Shoalhaven Heads (NSW)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the broader region and address data verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads has an estimated population of 2,914 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 334 residents (10.3%) from the 2021 Census, when the population was recorded at 3,248. The estimate stems from a resident base of 2,907 calculated by Districts using the ABS release from June 2025 alongside subsequent address validations. With these figures, the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads has a density of 741 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with typical benchmarks. Recent population gains were almost entirely fueled by international migration.

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The suburb of Shoalhaven Heads possesses a qualified workforce with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of 2.3%. As of March 2026, there are 1,050 working residents. This unemployment rate is 1.8% lower than the 4.1% seen in Regional NSW, though the participation rate of 43.3% is notably lower than the regional average of 60.6%. Census records indicate that a moderate 16.5% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Tax statistics from the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads are below the national median of $39,820, with the average income recorded at $61,678. 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, March 2026 estimates suggest a median of $43,929 and an average of $68,043. Based on the 2021 Census, all income metrics for the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads rank between the 5th and 13th percentiles nationally. A significant share of the population, 33.1% (964 people), earns between $400 - 799, whereas the wider region is dominated by the $1,500 - band at . Housing cost burdens are high, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile, while the SEIFA income index places the area in the th decile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads consisted of 69.6% separate houses and 30.4% alternative dwelling structures like townhouses or flats, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership is high, with 55.5% of homes owned outright, while 25.5% are mortgaged and 19.0% are rented. The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,950, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $365, compared to $330 regionally. Nationally, mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rent remains below the national figure of $375.

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Families make up 61.3% of households in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads, consisting of 17.3% couples with children, 35.6% couples without children, and 7.8% single parents. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.7%, with single-person households representing 35.8% and group living situations at 2.8%. The median household size is 2.1 persons, smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational data shows that university graduation rates are relatively low, with 19.5% of residents holding a tertiary degree compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees account for 14.0%, while postgraduate qualifications and graduate diplomas represent 3.5% and 2.0% respectively. Conversely, vocational education is highly prevalent, with 42.2% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 31.0%.

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Public transport services in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads include 66 bus stops. These are connected by 7 routes that provide 123 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with the average distance to a stop being 116 meters. Given the residential nature of the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads, commuting is common, with 94% using cars and 4% walking. Dwellings average 1.1 vehicles, below the regional standard. Census records show 16.5% of residents working from home, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads align closely with national averages. Chronic conditions are observed across different age groups, and the rate of private medical insurance is low, covering approximately 51% of the population (~1,496 people).

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The suburb of Shoalhaven Heads has low cultural diversity, with 85.7% of residents born in Australia, 91.2% holding citizenship, and 97.1% speaking only English at home. The main religious affiliation is Christianity, accounting for 54.2% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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The median age in the suburb of Shoalhaven Heads is 56 years, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the national average of 38 years. The 65 - 74 age group is highly represented at 19.9% compared to the regional average, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 7.4%. The concentration of 65 - 74 year olds is higher than the national share of 9.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 13.0% to 15.0%, and the 15 to 24 group increased from 6.3% to 8.2%, whereas the 55 to group decreased from to . By projections suggest the + cohort will grow by , adding people to reach while the to and to brackets are projected to decline.

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Shoalhaven Heads currently has an estimated 145 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 71 children aged 0-2 and 46 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 17% by 2041 (to approximately 169 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 220. Birth rates in the area have averaged 6.6 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.