Yowie Bay
Household income in the 97th percentile nationally tells the Yowie Bay story quickly: this 1.2 km2 pocket on Sydney's southern shores is one of the wealthiest small suburbs in Australia, with a median house price of $2,385,000 and 50.4% of homes owned outright. The median age of 46 sits 6 years above the national figure, and 86.7% of residents have stayed put for at least five years, a turnover rate far below most Sydney suburbs. University qualifications reach 41.2%, which is 11.1 points above national, while the overseas-born share of 15% is 6.6 points below, reflecting an established Anglo-Celtic base with limited international churn.
Population
3,053
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,959/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
41
Median House
$2.4M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $2,385,000 places Yowie Bay firmly in the premium Sydney bracket. Prices moved from $2,460,000 in 2024 to $2,350,000 in 2025, a 4.5% pullback from the recent peak, which offers a modest entry opportunity compared to the high. Separate houses make up 86.2% of dwellings, well above the Sydney average, and 59.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, so stock skews toward large family homes rather than the apartment mix common elsewhere. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,200, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25%, below the 30% stress threshold despite prices above $2M. Outright owners at 50.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 41.7%, indicating long-held wealth rather than a market driven by recent leveraged buyers.
For Buyers
The median house price of $2,385,000 places Yowie Bay firmly in the premium Sydney bracket. Prices moved from $2,460,000 in 2024 to $2,350,000 in 2025, a 4.5% pullback from the recent peak, which offers a modest entry opportunity compared to the high. Separate houses make up 86.2% of dwellings, well above the Sydney average, and 59.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, so stock skews toward large family homes rather than the apartment mix common elsewhere. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,200, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25%, below the 30% stress threshold despite prices above $2M. Outright owners at 50.4% outnumber mortgage holders at 41.7%, indicating long-held wealth rather than a market driven by recent leveraged buyers.
For Investors
Renters account for only 8% of Yowie Bay households, far below the national average, so the tenant pool is thin. Weekly rent of $750 against a $2,385,000 median implies a gross yield well under 2%, low even by premium Sydney standards. The vacancy rate of 3.2% is moderate given the small total stock, and 38 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, mostly alterations and CDC works on existing homes rather than new supply. Net internal migration averages 236 per year and overseas inflow adds 231, making the area a net importer of residents. Rent growth of 28.9% over the measured period outpaced income growth of 18.2%, suggesting tenants are being stretched, which supports further rent escalation but also caps demand at the margin.
Development Activity
Total DAs
233
Last 12 Months
41
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-30.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Yowie Bay iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Yowie Bay Public School
K-6 · 329 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, and the aging trajectory is confirmed by the senior share rising 1.5 points over the decade. The working-age share slipped 0.1 points, a mild shift consistent with an established suburb rather than one in rapid demographic transition. Overseas-born residents account for 15%, which is 6.6 points below the national average, making Yowie Bay more domestically rooted than most Sydney suburbs. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,216), Irish (418) and Scottish (364) lead the count. University qualifications at 41.2% run 11.1 points above national. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above national, consistent with the large-family, 4-plus bedroom dwelling profile that dominates at 59.6% of stock.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.2%
Houses
6.3%
Townhouse
7.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Yowie Bay is heavily weighted toward ownership: 50.4% own outright and 41.7% carry a mortgage, leaving renters at just 8%, well below state and national norms. The stock is dominated by separate houses at 86.2%, with semi-detached at 6.3% and apartments at 7.5%, a composition that reflects the suburb's low density across 1.2 km2. Large homes dominate, with 59.6% having 4 or more bedrooms and 31.2% having 3 bedrooms, so entry-level stock under 3 bedrooms accounts for barely 9% of dwellings. The median price pulled back 4.5% from the 2024 peak of $2,460,000 to $2,350,000 in 2025. Mortgage-to-income at 25% and rent-to-income at 25.3% both sit comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, reflecting the high income base at the 97th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,200
Rent / wk
$750
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,085
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.2%
Unoccupied
35
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.2%
Couples, no children
2,783
