Anna Bay is a coastal town in New South Wales, in Port Stephens Council. The Hannah Bay is part of the surrounding geography.
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places. Health access is an exceptional strength, well above typical levels for coastal towns. Population has been growing faster than in comparable places, and reported crime is lower than in most comparable places. Trade-offs centre on fewer university qualifications and higher housing costs, with university qualifications 50% below the peer median.
Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising daily services and health access over university qualifications.
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.
Strengths and weaknesses
Coastal town · compared with coastal towns in New South Wales (162)
Strengths
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places
Population has been growing faster than in comparable places
Health-facility access is stronger than in comparable places
Reported crime is lower than in most comparable places
Weaknesses
University qualifications sit well below the peer median
Housing is expensive relative to comparable places
What stands out
Anna Bay Beach
Hannah Bay
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Anna Bay compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.41M
+14% change
Median rent
$695/wk
Population (ERP)
4,522
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.5%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#53
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Crime rate
21st
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
67th
percentile in NSW
Rented dwellings
19%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
30th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
48.9/100 — Average
State standing
Top 35% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
2214th in Australia
State rank
744th in NSW
Peer rank
#53 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#105 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
94%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Houses (January to March 2026)
$740
Median house price (October to December 2025)
$1,410,000
Median price change
+13.9%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
+1.0% annual · +9.7% over 5 years · 67th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.0%
5-year growth
+9.7%
Change in 1 year
+46
Change in 5 years
+399
Growth rank in NSW
67th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~4,850), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
4,221
Median age
52
Median household income / week
$1,189
Dwelling vacancy
11.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
223 of 1,934
Median monthly mortgage
$1,733
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$390
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
52.6% / 28.4% / 18.9%
Employment rate
45.5%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
16.2% / 0.6% / 60.9%
Walked or cycled to work
2.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,440 / 232 / 8 (+ 14 other)
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
11.7% of adults have a university degree, compared with 27.8% across New South Wales. 25.8% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified11.7% · 27.8% NSW
Diploma qualified10.5% · 9.3% NSW
Trade / vocational25.8% · 15% NSW
Year 12 or below52% · 47.9% NSW
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies22.9%
Management and commerce20.4%
Society and culture11.5%
Architecture and building10.4%
Education9.9%
Health9.8%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$48,778
25th percentile in NSW · -17% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$56,157
28th percentile in NSW · -14% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
15.0%
59th percentile in NSW · +9% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$90,858
75th percentile in NSW · +43% vs Australia
Residents with business income
9.0%
26th percentile in NSW · -13% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 2316 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
3,878
Taxpayers reporting net rent
575
Median net rent
$2,046
Taxpayers reporting business income
355
Taxable income vs state median
-13%
Salary / wages vs state median
-10%
Rental investment vs state median
+7%
Super vs state median
+29%
Business income vs state median
-10%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in NSW, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
3% speak a language other than English at home; 15.3% born overseas
Language at home
3,867 English only · 118 other
Non-English at home
3%
Born overseas
611 (15.3%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
187 (4.4%)
Australian citizens
3,831
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
6
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Italian7 · 29.2%
Croatian4 · 16.7%
German4 · 16.7%
Nepali3 · 12.5%
Spanish3 · 12.5%
Thai3 · 12.5%
Religion
50.5%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 50.5%, while 41.6% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
41.6%
32.8%
Christianity
50.5%
47.6%
Other / not stated
8%
19.6%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Anglican
19%
11.9%
Catholic
18.3%
22.4%
Uniting Church
4.1%
2.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.5%
1.9%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Offence counts are estimated for this suburb from postcode 2316, which is shared with other suburbs.
