Median house price
$820k
+17% change
NSW · Bega Valley Council
Tathra, 2550
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,553
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.9%
Median age
56
Median income
$1,221/wk
Employment rate
48.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$820,000
Languages at home
4.3%non-English
Most common: Vietnamese, Cantonese, Sinhalese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Tathra is a coastal smaller community a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum and safety. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Tathra snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $580 · Units $410
Population (ERP)
1,553
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
22.9%
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
#22
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
22nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
46th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
67th
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
- 49.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2208th in Australia
- State rank
- 662nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #22 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #68 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $410
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $580
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 83
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $820,000
- Median price change
- +17.1%
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
1,553(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +2.9% over 5 years · 46th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +2.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +6
- Change in 5 years
- +43
- Growth rank in NSW
- 46th 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 (~1,600), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,527
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $1,221
- Dwelling vacancy
- 22.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 212 of 925
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,603
- Employment rate
- 48.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 544 / 123 / 32 (+ 10 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)
- 65
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 23
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 41.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 80 residents
- State safety percentile
- 21.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.7%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order61
- Breach Bail Conditions45
- Domestic Violence Related Assault54
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment78
- Malicious Damage To Property93
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
- 1,048
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 67th
School list
- Tathra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1048 · 67th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 171 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.3 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Tathra Preschoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
47 public transport stops in this suburb
- Andy Poole Dr After Francis Hollis Dr
- Andy Poole Dr Opp Tathra Skate Park
- Bega St After Tomigee St
- Bega St At Davidson St
- Wildlife Dr Opp Flora Pl
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
20 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 10 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 47 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 6.55
Community(2)
- Tathra PreschoolKindergarten
- Tathra Public SchoolSchool
Tathra
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Kianinny Bay Picnic AreaPark
- Tathra Forest Wildlife ReservePark
- Picnic area
- Playground
- Sports field
Entertainment(2)
- Viewpoint (2)
Other(7)
- Bbq
- Bench
- Tathra Rural Fire ServiceFire station
146 Bega Street
- Information
- Parking (5)
- BravoPetrol station
- 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
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Kianinny Bay Picnic AreaPark
- Tathra Forest Wildlife ReservePark
- Tathra Lions ParkPark
- Tathra Memorial GardenPark
- Thatchers FlatPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 21
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- South East Regional Hospital (11.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Sapphire Coast Medical PracticeDoctor
- Tathra PharmacyPharmacy
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)
- 58
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.3
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
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 209 mm · ~26 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 227 mm · ~28 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· 18 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 WHEELER AVENUE TATHRA 2550Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 TATHRA STREET TATHRA 2550Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 CLIFF PLACE TATHRA 2550Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)12 YUPPARA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structureTHOMPSON DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 EDNA DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 JOHN TAYLOR CRESCENT TATHRA 2550Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 WOOLLYBUTT WAY TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureThompson Drive Tathra NSW 2550 Lot 33 DP 1249961Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah10 BAY VIEW DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space15 WHEELER AVENUE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 WOOLLYBUTT WAY TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Carport; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development124 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation61 DILKERA ROAD TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
January 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 BAY STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8-10 BEACH STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 ANDY POOLE DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
2025· 20 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces47 Pacific Street, TathraDetermined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureThompson Drive Tathra NSW 2550 Lot 33 DP 1249961Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Manufactured home4 THOMPSON DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 ILLOURA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure114-116 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport26 ESTHER STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Subdivision51 DILKERA ROAD TATHRA 2550Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 BAY VIEW DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 ANDY POOLE DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility132 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure114-116 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support20 FRANCIS HOLLIS DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 SANCTUARY PLACE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 BAY STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33-35 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Caravan park; Swimming pool; Supporting Development5 ANDY POOLE DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool49 DILKERA ROAD TATHRA 2550Determined
- Small bar; Temporary building, structure or use; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink1-7 BEGA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 FRANCIS HOLLIS DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support12 YUPPARA STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
2024· 4 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 OCEAN VIEW TERRACE TATHRA 2550Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 THOMPSON DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8-10 BEACH STREET TATHRA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 THOMPSON DRIVE TATHRA 2550Determined
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)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Tathra Wharf and buildingWharf Road, TathraSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Eden-Monaro
- Member of Parliament
- Kristy McBAIN (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,376
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.1 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 42.8%Labor 57.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 17.4 km away).
Coalition 30.2%Labor 69.8%
12.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- TathraLabor 69.8% · Coalition 30.2% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- TanjaLabor 91.2% · Coalition 8.8% TPP (2025)10.9 km away
- BegaLabor 70.1% · Coalition 29.9% TPP (2025)13.3 km away
- Bega HeightsLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)13.4 km away
- Bega CentralLabor 62.5% · Coalition 37.5% TPP (2025)13.6 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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 Bega Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.