Bateau Bay, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Bateau Bay NSW is 12,516 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Bateau Bay is $719 per week ($37,388 per year). Median rent in Bateau Bay is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Bateau Bay has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Bateau Bay has a population density of 1,804 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Bateau Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (38.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Italian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bateau Bay is $2,058.

There were 215 recorded offences in Bateau Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 17 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (68 offences).

Population
12,516
Census 2021
Median income
$719/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$400/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
42years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Bateau Bay vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Bateau Bay is $719 a week, 6% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,297th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $400 a week, $15 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.1% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 42, 1 year younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBateau BayTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$719/wk$765/wk −6%$766/wk
Household income$1,475/wk$1,704/wk −13%$1,637/wk
Rent$400/wk$385/wk +4%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,058/mo$1,965/mo +5%$1,733/mo
Median age4243 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.1%22.6% +4.5 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Bateau Bay, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Bateau Bay Population

12,516 residents at the 2021 Census.

Bateau Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$719/wk
$37,388 per year
Ranked 5,120 of 14,663
Median Rent
$400/wk
$1,733 per month
Ranked 1,854 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,058/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Bateau Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,475/wk
Median rent $400/wk
Rent to income 27.1%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Bateau Bay against your income

About $6,392 a month
Median rent $400/wk
Left after rent $1,075/wk
Rent share 27.1%

Bateau Bay Schools

8
schools nearby
6
government
1011
avg ICSEA score
4,216
total students
The Central Coast Montessori Primary School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 66 students
1100
ICSEA
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 606 students
1057
ICSEA
Wamberal Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 475 students
1048
ICSEA
Bateau Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 614 students
1029
ICSEA
Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College The Entrance Campus Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 756 students
987
ICSEA
Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Tumbi Umbi Campus Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 802 students
972
ICSEA
Killarney Vale Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 477 students
963
ICSEA
Brooke Avenue Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 420 students
931
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Bateau Bay, with a map

Bateau Bay Map

Bateau Bay, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Bateau Bay

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.2% (5,905) Female 52.8% (6,612)

Population Density

1,804
people per km²
12,516 people · 6.9 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,001
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
4.0%
New Zealand
1.5%
Scotland
0.5%
Philippines
0.4%
South Africa
0.4%
Ireland
0.4%
United States of America
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Italian
0.3%
Spanish
0.3%
German
0.2%
Portuguese
0.2%
Afrikaans
0.2%
Greek
0.2%
Mandarin
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
42.9%
Australian
42.2%
Irish
13.5%
Scottish
10.4%
Australian Aboriginal
4.7%
German
3.0%
Italian
3.0%
Maltese
1.3%
New Zealander
1.1%
Dutch
1.0%
Chinese
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
38.0%
Catholic
24.2%
Anglican
17.6%
Not stated
7.5%
Uniting Church
2.4%
Christian (other)
1.9%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.7%
Baptist
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.8% 4,632
Separated
3.8% 379
Divorced
10.3% 1,045
Widowed
8.9% 899
Never married
31.2% 3,151

