Empire Bay, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Empire Bay NSW is 2,522 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Empire Bay is $755 per week ($39,260 per year). Median rent in Empire Bay is $410 per week ($1,777 per month). Empire Bay has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Empire Bay has a population density of 635 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Empire Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (41.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Tagalog. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Empire Bay is $2,165.

There were 3 recorded offences in Empire Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 1 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against person (1 offences).

Population
2,522
Census 2021
Median income
$755/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$410/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.

Empire Bay vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Empire Bay is $755 a week, in line with the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,139th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $410 a week, $25 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 21.8% 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.
MeasureEmpire BayTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$755/wk$765/wk −1%$766/wk
Household income$1,884/wk$1,704/wk +11%$1,637/wk
Rent$410/wk$385/wk +6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,165/mo$1,965/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age4243 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.8%22.6% −0.8 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 Empire Bay, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Empire Bay Population

2,522 residents at the 2021 Census.

Empire Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$755/wk
$39,260 per year
Ranked 4,428 of 14,663
Median Rent
$410/wk
$1,777 per month
Ranked 1,715 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,165/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Empire Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,884/wk
Median rent $410/wk
Rent to income 21.8%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Empire Bay against your income

About $8,164 a month
Median rent $410/wk
Left after rent $1,474/wk
Rent share 21.8%

Empire Bay Schools

4
schools nearby
3
government
1054
avg ICSEA score
1,172
total students
Pretty Beach Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 154 students
1102
ICSEA
Coast Christian School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 234 students
1061
ICSEA
Empire Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 426 students
1039
ICSEA
Brisbania Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 358 students
1014
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 Empire Bay, with a map

Empire Bay Map

Empire Bay, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Empire Bay, New South Wales: 33.5035°S, 151.3692°E

Empire Bay Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (4)

People in Empire Bay

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.8% (1,253) Female 50.2% (1,262)

Population Density

635
people per km²
2,522 people · 4.0 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,100
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
4.6%
New Zealand
1.3%
South Africa
0.5%
Wales
0.5%
China
0.4%
Italy
0.4%
United States of America
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

Tagalog
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
French
0.4%
German
0.2%
Thai
0.2%
Cantonese
0.2%
Mandarin
0.2%

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

Ancestry

Australian
44.6%
English
43.2%
Scottish
12.0%
Irish
11.2%
Australian Aboriginal
4.5%
German
3.3%
Italian
2.1%
Dutch
1.3%
Chinese
1.2%
Maltese
1.2%
Welsh
1.2%

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
41.5%
Catholic
21.6%
Anglican
19.5%
Not stated
5.6%
Christian (other)
2.0%
Uniting Church
1.7%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.4%
Buddhism
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
50.0% 1,013
Separated
3.2% 64
Divorced
9.6% 195
Widowed
5.8% 118
Never married
31.3% 634

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
43.8%
Couple: no children
25.5%
Couple: no children under 15
18.3%
One parent: no children under 15
6.8%
One parent: children under 15
5.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
19.4%
2 persons
34.5%
3 persons
15.7%
4 persons
17.6%
5 persons
9.4%
6+ persons
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Empire Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 880 occupied private dwellings in Empire Bay at the 2021 Census, 17.4% were rented, 38.3% owned outright and 42.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 12 dwellings
Owned outright
38.3% 337 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
42.0% 370 dwellings
Rented
17.4% 153 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.6% 14 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
96.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.6%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.1%
2 bedrooms
15.3%
3 bedrooms
36.9%
4 bedrooms
30.5%
5 bedrooms
12.2%
6+ bedrooms
2.1%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.8%
$300-$449/mo
1.2%
$450-$599/mo
0.9%
$600-$799/mo
3.7%
$800-$999/mo
4.0%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
12.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
24.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
17.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.6%
1 vehicle
29.3%
2 vehicles
41.6%
3 vehicles
13.4%
4+ vehicles
12.1%

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

Work, income and education in Empire Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
33.3% 594 people
Employed part-time
23.9% 426 people
Unemployed
2.4% 42 people
Not in labour force
40.4% 721 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
26.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
19.6%
Managers
15.8%
Clerical & Administrative
13.3%
Community & Personal Service
12.5%
Labourers
6.0%
Sales Workers
3.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
0.5%
$300-$399/wk
1.9%
$400-$499/wk
5.8%
$500-$649/wk
3.9%
$650-$799/wk
6.5%
$800-$999/wk
6.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
3.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.9%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.4%
$4,000+/wk
13.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.3%
$1-$149/wk
4.3%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
5.4%
$400-$499/wk
4.5%
$500-$649/wk
4.0%
$650-$799/wk
9.4%
$800-$999/wk
10.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.0%
$3,500+/wk
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
69.3%
Did not go to work
20.7%
Car (passenger)
4.2%
Walked only
1.6%
Other
1.1%
Truck
1.0%
Train
1.0%
Bus
0.6%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
53.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
32.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.8%

