Salt Ash, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Salt Ash NSW is 1,103 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Salt Ash is $610 per week ($31,720 per year). Median rent in Salt Ash is $310 per week ($1,343 per month). Salt Ash has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Salt Ash has a population density of 21 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Salt Ash is England. The most common religion is No religion (36.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Thai. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Salt Ash is $1,950.

There were 20 recorded offences in Salt Ash in 2025-26, a rate of 18 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (15 offences).

Population
1,103
Census 2021
Median income
$610/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$310/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
46years
Census 2021

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

Salt Ash vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Salt Ash is $610 a week, 20% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,709th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $310 a week, $75 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 21.2% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 46, 3 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.
MeasureSalt AshTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$610/wk$765/wk −20%$766/wk
Household income$1,461/wk$1,704/wk −14%$1,637/wk
Rent$310/wk$385/wk −19%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,950/mo$1,965/mo −1%$1,733/mo
Median age4643 +3 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.2%22.6% −1.4 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 Salt Ash, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Salt Ash Population

1,103 residents at the 2021 Census.

Salt Ash Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$610/wk
$31,720 per year
Ranked 6,937 of 14,663
Median Rent
$310/wk
$1,343 per month
Ranked 4,328 of 14,663
Median Age
46years
8 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,950/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Salt Ash Rent Prices & Affordability

21% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,461/wk
Median rent $310/wk
Rent to income 21.2%

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

Median rent in Salt Ash against your income

About $6,331 a month
Median rent $310/wk
Left after rent $1,151/wk
Rent share 21.2%

Salt Ash Schools

1
schools nearby
1
government
904
avg ICSEA score
142
total students
Salt Ash Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 142 students
904
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 Salt Ash, with a map

Salt Ash Map

Salt Ash, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Salt Ash

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 52.8% (584) Female 47.2% (522)

Population Density

21
people per km²
1,103 people · 51.3 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,705
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
3.4%
Philippines
0.7%
Germany
0.5%
Thailand
0.5%
New Zealand
0.5%
Malaysia
0.4%
Poland
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

Thai
0.5%
Polish
0.5%
Spanish
0.5%
Mandarin
0.4%
Sinhalese
0.4%
Afrikaans
0.0%
Arabic
0.0%

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

Ancestry

Australian
43.9%
English
42.9%
Irish
9.5%
Scottish
8.7%
Australian Aboriginal
6.8%
German
4.0%
Dutch
1.5%
Italian
1.4%
Polish
1.1%
Chinese
0.8%
Croatian
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
36.0%
Anglican
19.6%
Catholic
18.3%
Not stated
9.5%
Christian (other)
3.8%
Uniting Church
3.7%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.6%
Buddhism
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.9%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
47.3% 433
Separated
3.5% 32
Divorced
10.5% 96
Widowed
5.6% 51
Never married
33.1% 303

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.7%
Couple: no children
29.9%
Couple: no children under 15
18.3%
One parent: no children under 15
7.1%
One parent: children under 15
7.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
19.6%
2 persons
38.6%
3 persons
18.2%
4 persons
9.8%
5 persons
7.1%
6+ persons
6.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Salt Ash

Housing Tenure

Of the 376 occupied private dwellings in Salt Ash at the 2021 Census, 12.0% were rented, 40.7% owned outright and 43.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.6% 6 dwellings
Owned outright
40.7% 153 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
43.4% 163 dwellings
Rented
12.0% 45 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.4% 9 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
98.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.8%
2 bedrooms
6.6%
3 bedrooms
40.8%
4 bedrooms
33.6%
5 bedrooms
11.3%
6+ bedrooms
5.0%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.7%
$300-$449/mo
2.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.9%
$800-$999/mo
4.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
16.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
11.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
21.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
1.4%
1 vehicle
21.6%
2 vehicles
33.9%
3 vehicles
23.8%
4+ vehicles
19.4%

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

Work, income and education in Salt Ash

Employment

Employed full-time
30.4% 245 people
Employed part-time
21.9% 176 people
Unemployed
3.9% 31 people
Not in labour force
43.9% 353 people

