NSW 2548 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Tura Beach

With a median age of 58, Tura Beach sits 18 years above the national figure, making it one of the most age-skewed coastal suburbs in NSW. The population of 3,405 is concentrated in detached houses (79.2%) and 60.1% of dwellings are owned outright, pointing to a settled, mortgage-free resident base rather than a transient or rental-driven community. Household income lands in the 29.3rd percentile nationally, below average despite the coastal address, because most residents are retired or working part-time, with a labour force participation rate of just 41.5%. Rent grew 47.8% over the decade, outpacing real income growth of 14.8%, which is widening the gap between tenant costs and local wages.

Tura Beach urban fabric map

Population

3,405

Median Age

58.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,280/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

26

Median House

$835K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

7.01 km²· 485.6 people/km²· Family income $1,528/wk

The median house price in Tura Beach reached $850,000 in 2025, up 4.3% from $815,000 in 2024. At that price and a monthly mortgage of $1,625, the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 29.3%, just below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9% of dwellings, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 33.1%, so the stock is well-suited to families and retirees downsizing from larger coastal properties. Separate houses account for 79.2% of the housing mix, higher than many NSW coastal towns, which limits apartment and unit buyers. The 60.1% outright ownership rate signals that most existing owners bought years ago and are unlikely to sell quickly, keeping supply constrained relative to any uptick in demand.

For Buyers

The median house price in Tura Beach reached $850,000 in 2025, up 4.3% from $815,000 in 2024. At that price and a monthly mortgage of $1,625, the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 29.3%, just below the 30% stress threshold. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 53.9% of dwellings, followed by 4-plus bedroom at 33.1%, so the stock is well-suited to families and retirees downsizing from larger coastal properties. Separate houses account for 79.2% of the housing mix, higher than many NSW coastal towns, which limits apartment and unit buyers. The 60.1% outright ownership rate signals that most existing owners bought years ago and are unlikely to sell quickly, keeping supply constrained relative to any uptick in demand.

For Investors

Renters make up 16.1% of Tura Beach households, a thin base compared to higher-density markets. Weekly rent averages $420, which against an $850,000 median house price implies a gross yield around 2.6%, low but not unusual for a coastal lifestyle market. The vacancy rate of 14.9% is notably high, suggesting seasonal or holiday-related empty stock that limits reliable rental returns for year-round investors. Development activity reached 25 applications in the past 12 months, including dwelling houses and commercial works, indicating modest but ongoing construction interest. Internal migration adds a net 82 residents per year, combined with 45 overseas arrivals, which underpins steady if unspectacular demand growth at 0.99% annually.

Development Activity

Total DAs

126

Last 12 Months

26

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

0.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
20
Swimming Pool / Spa
8
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Subdivision
6
New Dwelling
5
Deck / Pergola / Patio
1
Commercial / Industrial
1
Other
1

Demographics

The median age of 58 is 18 years above the national median, and the aging trajectory is accelerating: the senior share rose 5.8 points while the working-age share fell 2.7 points over the decade. The population of 3,405 is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,649), Irish (420) and Scottish (383) ancestry, consistent with the identity signals. Overseas-born residents are 16.9%, which is 4.7 points below the national figure, reflecting the limited migrant intake typical of smaller coastal towns. University qualifications at 28.7% sit 1.4 points below the national average. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, fitting the couples-without-children profile that dominates at 49.4% of all families.

Age Distribution

0-14
11.9%
15-24
7.7%
25-44
13.7%
45-64
27.5%
65+
39.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.3%
2 bed
12.7%
3 bed
53.9%
4+ bed
33.1%

Dwelling Structure

79.2%

Houses

15.9%

Townhouse

4.9%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 60.1% Mortgage 23.8% Rent 16.1%

Tura Beach has a clear ownership-first character: 60.1% own outright, 23.8% carry a mortgage and only 16.1% rent, the reverse of most urban NSW markets where renters and mortgage holders dominate. The median house price moved from $815,000 in 2024 to $850,000 in 2025, a 4.3% gain. Separate houses at 79.2% of dwellings are far above the state average, with semi-detached at 15.9% and apartments at just 4.9%. The bedroom mix favours larger homes: 53.9% have three bedrooms and 33.1% have four or more, compared to typical urban suburbs where two-bedroom stock is proportionally higher. Mortgage-to-income at 29.3% is below the 30% stress mark, though rent-to-income at 32.8% crosses the stress threshold for the smaller renting cohort.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,625

Rent / wk

$420

HH Size

2.2

Personal Income / wk

$659

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

14.9%

Unoccupied

255

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

32.8% stressed

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

29.3%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
1,649
Irish
420
Scottish
383
Other
213
Ancestry NS
165
German
161

Household Composition

49.4%

Couples, no children

2,621

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 21.8% of employed residents (193 workers), which is consistent with the older population's support needs and proximity to Bega Valley health services. Education follows at 11.2% (99 workers), then Construction and Retail each at 9.1%, and Public Administration at 7.9%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 266, followed by Community and Personal Service workers at 189 and Managers at 169. Unemployment sits at 3.1%, below the national average, but the participation rate of only 41.5% shows that most of the working-age population has left the labour force. SEIFA places the suburb at IRSD decile 6 and IRSAD decile 4, suggesting moderate resources compared to national benchmarks rather than significant advantage or disadvantage.

