Overall score
Emerald Beach
40.9/100
Woolgoolga
36.8/100
Emerald Beach vs Woolgoolga, NSW Suburb Comparison
Emerald Beach for beach lifestyle and value; Woolgoolga for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Emerald BeachWoolgoolga
Crime rate
Emerald Beach
64.7 / 1k
Woolgoolga
64.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Emerald Beach
8
Woolgoolga
30
Population
Emerald Beach
2,677
Woolgoolga
6,151
Metric leadEmerald Beach 3Woolgoolga 72 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesWoolgoolga
- Best for beach lifestyleEmerald Beach
- Best for investmentWoolgoolga
- Best for best valueEmerald Beach
- Best for best schoolsEmerald Beach
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Emerald Beach | Woolgoolga |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.9/100 | 36.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.1/100 | 57.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 64.7 / 1k | 64.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 64.0/100 | 64.0/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 63 | 168 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 8 | 30 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 71 |
| Green cover | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Population | 2,677 | 6,151 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Emerald Beach reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Woolgoolga is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Emerald Beach is shaped by the coast, Woolgoolga offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Emerald Beach is stronger for housing affordability, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage; Woolgoolga answers with a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
Retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and investors may find Emerald Beach the better fit, while families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Woolgoolga.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.