Median house price
$1.08M
+2.9% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Blue Bay, 2261
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,046
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.1%
Median age
52
Median income
$1,323/wk
Employment rate
49.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,080,000
Languages at home
4%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Blue Bay is a coastal smaller community where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Neighbouring pockets and the city remain accessible for work, dining and weekends away from the beach. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Local amenities are on the light side, so many everyday needs are met by travelling to a neighbouring suburb or town. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Reported crime has been falling recently. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because schools and education, plus parks and green space trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Blue Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$620/wk
Houses $680 · Units $520
Population (ERP)
1,046
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
26.7%
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
#105
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
50th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
65th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
16th
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
- 29.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5616th in Australia
- State rank
- 1814th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #105 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #178 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 368
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,080,000
- Median price change
- +2.9%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
1,046(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 65th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +2.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +10
- Change in 5 years
- +22
- Growth rank in NSW
- 65th 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 (~1,100), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,060
- Median age
- 52
- Median household income / week
- $1,323
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 172 of 645
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 49.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 241 / 162 / 71
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 70
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 66.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 49.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order247
- Breach Bail Conditions456
- Domestic Violence Related Assault295
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment446
- Malicious Damage To Property380
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- 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
- 923
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 16th
School list
- The Entrance Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 923 · 16th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 422 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bay Rd At Moorah Av
- Bay Rd At Yethonga Av
- Bay Rd Before Boondilla Rd
- Bay Rd Before Ocean Pde
- Boondilla Rd Opp Benelong St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
12 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 14 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 21/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.94
Sport & outdoors(2)
- The Crescent ReservePark
- Swimming pool
Transport(7)
7 bus stops
Other(3)
- Blue Bay Camping and Caravan Tourist ParkCamp Site
- Parking
- Public toilets
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- The Crescent ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Long Jetty Healthcare Centre (3.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 35
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.5
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.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
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 (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 10 proposals
August 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing135 Ocean Parade, Blue Bay NSW 2261Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
June 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure44 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool19 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 NARRAWA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure41 BOOMERANG ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 CURRAWONG STREET BLUE BAY 2261Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure120A OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
February 2026
- Subdivision2-12 NARRAWA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Under Assessment
January 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)137 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 YETHONGA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool52 BAY ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 CURRAWONG STREET BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)137 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation141 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation141 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation41 BOOMERANG ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Withdrawn
May 2025
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Multi-dwelling housing (terraces)4 YEDDENBA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation54 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
April 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)61 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Stairway4 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool11 YETHONGA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
2024· 9 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 CURRAWONG STREET BLUE BAY 2261Determined
August 2024
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation17 YEDDENBA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation116 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure54 BAY ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)114 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure102 BAY ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure54 BAY ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)41 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
2023· 10 proposals
November 2023
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation17 YEDDENBA AVENUE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure141 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling; Dual occupancy47 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure120A OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
October 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure121 BAY ROAD BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)137 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 CURRAWONG STREET BLUE BAY 2261Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 WERRINA PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Withdrawn
August 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development1 108 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
- Dual occupancy114 OCEAN PARADE BLUE BAY 2261Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Dobell
- Member of Parliament
- Emma McBRIDE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,541
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.6%Labor 59.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.0 km away).
Coalition 37.9%Labor 62.1%
2.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Long Jetty EastLabor 64.2% · Coalition 35.8% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- The Entrance NorthLabor 58.7% · Coalition 41.3% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- The EntranceLabor 61.2% · Coalition 38.8% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Long JettyLabor 62.3% · Coalition 37.7% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Shelly BeachLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)2.9 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.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
More in Central Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.