Sussex Inlet
With a median age of 61 and 60.1% of dwellings owned outright, Sussex Inlet reads more like a retirement destination than a typical coastal town. The household income sits at the 7.2nd percentile nationally, yet 89.9% of homes are separate houses and the median house price reached $625,000 in 2024-2025. A 31.5% vacancy rate, well above the national average, confirms that a large portion of the dwelling stock is used as holiday or seasonal accommodation rather than permanent residences. Only 32.0% of residents participate in the labour force, because 1,963 people are not in the labour force, consistent with the area's aging profile and sea-change character.
Population
3,888
Median Age
61.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$887/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
70
Median House
$625K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $625,000, with recent data showing a rise from $575,000 in 2024 to $670,000 in 2025, a 16.5% one-year gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,511 but mortgage-to-income reaches 39.3%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are below average at the 7.2nd percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 89.9% of the stock and three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 41.8%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 29.0%. Outright owners at 60.1% far outnumber mortgage holders at 20.1%, which signals that most buyers are cashed-up downsizers or retirees rather than first-home buyers relying on finance. Competition for homes is low relative to major urban markets, but entry costs have climbed sharply in recent years.
For Buyers
The median house price is $625,000, with recent data showing a rise from $575,000 in 2024 to $670,000 in 2025, a 16.5% one-year gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,511 but mortgage-to-income reaches 39.3%, above the 30% stress threshold, because household incomes are below average at the 7.2nd percentile nationally. Separate houses account for 89.9% of the stock and three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 41.8%, followed by four-plus bedroom at 29.0%. Outright owners at 60.1% far outnumber mortgage holders at 20.1%, which signals that most buyers are cashed-up downsizers or retirees rather than first-home buyers relying on finance. Competition for homes is low relative to major urban markets, but entry costs have climbed sharply in recent years.
For Investors
Weekly rent averages $310 against a $625,000 median, implying a gross yield near 2.6%, low but consistent with holiday-coastal markets across NSW. The standout metric is the 31.5% vacancy rate, significantly higher than the national average, which reflects substantial short-stay or seasonal use in the dwelling stock. Renters make up only 19.8% of permanent households, limiting the long-term rental pool. Net internal migration averages 109 people per year, which provides steady underlying demand, and the price rise of 16.5% from 2024 to 2025 shows that capital growth has been strong. Development activity logged 65 applications in the past 12 months, mostly small ancillary structures rather than new dwellings, so supply pressure is minimal. Investment returns depend on holiday letting or capital growth rather than yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
524
Last 12 Months
70
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-13.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sussex Inlet iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Sussex Inlet Public School
K-6 · 255 students
Demographics
The median age of 61 is 21.0 years above the national figure, making Sussex Inlet one of the oldest communities in NSW. The aging trajectory is reinforced by a senior share that rose 4.6 points while the working-age share fell 1.8 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 14.1% are 7.5 points below the national figure, and ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,749), Irish (433) and Scottish (415). University qualifications at 13.5% sit 16.6 points below national, which reflects the retiree-dominant cohort rather than a low-education workforce. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, consistent with the 49.0% of families who are couples without children. Volunteering runs at 16.4% of residents, above average for a community this size.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.9%
Houses
7.9%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is defined by outright ownership: 60.1% own without a mortgage, compared to just 20.1% on a mortgage and 19.8% renting, ratios that reflect a buyer base of retirees and sea-change downsizers who arrived with equity. Separate houses make up 89.9% of the stock, semi-detached 7.9% and apartments just 1.0%, a composition more rural than coastal-urban. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.8% and four-plus at 29.0%, giving the suburb a family-scale footprint even as household sizes shrink. The median house price moved from $575,000 in 2024 to $670,000 in 2025, a 16.5% rise, with the current estimate at $625,000. The 31.5% vacancy rate is the clearest signal that a substantial share of dwellings serves seasonal or holiday purposes rather than permanent occupation, which constrains rental stock and elevates prices in the permanent market.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,511
Rent / wk
$310
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$494
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
31.5%
Unoccupied
801
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.9% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
39.3% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
49.0%
Couples, no children
2,698
