Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Ocean Shores suburb profile
Ocean Shores, NSW · Postcode 2483
This Ocean Shores suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Ocean Shores, NSW (postcode 2483). 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 Ocean Shores with nearby suburbs.
Ocean Shores at a glance
Population
5,777
Median rent
$508/wk
Household income
$1,471/wk
Median age
43
Ocean Shores 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
+18.6% over 10 years
Population
5,777
was 5,137 in 2016
+640 · +12.5%
Median rent
$508/wk
was $408/wk in 2016
+$100 · +24.5%
Household income
$1,471/wk
was $1,096/wk in 2016
+$375 · +34.2%
Median age
43
was 44 in 2016
-1 · -2.3%
Dig deeper: Ocean Shores population growth · Ocean Shores then and now
Ocean Shores vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for Ocean Shores, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+21% vs area
- Ocean Shores$508/wk
- Nearby$420/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-20.2% vs area
- Ocean Shores$1,471/wk
- Nearby$1,323.5/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+7.5% vs area
- Ocean Shores43
- Nearby45.5
- NSW40
Personal income
-12% vs area
- Ocean Shores$711/wk
- Nearby$658.5/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How Ocean Shores compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Ocean Shores sits around the national middle for socio-economic advantage.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 51,006.3
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 6998.4
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 4998
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 81,031
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Ocean Shores on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Ocean Shores, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Ocean Shores people
- Population
- 5,777
- Median age
- 43
- Born overseas
- 19.4%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Ocean Shores income
- Median household income
- $1,471/wk
- Median personal income
- $711/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Ocean Shores housing
- Median rent
- $508/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,893/mo
- Separate houses
- 77.5%
- Flats & apartments
- 6.3%
- Owned outright
- 34.2%
- Mortgaged
- 31.1%
- Rented
- 24.3%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 7.3%
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
Ocean Shores work
- Employment to population
- 54.3%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.9%
- Year 12 or above
- 58.4%
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 2483)
Compare Ocean Shores with nearby suburbs
Ocean Shores in numbers
Ocean Shores had 5,777 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 446th most populous suburb or locality in NSW out of 4,347. The median age is 43, 5% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 19.4% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 34.2% own their home outright, 31.1% are paying a mortgage, 24.3% rent. Separate houses make up 77.5% of dwellings, with 6.3% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $508/wk, 27% above the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $1,471/wk, 18% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5.9%. 58.4% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 5 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 12.5% (from 5,137 to 5,777). Median rent moved from $408/wk to $508/wk (+24.5%).
Ocean Shores suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Ocean Shores, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Ocean Shores was $508/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Ocean Shores, NSW?
- Ocean Shores had 5,777 residents at the 2021 Census, up 12.5% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Ocean Shores?
- Median household income in Ocean Shores was $1,471/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Ocean Shores?
- 24.3% of occupied homes in Ocean Shores were rented, 34.2% were owned outright and 31.1% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Ocean Shores suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Ocean Shores. 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