NSW 2261 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Long Jetty

Long Jetty's most distinctive feature is its compact, older resident base: 6,736 people live across 2.54 sq km, giving a density of 2,653 people per sq km. The median age is 45, which is 5 years above the national figure, while the 13.1% vacancy rate may point to a sizeable short-term or loosely occupied housing segment. Compared with nearby The Entrance and Blue Bay, Long Jetty has a more mixed suburban and coastal-market feel, with 41.7% renting and 38.5% living in semi-detached homes. Its profile suits buyers seeking established amenity, but income and mortgage pressures matter.

Long Jetty urban fabric map

Population

6,736

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,201/wk

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

119

2.54 km²· 2,653 people/km²· Family income $1,684/wk

Homebuyers should weigh tenure mix and monthly commitments before focusing on dwelling style. Separate houses account for 54.2% of homes, while semi-detached dwellings represent 38.5%, and the most common format is three bedrooms at 41.2%. The typical mortgage repayment benchmark is $1,950 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 37.5% of household income, so borrowing capacity can be tighter than in lower-stress markets. Compared with a detached-house-only search in nearby The Entrance, Long Jetty may provide more attached-home choice, although buyers should inspect strata, parking and coastal exposure at the address.

For Buyers

Homebuyers should weigh tenure mix and monthly commitments before focusing on dwelling style. Separate houses account for 54.2% of homes, while semi-detached dwellings represent 38.5%, and the most common format is three bedrooms at 41.2%. The typical mortgage repayment benchmark is $1,950 a month, with mortgage costs equal to 37.5% of household income, so borrowing capacity can be tighter than in lower-stress markets. Compared with a detached-house-only search in nearby The Entrance, Long Jetty may provide more attached-home choice, although buyers should inspect strata, parking and coastal exposure at the address.

For Investors

Long Jetty has a sizeable tenant base, with 41.7% of households renting and a weekly rent benchmark of $360. That supports a broad renter pool, but the 13.1% vacancy rate is high enough to make tenant selection, presentation and pricing important because available stock can reduce negotiating power. Development activity is also notable at 116 applications in 12 months, including attached dual occupancies involving 2 dwellings. Compared with a tighter rental market, this combination may mean higher leasing risk even as infill creates newer stock. Investors should stress-test vacancy, maintenance and mortgage costs rather than rely on gross rent alone.

Development Activity

Total DAs

516

Last 12 Months

119

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+15.5%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Demolition
42
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
39
Renovation / Extension
37
Swimming Pool / Spa
35
New Dwelling
29
Subdivision
19
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
9
Other
7

Demographics

Long Jetty leans older and less university-qualified than Australia overall. Its median age is 45, which is 5 years above the national figure, while 22.6% of residents have a university qualification, 7.5 percentage points below the national level. Overseas-born residents account for 13.8%, 7.8 points below nationally, and average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national comparison. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 2,695, 888 and 704, while Christianity counts 3,623 and no religion 2,416. Compared with younger nearby coastal pockets, this supports demand for practical, lower-maintenance housing and local services.

Age Distribution

0-14
15.9%
15-24
10.4%
25-44
23.6%
45-64
26.1%
65+
23.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
8.0%
2 bed
30.3%
3 bed
41.2%
4+ bed
20.5%

Dwelling Structure

54.2%

Houses

38.5%

Townhouse

6.4%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 32.5% Mortgage 24.8% Rent 41.7% Other 1.0%

Long Jetty's housing is more mixed than a conventional detached-family suburb. Separate houses make up 54.2% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 38.5% and apartments 6.4%, while 41.7% of households rent, 32.5% own outright and 24.8% have a mortgage. Three-bedroom homes lead at 41.2%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 30.3%, reflecting the suburb's average household size of 2.2. Compared with a lower-density detached market, this mix can improve entry choice but makes building condition, strata costs and parking more important. The 13.1% vacancy rate is also higher than a tightly occupied market, so investors should avoid assuming scarcity.

Mortgage / mo

$1,950

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $360.

