South Bathurst
A detached-household profile defines South Bathurst, where 1,583 residents live across 4.65 square kilometres at a density of 340.6 people per square kilometre. The suburb is younger than the national profile by 2.0 years, yet its 38 median age still points to an established family and working-adult base. Housing is dominated by separate houses at 89.0%, while 59.5% of dwellings have three bedrooms. Compared with nearby Kelso, its compact footprint makes street-level inspection especially useful. The 37.8% renting share and 7.5% vacancy rate create a meaningful tenant market, while household income sits at the 26.6th percentile nationally, making price discipline and commuting costs important.
Local council: Bathurst
Population
1,583
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,222/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
14
South Bathurst suits buyers prioritising detached living, practical floorplans and access to the wider Bathurst area. Separate houses account for 89.0% of dwellings, apartments only 1.8%, and three-bedroom homes represent 59.5%, so the stock is more family-oriented than apartment-led. A monthly mortgage figure of $1,394 sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, while rent-to-income is 25.4%, indicating housing costs are material but not flagged as stressed. Compared with apartment-heavy locations, buyers here should focus on land size, maintenance and renovation quality. With household income at the 26.6th percentile, careful borrowing limits and allowance for transport costs are important.
For Buyers
South Bathurst suits buyers prioritising detached living, practical floorplans and access to the wider Bathurst area. Separate houses account for 89.0% of dwellings, apartments only 1.8%, and three-bedroom homes represent 59.5%, so the stock is more family-oriented than apartment-led. A monthly mortgage figure of $1,394 sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.3%, while rent-to-income is 25.4%, indicating housing costs are material but not flagged as stressed. Compared with apartment-heavy locations, buyers here should focus on land size, maintenance and renovation quality. With household income at the 26.6th percentile, careful borrowing limits and allowance for transport costs are important.
For Investors
South Bathurst has a rental profile worth investigating because 37.8% of households rent and the weekly rent figure is $310. The 7.5% vacancy rate is higher than a tightly supplied market would normally suggest, so rental pricing, tenant demand and property presentation should be tested carefully rather than assumed. Compared with the 31.2% outright-owned share, renting is a sizeable part of the local tenure mix. Detached houses make up 89.0% of stock, supporting demand for conventional family accommodation, while 14 development applications in 12 months indicate some ongoing property activity. Investment returns will depend on purchase price because no current median house price is available here.
Development Activity
Total DAs
76
Last 12 Months
14
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+40.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
South Bathurst has a median age of 38, which is 2.0 years below the national figure, and its average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below the national average. The population is predominantly Australian-born, with 9.9% born overseas, 11.7 percentage points below the national level. University attainment is 26.9%, or 3.2 percentage points below the national comparison. English ancestry is recorded for 633 people, followed by Irish at 249 and Scottish at 190. Christianity accounts for 763 residents and no religion for 662. Compared with a more migrant-heavy urban district, South Bathurst has a more Anglo-oriented profile and a smaller household scale, which helps explain demand for three-bedroom detached homes rather than high-density stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.0%
Houses
9.2%
Townhouse
1.8%
Apartment
Tenure
South Bathurst is strongly detached, with 89.0% of dwellings being separate houses, 9.2% semi-detached and 1.8% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 59.5%, followed by four or more bedrooms at 22.1% and two-bedroom dwellings at 16.2%. Tenure is mixed: 31.2% of homes are owned outright, 28.8% are mortgaged and 37.8% are rented. Compared with an owner-dominated suburb, the rental share is substantial, while the 7.5% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than in a tightly constrained market. Mortgage costs equal 26.3% of household income and rent equals 25.4%, both below the 30% stress benchmark commonly used for housing affordability. The 26.6th income percentile still makes purchase price a key consideration.
Mortgage / mo
$1,394
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $310.
