Surf Beach
An older, low-turnover coastal profile shapes Surf Beach more than a high-growth commuter pattern. The suburb has 1,934 residents, a median age of 53, and 80.0% of residents stayed at the same address, while 31.0% of dwellings were vacant. That combination points to a settled population with a sizeable holiday or part-time housing component. Compared with nearby Batemans Bay, Surf Beach is more detached-home oriented, with 71.4% separate houses and 21.6% of homes in mortgage tenure. Household income sits at the 17.5th percentile nationally, so pricing and holding costs deserve closer scrutiny than the coastal setting alone suggests.
Local council: Eurobodalla
Population
1,934
Median Age
53.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,099/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
21
For buyers seeking a quieter coastal setting, Surf Beach leans toward conventional family housing: 71.4% separate houses, 18.6% semi-detached dwellings and 10.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes make up 46.1% of stock, while 32.2% have four or more bedrooms, giving more choice for downsizers and families than a unit-heavy precinct. The typical mortgage commitment is $1,517 a month, and mortgage costs equal 31.9% of household income, above the 30.0% rent-to-income figure. Compared with smaller-unit markets around Batemans Bay, the detached bias may support land appeal, but buyers should test maintenance and insurance costs against their budget.
For Buyers
For buyers seeking a quieter coastal setting, Surf Beach leans toward conventional family housing: 71.4% separate houses, 18.6% semi-detached dwellings and 10.0% apartments. Three-bedroom homes make up 46.1% of stock, while 32.2% have four or more bedrooms, giving more choice for downsizers and families than a unit-heavy precinct. The typical mortgage commitment is $1,517 a month, and mortgage costs equal 31.9% of household income, above the 30.0% rent-to-income figure. Compared with smaller-unit markets around Batemans Bay, the detached bias may support land appeal, but buyers should test maintenance and insurance costs against their budget.
For Investors
Surf Beach has a mixed rental and holiday-use profile. Renting accounts for 29.1% of occupied tenure, weekly rent is $330, and vacancy is a very high 31.0%, so an investor should not assume every dwelling can achieve a conventional long-term occupancy rate. The 20 development applications in the past 12 months include subdivision, alterations and a shed, indicating ongoing small-scale property activity rather than a clearly defined apartment pipeline. Compared with a lower-vacancy suburb, cash-flow reliability is weaker because empty periods can outweigh a modest rent. Demand may be helped by healthcare, education and public administration employment, but each property needs a realistic local letting strategy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
116
Last 12 Months
21
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+23.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Surf Beach's demographic profile skews older and more settled than the national pattern. Median age is 53, or 13.0 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 22.7%, 7.4 percentage points below the national level. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national comparison, consistent with 54.2% of families being couples without children and only 27.5% couples with children. English, Scottish and Irish are the leading reported ancestries at 787, 215 and 194 people. Christianity accounts for 942 people and no religion for 729, showing a substantial split in affiliation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
71.4%
Houses
18.6%
Townhouse
10.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Surf Beach's housing is predominantly detached and owner occupied. Separate houses comprise 71.4% of dwellings, compared with 18.6% semi-detached stock and 10.0% apartments. Outright ownership is 48.1%, mortgage tenure 21.6% and renting 29.1%, a structure that points to a substantial older owner base alongside a meaningful tenant market. The bedroom mix is practical rather than compact: 46.1% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 32.2% have 4 or more. Vacancy reaches 31.0%, far above a typical long-term rental setting, which may reflect holiday or intermittent use. Household income is at the 17.5th percentile, so the $1,517 monthly mortgage commitment can sit heavily compared with higher-income coastal markets.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $330.
