Callala Bay
A 51-year median age and a population of 2,234 give Callala Bay a settled coastal profile, while 94.6% of homes are separate houses and the vacancy rate is 29.2%. The median age is 11 years above the national figure, and household income sits at the 30th percentile, so demand is shaped more by established owners than high-income professional growth. Compared with nearby Callala Beach, Callala Bay has an identified local primary school that supports everyday family access. Growth is only 0.06% annually, reinforcing a slower, older trajectory rather than rapid expansion.
Local council: Shoalhaven
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
49
Callala Bay suits buyers seeking conventional, larger-format housing, because 94.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 49.9% have 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for another 41.8%, while apartments make up only 1.0%, so buyers should expect a market centred on detached properties rather than compact units. A monthly mortgage figure of 1,697 sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.4%, which explains why affordability still needs close testing despite the suburb's owner base. Compared with apartment-oriented coastal markets, the trade-off is more land and space but potentially fewer low-cost entry options. Recent comparable sales, block size, condition and distance to services should guide any offer.
For Buyers
Callala Bay suits buyers seeking conventional, larger-format housing, because 94.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 49.9% have 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for another 41.8%, while apartments make up only 1.0%, so buyers should expect a market centred on detached properties rather than compact units. A monthly mortgage figure of 1,697 sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.4%, which explains why affordability still needs close testing despite the suburb's owner base. Compared with apartment-oriented coastal markets, the trade-off is more land and space but potentially fewer low-cost entry options. Recent comparable sales, block size, condition and distance to services should guide any offer.
For Investors
Callala Bay presents a selective rather than high-turnover investment case. Weekly rent is 390, 21.3% of households rent, and the vacancy rate is 29.2%, so leasing demand may be less dependable than in tightly supplied markets. The 49 development applications in the past 12 months matter because residential accommodation and subdivision activity can add competing stock, particularly where local demand growth is only 0.06% annually. Migration is Balanced, providing no clear external-demand tailwind. Investors should stress-test extended vacancy, insurance, maintenance and resale depth. Rent growth of 40.7% supports the income story, but the 52.9% outright ownership share may also mean slower tenant churn than in more mobile markets.
Development Activity
Total DAs
228
Last 12 Months
49
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+75.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Callala Bay
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Callala Bay has an older resident base, with a median age of 51, which is 11 years above the national figure. The overseas-born share is 15.1%, or 6.5 percentage points below national, while university attainment is 22.6%, 7.5 points below national. Average household size is 2.4, slightly below the national comparison of 2.5, matching the presence of 330 couples without children and 220 couples with children. English ancestry is the largest recorded group at 964 people, followed by Scottish at 282 and Irish at 280. Christianity accounts for 1,173 residents compared with 893 reporting no religion. Compared with younger, more migrant-heavy suburbs, this profile points to longer-established households and ageing-related service needs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.6%
Houses
4.0%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Callala Bay is strongly detached and owner-oriented. Separate houses account for 94.6% of dwellings, compared with only 1.0% apartments and 4.0% semi-detached homes. The bedroom profile is also spacious, with 49.9% of properties offering 4 or more bedrooms and 41.8% offering 3 bedrooms, so the suburb differs from smaller, unit-heavy markets. Ownership is split between 52.9% owned outright and 24.6% with a mortgage, while 21.3% are rented. Mortgage costs equal 30.4% of household income and rent equals 30.3%, both around the common stress threshold, because household incomes are at the 30th percentile. The result is stable tenure alongside meaningful affordability pressure for newer buyers and renters.
