Callala Bay
With 53.5% of dwellings owned outright and a median age of 51, Callala Bay registers 11 years above the national median age, one of the starker age gaps you will find in coastal NSW. The population of 2,234 sits within a 7.65 km2 area where 94.6% of homes are separate houses, and a 29.2% vacancy rate points to substantial holiday or seasonal use. Household income lands in the 30th percentile nationally, well below average, yet the median house price reached $965,000 in 2025. That gap between income and price reflects the suburb's appeal to retirees who unlocked equity elsewhere rather than to working families buying on wages. Development activity remains light at 42 applications in 12 months, consistent with a slow-growth coastal enclave.
Population
2,234
Median Age
51.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,289/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
46
Median House
$920K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price rose from $910,000 in 2024 to $965,000 in 2025, a 6.0% gain over one year. At that price, monthly mortgage repayments average $1,697, and the mortgage-to-income ratio hits 30.4%, above the 30% stress threshold relative to local incomes in the 30th percentile nationally. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94.6%, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 49.9% and 3-bedroom at 41.8%, so larger family homes dominate supply. Only 24.9% of residents carry a mortgage compared to 53.5% owning outright, meaning the purchase market is thin and competitive. Buyers stepping in at this price point face limited nearby comparable sales and a vacancy rate of 29.2%, which suggests a portion of the market is holiday-driven rather than owner-occupier.
For Buyers
The median house price rose from $910,000 in 2024 to $965,000 in 2025, a 6.0% gain over one year. At that price, monthly mortgage repayments average $1,697, and the mortgage-to-income ratio hits 30.4%, above the 30% stress threshold relative to local incomes in the 30th percentile nationally. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94.6%, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 49.9% and 3-bedroom at 41.8%, so larger family homes dominate supply. Only 24.9% of residents carry a mortgage compared to 53.5% owning outright, meaning the purchase market is thin and competitive. Buyers stepping in at this price point face limited nearby comparable sales and a vacancy rate of 29.2%, which suggests a portion of the market is holiday-driven rather than owner-occupier.
For Investors
Weekly rent of $390 against a $965,000 median implies a gross yield of roughly 2.1%, below what most investors target. The 29.2% vacancy rate is the headline risk: that figure is far higher than the national average and reflects the suburb's substantial holiday-home stock. The renter share is only 21.6%, leaving a shallow permanent tenant pool. Development is low at 42 applications in 12 months, so new supply is not a concern. Net internal migration averages minus 11 residents a year, balanced by 11 overseas arrivals, producing a broadly flat population. Rent grew 40.7% over the decade, which outpaced real income growth of 23.9%, suggesting the rental market has tightened despite thin occupancy. The investment case depends on long-term capital growth rather than yield, and is skewed toward short-term or holiday letting given the high vacancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
215
Last 12 Months
46
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+64.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Callala Bay iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Callala Public School
K-6 · 151 students
Demographics
The median age of 51 sits 11 years above the national figure, making Callala Bay one of the older coastal suburbs in NSW by this measure. The senior share of the population grew 7.8 points over the decade while the young-adult share fell 6.6 points, a trajectory consistent with the suburb's identity signals as an aging retirement destination. Overseas-born residents make up 15.1%, which is 6.5 points below the national average, and ancestry is firmly Anglo-Celtic: English (964 residents), Scottish (282), Irish (280) and German (103) dominate. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below the national figure, and 36.8% of families are couples without children, consistent with an older post-family demographic. Volunteering runs at 18.1% of residents, above most comparable suburbs of this size.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.6%
Houses
4.0%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure reflects the retirement character of the suburb: 53.5% own outright, 24.9% carry a mortgage, and only 21.6% rent. This splits very differently from the national average, where outright ownership is far lower. Detached houses account for 94.6% of stock, with semi-detached at 4.0% and apartments at just 1.0%, so the housing type is almost entirely uniform. The bedroom profile skews large, with 49.9% of homes having 4 or more bedrooms and 41.8% having 3 bedrooms. The median house price rose 6.0% from $910,000 in 2024 to $965,000 in 2025. Mortgage-to-income at 30.4% and rent-to-income at 30.3% both sit above the 30% stress threshold, indicating that housing costs are stretched relative to local incomes at the 30th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,697
Rent / wk
$390
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$645
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
29.2%
Unoccupied
365
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.3% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.4% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.8%
Couples, no children
1,778
