Suburb in Port Stephens

Shoal Bay, NSW

Shoal Bay had a population of 1,815 at the 2021 Census (−2.6% since 2016). Median age 58.5. Median weekly household income $1,012. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Shoal Bay at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Hunter Valley exc Newcastle

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Shoal Bay's population shrank by 2.6% to 1,815, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 58.5, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 7.3% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 33.7%.

33.9% of households rent, close to the NSW average of 33.1%. 40.1% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 13.8% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 821 households.

The median household earns $1,012 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $339 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,688 a month.

19.6% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 6.1% use a language other than English at home. 36.9% report no religion, close to the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Shoal Bay beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureShoal BayNSWAustralia
Population1,8158,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016−2.6%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age58.538.438.2
Households8212,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments13.8%21.8%14.3%
Renting33.9%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright40.1%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,012$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$339$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$1,688$2,142$1,866
Born overseas19.6%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home6.1%28.2%23.6%
No religion36.9%35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

−2.6% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 1,8822011
  2. 1,8642016
  3. 1,8152021

Age

Median age 58.5, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Shoal Bay New South Wales
Share of people by age, Shoal Bay and New South Wales
0–97.3%
10–198.3%
20–297.4%
30–397.6%
40–498.9%
50–5911.6%
60–6915.5%
70–7917.6%
80+16.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in Shoal Bay at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English45.5%
  2. Australian38.2%
  3. Irish14.9%
  4. Scottish11.9%
  5. German5.3%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Nepali1.6%
  2. Italian0.7%
  3. Malayalam0.7%
  4. Greek0.4%
  5. Thai0.4%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England5.6%
  2. New Zealand2.0%
  3. Nepal1.5%
  4. Scotland1.2%
  5. Germany1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around Shoal Bay

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Shoal Bay in Censible

Every census figure for Shoal Bay, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.