Tathra
With a median age of 56, Tathra sits 16 years above the national figure, making it one of the most distinctly older coastal communities on the NSW South Coast. The suburb's 1,527 residents hold a 22.9% vacancy rate and 51.4% outright ownership, which together signal that a large share of dwellings are holiday homes or investment properties rather than primary residences. Household income falls in the 26.5th percentile nationally despite a $920,000 median house price, pointing to a retirement and lifestyle demographic that arrived early enough to accumulate property wealth before regional prices accelerated. The 10-year population change of 10.3% and annual rent growth of 60% confirm steady long-term demand rather than boom-bust cycles.
Population
1,527
Median Age
56.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,221/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
28
Median House
$920K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $920,000 in 2025, a marginal decline of 0.5% from $925,000 in 2024, so Tathra is not a fast-moving market but is also not cheap relative to regional NSW. Separate houses account for 76.7% of dwellings, well above the national average for coastal towns, and 3-bedroom homes are the most common at 39% followed by 4-plus bedroom at 30.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,603, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.3%, just above the 30% stress threshold, and the mortgage-holding share is low at 21.3% compared to national norms because 51.4% own outright. Buyers entering at this price point take on meaningful debt burdens relative to local incomes, which sit in the 26.5th household income percentile nationally.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $920,000 in 2025, a marginal decline of 0.5% from $925,000 in 2024, so Tathra is not a fast-moving market but is also not cheap relative to regional NSW. Separate houses account for 76.7% of dwellings, well above the national average for coastal towns, and 3-bedroom homes are the most common at 39% followed by 4-plus bedroom at 30.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,603, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.3%, just above the 30% stress threshold, and the mortgage-holding share is low at 21.3% compared to national norms because 51.4% own outright. Buyers entering at this price point take on meaningful debt burdens relative to local incomes, which sit in the 26.5th household income percentile nationally.
For Investors
A 27.3% renter share and $320 weekly rent against a $920,000 median imply a gross yield around 1.8%, below the national coastal average, making yield-driven investment difficult. The 22.9% vacancy rate is a key risk, more than double what would be considered balanced, because many dwellings cycle between holiday letting and permanent vacancy rather than sustaining year-round tenants. That said, development activity registered 25 applications in the past 12 months, above typical levels for a suburb of 1,527 people, and net internal migration averages 39 arrivals a year, showing the area continues to attract relocators. Rent grew 60% over the period, faster than income growth of 16.8%, which means the rental base is widening for long-term holders.
Development Activity
Total DAs
144
Last 12 Months
28
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+21.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Tathra iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Tathra Public School
K-6 · 171 students
Demographics
The median age of 56 is 16 years above the national figure, the most distinctive demographic fact about Tathra. The senior share rose 5.3 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.2 points, accelerating an aging trajectory already well under way. University qualifications reach 36.2%, which is 6.1 percentage points above national, consistent with the professional and managerial occupations that dominate the local workforce. Overseas-born residents are 12.1%, which is 9.5 points below the national rate, reflecting the Anglo-Celtic heritage dominant here: English (713), Irish (279) and Scottish (185) account for the largest ancestry groups. Average household size is 2.0, half a person below national, matching the couples-without-children profile where 47.0% of families have no resident children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
76.7%
Houses
17.3%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Tathra is unusual: 51.4% of residents own their homes outright, compared with around 31% nationally, and only 21.3% carry a mortgage. This reflects an older, asset-rich cohort that bought decades ago rather than recent entrants. Renting households stand at 27.3%, but the 22.9% vacancy rate suggests a large pool of dwellings that are not occupied as primary residences at all. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 76.7%, with semi-detached at 17.3% and apartments at just 4.5%. Bedroom distribution tilts toward 3-bedroom (39%) and 4-plus bedroom (30.6%) homes, reflecting the coastal holiday and retirement house type. The price moved from $925,000 in 2024 to $920,000 in 2025, a 0.5% dip, sitting at a level where monthly mortgage costs hit 30.3% of local income.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,603
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$746
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
22.9%
Unoccupied
212
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.3% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.0%
Couples, no children
1,084
