Urban Centre · Area profile
Callala Bay
5 km²
Over half of the homes in Callala Bay are owned outright, making it a standout area for secure housing. This community has shifted toward an older demographic, with the typical resident now 53 and a significant increase in seniors since 2011. The population has grown by 89% over the last decade, creating a larger residential hub in the Shoalhaven region. It is a place where many residents are retired or working from home, living in spacious detached houses.
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The area is far older than the national average, with 30.4% of people aged 65 and over. This shift is stark since 2011, when the typical age was just 30; it is now 53, while the number of children has fallen significantly.
English and Australian are the most common ancestries. While the share of people born overseas is far below the state and national figures, it has risen to 16.2% since 2011.
English is the primary language for 90.2% of residents. Those using another language at home make up 5.6% of the population, which is higher than in most similar areas but far below the New South Wales average.
A little more than four in ten people report no religion, a figure that has risen 21 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 52.1%.
The community is more qualified than most similar areas, with 17.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This represents an 11 point increase since 2011.
Typical weekly household income is $1,239, which is well below the national figure. However, 14.9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a figure that has risen since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are far more common here than across Australia, affecting 39.9% of people. This is consistent with the older population, and 7.6% of residents need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care is a strong feature of the community, as 15.1% of people provide unpaid care—well above the national average. Additionally, 7.2% of residents have served in the Defence Force, among the highest for its level.
Most homes contain couples, with 43.5% having children and 40.6% without. People living alone make up 26.3% of the population, which is a rise of nearly 10 points since 2011.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, with 95% of dwellings being detached. Homes here are typically large, as 87.4% have three or more bedrooms, and 53.4% are owned outright.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 62.4% of workers driving to work. Working from home is much more common here than in most similar areas, rising to 14.7% since 2011.
About 35.3% of residents moved in the last five years, which is well below the national figure. Recent arrivals from overseas make up a small 1.4% of the population.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 48.2%. The most common industries for those employed are health care, social assistance, and public administration.
The neighborhood is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. While nearly everyone lives within 10 minutes of public transport, there are no health services within a 15-minute walk.