Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Empire Bay suburb profile
Empire Bay, NSW · Postcode 2257
This Empire Bay suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Empire Bay, NSW (postcode 2257). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Empire Bay with nearby suburbs.
Empire Bay at a glance
Population
2,522
Median rent
$410/wk
Household income
$1,884/wk
Median age
42
Empire Bay trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+10.9% over 10 years
Population
2,522
was 2,400 in 2016
+122 · +5.1%
Median rent
$410/wk
was $350/wk in 2016
+$60 · +17.1%
Household income
$1,884/wk
was $1,449/wk in 2016
+$435 · +30%
Median age
42
was 41 in 2016
+1 · +2.4%
Dig deeper: Empire Bay population growth · Empire Bay then and now
Empire Bay vs nearby & Greater Sydney
Median Census 2021 figures for Empire Bay, nearby suburbs (8), and the Sydney metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-16.3% vs area
- Empire Bay$410/wk
- Nearby$422.5/wk
- Sydney$490/wk
Household income
-11.1% vs area
- Empire Bay$1,884/wk
- Nearby$1,324/wk
- Sydney$2,119.5/wk
Median age
+5% vs area
- Empire Bay42
- Nearby53.5
- Sydney40
Personal income
-16.4% vs area
- Empire Bay$755/wk
- Nearby$673.5/wk
- Sydney$903.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW. See Sydney rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Empire Bay compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Empire Bay sits above average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 71,035.5
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 71,014.9
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 71,050.1
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 6994.4
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Empire Bay on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Empire Bay, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Empire Bay people
- Population
- 2,522
- Median age
- 42
- Born overseas
- 12.9%
- Average household size
- 2.7
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Empire Bay income
- Median household income
- $1,884/wk
- Median personal income
- $755/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Empire Bay housing
- Median rent
- $410/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,165/mo
- Separate houses
- 85.6%
- Flats & apartments
- 2%
- Owned outright
- 35.1%
- Mortgaged
- 38.6%
- Rented
- 16%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 8.7%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Empire Bay work
- Employment to population
- 57.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.5%
- Year 12 or above
- 48.5%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2257)
Compare Empire Bay with nearby suburbs
Empire Bay in numbers
Empire Bay had 2,522 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 42, close to the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.7 people. 12.9% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 35.1% own their home outright, 38.6% are paying a mortgage, 16% rent. Separate houses make up 85.6% of dwellings, with 2% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $410/wk, 3% above the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,884/wk, 4% above the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.5%. 48.5% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 7 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 5.1% (from 2,400 to 2,522). Median rent moved from $350/wk to $410/wk (+17.1%).
Empire Bay suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Empire Bay, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Empire Bay was $410/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Empire Bay, NSW?
- Empire Bay had 2,522 residents at the 2021 Census, up 5.1% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Empire Bay?
- Median household income in Empire Bay was $1,884/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Empire Bay?
- 16% of occupied homes in Empire Bay were rented, 35.1% were owned outright and 38.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Empire Bay suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Empire Bay. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Sydney