South West Rocks (NSW)

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Following an examination of ABS demographic data updates for the wider region alongside recent residential addresses confirmed by Districts after the Census, the suburb of South West Rocks has a projected population of approximately 5,179 in May 2026. This indicates a growth of 121 individuals (2.4%) relative to the 5,058 residents recorded during the 2021 Census. This adjustment is calculated from a base resident count of 5,163, calculated by Districts using the ABS demographic release from June 2025, combined with an extra 247 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. Based on these figures, the population density stands at 378 persons per square kilometer, indicating low density housing conditions and scope for future expansion. Throughout the last ten years, the suburb of South West Rocks has exhibited stable upward demographic trends, registering a 1.0% compound annual growth rate that exceeded the figures of the surrounding SA3. Demographic gains in the area were mostly driven by arrivals from other states, which made up approximately 83.0% of the total growth during the latest intervals.

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The suburb of South West Rocks features a balanced labor force consisting of white-collar and blue-collar workers, with a solid representation of essential service sectors and a jobless rate of 4.6%, based on aggregated regional statistics compiled by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 1,789, while the unemployment rate was 0.5% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, and the participation rate was considerably lower, standing at 41.6% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that only 12.8% of residents worked from their homes, although this may have been influenced by pandemic containment measures.

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Based on aggregated ATO postcode statistics from the financial year 2023 release, taxpayers in the suburb of South West Rocks recorded a median income of $39,917 and an average income of $51,277. These figures sit below national averages and compare to median and average markers of $52,390 and $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would stand at roughly $44,036 for the median and $56,569 for the average. According to 2021 Census data, household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of South West Rocks fall between the 2nd and 5th percentiles nationwide. The largest income bracket contains 32.1% of residents (1,662 people) earning in the $400 - range, which contrasts with regional trends where of the population falls within the - category. Lower-income households are highly represented, with of households receiving less than weekly, highlighting financial strain for many locals. Mortgage and rent costs create significant pressure, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in the suburb of South West Rocks consisted of 81.1% separate houses and 18.9% alternative housing types such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership was notably high in the suburb of South West Rocks, with 54.8% of dwellings owned outright, while the remaining homes were occupied by buyers with a mortgage (20.3%) or tenants (24.9%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,517 was significantly lower than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $323 was slightly below the regional benchmark of $330. Nationally, mortgage payments in the suburb of South West Rocks are much lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 66.3%, consisting of couples with children at 16.1%, couples without children at 39.8%, and single-parent households at 9.4%. The remaining 33.7% consists of non-family households, with single-person households representing 30.9% and group households accounting for 3.0%. The median household size of 2.1 persons is below the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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The local population presents lower rates of higher education, with university graduation rates at 14.3%, which is significantly below the NSW state average of 32.2%. This profile presents both a difficulty and a focus area for future educational programs. Undergraduate degrees are held by 10.4% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational and technical training is highly represented, with 43.0% of residents aged 15 and over holding trade qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 33.0%.

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An assessment of public transit indicates there are 25 active transport stops in the suburb of South West Rocks, which are served by buses. These stops accommodate 14 different routes that provide a combined total of 268 weekly passenger services. Access to transit is highly rated, with residents living an average of 177 meters from their closest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of working residents travel elsewhere for employment, with private cars being the main transport choice at 90%, followed by walking at 7%. Households average 1.2 vehicles, which is lower than the regional average. A relatively small share of residents, 12.8%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic regulations.

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The suburb of South West Rocks shows notable public health difficulties based on Districts analysis of local mortality and chronic illness rates, with health conditions present across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is very low, held by only about 47% of the population (~2,448 people). This is lower than the Regional NSW average of 51.9% and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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The suburb of South West Rocks exhibits lower cultural diversity than average, with 89.6% of residents born in Australia, 91.3% holding citizenship, and 97.0% using only English at home. The predominant religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 57.5% of the local population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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With a median age of 58, the suburb of South West Rocks is considerably older than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the Australian median of 38. The 65 to 74 age bracket is highly represented at 20.5% of the population, whereas the 25 to 34 group is small at 6.5%. This concentration of residents aged 65 to 74 is much higher than the national share of 9.4%. Since 2021, the group aged 75 to 84 has increased from 12.6% to 15.5% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort has grown from 8.0% to 9.7%. In contrast, the 45 to cohort fell from to and the to group declined from to . Demographic projections indicate the age structure will change significantly by led by a increase in residents aged and over, growing from to people. The to cohort is projected to see a smaller increase of , adding only residents.

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South West Rocks currently has an estimated 238 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 134 children aged 0-2 and 89 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 20% by 2041 (to approximately 285 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 363. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.0 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.