$550
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $600 · units $450
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$612
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
31.0%
Unoccupied
371
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.9% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.5%
Couples with children
54.2%
Couples, no children
17.2%
Single parent
541
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment in Surf Beach is anchored by essential services rather than a single private-sector industry. Healthcare leads with 22.6% of employed residents, followed by education at 11.3%, public administration at 10.9%, construction at 10.5% and retail at 8.8%. The labour force totals 729 people, participation is 44.2% and unemployment is 4.8%, while 50.4% of employed residents work full time. Occupations mirror this mix: professionals number 133, community and personal service workers 114, trades 95, clerical and administrative workers 91, and labourers 83. Compared with a younger employment centre, the lower participation rate aligns with a median age of 53 and 766 people outside the labour force.
Unemployment
4.8%
Labour Force
729
Unemployed
35
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
50.4%
Part-time
41.5%
Participation
44.2%
Employed
694
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.7%
Postgraduate
6.9%
Born Overseas
17.7%
Dwellings
821
Transport to Work
Surf Beach suits residents comfortable with driving. Car drivers account for 80.6% of journeys, compared with 0.8% using public transport and 1.3% walking or cycling, while 12.9% work from home. That pattern makes access to shops, services and schools more dependent on a private vehicle than in a transit-oriented suburb. Families should check nearby school options and enrolment zones against the exact address, because practical access can vary across the wider Batemans Bay area. The median age of 53 is above the national comparison by 13.0 years, supporting a quieter daily rhythm, while 17.2% volunteering suggests useful local participation. Safety decisions should include a street-level visit at different times and a check of current local alerts.
Drive
80.6%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
12.9%
Growth Outlook
Surf Beach's near-term growth profile appears incremental rather than volume-led. The suburb has 1,934 residents, 20 development applications in the latest 12-month period and 80.0% address stability, so change is more likely to come through renovations, subdivision and gradual turnover than rapid population churn. A 31.0% vacancy rate creates a large swing factor: if more dwellings move into permanent occupation, local activity could rise without a major building boom. Compared with a faster-expanding coastal corridor, the 53 median age and 20.0% turnover rate point to slower resident replacement. Future demand will remain sensitive to transport, services and the balance between permanent and part-time housing.
Population trend: Eurobodalla council area
Surf Beach sits in the Eurobodalla council area. These are the council area's residents, not Surf Beach's.
Residents 2025
41,309
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.5%
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 Surf Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surf Beach a good suburb to live in?
Surf Beach suits residents seeking a settled coastal environment, with 1,934 residents, a median age of 53 and 80.0% address stability. It is more car dependent than a transit-focused suburb, with 80.6% driving and only 0.8% using public transport, so daily convenience depends on access to a vehicle.
What is the median house price in Surf Beach?
A current median house price should be confirmed against recent sales, particularly because 71.4% of dwellings are separate houses and 31.0% of homes are vacant. Buyers should compare like-for-like 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom properties, then allow for the typical $1,517 monthly mortgage commitment and coastal insurance costs.
What schools are in Surf Beach?
School access should be checked by exact address because enrolment zones can extend across suburb boundaries. Surf Beach has 1,934 residents, and the 80.6% car-driver share suggests many families plan daily trips by vehicle. Confirm nearby primary and secondary options, transport times and current intake rules directly with each school.
Is Surf Beach safe?
Safety should be assessed with a daytime and evening visit, current police alerts and conversations with nearby residents. Surf Beach has 1,934 residents and a 17.2% volunteering rate, which can support local familiarity, but those figures are not a substitute for checking the exact street, lighting, traffic and surrounding activity.
Is Surf Beach good for property investment?
Investment conditions are mixed. Renting represents 29.1% of tenure and weekly rent is $330, but the 31.0% vacancy rate is much higher than a typical long-term rental market. The 20 recent development applications indicate activity, although investors should model longer vacancies and compare permanent leasing with carefully assessed holiday-use demand.
How is Surf Beach's population changing?
Surf Beach appears stable rather than rapidly turning over. The suburb has 1,934 residents, 80.0% of people stayed at the same address and the turnover rate is 20.0%. With a median age of 53 and 20 development applications in 12 months, change is more likely to come through gradual renovations, subdivision and shifts from part-time to permanent occupation.
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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