NSW 2481 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Ewingsdale

At $2.7 million median, Ewingsdale sits at the extreme upper end of the Byron hinterland market, yet it functions as a genuine residential enclave rather than a holiday address. With just 1,025 residents spread across 18.78 km2, the density of 54.6 people per km2 is a fraction of urban Sydney, and 98.3% of dwellings are separate houses on large lots. Household income lands in the 92.9th percentile nationally, and 37.5% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 7.4 percentage points above the national average. The combination of very high prices, overwhelmingly detached stock, and a participation rate of 56.4% points to a community of established, asset-rich households rather than a high-churn professional precinct.

Ewingsdale urban fabric map

Population

1,025

Median Age

42.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,553/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

26

Median House

$2.7M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

18.78 km²· 54.6 people/km²· Family income $2,557/wk

The median house price of $2,700,000 makes Ewingsdale one of the most expensive rural-fringe markets in NSW, far higher than state or national medians. From $2,750,000 in 2024 to $2,690,000 in 2025, prices dipped about 2.2%, a minor correction from the post-pandemic peak. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.3%, with 55.8% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, which is a strong indicator of large family-scale homes on acreage. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,049, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high prices, because household incomes here run in the top 7% nationally. Outright owners account for 38.5% and mortgage holders 34.5%, a pattern typical of a long-established, affluent suburb with limited turnover.

For Buyers

The median house price of $2,700,000 makes Ewingsdale one of the most expensive rural-fringe markets in NSW, far higher than state or national medians. From $2,750,000 in 2024 to $2,690,000 in 2025, prices dipped about 2.2%, a minor correction from the post-pandemic peak. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.3%, with 55.8% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, which is a strong indicator of large family-scale homes on acreage. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,049, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.6%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high prices, because household incomes here run in the top 7% nationally. Outright owners account for 38.5% and mortgage holders 34.5%, a pattern typical of a long-established, affluent suburb with limited turnover.

For Investors

Ewingsdale holds 27.0% renters and median weekly rent of $600. Against the $2,700,000 median house price, that rent implies a gross yield around 1.2%, which is lower than most investment-grade markets. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to the national average, signalling that rental demand struggles to absorb available stock, likely because the remote Byron hinterland location limits the pool of working tenants. Development activity has been moderate with 25 applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly alterations and subdivisions rather than new dwelling construction. The turnover rate of 28.4% with 71.6% of residents having stayed suggests a stable but slow-moving market where capital growth, not yield, has historically driven returns.

Development Activity

Total DAs

110

Last 12 Months

26

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+8.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
14
Garage / Carport / Shed
9
Swimming Pool / Spa
9
New Dwelling
5
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
5
Commercial / Industrial
3
Change of Use
2
Demolition
1

Demographics

Ewingsdale's median age of 42 sits 2 years above the national figure, consistent with a mature, established residential community. University qualifications at 37.5% run 7.4 percentage points above the national average, reflecting the professional and managerial weight in the workforce. The overseas-born share of 22.5% is 0.9 percentage points above national, with ancestry dominated by English (429 residents), Irish (178) and Scottish (115), a strongly Anglo-Celtic profile with limited linguistic diversity. Average household size of 3.0 is 0.5 above the national figure, which aligns with the prevalence of large four-plus bedroom family homes. Volunteering runs at 23.6% and couples with children make up the largest family type at 290 households compared to 217 couples without children.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.8%
15-24
8.5%
25-44
28.4%
45-64
29.7%
65+
17.3%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
11.3%
2 bed
9.6%
3 bed
23.3%
4+ bed
55.8%

Dwelling Structure

98.3%

Houses

N/A

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.5% Mortgage 34.5% Rent 27.0%

Ewingsdale's housing stock is structurally unusual: 98.3% separate houses with almost no apartments or semi-detached dwellings, and 55.8% of those houses have four or more bedrooms. This means buyers overwhelmingly purchase large detached properties, and the few smaller dwellings (9.6% at two bedrooms, 23.3% at three bedrooms) are scarce. Tenure splits into 38.5% outright owners, 34.5% mortgage holders, and 27.0% renters. Prices ran from $2,750,000 in 2024 to $2,690,000 in 2025, a 2.2% decline, sitting at the peak-to-latest discount. Rent averages $600 per week and mortgage repayments $3,049 per month. Mortgage-to-income at 27.6% and rent-to-income at 23.5% both stay below the 30% stress line, because incomes at the 92.9th percentile nationally give residents more headroom than typical regional buyers.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$3,049

