Caves Beach, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Caves Beach NSW is 4,016 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Caves Beach is $711 per week ($36,972 per year). Median rent in Caves Beach is $420 per week ($1,820 per month). Caves Beach has a median age of 49 years, older than the national median of 38. Caves Beach has a population density of 1,651 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Caves Beach is England. The most common religion is No religion (40.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Caves Beach is $2,090.

There were 24 recorded offences in Caves Beach in 2025-26, a rate of 6 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (8 offences).

Population
4,016
Census 2021
Median income
$711/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$420/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
49years
Census 2021

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

Caves Beach vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Caves Beach is $711 a week, 7% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,328th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $420 a week, $35 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 25.8% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 49, 6 years older 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.
MeasureCaves BeachTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$711/wk$765/wk −7%$766/wk
Household income$1,628/wk$1,704/wk −4%$1,637/wk
Rent$420/wk$385/wk +9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,090/mo$1,965/mo +6%$1,733/mo
Median age4943 +6 yrs42
Rent share of household income25.8%22.6% +3.2 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 Caves Beach, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Caves Beach Population

4,016 residents at the 2021 Census.

Caves Beach Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$711/wk
$36,972 per year
Ranked 5,279 of 14,663
Median Rent
$420/wk
$1,820 per month
Ranked 1,513 of 14,663
Median Age
49years
11 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,090/mo
Avg household size: 2.6 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Caves Beach Rent Prices & Affordability

26% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,628/wk
Median rent $420/wk
Rent to income 25.8%

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

Median rent in Caves Beach against your income

About $7,055 a month
Median rent $420/wk
Left after rent $1,208/wk
Rent share 25.8%

Caves Beach Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
989
avg ICSEA score
1,423
total students
St Patrick's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 165 students
1041
ICSEA
Caves Beach Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 349 students
1019
ICSEA
Swansea High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 710 students
972
ICSEA
Swansea Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 199 students
923
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 Caves Beach, with a map

Caves Beach Map

Caves Beach, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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Caves Beach, New South Wales: 33.1086°S, 151.6456°E

Caves Beach Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Caves Beach

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.1% (1,933) Female 51.9% (2,088)

Population Density

1,651
people per km²
4,016 people · 2.4 km²

Households

2.6
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,954
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
3.5%
New Zealand
1.2%
Scotland
0.5%
Germany
0.4%
Philippines
0.4%
Thailand
0.4%
Wales
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
0.4%
Japanese
0.3%
Spanish
0.2%
Macedonian
0.2%
Thai
0.2%
French
0.2%
Polish
0.2%

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

Ancestry

Australian
44.2%
English
43.0%
Irish
12.4%
Scottish
12.3%
German
4.4%
Australian Aboriginal
3.0%
Italian
2.5%
Welsh
1.7%
Dutch
1.4%
Maltese
1.2%
Chinese
1.0%

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
40.2%
Catholic
21.5%
Anglican
17.1%
Not stated
4.4%
Uniting Church
4.3%
Baptist
3.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.7%
Christian (other)
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
54.2% 1,827
Separated
2.3% 78
Divorced
8.8% 298
Widowed
7.2% 244
Never married
27.4% 922

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
33.1%
Couple: no children
32.2%
Couple: no children under 15
20.3%
One parent: children under 15
7.9%
One parent: no children under 15
6.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
21.1%
2 persons
39.7%
3 persons
14.6%
4 persons
14.6%
5 persons
7.8%
6+ persons
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Caves Beach

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,496 occupied private dwellings in Caves Beach at the 2021 Census, 17.9% were rented, 49.1% owned outright and 30.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.5% 23 dwellings
Owned outright
49.1% 735 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
30.2% 452 dwellings
Rented
17.9% 268 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.9% 14 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
89.2%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.7%
2 bedrooms
11.2%
3 bedrooms
37.1%
4 bedrooms
38.5%
5 bedrooms
10.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
10.7%
$300-$449/mo
2.1%
$450-$599/mo
1.6%
$600-$799/mo
5.2%
$800-$999/mo
5.5%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
9.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
12.0%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
23.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
18.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
11.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.5%
1 vehicle
31.6%
2 vehicles
43.3%
3 vehicles
13.5%
4+ vehicles
8.2%

