for the suburb of Tuross Head show a median income of $38,946 and an average income of $49,949, based on aggregated postcode-level ATO data for financial year 2023. These figures are below national benchmarks and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 are approximately $42,965 for the median and $55,104 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all ranked between the 4th and 10th percentiles nationally. The dominant income band is the $400 - 799 range, which accounts for 30.9% of residents (702 people), whereas the wider regional area is dominated by the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 29.9%. Local housing costs are modest, leaving residents with 87.8% of their income, though total disposable income ranks at the 8th percentile nationwide.

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

According to the latest Census, residential properties in Tuross Head consisted of 95.8% standalone houses and 4.2% alternative structures like apartments or semi-detached dwellings, compared to Regional NSW where houses make up 82.6% and other structures account for 17.4%. Outright home ownership is high at 61.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 22.0% and rental homes accounting for 16.5%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,430, which is below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $330, matching the regional average. These housing costs are lower than the national median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the national weekly rent of $375.

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

Families make up 63.9% of local households, consisting of couples without children at 46.1%, couples with children at 12.0%, and single-parent households at 6.3%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 36.1% of households, with lone person households representing 33.2% and group homes comprising 2.3%. The median household size of 1.9 people is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Educational attainment levels in Tuross Head are below regional averages, with 22.4% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree compared to 32.2% across NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational training is common, with 41.6% of the population aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 12.1% and certificates at 29.5%.

A total of 17.9% of the population is enrolled in school or higher education, including 6.3% in primary schools, 5.7% in secondary schools, and 1.5% in tertiary institutions.

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

Public transport services in Tuross Head include 51 active bus stops. These stops accommodate 7 separate routes that provide 63 weekly passenger trips. Transport links are highly accessible, with residents living an average of 146 meters from the nearest stop. The community is mainly residential, with most workers commuting out of the area, and private vehicles represent the main transit mode at 97%. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.2 cars per household, below the regional average. In the 2021 Census, 14.8% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

Across all transit routes, services run at an average frequency of 9 trips per day, which translates to approximately 1 weekly trips for each bus stop.

Tuross Head's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators for the local population are generally positive, with mortality rates and illness prevalence tracking close to national averages across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is low at approximately 47% of the population (~1,062 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 16.7% and 8.6% of residents respectively. Conversely, 52.9% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Chronic illnesses are relatively common among working-age residents. People aged 65 and over make up 48.6% of the population (1,104 people), which is significantly higher than the regional average of 23.4%. Seniors in the area display above-average health profiles, matching national trends.

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

Cultural diversity in Tuross Head is lower than average, with 83.9% of residents born in Australia, 91.3% holding citizenship, and 97.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religious affiliation, accounting for 54.3% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

The primary ancestries reported by residents are English at 34.9%, Australian at 28.5%, and Irish at 10.2%. Specific groups show distinct representation patterns compared to the region, with Hungarian ancestry overrepresented at 0.5% of the population (compared to 0.2% regionally), Scottish ancestry at 8.8% (compared to 8.0%), and Macedonian ancestry at 0.3% (compared to 0.4%).

Tuross Head ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age of 62 years in Tuross Head is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 years and the national median of 38 years. The suburb features a high concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 at 28.3%, well above the national average of 9.4%, while children aged 5 - 14 make up a smaller share at 4.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 13.7% to 15.8%, and the 35 to 44 age bracket has increased from 5.7% to 7.8%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 group declined from 21.0% to 17.5%, and the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 9.7% to 8.2%. Demographic projections to 2041 indicate that the population will continue to age, with the 75 to 84 bracket expected to grow by 90 people (25%) from 358 to 449. Combined cohorts aged 65 and older will drive 67% of total population growth, while the count of residents in both the 5 to 14 and 65 to 74 age brackets will decrease.