Emerald Beach (NSW)

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Determined from ABS demographic statistics for the wider region and address updates verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Emerald Beach has an estimated population of 2,718 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 41 individuals (1.5%) from the 2021 Census, when 2,677 residents were recorded. This adjustment is calculated from a base resident count of 2,709, calculated by Districts using the June 2025 ABS ERP publication, combined with 4 newly confirmed addresses established after the Census. The resulting population density is 180 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and possibilities for additional housing projects. Throughout the last ten years, the suburb of Emerald Beach has shown stable expansion with a compound yearly growth rate of 1.8%, higher than the surrounding SA3. Overseas arrivals were the main driver, contributing 41.0% of the demographic expansion in recent times, though natural increase and interstate arrivals also remained positive.

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The local workforce exhibits high levels of education and a strong presence in essential services, with an unemployment rate of only 2.1%. As of March 2026, there are 1,297 employed residents. This unemployment rate is 2.0% lower than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is comparable to the regional average of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 16.5% of the working population operated from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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ATO postcode statistics for the 2023 financial year show that local personal incomes are below national benchmarks, with a median of $43,518 and an average of $54,956. This is lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $48,009 for the median and $60,627 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes fell around the national 52nd percentile. The largest income cohort comprises 35.4% of residents (962 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the broader regional pattern where 29.9% fall into this bracket. Housing expenses account for 15.7% of income, but solid overall earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix consists of 93.9% standalone houses and 6.2% alternative dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, compared to Regional NSW where standalone houses represent 82.6% and alternative dwellings comprise 17.4%. Home ownership rates stand at 37.4%, which is slightly lower than regional averages, with the remaining properties split between those with active mortgages (40.9%) and rental agreements (21.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,950 is higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $463 is higher than the regional average of $330. Nationally, local mortgage commitments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the national median of $375.

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Families make up 81.8% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 34.0%, couples without children at 33.4%, and single-parent households at 14.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 18.2%, with single-person households representing 16.0% and shared group households representing 2.1%. The average household occupancy is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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The local educational profile is characterized by high attainment, with university graduation rates at 29.3% of those aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA4 average of 19.8% and the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are held by 21.3% of the cohort, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational education is also prominent, with 40.6% of residents aged 15 and over holding technical qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 12.3% and certificates at 28.3%.

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Public transport networks include 34 active bus stops within the suburb of Emerald Beach. These connections are served by 19 routes, providing a total of 151 passenger journeys weekly. Physical access is high, with residents living an average of 171 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential character of the suburb of Emerald Beach, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the primary transit mode at 95%. Households average 1.8 cars, which is higher than the Regional NSW average. Work-from-home arrangements were recorded at 16.5% in the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

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Local health outcomes are positive, with low rates of common chronic illnesses across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 49% of the population (~1,324 people) holding private cover. This is lower than the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity measures are below national averages, with 85.3% of residents born in Australia, 90.6% holding citizenship, and 95.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 42.2% of the community. Judaism shows a minor relative overrepresentation, accounting for 0.1% of the population, which matches the Regional NSW average of 0.1%.

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The median age is 41 years, which is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 43 years but higher than the national median of 38 years. Children aged 5 to 14 represent a high proportion of the population at 15.1% compared to Regional NSW, while young adults aged 25 to 34 are less common at 8.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age bracket increased from 4.5% to 6.4% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 13.6% to 12.0%, and the 25 to 34 bracket decreased from 10.2% to 8.9%. Long-term modeling suggests the demographic mix will change by with the to cohort projected to grow by , adding residents to reach a total of .

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Emerald Beach currently has an estimated 163 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 88 children aged 0-2 and 57 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 40% by 2041 (to approximately 228 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 309. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.2 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.