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

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
27.2%
Professionals
15.0%
Clerical & Administrative
12.5%
Community & Personal Service
12.5%
Managers
10.2%
Labourers
8.3%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
7.7%
Sales Workers
6.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.6%
$1-$149/wk
1.3%
$150-$299/wk
2.8%
$300-$399/wk
3.1%
$400-$499/wk
7.5%
$500-$649/wk
2.8%
$650-$799/wk
8.5%
$800-$999/wk
6.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
11.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.9%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.8%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.7%
$4,000+/wk
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.4%
$1-$149/wk
4.1%
$150-$299/wk
8.6%
$300-$399/wk
7.9%
$400-$499/wk
5.8%
$500-$649/wk
4.3%
$650-$799/wk
11.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500+/wk
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
67.2%
Did not go to work
21.9%
Truck
3.1%
Walked only
2.8%
Car (passenger)
2.8%
Bus
1.3%
Other
1.0%

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

Education Level

Year 10 or equivalent
45.1%
Year 12 or equivalent
32.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
13.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.5%

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
62.8%
Bachelor Degree
15.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
14.2%
Certificate I/II
4.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.3%
Postgraduate Degree
1.2%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
31.6%
Management & Commerce
15.3%
Health
12.6%
Architecture & Building
10.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
9.5%
Society & Culture
7.5%
Agriculture & Environment
4.8%
Education
4.1%
Creative Arts
3.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.0%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.0%
Secondary: Government
24.1%
Vocational Education
11.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
10.3%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.9%
Primary: Catholic
5.4%
Pre-school
5.4%
Secondary: Catholic
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
86.8%
Has need for assistance
6.6%
Need for assistance not stated
6.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
117
Arthritis
74
Asthma
40
Diabetes
36
Heart disease
33
Lung condition
18
Stroke
17
Cancer
16
Kidney disease
15
Dementia
3

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.3% 139
Did not provide
83.7% 712

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
12.6% 107
Not a volunteer
87.4% 742

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.5% 4
Previously served
4.5% 38
Never served
95.1% 810

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
22.2%
1 child
12.5%
2 children
35.2%
3 children
23.5%
4 children
5.7%
5+ children
0.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
3
1951: 1960
11
1961: 1970
20
1971: 1980
5
1981: 1990
13
1991: 2000
5
2001: 2010
6
2011: 2015
18
2017
3

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

Population Mobility

6.9%
moved in the last year
26.2%
moved in the last 5 years
6.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
54.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
938
Moved from NSW
62
Moved from overseas
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.4%
5: 14 hours
26.9%
15: 29 hours
12.8%
30+ hours
17.4%
Did not do domestic work
23.4%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
75.2%
Step family: no other children
14.0%
Blended family: no other children
8.3%
Intact family: other children present
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Salt Ash Crime Statistics

20 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
15
Assault
2
Domestic Violence
1
Drug Offences
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

Suburbs near Salt Ash

The closest suburb to Salt Ash is Medowie, 7.1 km away.

Medowie
7.1 km away · income $845/wk · rent $430/wk
Tanilba Bay
8.6 km away · income $582/wk · rent $380/wk
Fern Bay
12.1 km away · income $735/wk · rent $510/wk
Lemon Tree Passage
12.4 km away · income $533/wk · rent $365/wk
Stockton (NSW)
16.3 km away · income $753/wk · rent $370/wk
Soldiers Point
17.0 km away · income $719/wk · rent $400/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Ash

What is the population of Salt Ash NSW?

The population of Salt Ash NSW is 1,103 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 21 people per km². Salt Ash is ranked #3,825 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Salt Ash?

The median personal income in Salt Ash NSW is $610 per week, or $31,720 per year. The median household income is $1,461 per week. Family income is $1,705 per week. Salt Ash is ranked #6,937 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Salt Ash?

Median rent in Salt Ash NSW is $310 per week ($1,343 per month). Rent represents 21.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. Salt Ash ranks #4,328 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Salt Ash?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Salt Ash NSW is $1,950. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Salt Ash?

The median age in Salt Ash NSW is 46 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Salt Ash a good suburb to live in?

Salt Ash is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,103. The median income is $610/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.2% 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: 13482. All dollar figures in AUD.