Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores stands out for its mature, detached-home profile: 5,777 residents, a median age of 43, and 83.8% of dwellings separate houses. Age sits 3 years above the national figure, while 26.0% of residents work from home, helping explain why a low-density coastal setting can support a settled lifestyle. Ownership is substantial, with 37.5% owning outright and 34.2% paying a mortgage. Compared with a Brunswick Heads or Mullumbimby search, Ocean Shores is the clearer fit for buyers prioritising three and four-bedroom houses, which account for 52.7% and 29.7% of homes. The trade-off is an aging trajectory and car-led daily travel.
Population
5,777
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,471/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
73
Homebuyers are mainly choosing detached stock rather than compact apartments. Separate houses account for 83.8% of dwellings, compared with 6.8% apartments and 9.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties are far more common than two-bedroom homes, at 52.7% versus 12.3%, while 29.7% have 4 or more bedrooms. This creates a practical family-home market, although buyers seeking smaller or low-maintenance housing will have fewer choices than in an apartment-led suburb. A typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,893, with mortgage repayments at 29.7% of household income and mortgage stress not flagged. Rent stress is higher at 34.5%, so affordability should be assessed against both borrowing capacity and local rents.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are mainly choosing detached stock rather than compact apartments. Separate houses account for 83.8% of dwellings, compared with 6.8% apartments and 9.5% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties are far more common than two-bedroom homes, at 52.7% versus 12.3%, while 29.7% have 4 or more bedrooms. This creates a practical family-home market, although buyers seeking smaller or low-maintenance housing will have fewer choices than in an apartment-led suburb. A typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,893, with mortgage repayments at 29.7% of household income and mortgage stress not flagged. Rent stress is higher at 34.5%, so affordability should be assessed against both borrowing capacity and local rents.
For Investors
Ocean Shores has a meaningful rental market, with 26.7% of occupied dwellings rented and weekly rent at $508. Vacancy is 7.3%, which is higher than the share of residents using public transport at 0.2%, though those measures describe different pressures. Rent stress reaches 34.5% of income, above the 29.7% mortgage repayment share, indicating that tenant affordability may constrain future rent increases. Development activity is notable, with 72 applications recorded across 12 months, including a dual occupancy proposal for 2 dwellings. The forecast trend is 1.13% annually with Balanced migration, but the Aging trajectory means investors should prioritise adaptable homes and assess tenant demand rather than rely on growth alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
398
Last 12 Months
73
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+32.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Ocean Shores
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Ocean Shores has an older population profile, with a median age of 43, or 3 years above the national figure. University participation is 34.0%, which is 3.9 percentage points higher than the national comparison, while the overseas-born share is 21.1%, or 0.5 points below national levels. Average household size is 2.4 people, 0.1 below the national comparison, supporting demand for three-bedroom homes and downsizer-friendly layouts. English ancestry is reported by 2,349 people, followed by Irish at 904 and Scottish at 694. No religion accounts for 3,379 people, compared with 1,417 identifying with Christianity. With 76.0% staying at the same address and 24.0% turnover, the suburb is more settled than highly transient.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.8%
Houses
9.5%
Townhouse
6.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is firmly detached-dominated, with 83.8% of dwellings separate houses, 9.5% semi-detached and 6.8% apartments. The largest bedroom category is 3 bedrooms at 52.7%, higher than the 29.7% share with 4 or more bedrooms and well above the 12.3% share of 2-bedroom homes. Tenure is split between 37.5% owned outright, 34.2% mortgaged, 26.7% rented and 1.6% other arrangements. This mix supports a settled owner market while retaining a sizeable rental pool because more than 1 in 4 households rent. Vacancy is 7.3%, and the $1,893 monthly mortgage figure gives buyers a useful affordability reference alongside household income of $1,471 per week. Compared with Brunswick Heads or Mullumbimby searches, Ocean Shores should appeal most to buyers wanting conventional family-sized houses.
Mortgage / mo
$1,893
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $508.
