Median house price
$1.41M
+14% change
NSW · Port Stephens Council
Boat Harbour, 2316
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,009
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.8%
Median age
47
Median income
$1,741/wk
Employment rate
58.3%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,410,000
Languages at home
2.6%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Well away from Sydney, Boat Harbour is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Desirability lands below average here: softer growth momentum weighing on the result versus similar coastal suburbs, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Boat Harbour snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$695/wk
Population (ERP)
1,009
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
25.9%
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
#101
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
21st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 31.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5263rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1700th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #101 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #172 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
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.
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
1,009(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +9.8% over 5 years · 69th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +9.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +11
- Change in 5 years
- +90
- Growth rank in NSW
- 69th 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 +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 993
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,741
- Dwelling vacancy
- 25.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 125 of 483
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 58.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 320 / 40 / 0
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)
- 42
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 17
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 41.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 21.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4.3%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Fraud29
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment31
- Malicious Damage To Property29
- Other Offences19
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
Public transport
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Blanch St After Emerald Cl
- Blanch St Before Emerald Cl
- Gan Gan Rd After Blanch St
- Kingsley Dr At Noamunga St
- Kingsley Dr At The Mainsail
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
69 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 7.05
Sport & outdoors(10)
- Andrew Close ReservePark
- Bangalee ReservePark
- Boat Harbour beach south picnic areaPark
- Boat Harbour park and dog walking areaPark
- Boat Harbour Road ReservePark
- Kingsley ParkPark
- Noamunga street parkPark
- Picnic area
- Playground
- Sports field
Entertainment(3)
- Viewpoint (2)
- Whale LookoutViewpoint
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(16)
- Bbq (2)
- Bench (9)
- Wanderers RetreatChalet
7 Koala Place
- Drinking water (2)
- Boat Harbour Park Walking and Whale Watching PathInformation
- CairnInformation
- Information
- Parking (4)
- Picnic Table (14)
- Post Box
- Public toilets
- Shower
- Slipway
- TelstraTelephone
- Port Stephens CouncilWaste Basket
- Waste Basket (5)
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
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Andrew Close ReservePark
- Bangalee ReservePark
- Boat Harbour beach south picnic areaPark
- Boat Harbour park and dog walking areaPark
- Boat Harbour Road ReservePark
- Kingsley ParkPark
- Noamunga street parkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- Hospital (7.4 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)
- 28
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 27.8
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· 11 proposals
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 5 VANTAGE PLACE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 OCEAN PARADE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
May 2026
- Demolition10 ANDREW CLOSE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport30 CORYULE STREET BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure75 KINGSLEY DRIVE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Landscaping structures; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Privacy screens; Swimming pool16 NOAMUNGA STREET BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 ANDREW CLOSE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Function centre5 KOALA PLACE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 5 VANTAGE PLACE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support10-12 GRAHAM STREET BOAT HARBOUR 2316Determined
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure16 ANDREW CLOSE BOAT HARBOUR 2316Under Assessment
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
- Overlay applies
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
- 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 9.3 km away).
Coalition 48.4%Labor 51.6%
5.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Anna BayLabor 52.1% · Coalition 47.9% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- SalamanderLabor 54.3% · Coalition 45.7% TPP (2025)5.4 km away
- CorletteLabor 45.9% · Coalition 54.1% TPP (2025)7.4 km away
- Salamander BayLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)7.4 km away
- Nelson BayLabor 46.3% · Coalition 53.7% TPP (2025)7.5 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.