NSW 2548 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Tura Beach

An older, settled coastal population shapes Tura Beach more than rapid change: the median age is 58, which is 18 years above the national figure, while 59.2% of homes are owned outright and 14.9% are vacant. Its 3,405 residents occupy 7.01 square kilometres at 485.6 people per square kilometre, with annual growth forecast at 0.99%. Compared with nearby Merimbula, Tura Beach reads as a quieter, detached-home setting with stronger car dependence. That suits downsizers and established households, but the household income percentile of 29.3 and worsening affordability mean buyers need a disciplined budget.

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

28

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

Homebuyers are choosing a housing stock dominated by separate houses, which account for 79.2% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 15.9% and apartments only 4.9%. The bedroom mix is practical for established households: 53.9% have 3 bedrooms and 33.1% have 4 or more. A typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,625, compared with weekly rent of $420, while mortgage stress is not flagged and repayments equal 29.3% of household income. Average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national level, so larger homes may provide spare capacity rather than match current occupancy. Check drainage, coastal exposure, maintenance and exact sale evidence street by street, especially when comparing Tura Beach with Merimbula.

For Buyers

Homebuyers are choosing a housing stock dominated by separate houses, which account for 79.2% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes make up 15.9% and apartments only 4.9%. The bedroom mix is practical for established households: 53.9% have 3 bedrooms and 33.1% have 4 or more. A typical monthly mortgage figure is $1,625, compared with weekly rent of $420, while mortgage stress is not flagged and repayments equal 29.3% of household income. Average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national level, so larger homes may provide spare capacity rather than match current occupancy. Check drainage, coastal exposure, maintenance and exact sale evidence street by street, especially when comparing Tura Beach with Merimbula.

For Investors

Investment conditions are mixed. The renter share is 15.8% and weekly rent is $420, creating an income stream, yet vacancy is a high 14.9%, so letting periods and property presentation matter more than in a tightly occupied market. Rent stress reaches 32.8%, which can limit tenant resilience, while 27 development applications in 12 months point to ongoing additions and alterations that may expand tenant choice. Rent growth of 47.8% has been strong, but balanced migration and an aging trajectory argue for conservative yield assumptions. Detached housing at 79.2% may suit long-term tenants, although investors should compare renovated stock with older homes before paying a premium.

Development Activity

Total DAs

132

Last 12 Months

28

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+55.6%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
16
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
New Dwelling
7
Subdivision
6
Swimming Pool / Spa
4
Other
3
Deck / Pergola / Patio
1
Landscaping / Retaining Wall
1

Demographics

Tura Beach has a markedly older profile: the median age is 58, 18 years above the national comparison, and the 2.2-person average household is 0.3 below national. Overseas-born residents make up 16.9%, 4.7 percentage points below national, while university attainment is 28.7%, 1.4 points below. English ancestry is recorded for 1,649 people, followed by Irish at 420 and Scottish at 383. Christianity accounts for 1,693 residents and no religion for 1,446. This settled pattern is reinforced by 80.0% living at the same address five years earlier, so services and housing are likely to be shaped more by older owner-occupiers than by rapid newcomer turnover.

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 59.2% Mortgage 23.4% Rent 15.8% Other 1.6%

Tenure is the clearest housing signal. Outright owners represent 59.2%, above the 23.4% with a mortgage and well above the 15.8% renting, which points to a mature owner base and relatively limited rental depth. Separate houses account for 79.2%, with 53.9% of dwellings having 3 bedrooms and 33.1% having 4 or more. Vacancy is 14.9%, so the lived-in market is smaller than the total dwelling count suggests and seasonal or occasional use may matter. Rent stress is 32.8%, compared with mortgage costs at 29.3% of income, while average household size is 2.2, below the national figure by 0.3. Compared with denser coastal centres, Tura Beach is more detached and space-oriented, but buyers should test upkeep costs and resale depth.

Mortgage / mo

$1,625

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $420.