$540
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $580 · units $450
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$723
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.5%
Unoccupied
54
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.9%
Couples with children
41.1%
Couples, no children
27.7%
Single parent
423
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is South Bathurst's largest employment industry at 23.4%, followed by education at 17.5%, retail at 9.3%, construction at 8.0% and public administration at 6.7%. This mix links local employment to essential services, education and trades rather than a single private-sector employer. Occupations include 134 professionals, 120 community and personal service workers, 99 trades workers, 97 labourers and 74 sales workers, showing a broad occupational base. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, participation is 58.3% and the full-time employment rate is 56.4%. Compared with higher-income areas, the household income percentile of 26.6 suggests that local spending power is more constrained. The employment mix therefore supports everyday services, but household budgets may remain sensitive to mortgage, rent and fuel costs.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
757
Unemployed
33
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.4%
Part-time
36.2%
Participation
58.3%
Employed
724
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.9%
Postgraduate
6.1%
Born Overseas
9.9%
Dwellings
673
Transport to Work
South Bathurst is practical for car-based households: 78.6% of residents travel as car drivers, compared with only 3.5% who walk or cycle, while 10.1% work from home. Compared with a more walkable urban location, daily errands and school or employment trips are likely to rely more heavily on private vehicles. Families should check Bathurst-area school options and enrolment zones against the exact address, since sector and catchment rules can vary. Community participation is reflected in a 14.5% volunteering rate, while 6.4% of residents need assistance with core activities. No local crime rate is stated, so safety decisions should use current 12-month incident information and inspect conditions at different times of day. The suburb's 38 median age and 2.2-person household size support a generally established, low-density living pattern.
Drive
78.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
10.1%
Growth Outlook
South Bathurst has a settled base of 1,583 residents across 4.65 square kilometres, with 76.1% of residents staying at the same address and a turnover rate of 23.9%. Compared with a high-churn precinct, that retention level suggests established demand and a relatively stable resident base. Growth activity is visible through 14 development applications over 12 months, including subdivision, a new shed and alterations to existing dwellings. The 37.8% renting share may support gradual tenant-led turnover, while 89.0% separate-house stock limits the role of apartment construction. Buyers assessing future change should watch whether subdivision and renovation activity expands beyond the current 14 applications, because small-lot redevelopment could alter housing choice more quickly than large-scale construction.
Population trend: Bathurst council area
South Bathurst sits in the Bathurst council area. These are the council area's residents, not South Bathurst's.
Residents 2025
45,359
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.9%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.8%
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 South Bathurst compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Bathurst a good suburb to live in?
South Bathurst can suit households wanting detached housing and a quieter, low-density setting within the Bathurst urban area. Separate houses account for 89.0% of dwellings, the median age is 38 and 78.6% of residents drive to work. Buyers should allow for car dependence and compare exact streets, services and property condition.
What is the median house price in South Bathurst?
A reliable current median house price should be confirmed using at least 2 recent comparable sales. South Bathurst is 89.0% separate houses and 59.5% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms, so comparisons should match land size, bedroom count, renovation quality and parking rather than relying on a wider Bathurst figure.
What schools are in South Bathurst?
School options should be checked against the exact address and current enrolment zones. Families can compare Bathurst-area government, Catholic and independent choices, then confirm travel arrangements because 78.6% of local workers drive and only 3.5% walk or cycle. Intake rules may differ between sectors and year levels.
Is South Bathurst safe?
Use the latest 12-month NSW Police incident information when assessing safety, and inspect the area during both daylight and evening hours. The available figures do not provide a suburb crime rate, so compare recent categories and counts with 2 or 3 nearby Bathurst locations before making a decision.
Is South Bathurst good for property investment?
South Bathurst may suit investors seeking detached rental housing, with 37.8% of households renting and weekly rent at $310. The 7.5% vacancy rate warrants careful tenant-demand testing, while 14 development applications in 12 months indicate some local activity. Confirm purchase price, insurance, maintenance and achievable rent before calculating yield.
How is South Bathurst's population changing?
South Bathurst has 1,583 residents and appears relatively settled, with 76.1% staying at the same address and a 23.9% turnover rate. The 14 development applications recorded over 12 months may gradually add housing choice, particularly through subdivision and alterations. Track approvals, completed dwellings and rental demand over the next 2 years.
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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