Mortgage / mo
$1,697
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $390.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $610 · units $470
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
33.2%
Couples with children
49.8%
Couples, no children
15.4%
Single parent
662
Total families
Economy & Employment
Callala Bay's employment base is led by Healthcare at 22.3% or 133 workers, Public Administration at 17.6% or 105, Construction at 11.7% or 70, Education at 10.7% or 64, and Retail at 6.7% or 40. The occupation mix includes 170 professionals, 143 trades workers, 137 community and personal service workers, 104 managers and 104 labourers, giving the local economy a practical service and infrastructure focus. Unemployment is 5.3% among a labour force of 945, while participation is 49.6% and 888 people are outside the labour force, consistent with an older population. Household income of 1,289 per week ranks at the 30th percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA results are mixed: IEO decile 4, IER decile 6, IRSD decile 5 and IRSAD decile 4. The higher resources decile than education and occupation decile suggests economic capacity is not uniform across households.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
945
Unemployed
50
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.5%
Part-time
38.4%
Participation
49.6%
Employed
895
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.6%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
15.1%
Dwellings
892
Transport to Work
Daily life in Callala Bay is car-led: 78.1% of residents travel as car drivers, compared with 3.7% who walk or cycle, while 13.2% work from home. That pattern makes parking, road access and proximity to shops and services more important than in denser urban suburbs. One local school is identified, Callala Public School, a government primary school; families should check enrolment zones and travel arrangements for higher grades against the exact address. Compared with nearby Callala Beach, Callala Bay has an identified local primary option, which may simplify routines for families with younger children. SEIFA IRSAD is at decile 4 and IRSD at decile 5, placing relative advantage around the middle to lower-middle range, while IER decile 6 is higher than IEO decile 4. A total of 49 development applications in 12 months also makes it sensible to check construction impacts and future traffic near a prospective home.
Drive
78.1%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
13.2%
Growth Outlook
Callala Bay's growth profile is slow and ageing. The forecast annual trend is 0.06%, and population change across the wider area is 3.2% over 10 years, which is modest compared with high-growth corridors. Migration is classified as Balanced, so expansion is not being driven by a strong internal or overseas inflow. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 7.8 percentage points and the young share down 6.6 points. That shift matters because demand is more likely to centre on established homes, downsizing and local services than rapid family inflows. The current gentrification score is 0, classified as Not gentrifying, so the slow-growth outlook is not presently translating into a redevelopment-led market. Development activity can still create local change, with 49 applications recorded over 12 months.
Population trend: Shoalhaven council area
Callala Bay sits in the Shoalhaven council area. These are the council area's residents, not Callala Bay's.
Residents 2025
111,755
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.8%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
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 can suit households wanting detached homes, quieter surroundings and a settled resident base. The median age is 51, 94.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 78.1% of commuters drive. It is less suited to people seeking frequent public transport or a strong apartment and nightlife environment, so inspect access to work, shops and services before choosing an address.
What is the median house price in Callala Bay?
A current suburb-wide median should be checked against recent comparable sales rather than used as the sole budget guide. Callala Bay is dominated by separate houses at 94.6%, with 49.9% of homes containing 4 or more bedrooms. Compare land size, condition, bedroom count and proximity to services, and allow for the 1,697 monthly mortgage figure and 30.4% mortgage-to-income pressure.
What schools are in Callala Bay?
One local school is identified within Callala Bay: Callala Public School, a government primary school. Families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact property and plan travel for secondary education. The suburb has 2,234 residents, so school access should be considered alongside transport, childcare and other daily services.
Is Callala Bay safe?
Use current NSW Police crime maps, council information and an evening inspection of the exact street when assessing safety. A suburb-wide crime rate is not stated, so it would be inappropriate to label every part of Callala Bay the same. The population is 2,234 and 7.9% of residents report needing assistance, making lighting, footpaths, parking and nearby services practical factors to inspect.
Is Callala Bay good for property investment?
Callala Bay requires careful selection rather than an assumption of automatic investment performance. Weekly rent is 390, but vacancy is 29.2% and annual growth is only 0.06%, so holding costs and longer leasing periods should be modelled. There were 49 development applications in 12 months, while migration is Balanced. Compare comparable rents, insurance, maintenance and resale depth before committing.
How is Callala Bay's population changing?
Callala Bay has 2,234 residents today and is moving through an ageing trajectory. The median age is 51, senior share has increased by 7.8 percentage points and young share has fallen by 6.6 points. Wider-area population change is 3.2% over 10 years, with a forecast annual trend of 0.06% and Balanced migration, indicating gradual rather than rapid change.
What development is happening in Callala Bay?
There were 49 development applications in the past 12 months, including residential accommodation, subdivision and new structures such as sheds. This level of activity can affect construction noise, traffic and future housing supply, even where growth is only 0.06% annually. Buyers should check current applications, adjoining lots and likely construction timing before purchasing.
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 education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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