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.3% of workers (133 people), followed by Public Administration at 17.6% (105) and Construction at 11.7% (70). Education accounts for 10.7% and Retail for 6.7%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 170 workers, followed by Community and Personal Service at 137 and Managers at 104. The participation rate of 46.3% is low, because a large share of residents are retired or not in the labour force (888 people). Unemployment is 5.7%, above average for coastal NSW. SEIFA scores show a split: the IER decile of 6 suggests moderate economic resources, while the IEO decile of 4 and IRSAD decile of 4 both sit in the lower half nationally, reflecting that education and occupation attainment is below average despite reasonable housing wealth among established owners.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
1,505
Unemployed
41
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.7%
Part-time
35.6%
Participation
46.3%
Employed
832
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.6%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
15.1%
Dwellings
892
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 90.0% of commuters driving, while 4.3% walk or cycle. Public transport figures are not recorded for this suburb, which is typical for small coastal communities without fixed rail. No schools are recorded within the Callala Bay boundary, so families rely on facilities in nearby Nowra or Huskisson. Crime statistics are not available at this suburb level. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb in the lower-mid range nationally for advantage, while the IER decile of 6 is higher, reflecting that established homeowners have reasonable assets. About 7.9% of residents (171 people) need daily assistance, above the rate expected for a population this size, consistent with the older median age of 51. Mortgage and rent stress both exceed the 30% threshold relative to local incomes.
Drive
90.0%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
4.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.06%/yr
(+2 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is effectively flat at 0.06% annually, adding roughly 2 residents per year. The 10-year change was 3.2%, and medium forecasts see the wider SA2 holding near 3,645 by 2031 with no meaningful acceleration. Net internal migration averages minus 11 a year, offset by 11 overseas arrivals, producing a balanced but slow trajectory. The gentrification score is 0 and the suburb is classified as not gentrifying, which fits a market already shaped by retirees and holiday owners rather than young professionals repricing the area. Affordability improved modestly from 64.6% of income in 2011 to 59.7% in 2021, though the suburb still sits below the national median on household income at the 30th percentile, so the affordability trend is driven more by retiree equity than local wages rising.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+11
Net Internal / yr
-11
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Callala Bay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Callala Bay a good suburb to live in?
Callala Bay suits retirees and owner-occupiers well, with 53.5% of residents owning their home outright and a quiet coastal character. The IRSAD decile of 4 places it in the lower-mid tier nationally for advantage, and household income sits in the 30th percentile. No schools are recorded within the suburb, making it less suited to families with school-age children.
What is the median house price in Callala Bay?
The median house price is $965,000, up 6.0% from $910,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,697, and weekly rent is $390. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.4% sits above the 30% stress threshold relative to local incomes in the 30th percentile nationally.
What schools are in Callala Bay?
No schools are recorded within the Callala Bay suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in Nowra, around 20 kilometres north, or Huskisson nearby. The suburb's demographic profile, with 36.8% couples without children and a median age of 51, reflects limited demand for local schooling.
Is Callala Bay safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Callala Bay at suburb level. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSAD decile 4, placing it in the lower-mid range nationally for advantage. The low density of 292 residents per km2 and the high proportion of long-term owner-occupiers (53.5% own outright, 83.2% stayed in the same address) are consistent with a stable, low-turnover community.
Is Callala Bay good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $390 against a $965,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.1%, below most investor benchmarks. The 29.2% vacancy rate is the key risk, reflecting significant holiday-home stock rather than permanent tenants. Rent grew 40.7% over the decade, but population growth is near 0%, so the case rests on capital growth and potential short-term letting rather than rental yield.
How is Callala Bay's population changing?
Population growth is 0.06% per year, adding around 2 residents annually. The 10-year change was 3.2%. The suburb is aging: the senior share rose 7.8 points and the young-adult share fell 6.6 points over the decade. Net internal migration is minus 11 a year, balanced by 11 overseas arrivals, producing a broadly stable but slowly aging population.
How much development is happening in Callala Bay?
There were 42 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a moderate level for a suburb of 2,234 residents. Recent applications include alterations, demolitions and dwelling replacements, consistent with an established area upgrading existing stock rather than adding new supply. Population growth of 0.06% annually reflects this limited construction activity.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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