Byron Bay’s path as a rich and wealthy magnet: Census household data

It’s a victim of its own success. Byron has climbed up the ranks when it comes to income, but it can’t get workers, according to the latest Census results.

Byron Bay’s fame as a laid-back coastal haven and home for Hollywood’s rich and famous has bumped up the median income for local residents – but not everyone’s happy with the results.

New Census figures reveal over the past five years, many of NSW’s largest income jumps were recorded in the Byron Bay region.

Bangalow’s median household earned 36 per cent more in 2021 – at $2106 a week – than in 2016 ($1353), while Brunswick Heads-Ocean Shores residents saw their income rise 29 per cent to $1462.

Even the famously alternative town of Mullumbimby’s median income leapt 27.2 per cent to $1364.

It comes as the glamorous holiday destination on the north coast has turned into a magnet for Hollywood superstars like Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron and Matt Damon who own property close to the town.

Chris Hemsworth and family at Byron. Picture: Instagram

Nicole Kidman chose to film her latest production there, while actor Melissa McCarthy chose to stay on after the Nine Perfect Strangers shoot finished.

The laid-back hippy lifestyle and long sandy beaches of the region have also attracted an influx of retirees and wealthy city families choosing a sea or tree change and deciding to work from home during the pandemic.

Nicole Kidman on the set of Nine Perfect Strangers at Byron Bay. Picture: Supplied

But Byron Shire mayor Michael Lyon says the changing demographics have brought a massive housing affordability crisis for regular residents – who can’t afford to live there anymore.

He’s not surprised by the Census data, and says many of the newer residents had their income “generated from elsewhere”.

“A lot of that higher median income comes from the regional buying boom and during Covid, when they moved from the cities and came here and worked from home,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s been any huge industry leap in Byron that would indicate a massive jump in incomes for the average person.

Matt Damon in Byron Bay with his children.

“And higher rents means poorer people can’t afford to live here, so that’s why we have such an employment crisis – there’s no one to do the jobs, no one is coming here to be a barista.

“We’ve lost a lot of backpackers as well.

“I think for the average person in Byron shire, the standard of living have gone backwards because housing costs are out of control.”

The census also shows the average NSW household is earning $343 more each week than it was five years ago, but people are unlikely to feel better off as the cost of living rises.

The state’s median household income was $1829 a week, or $95,110 a year, in 2021, up from $1486 a week ($77,270 a year) in 2016.

That’s 18.8 per cent growth over five years – ahead of the national trend of 17.6 per cent.

Job site Indeed’s senior economist for the Asia Pacific region Callam Pickering said Australian wages were increasing “nowhere near as fast as inflation”.

“Adjusted for inflation, Australian households have experienced the largest wage cut since the introduction of the GST,” Mr Pickering said.

“Purchasing power has declined quite a bit.”