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
46.4%
Bachelor Degree
22.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.9%
Postgraduate Degree
7.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.3%
Certificate I/II
1.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.0%
Engineering
16.1%
Architecture & Building
14.2%
Society & Culture
13.0%
Health
12.1%
Education
9.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.5%
Agriculture & Environment
3.8%
Creative Arts
3.3%
Information Technology
3.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.7%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
34.3%
Secondary: Government
15.7%
Vocational Education
14.2%
Pre-school
13.6%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
7.5%
Secondary: Catholic
5.6%
Primary: Catholic
5.2%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.9%

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
90.2%
Has need for assistance
5.1%
Need for assistance not stated
4.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
209
Arthritis
99
Asthma
94
Diabetes
73
Heart disease
67
Cancer
49
Lung condition
48
Stroke
32
Kidney disease
26
Dementia
11

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.1% 252
Did not provide
86.9% 1,671

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.5% 259
Not a volunteer
86.5% 1,663

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 4
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 3
Previously served
2.5% 49
Never served
97.1% 1,876

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
25.1%
1 child
12.0%
2 children
37.1%
3 children
17.5%
4 children
6.8%
5+ children
1.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
7
1951: 1960
23
1961: 1970
41
1971: 1980
34
1981: 1990
38
1991: 2000
35
2001: 2010
71
2011: 2015
41
2016
10
2020
5
2021
3

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

Population Mobility

11.5%
moved in the last year
32.9%
moved in the last 5 years
3.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
59.6%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,097
Moved from NSW
177
Moved: same area (SA2)
60
Moved from overseas
11
Moved from WA
8
Moved from NT
7
Moved from QLD
6

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.0%
5: 14 hours
30.2%
15: 29 hours
15.6%
30+ hours
13.1%
Did not do domestic work
22.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
87.4%
Step family: no other children
6.9%
Blended family: no other children
4.8%
Other couple: children only
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Empire Bay Crime Statistics

3 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Person
1
Theft
1
Other Against Property
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

West Wyalong
Income: $778/wk Rent: $230/wk $180/wk less rent
The Rock
Income: $636/wk Rent: $245/wk $165/wk less rent
Coolamon
Income: $746/wk Rent: $270/wk $140/wk less rent
Tomerong
Income: $772/wk Rent: $300/wk $110/wk less rent
Towradgi
Income: $725/wk Rent: $350/wk $60/wk less rent
Noraville
Income: $729/wk Rent: $370/wk $40/wk less rent
Gwandalan
Income: $687/wk Rent: $385/wk $25/wk less rent
Bonnells Bay
Income: $685/wk Rent: $400/wk $10/wk less rent

Suburbs near Empire Bay

The closest suburb to Empire Bay is Bensville, 2.0 km away.

Bensville
2.0 km away · income $812/wk · rent $463/wk
Davistown
2.2 km away · income $699/wk · rent $420/wk
St Huberts Island
2.3 km away · income $753/wk · rent $560/wk
Booker Bay
2.3 km away · income $659/wk · rent $400/wk
Blackwall (NSW)
3.2 km away · income $732/wk · rent $390/wk
Saratoga
3.5 km away · income $869/wk · rent $485/wk

Compare Empire Bay

Frequently Asked Questions About Empire Bay

What is the population of Empire Bay NSW?

The population of Empire Bay NSW is 2,522 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 635 people per km². Empire Bay is ranked #2,708 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Empire Bay?

The median personal income in Empire Bay NSW is $755 per week, or $39,260 per year. The median household income is $1,884 per week. Family income is $2,100 per week. Empire Bay is ranked #4,428 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Empire Bay?

Median rent in Empire Bay NSW is $410 per week ($1,777 per month). Rent represents 21.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Empire Bay ranks #1,715 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Empire Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Empire Bay NSW is $2,165. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Empire Bay?

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

Is Empire Bay a good suburb to live in?

Empire Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 2,522. The median income is $755/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 11418. All dollar figures in AUD.