Laurieton
With a median age of 67, Laurieton runs 27 years above the national figure, making it one of the oldest resident bases in NSW. Just 2,012 people live across 4.33 square kilometres, giving a density of 464 per km2. Household income sits in the 3.5th percentile nationally, yet the median house price has held at $685,000. Nearly 59% of dwellings are owned outright, a share well above average, because most residents are long-settled retirees rather than recent buyers. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 and IEO decile 3 both rank below the national midpoint, reflecting low incomes and limited workforce participation in an area shaped by retirement rather than economic activity.
Population
2,012
Median Age
67.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$755/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$685K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price in Laurieton is $685,000, rising modestly from $679,500 in 2024 to $692,500 in 2025, a 1.9% gain. That growth rate is lower than many coastal NSW markets. Separate houses make up 54.5% of the stock, semi-detached dwellings 25.5% and apartments 14.3%, so there is genuine variety in what buyers can pursue. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 44.3%, followed by two-bedroom at 32.9%. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 41.8%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, which reflects how low local incomes are rather than how expensive the market is. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,365, low compared to Sydney markets, but household weekly income of only $755 sits in the 3.5th percentile nationally.
For Buyers
The median house price in Laurieton is $685,000, rising modestly from $679,500 in 2024 to $692,500 in 2025, a 1.9% gain. That growth rate is lower than many coastal NSW markets. Separate houses make up 54.5% of the stock, semi-detached dwellings 25.5% and apartments 14.3%, so there is genuine variety in what buyers can pursue. Three-bedroom homes are the most common at 44.3%, followed by two-bedroom at 32.9%. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 41.8%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, which reflects how low local incomes are rather than how expensive the market is. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,365, low compared to Sydney markets, but household weekly income of only $755 sits in the 3.5th percentile nationally.
For Investors
Laurieton's 29.3% renter share is lower than the state average, and weekly rent of $315 produces a gross yield around 2.4% on the $685,000 median. The vacancy rate of 8.6% is elevated compared to typical coastal towns, suggesting the rental market can be soft outside peak periods. Development activity is modest at 8 applications in the past 12 months. On the demand side, net internal migration to the broader SA2 runs at 470 people a year, driven by sea-change and retirement flows, and the population has grown 17.4% over 10 years. Rent rose 39.4% over the measured period while real income grew 16.8%, a gap that has pressured existing renters but supported landlord returns. The gentrification score of 48 sits in the active stage.
Development Activity
Total DAs
98
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-42.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Laurieton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Joseph's Primary School
K-6 · 181 students
Laurieton Public School
K-6 · 151 students
Camden Haven High School
7-12 · 896 students
Demographics
The median age of 67 is 27 years above the national figure, reflecting a retirement-oriented population. The senior share rose 9.1 points and the working-age share fell 5 points over the decade, continuing a clear aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents are 11.8%, which is 9.8 points below the national average, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,028), Irish (304) and Scottish (230) lead. Average household size is 1.7, which is 0.8 below the national figure, consistent with the dominance of older couples: 59.8% of families are couples without children, one of the highest such shares nationally. University qualifications stand at 15.8%, running 14.3 points below national, which aligns with a cohort that predates the university expansion era.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
54.5%
Houses
25.5%
Townhouse
14.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright ownership at 58.7% sits well above national norms, because the long-tenured retirement cohort has paid off mortgages over decades. Only 12.0% carry a mortgage, the lowest tenure category, and 29.3% rent. Separate houses dominate at 54.5%, with semi-detached dwellings at 25.5% and apartments at 14.3%. The three-bedroom segment is largest at 44.3%, followed by two-bedroom at 32.9% and four-plus at 14.4%. Prices moved from $679,500 in 2024 to $692,500 in 2025, a 1.9% rise, well below the pace of larger coastal NSW cities. Mortgage-to-income at 41.8% and rent-to-income at 41.7% both exceed the 30% stress threshold, which is primarily because weekly household income of $755 is in the 3.5th percentile nationally rather than because absolute housing costs are high.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,365
Rent / wk
$315
HH Size
1.7
Personal Income / wk
$487
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.6%
Unoccupied
99
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
41.7% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
