Overall score
Fern Bay
40.8/100
Williamtown
56.1/100
Fern Bay vs Williamtown, NSW Suburb Comparison
Fern Bay for beach lifestyle and investment; Williamtown for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Fern BayWilliamtown
Crime rate
Fern Bay
55.2 / 1k
Williamtown
39.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Fern Bay
55
Williamtown
51
Population
Fern Bay
4,046
Williamtown
762
Metric leadFern Bay 3Williamtown 71 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesWilliamtown
- Best for familiesWilliamtown
- Best for beach lifestyleFern Bay
- Best for investmentFern Bay
- Best for best schoolsWilliamtown
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 | Fern Bay | Williamtown |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.8/100 | 56.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 64.7/100 | 66.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.2 / 1k | 39.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 48 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 55 | 51 |
| Planning activity | 19 | 11 |
| Green cover | 2.8% | 43.8% |
| Population | 4,046 | 762 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Fern Bay is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Williamtown is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Fern Bay is shaped by the coast, Williamtown offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Fern Bay is stronger for housing affordability, nearby cafés and amenities, and a larger local community; Williamtown answers with a quieter safety profile, public transport access, and walkability.
Fern Bay suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Williamtown is the stronger match for retirees, families, investors, and value-focused buyers.
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.