Sapphire Beach (NSW)

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According to census-related data and address updates validated by Districts, the suburb of Sapphire Beach has an estimated population of 2,840 as of May 2026. This representing a 180 person expansion (6.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which counted 2,660 residents. The figure is modeled on the resident population of 2,829 estimated by Districts following the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures, coupled with 65 validated new addresses added since the census. The local population density stands at 362 persons per square kilometer, offering generous space per resident and room for future expansion. The 6.8% expansion rate in the suburb of Sapphire Beach outpaced both the SA3 area (3.7%) and the SA4 region, making the locality a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of these gains, accounting for roughly 41.0% of the population increase, although natural growth and interstate migration also contributed positively.

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Sapphire Beach boasts a highly skilled labor pool with strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 1.8%, and steady employment trends throughout the previous year according to Districts aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, 1,303 residents were employed while the local unemployment rate stood at 2.3%, which is 1.8 percentage points lower than the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%. The workforce participation rate in Sapphire Beach was 57.4%, slightly below the Regional NSW benchmark of 60.6%. Census data indicates that 17.3% of residents worked from home, although the lingering effects of Covid-19 lockdown measures should be taken into account.

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Based on aggregated ATO tax data from the financial year 2023, taxpayers in Sapphire Beach recorded a median income of $51,245 and an average income of $64,714. This sits below the national average and compares with Regional NSW figures of $52,390 and $65,215. Applying the Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the financial year 2023 results in March 2026 estimates of $56,533 for the median and $71,392 for the average. Census data from 2021 ranks household, family, and individual incomes around the 71st percentile nationally. The largest income bracket contains 29.6% of residents (840 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the metropolitan trend of 29.9% in this bracket. High-income earners are prominent, with earning more than per week. After accounting for housing costs, households retain of their earnings, and the area ranks in the th decile of the SEIFA index.

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Census data reveals that residential properties in Sapphire Beach are composed of 84.7% detached houses and 15.3% other dwelling types, such as apartments and semi-detached homes, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Outright home ownership stands at 45.8%, which is notably higher than the regional average, with mortgaged properties at 37.0% and rental properties at 17.2%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,174 and median weekly rent of $475 are both significantly higher than the regional averages of $1,733 and $330. Nationally, these figures exceed the Australian median mortgage repayment of $1,863 and the median weekly rent of $375.

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Families make up 78.1% of households, consisting of couples with children at 32.9%, couples without children at 38.2%, and single-parent households at 6.7%. Non-family households constitute 21.9% of the total, with single-person households at 20.1% and group houses at 1.6%. The median household size is 2.6 residents, larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Academic credentials in Sapphire Beach are exceptionally high, with 34.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 19.8% in the SA4 region and 21.3% in the Rest of NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 23.9%, with postgraduate degrees at 7.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational education is also strong, with 37.6% of the population aged 15+ possessing trade qualifications, divided between advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 25.1%.

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Public transport services in Sapphire Beach include 17 active bus stops. These stops are served by 15 separate routes, providing 136 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is favorable, with residents living an average of 229 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, commuting is mostly outward, with cars remaining the primary travel mode at 97%. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.7 cars per household, higher than the regional average. Census data from 2021 indicates that 17.3% of the workforce worked from home, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators show positive outcomes across Sapphire Beach, characterized by low mortality and minimal chronic illness across all age categories. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 level, encompassing roughly 53% of the community, which equates to approximately 1,492 people.

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Sapphire Beach is less culturally diverse than average, with 81.8% of residents born in Australia, 91.0% holding citizenship, and 92.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 53.2%. However, the group classified as Other shows a notable overrepresentation, accounting for 1.2% of the population compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW.

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Sapphire Beach has a median age of 46, which is higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the national average of 38. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 14.8% compared to Regional NSW, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 7.0%. The concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 is significantly higher than the national figure of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 6.2% to 8.1%, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 7.3% to 8.5%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 group decreased from to , and the to bracket fell from to . Significant demographic changes are anticipated by led by the to cohort, which is projected to grow by ( people), increasing from to .

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Sapphire Beach currently has an estimated 156 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 92 children aged 0-2 and 61 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 1% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 43% by 2041 (to approximately 223 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 322. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.