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22% of local workers (106 people), followed by Education at 15.4% (74) and Hospitality at 10.6% (51), a typical mix for an aging coastal town where health and community services take priority. Construction at 9.5% (46) reflects ongoing property activity supported by the 25 development applications lodged in the past year. The unemployment rate is low at 2.8%, though the participation rate of only 46.6% shows that most working-age adults are not in the labour force, consistent with a retirement-heavy population. Professionals (177) and Managers (103) lead occupations despite the modest income profile, suggesting retirees from higher-earning careers. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 3 places Tathra in the lower third nationally on combined advantage and disadvantage measures.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
4,250
Unemployed
162
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.5%
Part-time
38.7%
Participation
46.6%
Employed
617
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.2%
Postgraduate
7.1%
Born Overseas
12.1%
Dwellings
709
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 87.7% of residents drive to work, above the national average for towns of this size, because public transport options are limited on the Far South Coast. By contrast, 8.8% walk or cycle, a relatively high active-transport share reflecting the compact coastal geography. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Tathra in the lower third nationally for combined advantage, but this partly reflects the low-income retirement profile rather than poor amenity. Volunteering reaches 33.7%, well above national rates, indicating a strong community participation culture. Need-for-assistance is 4.9% (72 people), elevated relative to the population size and consistent with the aged demographic. No schools are recorded within the Tathra boundary, so families with children depend on facilities in nearby Bega, about 17 km away.
Drive
87.7%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
8.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.54%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth of 0.54% (about 49 persons per year) is steady but unspectacular, and the medium forecast sees the SA2 area reaching approximately 9,346 by 2031 from 9,070 in 2025. Tathra's 10-year population increase of 10.3% reflects the Sea Change migration wave that has reshaped the NSW South Coast. Net internal migration averages 39 arrivals a year and overseas migration 23, giving a balanced but modest intake. The trajectory is aging rather than gentrifying, with the gentrification score at 60 (Active stage) driven by rising prices and qualification levels rather than by younger in-migration. Real income growth of 16.8% over the decade trails the 60% rent increase, meaning affordability has worsened substantially: affordability moved from 40.8% in 2011 to 45.5% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+23
Net Internal / yr
+39
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Tathra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tathra a good suburb to live in?
Tathra suits retirees and lifestyle buyers well. The median age of 56 is 16 years above national and 51.4% of residents own their homes outright, reflecting a settled, asset-rich community. Volunteering reaches 33.7%, indicating a strong community culture. The IRSAD decile of 3 suggests limited local services relative to larger centres, and car dependency is high at 87.7%.
What is the median house price in Tathra?
The median house price is $920,000 as of 2025, down marginally from $925,000 in 2024, a 0.5% decline. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,603, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.3%, just above the 30% stress threshold for local incomes.
What schools are in Tathra?
No schools are recorded within the Tathra suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in nearby Bega, approximately 17 km away. Tathra's resident population is well-educated despite this, with 36.2% holding university qualifications, 6.1 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Tathra safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Tathra in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, 51.4% of residents own their homes outright and the volunteering rate is 33.7%, both consistent with a stable, low-transience community. The IRSAD decile of 3 reflects income levels rather than crime risk.
Is Tathra good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Rent of $320 a week against a $920,000 median implies a gross yield below 2%, low for regional NSW. The 22.9% vacancy rate is high, reflecting holiday and seasonal dwellings. The positive side is that rent grew 60% over the decade and net internal migration of 39 per year sustains demand from relocators.
How is Tathra's population changing?
Tathra grows at 0.54% annually, adding about 49 people a year. The 10-year population increase was 10.3%. The dominant trend is aging: the senior share rose 5.3 points and the working-age share fell 2.2 points over the decade. Net internal migration of 39 per year drives most growth, primarily from sea-change relocators.
How much development is happening in Tathra?
There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, above average for a suburb of 1,527 people. Recent applications include new dwelling houses, secondary dwellings and alterations, consistent with the active gentrification score of 60. The development activity reflects ongoing interest despite the 22.9% vacancy rate and stable population growth.
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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