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the leading industry at 13.8% of the local workforce (149 workers), followed closely by Construction at 12.7% (137) and Education at 12.6% (136), with Professional/Tech at 11.3% (122). This spread across care, trades and knowledge sectors is consistent with a mature, high-income community rather than a single-sector concentration. By occupation, Professionals (429) and Managers (323) together account for over half of employed residents, which aligns with SEIFA IRSAD at decile 8 nationally. Unemployment sits at 3.5% and the full-time employment rate is 61.3%, with 908 residents not in the labour force, reflecting the older median age of 46. Real income grew 18.2% over the decade, above many comparable Sydney suburbs.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
12,736
Unemployed
438
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
35.2%
Participation
54.8%
Employed
1,337
Occupations
Top Industries
University
41.2%
Postgraduate
8.2%
Born Overseas
15.0%
Dwellings
1,043
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme: 89.2% of residents drive to work, compared to much lower rates in inner Sydney, and only 1.7% use public transport, reflecting the peninsular geography and limited bus frequency. Walking and cycling account for 2.2%. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 8 nationally, placing Yowie Bay in the top fifth for relative advantage across Australia. Volunteering runs at 16.3% of residents, above average, and only 4.4% (132 people) need daily assistance. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families use institutions in nearby suburbs such as Cronulla and Caringbah. The low renter share of 8% and 86.7% residential stability rate both point to a deeply settled community where residents stay rather than move on.
Drive
89.2%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.32%/yr
(+301 people/yr)
EstablishedYowie Bay is classified as established with mixed growth signals. Annual population growth runs at 1.32%, adding around 301 persons per year, and the 10-year population change was 17.6%. Medium-scenario forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 24,071 by 2031 from 22,804 in 2025. Migration is balanced, with internal migration averaging 236 net arrivals per year and overseas inflow at 231, both above what a suburb of 3,053 residents would naturally expect. The gentrification score of 58 places it in the Active stage, supported by population growth of 24% since 2011 and accelerating inflow signals. Affordability improved from 58.7% in 2011 to 52.1% in 2021, moving in the right direction despite the premium price point.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+231
Net Internal / yr
+236
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +24% since 2011, Net internal migration +236/yr, Strong overseas inflow +231/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 21%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Yowie Bay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yowie Bay a good suburb to live in?
Yowie Bay ranks at the 97th percentile for household income nationally and scores SEIFA IRSAD decile 8, placing it in the top fifth for advantage across Australia. The median age of 46 and an 86.7% residential stability rate indicate a settled, long-term community. The main constraint is the $2,385,000 median house price and limited public transport at 1.7% usage.
What is the median house price in Yowie Bay?
The median house price is $2,385,000 as of 2024-2025, down 4.5% from the 2024 peak of $2,460,000. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,200, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 25%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $750 for the small rental segment, which is only 8% of households.
What schools are in Yowie Bay?
No schools are recorded inside Yowie Bay's 1.2 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families use schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Cronulla and Caringbah. Despite this, the suburb's education level is high, with 41.2% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 11.1 points above the national figure.
Is Yowie Bay safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Yowie Bay in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores SEIFA IRSAD decile 8 nationally, in the top advantage tier, and only 4.4% of its 3,053 residents need daily assistance. The 86.7% residential stability rate suggests the community is settled and consistent.
Is Yowie Bay good for property investment?
The investment case is primarily capital growth rather than yield. Weekly rent of $750 against a $2,385,000 median implies a gross yield under 2%, and renters are only 8% of households. Rent growth of 28.9% over the measured period is a positive signal, and net migration of 236 internal plus 231 overseas arrivals annually supports underlying demand.
How is Yowie Bay's population changing?
Yowie Bay is growing at 1.32% per year, adding around 301 persons annually. The 10-year population change was 17.6%, and the gentrification score of 58 places it in the Active stage. Migration is balanced, with 236 net internal arrivals and 231 overseas arrivals per year. Medium-scenario forecasts project the broader area reaching 24,071 by 2031.
How much development is happening in Yowie Bay?
There were 38 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, primarily Complying Development Certificates and dwelling alterations on existing homes rather than new supply. This level of activity is consistent with an established premium suburb where renovation and improvement work is common, rather than greenfield construction.
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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