Shoalhaven · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A middle-of-the-road standing among similar areas defines the economy of Shoalhaven. While it is larger than most areas at its level with 111,755 people, its overall advantage score of 949 is smaller than about 53% of similar places.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Shoalhaven — lower than 57% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area has a typical overall advantage score of 5, which is about the same as half of all other areas. Residents have relatively good access to money and resources, scoring higher than about 70% of similar places.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
7
Higher than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
949
Lower than 54% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Shoalhaven grew by 3.0% since 2021, placing it around the middle for its level. However, this growth is well below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
111,755
Higher than 85% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
3.0%
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The region is a significant hub for industry with 8,294 businesses, which is more than about 84% of similar areas. This activity is mirrored in the building sector, where the 716 approved dwellings are more than about 87% of comparable places.
8,294
Higher than 80% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
716
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Shoalhaven [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA16950/shoalhaven/topic/economy-advantage