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
39.8%
Couple: no children
26.8%
Couple: no children under 15
16.2%
One parent: children under 15
9.5%
One parent: no children under 15
7.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
27.4%
2 persons
32.7%
3 persons
15.1%
4 persons
16.1%
5 persons
6.3%
6+ persons
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Bateau Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,673 occupied private dwellings in Bateau Bay at the 2021 Census, 23.8% were rented, 35.6% owned outright and 35.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
4.1% 190 dwellings
Owned outright
35.6% 1,662 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
35.0% 1,637 dwellings
Rented
23.8% 1,110 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.6% 75 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
88.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
6.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
5.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
5.6%
2 bedrooms
13.2%
3 bedrooms
40.1%
4 bedrooms
33.1%
5 bedrooms
7.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.2%
$300-$449/mo
2.6%
$450-$599/mo
1.8%
$600-$799/mo
3.3%
$800-$999/mo
4.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
10.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
14.9%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
27.0%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
18.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
11.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
7.8%
1 vehicle
34.2%
2 vehicles
39.3%
3 vehicles
12.1%
4+ vehicles
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Bateau Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
30.3% 2,670 people
Employed part-time
21.8% 1,924 people
Unemployed
2.6% 232 people
Not in labour force
45.3% 3,995 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
27.7%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.2%
Community & Personal Service
14.5%
Managers
13.3%
Clerical & Administrative
12.3%
Sales Workers
5.5%
Labourers
4.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.2%
$300-$399/wk
3.1%
$400-$499/wk
9.9%
$500-$649/wk
5.3%
$650-$799/wk
7.0%
$800-$999/wk
6.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.2%
$4,000+/wk
8.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.0%
$1-$149/wk
4.1%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
4.8%
$400-$499/wk
4.8%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
10.2%
$800-$999/wk
10.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
8.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.4%
$3,500+/wk
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
69.8%
Did not go to work
21.4%
Car (passenger)
4.2%
Truck
1.2%
Walked only
1.1%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Bus
0.5%
Other
0.4%
Train
0.4%
Bicycle
0.2%
Tram/Light Rail
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
50.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
34.7%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.1%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
44.2%
Bachelor Degree
25.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.5%
Postgraduate Degree
5.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.3%
Certificate I/II
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
21.0%
Society & Culture
13.9%
Engineering
12.6%
Health
12.5%
Education
12.4%
Architecture & Building
11.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.4%
Creative Arts
4.0%
Agriculture & Environment
3.2%
Information Technology
1.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
35.2%
Secondary: Government
23.3%
Vocational Education
12.8%
Pre-school
12.4%
Primary: Catholic
5.9%
Secondary: Catholic
4.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
86.1%
Has need for assistance
7.6%
Need for assistance not stated
6.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,207
Arthritis
497
Asthma
441
Heart disease
347
Diabetes
323
Lung condition
297
Cancer
205
Stroke
157
Kidney disease
123
Dementia
53

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.0% 1,218
Did not provide
87.0% 8,180

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
11.9% 1,118
Not a volunteer
88.1% 8,303

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 4
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 7
Previously served
2.7% 253
Never served
97.2% 9,179

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.3%
1 child
12.2%
2 children
34.5%
3 children
19.3%
4 children
6.9%
5+ children
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
66
1951: 1960
116
1961: 1970
254
1971: 1980
198
1981: 1990
210
1991: 2000
122
2001: 2010
245
2011: 2015
118
2016
29
2017
14
2018
17
2019
24
2020
9
2021
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

12.3%
moved in the last year
36.5%
moved in the last 5 years
4.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
54.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
10,134
Moved from NSW
1,038
Moved: same area (SA2)
291
Moved from VIC
26
Moved from overseas
21
Moved from QLD
13
Moved from ACT
6
Moved from WA
5
Moved from NT
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.4%
5: 14 hours
28.8%
15: 29 hours
14.7%
30+ hours
10.4%
Did not do domestic work
26.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.5%
Step family: no other children
10.0%
Blended family: no other children
3.8%
Other couple: children only
0.4%
Intact family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Bateau Bay Crime Statistics

215 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
68
Assault
33
Other Against Property
33
Other Against Person
26
Property Damage
25
Drug Offences
19
Sexual Offences
5
Weapons
5
Homicide
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Bateau Bay

The closest suburb to Bateau Bay is Shelly Beach (NSW), 2.1 km away.

Shelly Beach (NSW)
2.1 km away · income $801/wk · rent $423/wk
Killarney Vale
2.3 km away · income $711/wk · rent $400/wk
Forresters Beach
2.6 km away · income $819/wk · rent $470/wk
Long Jetty
3.1 km away · income $665/wk · rent $360/wk
Tumbi Umbi
4.0 km away · income $739/wk · rent $410/wk
Wamberal
4.3 km away · income $944/wk · rent $500/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Bateau Bay

What is the population of Bateau Bay NSW?

The population of Bateau Bay NSW is 12,516 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,804 people per km². Bateau Bay is ranked #409 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Bateau Bay?

The median personal income in Bateau Bay NSW is $719 per week, or $37,388 per year. The median household income is $1,475 per week. Family income is $2,001 per week. Bateau Bay is ranked #5,120 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Bateau Bay?

Median rent in Bateau Bay NSW is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Rent represents 27.1% of household income, which is considered moderate. Bateau Bay ranks #1,854 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Bateau Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bateau Bay NSW is $2,058. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Bateau Bay?

The median age in Bateau Bay NSW is 42 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Bateau Bay a good suburb to live in?

Bateau Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 12,516. The median income is $719/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.1% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10227. All dollar figures in AUD.