Fingal Bay (NSW)

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According to investigations of ABS population estimates for the wider region, alongside recent address validation conducted by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Fingal Bay has a residency count projected at approximately 1,587 in May 2026. This represents a contraction of 48 people (2.9%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 1,635 people. The adjustment is calculated from a resident base of 1,583, determined by Districts after examining the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) and incorporating 5 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of residency yields a density of 165 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial personal space and possibilities for future construction. Growth in the local populace was almost entirely driven by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 98.0% of all population increases recently.

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Fingal Bay is home to a qualified workforce with a strong representation in the tourism and hospitality sectors, recording an unemployment rate of 4.6% and showing stable employment patterns over the past year according to aggregated regional statistics. In March 2026, the employed resident population stood at 537, which corresponds to an unemployment rate 0.5% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation is notably low at 38.8% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census records indicate that a moderate 22.0% of local workers operated from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Fingal Bay are below the national average, with a median of $37,336 and an average of $53,191. This is lower than Regional NSW, where the median is $52,390 and the average is $65,215. Incorporating a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be roughly $41,189 for the median and $58,680 for the average. Census data places household, family, and personal incomes in Fingal Bay in the 8th and 8th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket is the $800 - 1,499 range, containing 33.1% of residents (525 people), whereas the leading bracket across the region is the $1,500 - range at . Affordability pressures are high, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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According to the latest Census, the residential housing mix in Fingal Bay consisted of 51.8% standalone houses and 48.2% alternative dwellings such as townhouses, apartments, and other housing types, which contrasts with Regional NSW where standalone houses make up 82.6% and other dwellings comprise 17.4%. Home ownership in the suburb is high at 57.0%, while mortgaged properties account for 16.6% and rented homes make up 26.4%. The median monthly mortgage payment was identical to the Regional NSW average at $1,733, whereas the median weekly rent was $390, compared to regional figures of $1,733 and $330. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the suburb are below the Australian median of $1,863, while rent costs exceed the national average of $375.

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Family households constitute the majority of homes at 69.1%, which includes 14.4% couples with children, 45.7% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 30.9% of households, with lone person households representing 29.9% and group households making up 1.7% of the total. The median household size of 2.1 people is lower than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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The region shows lower levels of higher education attainment, with university qualification rates at 18.5% compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This situation presents an opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among residents with higher qualifications, bachelor degrees are most common at 12.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.4% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Practical and vocational skills are prominent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, including 10.8% with advanced diplomas and 32.8% holding certificates.

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Public transport options include 25 active stops in the suburb of Fingal Bay, which are serviced by bus routes. These stops accommodate 17 different routes, providing 357 passenger trips each week. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 149 meters from the nearest stop. Because this is a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area, and private cars are the primary mode of travel for 94% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership is 1.1 per household, which is below the regional average. Additionally, 22.0% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Health indicators are generally positive for the local population, with mortality rates and medical conditions showing results that align with national trends. The occurrence of common illnesses is quite low across the broader community, though higher rates are seen among older, higher-risk groups. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of the population (~762 people) covered, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity in Fingal Bay is below average, with citizens making up 88.9% of the population, 85.6% of residents born in Australia, and 96.9% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 62.6% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age in the suburb of Fingal Bay is 63 years, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, the 65 - 74 age bracket is highly represented at 24.0% locally, while the 35 - 44 age group is underrepresented at 5.9%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 17.1% to 19.0% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has risen from 5.7% to 7.0%. In contrast, the 45 to cohort fell from to , and the to group decreased from to . Projections suggest the age profile will change by led by a growth in the + cohort (adding people) to reach from . This aging trend is highlighted by the fact that residents aged and over make up of the projected growth, while declines are expected in the to and to age groups.

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Fingal Bay currently has an estimated 41 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 30 children aged 0-2 and 20 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 12% by 2041 (to approximately 46 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 108. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.6 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.