$575

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $695 · units $500

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

27.8%

Couples with children

63.2%

Couples, no children

8.5%

Single parent

1,036

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 21.8% of employed residents, or 193 people, above Education at 11.2% and 99 people. Construction and Retail each represent 9.1% and 81 people, followed by Public Administration at 7.9% and 70. The occupation mix includes 266 Professionals, 189 Community and Personal Service workers, 186 Trades workers, 169 Managers and 155 Clerical and Administrative workers. Unemployment is 2.9%, but participation is only 44.3% because 1,520 people are outside the labour force, consistent with a median age of 58. Household income sits at the 29.3 percentile. SEIFA results range from decile 4 for education and occupation, to 5 for economic resources, 6 for relative disadvantage, and 4 for advantage and disadvantage. Compared with higher-income suburbs, this suggests a stable but less affluent local economy.

Unemployment

2.9%

Labour Force

1,328

Unemployed

39

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

49.3%

Part-time

44.3%

Participation

44.3%

Employed

1,289

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 266
Community/Personal 189
Trades 186
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

Livability is strongest for residents comfortable with driving. A substantial 76.9% travel as car drivers, compared with only 0.6% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling; 14.8% work from home, which softens the daily commute burden. The 7.01 square kilometre suburb has a density of 485.6 people per square kilometre, giving it a lower-intensity feel than a compact town centre. Community participation is a positive signal, with volunteering at 22.7%, while 6.1% of residents need assistance. Socioeconomic conditions are mixed: IRSAD is in decile 4, below the IRSD decile 6, so advantage and disadvantage are not evenly distributed. Compared with transit-oriented coastal areas, Tura Beach requires more planning for errands, appointments and services. Check current local crime mapping and travel times by address before committing.

Drive

76.9%

Public Transport

0.6%

Walk / Cycle

1.6%

Work from Home

14.8%

Population Forecast

+0.99%/yr

(+116 people/yr)

Established

Growth should be read as steady but age-led. The annual trend is 0.99%, and the primary migration driver is Balanced, so expansion is likely to be measured rather than driven by one strong intake stream. Across the wider area, population change is 17.7% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 5.8 points, the young share has fallen 1.9 points and the working share has fallen 2.7 points. Affordability is worsening, moving from 47.8% in 2011 to 50.1% in 2021, alongside 47.8% rent growth. Gentrification is classified as Not gentrifying at score 15, yet the trajectory is also marked Active at 45, suggesting visible renewal without a wholesale demographic reset. Compared with faster-growth corridors, Tura Beach is more likely to reward gradual holding strategies than speculative timing.

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 12%
Renters
Top 48%
Uni Educated
Top 37%
Public Transport
Bottom 9%
Born Overseas
Top 39%
Density
Top 19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tura Beach a good suburb to live in?

Tura Beach can suit downsizers and established households seeking detached homes, with 59.2% owned outright and 79.2% separate houses. The trade-off is car dependence, as 76.9% drive and only 0.6% use public transport, while 14.9% vacancy may reflect seasonal or occasional use.

What is the median house price in Tura Beach?

A current median house price is not stated for Tura Beach, so buyers should compare recent settled sales by street, land size and condition. That matters because 53.9% of homes have 3 bedrooms, 33.1% have 4 or more, and 79.2% are separate houses.

What schools are in Tura Beach?

Families should check the nearest school options and the exact enrolment zone for each address, since local boundaries can extend beyond suburb lines. Household size averages 2.2 people, while couples with children make up 27.8% of families, making travel time an important consideration.

Is Tura Beach safe?

Use current NSW Police crime mapping and inspect the immediate street before deciding, rather than assuming that a coastal setting has lower risk. Tura Beach has 3,405 residents across 7.01 square kilometres, and incident patterns can vary by location, time and category.

Is Tura Beach good for property investment?

Investment conditions are mixed. Weekly rent is $420 and rent growth is 47.8%, but vacancy is 14.9% and rent stress is 32.8%. The 15.8% renter share is relatively small, while 27 development applications in 12 months could increase tenant choice.

How is Tura Beach's population changing?

Tura Beach has 3,405 residents today, with annual growth forecast at 0.99% and a Balanced migration driver. The wider area's 10-year population change is 17.7%, but the trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 5.8 points and the young share down 1.9 points.

Are there many new developments in Tura Beach?

There were 27 development applications in the past 12 months, including a complying development certificate for 1 new dwelling and applications involving houses, subdivisions and alterations. This indicates ongoing building activity, although the number of completed homes may be lower than the application count.

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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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