Rent / wk

$600

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$958

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.0%

Unoccupied

23

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.5%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

27.6%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
429
Irish
178
Ancestry NS
127
Other
123
Scottish
115
German
63

Household Composition

30.1%

Couples, no children

721

Total families

Economy & Employment

Construction and Healthcare each lead employment at 12.7% (41 workers apiece), followed by Hospitality and Education at 11.5% each, and Professional/Tech at 10.8%. The workforce is reasonably balanced across sectors, avoiding dependence on any single industry. By occupation, Professionals (114) and Managers (105) dominate, accounting for the top two groups. The unemployment rate is 4.7%, modestly higher than capital-city averages, and the full-time employment rate of 50.5% sits alongside near-equal part-time employment of 229 workers, suggesting flexible arrangements are common. The participation rate of 56.4% is below average because 222 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with a cohort of semi-retired or independently wealthy households relative to national and state workforce norms.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

50.5%

Part-time

44.8%

Participation

56.4%

Employed

463

Occupations

Professionals 114
Managers 105
Clerical/Admin 55
Community/Personal 43
Sales 41
Labourers 40
Machinery/Drivers 22

Top Industries

Construction 12.7%
Healthcare 12.7%
Hospitality 11.5%
Education 11.5%
Professional/Tech 10.8%

University

37.5%

Postgraduate

6.9%

Born Overseas

22.5%

Dwellings

296

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high, with 86.9% of residents driving to work, which is expected given the rural setting and lack of public transport infrastructure serving the suburb. Walking and cycling account for 8.7%, above the national average for rural areas, partly because residents use local trails and the Byron Bay town centre is accessible by bicycle for some. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schooling in Byron Bay and surrounding towns. The need-for-assistance rate of 2.2% (20 residents) is low. Rent-to-income at 23.5% and mortgage-to-income at 27.6% both stay below the 30% stress threshold, meaning residents at the 92.9th percentile income level are not financially stretched by local housing costs despite the $2.7 million median price point.

Drive

86.9%

Public Transport

N/A

Walk / Cycle

8.7%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Ewingsdale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 28%
Household Income
Top 7%
Rent Level
Top 2%
Renters
Top 34%
Uni Educated
Top 21%
Born Overseas
Top 24%
Density
Top 30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ewingsdale a good suburb to live in?

Ewingsdale suits buyers seeking large, private acreage homes with rural outlook near Byron Bay. Household incomes land in the 92.9th percentile nationally, 37.5% of residents hold university qualifications, and mortgage-to-income at 27.6% stays below the stress threshold. The trade-off is high prices at $2.7 million median, car-dependent access, and no schools within the suburb boundary.

What is the median house price in Ewingsdale?

The median house price is $2,700,000. Prices dipped 2.2% from $2,750,000 in 2024 to $2,690,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,049 and weekly rent runs at $600, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 23.5% for tenants.

What schools are in Ewingsdale?

No schools are recorded within the Ewingsdale suburb boundary. Families rely on schools in Byron Bay and neighbouring suburbs. The local population is well educated, with 37.5% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 7.4 percentage points above the national figure.

Is Ewingsdale safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Ewingsdale in this dataset. As indirect indicators, only 2.2% of residents (20 people) need daily assistance, housing stress is low with mortgage-to-income at 27.6%, and the suburb identity aligns with a premium, established residential community where incomes sit in the 92.9th percentile nationally.

Is Ewingsdale good for property investment?

Investment returns are yield-constrained. Rent of $600 per week against a $2,700,000 median implies a gross yield around 1.2%, and the vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to most markets. The 27% renter share and 25 development applications over 12 months indicate activity, but capital growth, not income, has historically driven returns here.

How is Ewingsdale's population changing?

Ewingsdale has a small population of 1,025 residents across 18.78 km2. The turnover rate is 28.4%, with 71.6% of residents having stayed in place, indicating moderate churn around a stable core. The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, suggesting the suburb is gradually aging as long-term owners remain rather than being replaced by younger families.

How much development is happening in Ewingsdale?

There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Activity includes dwelling alterations, subdivisions and new structures. Given the 18.78 km2 area and rural acreage character, development is incremental rather than high-volume, consistent with the suburb's low density of 54.6 residents per km2.

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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