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employing industry at 21.5% of workers (158 people), followed by Construction at 17.3% (127) and Public Administration at 9.7% (71), with Education at 9.1% and Hospitality at 8.7%. By occupation, Community and Personal services leads (180 workers), then Clerical and Admin (149), Professionals (140) and Labourers (140). The unemployment rate is 6.7%, higher than the national average, but the more significant figure is participation: only 32.0% of residents are in the labour force because 1,963 are outside it. SEIFA tells the full story, with IRSAD at decile 2 nationally, indicating high disadvantage on the relative advantage and disadvantage scale, and IRSD at decile 3. Household incomes at the 7.2nd percentile nationally confirm that most residents live on superannuation, pensions or investment income rather than wages.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
1,688
Unemployed
92
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.1%
Part-time
38.2%
Participation
32.0%
Employed
1,041
Occupations
Top Industries
University
13.5%
Postgraduate
2.2%
Born Overseas
14.1%
Dwellings
1,674
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high, with 89.4% of residents commuting by car, above the national average, because the suburb lacks the density to support public transport routes. Active transport (walking or cycling) accounts for 4.2% of commuters, modest but plausible for a waterfront setting. At 13.3% of residents (478 people) needing daily assistance with core activities, the proportion is elevated compared to most suburbs, driven by the high median age of 61. There are no schools recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in the broader Shoalhaven area. IRSAD sits at decile 2 nationally, and IRSD at decile 3, placing Sussex Inlet in the lower advantage tiers, which means residents face limited access to services and lower incomes compared to most Australian suburbs. Rent stress at 34.9% of income is above the 30% threshold, flagging housing affordability pressure for the renting minority.
Drive
89.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
4.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.83%/yr
(+41 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 13.7% over the decade to 3,888 residents, driven by net internal migration averaging 109 people per year, the primary growth mechanism. Overseas migration adds just 8 people annually, well below the national average, because the suburb's appeal is domestic sea-changers rather than international arrivals. The medium forecast projects steady growth to 5,106 by 2031 at 0.83% per year. The gentrification score is 34, staging at early signs, with signals including 17% population growth since 2011, net internal migration of plus 109 per year, and an accelerating trend from 3% to 13% growth. Affordability worsened from 55.2% of income in 2011 to 61.4% in 2021, meaning housing costs have grown faster than incomes. Rent grew 55.0% over the period, a larger increase than real income growth of 13.4%.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+8
Net Internal / yr
+109
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +17% since 2011, Net internal migration +109/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 13%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sussex Inlet compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sussex Inlet a good suburb to live in?
Sussex Inlet suits retirees and sea-changers well. The median age is 61, which is 21 years above the national figure, and 60.1% of homes are owned outright. Trade-offs include a SEIFA IRSAD score at decile 2 nationally, limited public transport and no schools in the suburb boundary, making it less suited to families with children.
What is the median house price in Sussex Inlet?
The median house price is $625,000 based on 2024-2025 PSI data. Prices rose from $575,000 in 2024 to $670,000 in 2025, a 16.5% increase in one year. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,511, though the mortgage-to-income ratio reaches 39.3% because local incomes sit at the 7.2nd percentile nationally.
What schools are in Sussex Inlet?
No schools are recorded within the Sussex Inlet suburb boundary in this dataset. The suburb has a population of 3,888 and a median age of 61, so the resident base skews heavily toward retirees. Families with school-age children typically access schools in the wider Shoalhaven region.
Is Sussex Inlet safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Sussex Inlet in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 3 nationally, placing it in the lower advantage tier. The volunteering rate of 16.4% suggests a relatively engaged community for a town of 3,888 residents.
Is Sussex Inlet good for property investment?
Investment returns depend heavily on strategy. Weekly rent of $310 against a $625,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, below typical positive-cash-flow targets. However, prices rose 16.5% from 2024 to 2025, and internal migration of 109 people per year supports demand. The 31.5% vacancy rate reflects seasonal use rather than structural weakness.
How is Sussex Inlet's population changing?
Population grew 13.7% over the decade to 3,888 and is projected to reach 5,106 by 2031 at 0.83% per year. Growth is driven by internal migration of 109 net arrivals annually, mostly sea-changers and retirees. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.6 points and the working-age share down 1.8 points since 2011.
How much development is happening in Sussex Inlet?
There were 65 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Most are small ancillary structures such as carports and garages rather than new dwellings, consistent with an established suburb where separate houses already account for 89.9% of the stock and outright owners make up 60.1% of tenure.
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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