Median house price
$866k
+1.9% change
NSW · Shoalhaven Council
Callala Bay, 2540
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,181
Growth (1 yr)
+0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-2.2%
Median age
51
Median income
$1,289/wk
Employment rate
47.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$866,000
Languages at home
6%non-English
Most common: Croatian, German, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Callala Bay is a coastal smaller community a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus parks and green space trail behind.
At a glance
Callala Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$571/wk
Houses $600 · Units $465
Population (ERP)
2,181
+0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
29.2%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#84
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
19th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
34th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 34.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4782nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1523rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #84 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #153 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $465
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $600
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $571
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 300
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $866,000
- Median price change
- +1.9%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
2,181(June 2025)
+0.3% annual · -2.2% over 5 years · 44th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -2.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +7
- Change in 5 years
- -50
- Growth rank in NSW
- 44th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~2,150), extrapolated at -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,234
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $1,289
- Dwelling vacancy
- 29.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 365 of 1,251
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,697
- Employment rate
- 47.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 844 / 36 / 9 (+ 3 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 88
- Against the person
- 32
- Against property
- 36
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 40.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 70 residents
- State safety percentile
- 19.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order135
- Domestic Violence Related Assault174
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment283
- Malicious Damage To Property261
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault146
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 971
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 34th
School list
- Callala Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 971 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 151 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
21 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bay St At Morton St
- Boorawine Tce Before Murray St
- Callala Bay Public School, Emmett St
- Emmett St Opp Callala Bay Shops
- Lackersteen St At Emmett St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 supermarkets · 1 playgrounds · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 21 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 55/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.45
Shopping(1)
- IGA Callala BaySupermarket
Community(1)
- Callala Public SchoolSchool
Callala Bay
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Park
- Playground
- Sports field
Transport(9)
9 bus stops
Other(7)
- Bicycle Parking
- Seabreeze EscapeChalet
- Callala Bay Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
40 Emmett Street, Callala Bay
- Parking (3)
- Picnic Table
- Callala Beach Post OfficePost office
55 Emmett Street
- Public toilets
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Nowra Private Hospital (14.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 46
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 21.1
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 301 mm · ~38 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 396 mm · ~50 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 292 mm · ~36 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 274 mm · ~34 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 20 proposals
July 2026
- Subdivision9 WOODHILL STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation57 MARINE PARADE CALLALA BAY 2540Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure73 SHEAFFE STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 LACKERSTEEN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation76 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation68 LACKERSTEEN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space12 HUON STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation107 MURRAY STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation44 BAY STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation74C EMMETT STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Subdivision44 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Residential Accommodation31 MITCHELL ROAD CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space19 SHEAFFE STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 FLEET WAY CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
February 2026
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)44 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home93 SHEAFFE STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 MITCHELL ROAD CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport74B EMMETT STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structureSealark Road, Callala Bay - Lot 5 DP270589Determined
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure62 EMMETT STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool37A CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 REGAN CLOSE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure73 WATT STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool62 LACKERSTEEN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43A BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure90 LACKERSTEEN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation47 SYDNEY AVENUE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia28A MITCHELL ROAD CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure15 SHEAFFE STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation68 LACKERSTEEN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation43 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 WARREGO PLACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house43 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure53 SHEAFFE STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
April 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers61 MARINE PARADE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
February 2025
- Subdivision11 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation1 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)59 MITCHELL ROAD CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 Woodhill St, Callala Bay - Lot 24 Sec 7 DP9063Operational consent issued
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)44 BOORAWINE TERRACE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
2024· 2 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation76 CHAPMAN STREET CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool41 MARINE PARADE CALLALA BAY 2540Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Gilmore
- Member of Parliament
- Fiona PHILLIPS (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 128,995
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 44.9%Labor 55.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.8 km away).
Coalition 39.5%Labor 60.5%
5.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Callala BayLabor 60.5% · Coalition 39.5% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Callala BeachLabor 59.4% · Coalition 40.6% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- HuskissonLabor 60.0% · Coalition 40.0% TPP (2025)6.5 km away
- CulburraLabor 59.2% · Coalition 40.8% TPP (2025)7.9 km away
- Greenwell PointLabor 52.8% · Coalition 47.2% TPP (2025)9.7 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Shoalhaven Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.