Unemployment

2.3%

Labour Force

5,204

Unemployed

119

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
6
Economic resources
5
Education & occupation
4

Full-time

52.7%

Part-time

44.2%

Participation

41.5%

Employed

1,207

Occupations

Professionals 266
Community/Personal 189
Managers 169
Clerical/Admin 155
Sales 154
Labourers 109
Machinery/Drivers 45

Top Industries

Healthcare 21.8%
Education 11.2%
Construction 9.1%
Retail 9.1%
Public Admin 7.9%

University

28.7%

Postgraduate

5.7%

Born Overseas

16.9%

Dwellings

1,455

Transport to Work

Car dependence is near-total: 90.2% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average where public transport and active modes carry a larger share. Public transport use is just 0.8%, reflecting the suburban coastal geography with limited bus or rail connections to regional centres. Crime data is not available for Tura Beach in this dataset, but the IRSD decile 6 score places it in the middle tier nationally for relative disadvantage, which correlates with moderate rather than elevated crime risk in comparable communities. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Merimbula and surrounding areas. Volunteering at 22.7% is above average, consistent with the high proportion of retired residents with discretionary time, and only 6.1% (197 people) need daily assistance despite the older median age of 58.

Drive

90.2%

Public Transport

0.8%

Walk / Cycle

1.8%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.99%/yr

(+116 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 17.7% over the decade, above the pace of many established NSW coastal suburbs, and current annual growth of 0.99% translates to roughly 116 additional residents per year. The medium forecast sees population reaching 12,543 by 2031 (at the broader SA2 level), driven by balanced internal and overseas migration. The gentrification score of 15 places Tura Beach in the not gentrifying category, reasonable given that affordability has worsened from 47.8% in 2011 to 50.1% in 2021, squeezing out younger buyers and renters rather than attracting them. Rent growth of 47.8% over the period outpaced real income growth of 14.8% by a wide margin, compressing affordability further and reinforcing the aging, owner-occupier character rather than drawing in new demographic cohorts.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+45

Net Internal / yr

+82

15

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +15% since 2011, Net internal migration +82/yr

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Tura Beach compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 16%
Household Income
Bottom 29%
Rent Level
Top 13%
Apartments
Top 44%
Renters
Bottom 37%
Uni Educated
Top 37%
Public Transport
Bottom 11%
Born Overseas
Top 39%
Density
Top 19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tura Beach a good suburb to live in?

Tura Beach suits retirees and coastal lifestyle seekers well. The median age of 58 is 18 years above the national figure, 60.1% of dwellings are owned outright, and the volunteering rate of 22.7% reflects a stable, community-engaged population. The main trade-offs are limited public transport (only 0.8% use it) and a vacancy rate of 14.9% that suggests some seasonal population fluctuation.

What is the median house price in Tura Beach?

The median house price is $850,000 as of 2025, up 4.3% from $815,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,625, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 29.3%, just below the 30% stress benchmark. Weekly rent averages $420, though renters face a rent-to-income ratio of 32.8%, above the standard stress threshold.

What schools are in Tura Beach?

No schools are recorded inside the Tura Beach suburb boundary in this dataset. With 3,405 residents and a median age of 58, the suburb's demographic profile skews heavily toward retirees rather than school-age families, who make up a smaller share than in typical NSW suburbs. Families rely on schools in nearby Merimbula and surrounding areas.

Is Tura Beach safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Tura Beach. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 6 nationally, a middle-tier reading on relative disadvantage, which in comparable coastal communities correlates with moderate rather than elevated crime levels. Only 6.1% of residents (197 people) need daily assistance, and the high 60.1% outright ownership rate is associated with residential stability.

Is Tura Beach good for property investment?

Weekly rent of $420 against an $850,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, below average for a NSW coastal address. The 14.9% vacancy rate is high, pointing to a significant holiday or seasonal stock component that reduces reliable year-round tenancy. On the upside, annual population growth of 0.99% and net internal migration of 82 residents per year provide steady demand, and prices grew 4.3% over the past year.

How is Tura Beach's population changing?

Population grew 17.7% over the past decade and is currently rising at 0.99% per year, adding roughly 116 residents annually. The trajectory is aging: the senior share increased 5.8 points while the working-age share fell 2.7 points over the decade. Medium forecasts project the broader area population reaching 12,543 by 2031, driven by balanced internal and overseas migration.

How much development is happening in Tura Beach?

There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including a new dwelling house, swimming pool, and commercial alterations. The development activity is modest for a suburb of 3,405 residents, consistent with the established, low-turnover owner base where 80% of residents did not move in the reference period and 25 applications over 12 months reflect gradual rather than rapid housing stock change.

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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