$650

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $680 · units $525

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$665

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

13.1%

Unoccupied

438

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

30.0%

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

37.5% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic
22
Punjabi
22
Italian
16
Mandarin
11
Portuguese
11

Ancestry

English
2,695
Irish
888
Scottish
704
Other
451
Ancestry NS
412
Italian
210

Household Composition

33.0%

Couples with children

39.3%

Couples, no children

25.7%

Single parent

1,752

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is Long Jetty's largest listed industry at 23.0% and 412 workers, followed by construction at 14.3% and 256, education at 12.9% and 232, public administration at 8.2% and 147, and retail at 6.9% and 123. The occupational mix is led by professionals at 520, trades at 445 and community or personal services at 404, which gives the local labour base more variety than a single-industry suburb. Unemployment is 5.8%, participation is 52.1% and household income is $1,201 weekly, at the 25.3rd percentile nationally. These figures help explain why mortgage costs at 37.5% of income can weigh on some households.

Unemployment

5.8%

Labour Force

2,952

Unemployed

172

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Full-time

50.8%

Part-time

36.0%

Participation

52.1%

Employed

2,780

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 520
Trades 445
Community/Personal 404
Clerical/Admin 340
Managers 315
Labourers 306
Sales 252
Machinery/Drivers 141

Top Industries

Healthcare 23.0%
Construction 14.3%
Education 12.9%
Public Admin 8.2%
Retail 6.9%

University

22.6%

Postgraduate

4.1%

Born Overseas

13.8%

Dwellings

2,883

Transport to Work

Daily life is car-oriented: 65.1% travel as a car driver, compared with only 1.1% using public transport and 2.0% walking or cycling. That pattern can make errands practical for drivers but less convenient for households without a car, while 27.6% working from home may reduce commuting needs. Long Jetty's compact 2.54 sq km footprint and density of 2,653 people per sq km support access to local services, and 11.2% volunteering indicates some civic participation. A median age of 45, 7.7% needing assistance and 484 people in that category point to the importance of accessible homes, healthcare and community support. Check exact school catchments and transport times for each address.

Drive

65.1%

Public Transport

1.1%

Walk / Cycle

2.0%

Work from Home

27.6%

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

How Long Jetty compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 8%
Household Income
Bottom 25%
Rent Level
Top 24%
Apartments
Top 10%
Renters
Top 10%
Uni Educated
Bottom 46%
Public Transport
Bottom 22%
Born Overseas
Bottom 48%
Density
Top 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Jetty a good suburb to live in?

Long Jetty can suit buyers wanting an established coastal suburb with a mature resident base and varied housing. It has 6,736 residents, a median age of 45 and 27.6% working from home. The main trade-off is car dependence: 65.1% drive to work and only 1.1% use public transport, so test the daily trip from the exact address.

What is the median house price in Long Jetty?

A current median house price needs to be checked against recent settled sales rather than inferred from rent. Long Jetty has a $360 weekly rent benchmark and a $1,950 monthly mortgage benchmark. Dwelling type matters because 54.2% of homes are separate houses and 38.5% are semi-detached.

What schools are in Long Jetty?

Families should confirm the nearest school and enrolment zone for the exact address rather than assume a school sits within the suburb boundary. Long Jetty covers 2.54 sq km and has 6,736 residents, so nearby options may be just outside the boundary. Check travel time, sector and intake rules before signing a lease or contract.

Is Long Jetty safe?

A suburb-level safety judgement should use current local crime information rather than assumptions. Long Jetty has 6,736 residents and a median age of 45, but those demographic figures do not measure crime. Review recent NSW Police information and visit the exact street at different times, especially if comparing a main road, unit complex or quieter residential pocket.

Is Long Jetty good for property investment?

Long Jetty may appeal to investors because 41.7% of households rent and the rent benchmark is $360 a week. However, vacancy is 13.1%, which is higher than a tightly supplied market, and 116 development applications in 12 months could add competing stock. Model vacancy, repairs and interest costs carefully before relying on gross yield.

How is Long Jetty's population changing?

Long Jetty currently has 6,736 residents. Population change appears more likely to be infill-led than greenfield-led because 116 development applications were made over 12 months, including attached dual occupancies involving 2 dwellings. The 41.7% rental share and 13.1% vacancy rate suggest housing turnover and supply will remain important to the suburb's direction.

What development is occurring in Long Jetty?

Recent activity is focused on small-scale residential additions rather than a single large project. There were 116 applications over 12 months, including a secondary dwelling and attached dual occupancies involving 2 dwellings. In a 2.54 sq km suburb, this type of infill can gradually increase housing choice and affect parking, access and streetscape conditions.

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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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