Callala Bay, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Callala Bay NSW is 2,234 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Callala Bay is $645 per week ($33,540 per year). Median rent in Callala Bay is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Callala Bay has a median age of 51 years, older than the national median of 38. Callala Bay has a population density of 292 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Callala Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (40.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Croatian. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Callala Bay is $1,697.

There were 15 recorded offences in Callala Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 7 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (4 offences).

Population
2,234
Census 2021
Median income
$645/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$390/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
51years
Census 2021

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

Callala Bay vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Callala Bay is $645 a week, 16% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,580th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $390 a week, $5 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 30.3% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 51, 8 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.
MeasureCallala BayTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$645/wk$765/wk −16%$766/wk
Household income$1,289/wk$1,704/wk −24%$1,637/wk
Rent$390/wk$385/wk +1%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,697/mo$1,965/mo −14%$1,733/mo
Median age5143 +8 yrs42
Rent share of household income30.3%22.6% +7.7 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 Callala Bay, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Callala Bay Population

2,234 residents at the 2021 Census.

Callala Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$645/wk
$33,540 per year
Ranked 6,354 of 14,663
Median Rent
$390/wk
$1,690 per month
Ranked 2,258 of 14,663
Median Age
51years
13 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,697/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Callala Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

30% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,289/wk
Median rent $390/wk
Rent to income 30.3%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Callala Bay against your income

About $5,586 a month
Median rent $390/wk
Left after rent $899/wk
Rent share 30.3%

Callala Bay Schools

1
schools nearby
1
government
971
avg ICSEA score
151
total students
Callala Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 151 students
971
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 Callala Bay, with a map

Callala Bay Map

Callala Bay, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Callala Bay

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.9% (1,113) Female 50.1% (1,118)

Population Density

292
people per km²
2,234 people · 7.6 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,495
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
5.2%
New Zealand
0.9%
Croatia
0.9%
Netherlands
0.5%
Scotland
0.5%
Germany
0.5%
Italy
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Croatian
0.9%
Spanish
0.7%
Serbian
0.4%
German
0.4%
Greek
0.4%
Italian
0.3%
Other Chinese languages
0.3%

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

Ancestry

English
43.2%
Australian
39.3%
Scottish
12.6%
Irish
12.5%
Australian Aboriginal
5.3%
German
4.6%
Italian
2.7%
Dutch
2.5%
Croatian
1.8%
Maltese
1.3%
Chinese
0.9%

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
40.0%
Catholic
20.0%
Anglican
17.9%
Not stated
6.3%
Christian (other)
3.7%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.7%
Uniting Church
2.3%
Baptist
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

5.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
49.0% 935
Separated
4.3% 82
Divorced
10.7% 205
Widowed
6.1% 117
Never married
29.8% 568

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
37.5%
Couple: children under 15
30.0%
Couple: no children under 15
17.0%
One parent: children under 15
9.5%
One parent: no children under 15
6.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
25.3%
2 persons
42.1%
3 persons
14.3%
4 persons
11.4%
5 persons
4.5%
6+ persons
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Callala Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 890 occupied private dwellings in Callala Bay at the 2021 Census, 20.9% were rented, 51.9% owned outright and 24.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.2% 11 dwellings
Owned outright
51.9% 462 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
24.2% 215 dwellings
Rented
20.9% 186 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.7% 6 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
96.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.6%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.0%
2 bedrooms
7.3%
3 bedrooms
41.8%
4 bedrooms
42.5%
5 bedrooms
6.6%
6+ bedrooms
0.8%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.6%
$300-$449/mo
2.5%
$450-$599/mo
2.0%
$600-$799/mo
4.1%
$800-$999/mo
4.6%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
19.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
18.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
11.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
10.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
1.5%
1 vehicle
36.0%
2 vehicles
41.0%
3 vehicles
13.6%
4+ vehicles
7.9%

