Tweed Heads South (NSW)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed locations verified by Districts post-Census, the suburb of Tweed Heads South has a projected population of approximately 8,166 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 225 individuals (2.8%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 7,941 individuals. This adjustment is derived from a resident headcount of 8,164, calculated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP statistics (June 2025) plus an additional 143 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. A population of this size translates to a density of 983 persons per square kilometer, which aligns closely with typical values recorded across regions evaluated by Districts. The post-census expansion of 2.8% in the suburb of Tweed Heads South is within 0.9 percentage points of the SA4 territory (3.7%), showing competitive underlying growth. Gains in local residency were mostly driven by overseas arrivals, who accounted for roughly of all population increases during recent timeframes.

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The local workforce is evenly distributed between professional and trade roles, with a strong representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of 5.0%, and a 3.5% estimated rise in employment over the prior year, based on compiled statistical area data. In March 2026, 3,147 local residents were employed, while the jobless rate was 0.9% higher than the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%, and labor participation was considerably lower (47.5% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW). Based on Census records, a modest 10.5% of working residents performed their duties from home, though the influence of pandemic restrictions should be taken into account.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics for financial year 2023 indicate that local incomes are below national benchmarks, with the median recorded at $41,599 and the average at $51,735. In comparison, Regional NSW recorded a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. Incorporating Wage Price Index inflation of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates suggest figures of roughly $45,892 (median) and $57,074 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes all sit within the bottom range nationally, between the 2nd and 7th percentiles. In terms of distribution, the $400 - 799 range is the most common, accounting for 31.7% of residents (2,588 individuals), whereas the surrounding region is led by the - range at . Local financial conditions reflect widespread budget challenges, with of households surviving on modest weekly incomes below . Financial pressure from housing is high, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the rd percentile.

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The housing profile, as of the most recent Census, consisted of 51.7% separate houses and 48.3% alternative dwellings (including semi-detached units, flats, and other homes), compared to Regional NSW which comprised 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% alternative dwellings. Meanwhile, the proportion of outright home ownership was registered at 44.3%, which is higher than the Regional NSW benchmark, with the remaining properties occupied by people with mortgages (23.2%) or tenants (32.5%). The median monthly home loan payment matched the Regional NSW standard of $1,733, while the median weekly rental cost was $390, compared to regional figures of $1,733 and $330. Across Australia, local home loan payments are below the national median of $1,863, whereas rental costs exceed the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of homes at 57.9%, consisting of 16.4% couples raising children, 26.6% couples without children, and 13.6% single parents. Non-family households comprise the remaining 42.1%, consisting of single-person households at 37.4% and group shared homes at 4.7%. The median household occupancy of 2.1 persons is below the Regional NSW benchmark of 2.4.

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Educational attainment is low in this area, with university graduation rates (14.1%) falling well below the NSW benchmark of 32.2%. This situation presents both a demographic challenge and an opening for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 10.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Practical and technical qualifications are highly prevalent, with 40.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (29.4%).

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Public transit analysis indicates 75 active stops are located within the area, providing bus options. These stops are serviced by 58 separate routes, which combine to deliver 1,451 weekly passenger journeys. Transit access is rated as top-tier, with residents generally living 170 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential profile, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the principal mode of travel at 91%. Car ownership averages 0.9 per household, which is below the regional benchmark. A relatively low proportion of 10.5% of workers perform their jobs from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting pandemic circumstances).

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Significant health concerns are apparent locally, based on Districts analysis of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, which impact both younger and older cohorts, alongside a low rate of private health insurance, which covers only about 47% of the population (~3,875 individuals). This is lower than the 51.9% coverage rate across Regional NSW and the national benchmark of 55.7%.

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The locality displays low levels of multicultural representation, with 86.8% of the population holding citizenship, 79.3% born domestically, and 92.1% using only English at home. The predominant faith is Christianity, which is practiced by 56.7% of local residents, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

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With a median age of 51 years, the population is much older than the Regional NSW average of 43 and the Australian median of 38. Relative to regional benchmarks, the 75 - 84 age bracket is highly represented (11.7% locally), while children aged 5 - 14 are underrepresented (9.6%). This concentration of residents aged 75 - 84 is also higher than the national share of 6.1%. Data collected since the 2021 Census shows the 35 to 44 age cohort has expanded from 9.6% to 11.3% of the population, and the 0 to 4 group grew from 4.2% to 5.5%. Conversely, the to age group fell from to . By the demographic mix is projected to shift, led by a expansion in the to age bracket (an increase of people), growing from to . Meanwhile, contractions are projected for the to and to age groups.

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Tweed Heads South currently has an estimated 449 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 254 children aged 0-2 and 169 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 35% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 13% by 2041 (to approximately 507 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 587. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.