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
188
Against the person
61
Against property
78
Rate per 1,000 residents
41.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 69 residents
State crime-rate percentile
21th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-4.8%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
31
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
6.86
Most common offence types
Domestic Violence Related Assault21
Fraud19
Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment20
Malicious Damage To Property19
Other Offences12
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
962
Median ICSEA percentile
30th
Primary catchments overlapping suburb
2
Secondary catchments overlapping suburb
1
School list
Anna Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 962 · 30th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 309 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
Anna Bay PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Bobs Farm PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Tomaree HSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
NSW government school intake zones — NSW Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
Great for outdoor family life — 10 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
Well connected by public transport — 103 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
80/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.24
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.18
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.37
Food & drink(5)
Anna Bay Hot BreadBakery
Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Rubi BlueCafe
PampaFast food
Anna Bay TavernPub
Gan Gan Road
Anna Bay ThaiRestaurant
125 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Shopping(5)
Anna Bay TavernBottle shop
Gan Gan Road
You CellarBottle shop
Gan Gan Road
Anna Bay Free Range Quality MeatsButcher
Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
SPARSupermarket
118 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Everyday services(2)
BPPetrol station
Anna Bay Post OfficePost office
118 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Health & services(4)
Anna Bay Denture ClinicDentist
Unit 3 134 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Anna Bay Specialist RoomMedical clinic
Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Providence Medical Shoal Bay & Anna BayMedical clinic
125 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Anna Bay PharmacyPharmacy
Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Sport & outdoors(7)
Beach
Picnic area
Playground
Public toilets
Sports field
Swimming pool (2)
Camping & holiday parks(6)
Bays Holiday ParkCaravan park
23 Port Stephens Drive
Birubi Beach Caravan VillageCaravan park
Birubi SandsCaravan park
Emerald Tiki VillageCaravan park
Emerald Tiki Village Caravan ParkCaravan park
The Retreat Port StephensCaravan park
Transport(18)
18 bus stops
Other(18)
Irukandji Shark & Ray EncountersAttraction
2 Jessie Road, Anna Bay
Mini GolfAttraction
Bench (13)
Bicycle Parking (2)
Compressed Air
Pasta Di PortoDeli
Unit Shop 4 134 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
Pub gardenGarden
Hairdresser
Sahara TrailsHorse Riding
Newsagent
Anna Bay TavernParking
Medical CentreParking
Parking
ShopsParking
Salvation ArmyPlace of worship
Australia PostPost Box
Douglass Hanly MoirSample Collection
Unit 1 127 Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay
VinniesSecond Hand
Gan Gan Road
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
Salvation Army
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Usual max / min
27° / 18°
Rainfall
295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
23° / 14°
Rainfall
366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
18° / 8°
Rainfall
272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
23° / 13°
Rainfall
230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
20 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation
18 MORNA POINT ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
7 HANSON AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
August 2026
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
18 ANGLERS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool
9 PACIFIC AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
9 SCOTT STREET ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park
70 LATITUDE DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
Shed; Erection of a new structure
59 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
97 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
July 2026
Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
248 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park
4296 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
31 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
44 ARGYLE AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Infrastructure
2/DP1196430Determined
June 2026
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development
13 PRENTICE PLACE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
May 2026
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park
4296 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
4107 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
20 ARGYLE AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
254 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Service station; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink
146 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
April 2026
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
13 ARGYLE AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Caravan park
23 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Withdrawn
March 2026
Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
2 CROMARTY CRESCENT ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Demolition; Residential Accommodation
109 OLD MAIN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Kiosk; Take away food and drink
144 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development
42 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
Shed; Erection of a new structure
3 BUNGWALL CLOSE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
February 2026
Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
248 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Shed; Erection of a new structure
250 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)
41A GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
19 BELLMOUNT CLOSE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
14 PACIFIC AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
43 ESSINGTON WAY ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
32 CAMPBELL AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure
9 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Withdrawn
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
20 ANGLERS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
January 2026
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
184 OLD MAIN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Ancillary commercial development
2/-/519594Determined
Erection of a new structure; Caravan park
70 LATITUDE DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
4091 NELSON BAY ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
13 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Under Assessment
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
251 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
48 MORNA POINT ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
9 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE ANNA BAY 2316Additional Information Requested
Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)
57 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
November 2025
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Ancillary commercial development
134 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
5 FROST ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Demolition; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure
119 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
October 2025
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
4 PEPPER LANE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
11 OCEAN AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
28 HANSON AVENUE ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
150 GAN GAN ROAD ANNA BAY 2316Determined
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping. Flood cover uses NSW flood planning polygons against the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
Paterson
Member of Parliament
Meryl SWANSON (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
127,926
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+4.3 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.1%Labor 56.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.8 km away).
Coalition 48.5%Labor 51.5%
5.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Anna BayLabor 52.1% · Coalition 47.9% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
Salamander BayLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
SalamanderLabor 54.3% · Coalition 45.7% TPP (2025)4.9 km away
Lemon Tree PassageLabor 54.8% · Coalition 45.2% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
Bobs FarmLabor 48.4% · Coalition 51.6% TPP (2025)6.0 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)