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

Work, income and education in Callala Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
27.5% 486 people
Employed part-time
19.3% 340 people
Unemployed
2.7% 47 people
Not in labour force
50.6% 893 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
26.6%
Technicians & Trade Workers
17.9%
Community & Personal Service
17.1%
Managers
12.4%
Clerical & Administrative
9.0%
Labourers
8.0%
Sales Workers
5.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.1%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.0%
$1-$149/wk
1.3%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
2.1%
$400-$499/wk
7.4%
$500-$649/wk
6.2%
$650-$799/wk
7.6%
$800-$999/wk
8.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.2%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.2%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.2%
$4,000+/wk
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.3%
$1-$149/wk
7.3%
$150-$299/wk
5.6%
$300-$399/wk
6.2%
$400-$499/wk
5.4%
$500-$649/wk
6.1%
$650-$799/wk
11.4%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.8%
$3,500+/wk
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.4%
Did not go to work
15.7%
Car (passenger)
4.7%
Walked only
2.8%
Truck
1.3%
Bicycle
0.8%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
47.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
37.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.8%

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
47.4%
Bachelor Degree
20.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.1%
Postgraduate Degree
6.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.3%
Certificate I/II
1.9%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
18.6%
Management & Commerce
17.1%
Health
15.4%
Society & Culture
14.5%
Architecture & Building
10.1%
Education
10.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
5.3%
Agriculture & Environment
3.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.7%
Creative Arts
1.7%
Information Technology
1.2%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
30.2%
Secondary: Government
17.3%
Secondary: Catholic
13.7%
Vocational Education
12.6%
Pre-school
11.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
7.4%
Primary: Catholic
4.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.7%

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
88.7%
Has need for assistance
7.7%
Need for assistance not stated
3.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
244
Arthritis
140
Asthma
101
Heart disease
98
Diabetes
93
Lung condition
78
Cancer
56
Kidney disease
45
Stroke
39
Dementia
4

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.8% 308
Did not provide
83.2% 1,522

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
18.1% 331
Not a volunteer
81.9% 1,498

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
1.7% 32
Current ADF: Reserves
0.5% 10
Previously served
5.6% 104
Never served
92.1% 1,698

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
24.4%
1 child
11.7%
2 children
33.3%
3 children
19.2%
4 children
9.2%
5+ children
2.2%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
11
1951: 1960
29
1961: 1970
108
1971: 1980
66
1981: 1990
35
1991: 2000
23
2001: 2010
21
2011: 2015
9
2016
10
2019
4

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

Population Mobility

11.1%
moved in the last year
35.8%
moved in the last 5 years
5.4%
unemployment rate (Census)
49.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,892
Moved from NSW
143
Moved: same area (SA2)
56
Moved from ACT
4
Moved from QLD
4
Moved from SA
3
Moved from WA
3
Moved from VIC
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.8%
5: 14 hours
31.8%
15: 29 hours
16.4%
30+ hours
10.8%
Did not do domestic work
22.2%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
79.7%
Step family: no other children
13.8%
Blended family: no other children
4.6%
Other couple: children only
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Callala Bay Crime Statistics

15 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Assault
4
Theft
4
Other Against Person
3
Other Against Property
3
Property Damage
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 Callala Bay

The closest suburb to Callala Bay is Culburra Beach, 8.6 km away.

Culburra Beach
8.6 km away · income $633/wk · rent $350/wk
Greenwell Point
9.2 km away · income $600/wk · rent $300/wk
Vincentia
10.1 km away · income $797/wk · rent $425/wk
Worrigee
11.7 km away · income $735/wk · rent $390/wk
Old Erowal Bay
12.3 km away · income $579/wk · rent $350/wk
South Nowra
14.7 km away · income $830/wk · rent $398/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Callala Bay

What is the population of Callala Bay NSW?

The population of Callala Bay NSW is 2,234 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 292 people per km². Callala Bay is ranked #2,869 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Callala Bay?

The median personal income in Callala Bay NSW is $645 per week, or $33,540 per year. The median household income is $1,289 per week. Family income is $1,495 per week. Callala Bay is ranked #6,354 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Callala Bay?

Median rent in Callala Bay NSW is $390 per week ($1,690 per month). Rent represents 30.3% of household income, which is considered moderate. Callala Bay ranks #2,258 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Callala Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Callala Bay NSW is $1,697. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Callala Bay?

The median age in Callala Bay NSW is 51 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Callala Bay a good suburb to live in?

Callala Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 2,234. The median income is $645/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (30.3% 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: 10756. All dollar figures in AUD.