Empire Bay (NSW)

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Following an examination of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside address records validated by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Empire Bay has a population estimated at approximately 2,375 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 147 people (5.8%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,522 people. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 2,375, estimated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 and subsequent address verification. With this population level, the density stands at 635 persons per square kilometer, which indicates plenty of space for residents and capacity for future housing. The main driver of population growth locally was overseas migration, accounting for roughly 72.0% of all population increases over recent times.

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The suburb of Empire Bay has an educated workforce with strong representation in vital service industries, an unemployment rate sitting at only 1.9%, and employment growing by an estimated 2.4% over the preceding year based on Districts statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 1,219, while the unemployment rate is 2.3% below the 4.1% reported for Greater Sydney. Conversely, workforce participation is much lower, sitting at 63.9% relative to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a notable 33.3% of the workforce worked from home, though this should be interpreted in the context of pandemic restrictions.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023, the suburb of Empire Bay has a median taxpayer income of $46,714 and an average of $69,961. This is slightly higher than the national median, though below the Greater Sydney median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at approximately $51,535 for the median and $77,181 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household income is in the 58th percentile ($1,884 weekly), while personal income ranks in the 39th percentile. The largest income cohort contains 31.0% of local taxpayers (736 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is very similar to the of taxpayers in this bracket across the metropolitan area. Residential costs absorb of income, yet solid overall earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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At the time of the latest Census, residential dwellings in the suburb of Empire Bay were made up of 93.3% houses and 6.8% other options such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other options across the Sydney metropolitan area. Home ownership rates were also much higher than the metropolitan average, standing at 39.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (43.0%) or renters (18.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,165 was well below the metropolitan average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent of $410 was below the metropolitan figure of $470. Globally within Australia, mortgage costs in the suburb of Empire Bay are higher than the national average of $1,863, and rents also exceed the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 78.3%, consisting of couples with children at 37.4%, couples without children at 27.7%, and single parent families at 12.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.7%, with single person households representing 19.2% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size of 2.7 people matches the average for Greater Sydney.

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Educational profiles present challenges for the area, with tertiary qualification rates sitting at 19.4%, which is far below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This gap represents a key area for targeted educational strategies. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (31.4%).

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Public transport options include 27 stops within the suburb of Empire Bay, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 23 distinct routes that deliver 452 weekly trips. Accessibility is highly rated, with the average home located 179 meters from the closest transport point. As a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the dominant mode of travel at 91%. Dwellings average 1.7 cars, which is above the metropolitan average. A substantial 33.3% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators are generally positive for residents of the suburb of Empire Bay, with Districts analysis of mortality rates and medical diagnoses showing figures that align closely with national averages across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is solid, held by approximately 55% of the local population (~1,296 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney.

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The suburb of Empire Bay has lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 86.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.3% holding citizenship, and 95.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 53.2% of the population. The most disproportionately represented group is Jewish, making up 0.4% of the population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age in the suburb of Empire Bay is 42, which is notably older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 10.3% compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 7.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 bracket has increased from 5.8% to 10.3% of the total population, whereas the 25 to 34 group decreased from 8.7% to 7.1% and the 55 to 64 group fell from 13.3% to 11.9%. Projections for 2041 suggest major demographic changes, led by the to cohort, which is expected to expand by ( people) to reach from . The combined cohorts aged + are set to make up of overall population growth, underscoring the aging trend. In contrast, the to and to age groups are projected to shrink.

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Empire Bay currently has an estimated 142 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 61 children aged 0-2 and 41 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 4% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 17% by 2041 (to approximately 118 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 213. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.