$920
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $980 · units $550
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$711
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.3%
Unoccupied
174
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.5% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.5%
Couples with children
39.3%
Couples, no children
23.1%
Single parent
1,495
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Ocean Shores's largest industry, employing 411 people or 22.3%, followed by education at 251 people or 13.6%, construction at 186 or 10.1%, professional and technical work at 176 or 9.5%, and retail at 131 or 7.1%. The occupation mix is led by professionals at 672, trades at 400, community and personal services at 356, managers at 311, and clerical and administrative workers at 254. Labour-force participation is 57.8%, unemployment is 5.9%, and 1,319 employed residents work part time compared with 1,094 full time. Household income is $1,471 weekly, at the 45.5th percentile, below the midpoint. Socioeconomic measures are uneven: IEO sits in decile 7, higher than IRSAD decile 6 and IER decile 5, because education and occupation advantages are stronger than broader economic resources.
Unemployment
5.9%
Labour Force
2,776
Unemployed
163
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
41.9%
Part-time
50.5%
Participation
57.8%
Employed
2,613
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.0%
Postgraduate
7.5%
Born Overseas
21.1%
Dwellings
2,199
Transport to Work
Ocean Shores suits residents comfortable with car-based travel and a lower-density setting. About 67.0% of commuters drive, compared with just 0.2% using public transport and 2.6% walking or cycling, while 26.0% work from home. The suburb has 5,777 residents across 12.85 square kilometres, producing a density of 449.6 people per square kilometre. Families have access to 1 local government primary school, Ocean Shores Public School, and should check the exact enrolment zone before buying because boundaries can cut across suburb edges. IRSAD sits in decile 6, above the midpoint decile 5, and volunteering is 19.7%. The 5.0% need-assistance rate is an important planning consideration. Compared with a more transit-oriented location, Ocean Shores requires greater reliance on private vehicles, although its work-from-home share supports local flexibility.
Drive
67.0%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
26.0%
Population Forecast
+1.13%/yr
(+110 people/yr)
EstablishedOcean Shores has positive but measured growth. The annual trend is 1.13%, higher than zero, and migration is classified as Balanced rather than driven by a single source. The wider-area population change is 18.6% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 3.7 percentage points and the young share down 3.3 points. Rent growth has reached 50.9%, which can increase investor interest but also intensify affordability pressure. The gentrification forecast is at an Early signs stage with a score of 22, while the broader shift profile records a score of 58 and an Active stage. This combination points to gradual change because lifestyle demand and housing activity are building alongside an older resident base.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+76
Net Internal / yr
+37
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Accelerating: 6% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ocean Shores compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocean Shores a good suburb to live in?
Ocean Shores can suit households wanting a settled coastal suburb with larger homes and a strong work-from-home base. It has 5,777 residents, a median age of 43 and 83.8% separate houses. The main trade-offs are car dependence, with 67.0% driving, and an aging population trajectory.
What is the median house price in Ocean Shores?
Use current sales data or a local agent's appraisal for the latest median. Ocean Shores has 83.8% separate houses, with 52.7% three-bedroom and 29.7% four-plus-bedroom homes, so the relevant median can vary considerably by dwelling size, land component and renovation level.
What schools are in Ocean Shores?
Ocean Shores Public School is the local government primary school, giving the suburb 1 listed local school. Confirm the exact intake zone and available places before choosing an address, because enrolment boundaries can differ across nearby streets and neighbouring locations.
Is Ocean Shores safe?
No single safety label should replace current checks. Review NSW Police information, council updates and the immediate street environment before committing, including visits at different times. Ocean Shores has 5,777 residents and a 7.3% vacancy rate, but those figures are not measures of crime or personal safety.
Is Ocean Shores good for property investment?
It may suit investors seeking established houses, with weekly rent of $508, a 7.3% vacancy rate and 26.7% of dwellings rented. However, rent stress is 34.5%, development activity reached 72 applications over 12 months, and the 1.13% annual trend should be weighed against an Aging population profile.
How is Ocean Shores's population changing?
The wider-area forecast records 18.6% population change over 10 years and an annual trend of 1.13%, with migration classified as Balanced. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share increased 3.7 percentage points while the young share fell 3.3 points.
What development is happening in Ocean Shores?
There were 72 development applications across the latest 12-month period. Examples include a dual occupancy modification involving 2 dwellings, a new shed or structure, and alterations involving a deck, patio, verandah or swimming pool. Check each proposal's current status before relying on it.
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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