Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
South West Rocks suburb profile
South West Rocks, NSW · Postcode 2431
This South West Rocks suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for South West Rocks, NSW (postcode 2431). 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 South West Rocks with nearby suburbs.
South West Rocks at a glance
Population
5,058
Median rent
$323/wk
Household income
$980/wk
Median age
58
South West Rocks 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
+14.5% over 10 years
Population
5,058
was 4,603 in 2016
+455 · +9.9%
Median rent
$323/wk
was $275/wk in 2016
+$48 · +17.5%
Household income
$980/wk
was $853/wk in 2016
+$127 · +14.9%
Median age
58
was 56 in 2016
+2 · +3.6%
Dig deeper: South West Rocks population growth · South West Rocks then and now
South West Rocks vs nearby & NSW
Median Census 2021 figures for South West Rocks, nearby suburbs (8), and the NSW state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-23.1% vs area
- South West Rocks$323/wk
- Nearby$366.5/wk
- NSW$420/wk
Household income
-46.8% vs area
- South West Rocks$980/wk
- Nearby$1,299.5/wk
- NSW$1,843/wk
Median age
+45% vs area
- South West Rocks58
- Nearby48
- NSW40
Personal income
-34% vs area
- South West Rocks$533/wk
- Nearby$651/wk
- NSW$808/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW.
Socio-economic profile
How South West Rocks compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
South West Rocks sits below average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 2951.6
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 2910.5
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2962.7
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 2895.6
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
South West Rocks on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for South West Rocks, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
South West Rocks people
- Population
- 5,058
- Median age
- 58
- Born overseas
- 9.6%
- Average household size
- 2.1
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
South West Rocks income
- Median household income
- $980/wk
- Median personal income
- $533/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
South West Rocks housing
- Median rent
- $323/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,517/mo
- Separate houses
- 64%
- Flats & apartments
- 10%
- Owned outright
- 42.1%
- Mortgaged
- 15.5%
- Rented
- 19.1%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 21.2%
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
South West Rocks work
- Employment to population
- 37.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 6.4%
- Year 12 or above
- 32.7%
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 2431)
Compare South West Rocks with nearby suburbs
South West Rocks in numbers
South West Rocks had 5,058 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 58, 41% above the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.1 people. 9.6% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 42.1% own their home outright, 15.5% are paying a mortgage, 19.1% rent. Separate houses make up 64% of dwellings, with 10% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $323/wk, 19% below the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $980/wk, 46% below the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 6.4%. 32.7% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 2 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 9.9% (from 4,603 to 5,058). Median rent moved from $275/wk to $323/wk (+17.5%).
South West Rocks suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in South West Rocks, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in South West Rocks was $323/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in South West Rocks, NSW?
- South West Rocks had 5,058 residents at the 2021 Census, up 9.9% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in South West Rocks?
- Median household income in South West Rocks was $980/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in South West Rocks?
- 19.1% of occupied homes in South West Rocks were rented, 42.1% were owned outright and 15.5% were owned with a mortgage.
About this South West Rocks suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching South West Rocks. 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