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

Work, income and education in Caves Beach

Employment

Employed full-time
28.8% 899 people
Employed part-time
22.0% 688 people
Unemployed
2.6% 80 people
Not in labour force
46.7% 1,459 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
31.6%
Technicians & Trade Workers
17.5%
Managers
15.0%
Community & Personal Service
13.4%
Clerical & Administrative
11.9%
Labourers
4.0%
Sales Workers
3.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.9%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.6%
$300-$399/wk
2.3%
$400-$499/wk
7.0%
$500-$649/wk
4.1%
$650-$799/wk
7.3%
$800-$999/wk
6.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.1%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.8%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.6%
$4,000+/wk
12.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.3%
$1-$149/wk
5.8%
$150-$299/wk
6.4%
$300-$399/wk
5.4%
$400-$499/wk
4.3%
$500-$649/wk
3.9%
$650-$799/wk
9.1%
$800-$999/wk
10.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.0%
$3,500+/wk
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.3%
Did not go to work
21.3%
Car (passenger)
3.0%
Walked only
2.6%
Truck
1.0%
Bus
0.7%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.3%
Bicycle
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
49.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
35.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.6%

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
39.9%
Bachelor Degree
27.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.5%
Postgraduate Degree
6.7%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.5%
Certificate I/II
1.6%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
21.6%
Engineering
19.2%
Society & Culture
12.6%
Health
12.4%
Education
12.4%
Architecture & Building
8.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.5%
Creative Arts
2.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.6%
Agriculture & Environment
2.2%
Information Technology
1.5%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
34.4%
Secondary: Government
24.9%
Vocational Education
11.2%
Pre-school
9.7%
Secondary: Catholic
7.9%
Primary: Catholic
5.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.4%

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
90.0%
Has need for assistance
6.6%
Need for assistance not stated
3.4%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
390
Arthritis
231
Asthma
159
Heart disease
141
Diabetes
124
Lung condition
112
Cancer
99
Kidney disease
50
Stroke
49
Dementia
11

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.6% 507
Did not provide
84.4% 2,735

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.3% 496
Not a volunteer
84.7% 2,750

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 5
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 3
Previously served
3.3% 107
Never served
96.5% 3,134

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.8%
1 child
6.9%
2 children
35.9%
3 children
23.9%
4 children
6.0%
5+ children
1.5%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
21
1951: 1960
48
1961: 1970
97
1971: 1980
67
1981: 1990
54
1991: 2000
30
2001: 2010
61
2011: 2015
28
2016
8
2017
11
2018
4
2019
11

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

Population Mobility

11.1%
moved in the last year
30.6%
moved in the last 5 years
4.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
53.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
3,459
Moved from NSW
232
Moved: same area (SA2)
140
Moved from overseas
18
Moved from QLD
9
Moved from SA
5
Moved from VIC
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.6%
5: 14 hours
29.9%
15: 29 hours
14.3%
30+ hours
11.2%
Did not do domestic work
25.0%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.4%
Step family: no other children
8.9%
Blended family: no other children
3.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.9%
Other couple: children only
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Caves Beach Crime Statistics

24 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
8
Sexual Offences
4
Other Against Property
4
Assault
3
Property Damage
3
Other Against Person
1
Weapons
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Batlow
Income: $602/wk Rent: $180/wk $240/wk less rent
Walcha
Income: $701/wk Rent: $203/wk $217/wk less rent
Lithgow
Income: $602/wk Rent: $280/wk $140/wk less rent
Howlong
Income: $673/wk Rent: $290/wk $130/wk less rent
Waterview Heights
Income: $582/wk Rent: $300/wk $120/wk less rent
Moama
Income: $686/wk Rent: $315/wk $105/wk less rent
Halekulani
Income: $601/wk Rent: $360/wk $60/wk less rent
Wyee
Income: $623/wk Rent: $360/wk $60/wk less rent

Suburbs near Caves Beach

The closest suburb to Caves Beach is Swansea (NSW), 2.6 km away.

Swansea (NSW)
2.6 km away · income $569/wk · rent $330/wk
Blacksmiths
3.9 km away · income $636/wk · rent $390/wk
Catherine Hill Bay
4.9 km away · income $1,082/wk · rent $420/wk
Marks Point
5.4 km away · income $659/wk · rent $318/wk
Belmont South
6.3 km away · income $643/wk · rent $273/wk
Gwandalan
6.9 km away · income $687/wk · rent $385/wk

Compare Caves Beach

Frequently Asked Questions About Caves Beach

What is the population of Caves Beach NSW?

The population of Caves Beach NSW is 4,016 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,651 people per km². Caves Beach is ranked #1,918 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Caves Beach?

The median personal income in Caves Beach NSW is $711 per week, or $36,972 per year. The median household income is $1,628 per week. Family income is $1,954 per week. Caves Beach is ranked #5,279 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Caves Beach?

Median rent in Caves Beach NSW is $420 per week ($1,820 per month). Rent represents 25.8% of household income, which is considered moderate. Caves Beach ranks #1,513 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Caves Beach?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Caves Beach NSW is $2,090. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Caves Beach?

The median age in Caves Beach NSW is 49 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Caves Beach a good suburb to live in?

Caves Beach is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 4,016. The median income is $711/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (25.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10861. All dollar figures in AUD.