41.8% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
59.8%
Couples, no children
1,273
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.5% of workers, followed by Construction and Education each at 11.2%, then Professional/Tech at 8.6% and Retail at 7.9%. This reflects a service-oriented local economy catering to an elderly population. The unemployment rate is 9.9% and the labour participation rate is just 24.8%, far below national norms, because 1,278 of 2,012 residents are not in the labour force, mostly retirees. Full-time and part-time employment are split evenly at 209 workers each. SEIFA IRSD sits at decile 4 and IRSAD at decile 3, both below the national median, indicating concentrated disadvantage relative to Australia broadly. Personal weekly income of $487 is low compared to the national average, consistent with a pension-reliant resident base.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
7,845
Unemployed
227
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
50.0%
Part-time
40.1%
Participation
24.8%
Employed
418
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.8%
Postgraduate
3.1%
Born Overseas
11.8%
Dwellings
1,045
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high: 83.6% drive to work, while 10.9% walk or cycle, above average for a coastal town. Public transport data is not available for this suburb. There are no schools recorded within Laurieton, so families with children rely on nearby towns for schooling. Crime data is not available, though the IRSD decile 4 placement ranks below the national median on relative disadvantage. Volunteering is active at 17.5% of residents, above many comparable communities. The need-for-assistance rate is elevated at 15.5%, with 300 people requiring daily help, consistent with a median age of 67 and an aging population. Rent stress at 41.7% of income is higher than national averages, but the low absolute rent of $315 weekly reflects regional pricing compared to metropolitan benchmarks.
Drive
83.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
10.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.29%/yr
(+257 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 17.4% over the past decade, reaching 2,012, and annual growth now trends at 1.29%, adding roughly 26 people a year locally. The broader SA2 population of around 19,995 in 2025 is forecast to reach 21,174 by 2031 under the medium scenario, driven by internal migration averaging 470 net arrivals a year. Overseas migration adds 59 per year. The gentrification score of 48 classifies the area as active, with signals including 23% population growth since 2011 and accelerating internal migration. Affordability has been stable, moving from 63.7% in 2011 to 61.8% in 2021. The aging trajectory is the defining shift: with young-age share falling 3.7 points and senior share rising 9.1 points, the suburb is consolidating as a retirement destination rather than a family growth corridor.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+59
Net Internal / yr
+470
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +23% since 2011, Net internal migration +470/yr, Accelerating: 5% → 18%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Laurieton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurieton a good suburb to live in?
Laurieton suits retirees and those seeking a quiet coastal lifestyle. With a median age of 67 and 59% of dwellings owned outright, it is firmly established as a retirement community. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 places it below the national median on advantage, and services reflect a smaller town of 2,012 residents. Families or those seeking employment locally may find limited options.
What is the median house price in Laurieton?
The median house price is $685,000, having risen 1.9% from $679,500 in 2024 to $692,500 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $315 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,365, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 41.8% against local incomes.
What schools are in Laurieton?
No schools are recorded inside Laurieton in this dataset. Families with school-age children rely on schools in neighbouring towns. The local population has a university qualification rate of 15.8%, which is 14.3 points below the national figure, reflecting the older resident cohort.
Is Laurieton safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Laurieton in this dataset. The suburb scores IRSD decile 4, below the national median on relative disadvantage. The 15.5% of residents needing daily assistance and the low labour participation rate of 24.8% reflect the aging population rather than social disorder risk factors.
Is Laurieton good for property investment?
Rental yield is approximately 2.4% based on $315 weekly rent against the $685,000 median, below most investors' targets. The vacancy rate of 8.6% is elevated, suggesting seasonal demand cycles. However, rent rose 39.4% over the measured period and net internal migration to the region runs at 470 per year, supporting longer-term demand from sea-changers.
How is Laurieton's population changing?
The local population of 2,012 grew 17.4% over 10 years and continues to grow at 1.29% annually. The aging trajectory is pronounced: the senior share rose 9.1 points and the working-age share fell 5 points over the decade. Internal migration of 470 net arrivals per year to the broader area drives most of this growth.
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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