Median house price
$1.41M
+14% change
NSW · Port Stephens Council
Bobs Farm, 2316
Est. population · Jun 2025
710
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.6%
Median age
57
Median income
$1,211/wk
Employment rate
41.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,410,000
Languages at home
2.1%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Well away from Sydney, Bobs Farm is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bobs Farm snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$695/wk
Population (ERP)
710
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
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
#77
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
22nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
66th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
37th
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
- 35.6/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4553rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1450th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #77 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #146 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
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
710(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +9.6% over 5 years · 66th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +9.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +7
- Change in 5 years
- +62
- Growth rank in NSW
- 66th 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 (~750), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 662
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,211
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 20 of 282
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,019
- Employment rate
- 41.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 234 / 0 / 0 (+ 25 other)
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)
- 30
- Against the person
- 10
- Against property
- 12
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 42.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 66 residents
- State safety percentile
- 22.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -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
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 979
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 37th
School list
- Bobs Farm Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 979 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 30 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.5 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
54 public transport stops in this suburb
- 3814 Nelson Bay Rd
- Bobs Farm Public School, Marsh Rd
- Bobs Farm Public School, Marsh Rd
- Marsh Rd Opp Bobs Farm Public School
- Marsh Rd Opp Bobs Farm Public School
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
11 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 54 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
- 0
Community(1)
- Bobs Farm Public SchoolSchool
764 Marsh Road, Bobs Farm
Transport(7)
7 bus stops
Other(3)
- Go Karts GoAttraction
- The Shark, Ray & All Creatures RescueAttraction
686 Marsh Road
- Parking
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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 (14.5 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)
- 20
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.2
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· 3 proposals
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Function centre3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARMDetermined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3454 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)3988 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2025· 10 proposals
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Subdivision614 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2025
- Dual occupancy; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (external)3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Function centre; Food and drink premise3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (outdoor)3551 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
May 2025
- Dual occupancy; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Function centre3724 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2024· 12 proposals
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development6 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool294 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park4011 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation436 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Function centre; Food and drink premise3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure698 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2023· 13 proposals
October 2023
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
September 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed3357A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2023
- Signage; Shed; Retail premises3337 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Other3443 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
May 2023
- Food and drink premises686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Other16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
April 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Recreational Uses448 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
March 2023
- Signage; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed; Retail premises3337 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
- Pools / decks / fencing1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
January 2023
- Other16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Shed3357A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2022· 2 proposals
December 2022
- Farm buildings3938 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Reduced speed limit. Expect delays. Exercise caution. Reduced speed limit restrictions applyMarsh Road, B6312 Jun 2024 – 14 Dec 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
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 10.9 km away).
Coalition 51.0%Labor 49.0%
7.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Bobs FarmLabor 48.4% · Coalition 51.6% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Tanilba BayLabor 51.0% · Coalition 49.0% TPP (2025)5.5 km away
- Lemon Tree PassageLabor 54.8% · Coalition 45.2% TPP (2025)5.6 km away
- Anna BayLabor 52.1% · Coalition 47.9% TPP (2025)7.7 km away
- Salamander BayLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)9.1 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)
- 3/10
- 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
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.