Median house price
$890k
+15% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Canton Beach, 2263
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,231
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.4%
Median age
61
Median income
$710/wk
Employment rate
30.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$890,000
Languages at home
2.5%non-English
Most common: Polish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Canton Beach is a quieter residential smaller community in Central Coast Council, more about homes and street life than a busy local strip. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. 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.
Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability sits below average overall, with community and employment, plus safety the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Canton Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$570/wk
Houses $600 · Units $450
Population (ERP)
1,231
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.9%
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
#149
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
75th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
47th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
36th
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
- 22.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6572nd in Australia
- State rank
- 2091st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #149 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #881 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $450
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $600
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $570
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 230
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $890,000
- Median price change
- +14.5%
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
1,231(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · -1.4% over 5 years · 47th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- -1.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- -18
- Growth rank in NSW
- 47th 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 (~1,250), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,202
- Median age
- 61
- Median household income / week
- $710
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 61 of 688
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,781
- Employment rate
- 30.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 458 / 95 / 44 (+ 27 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)
- 127
- Against the person
- 40
- Against property
- 40
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 103.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 75.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6.4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order193
- Breach Bail Conditions442
- Domestic Violence Related Assault201
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment344
- Malicious Damage To Property238
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 961.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 36th
School list
- Toukley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 889 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 494 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Mary's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1034 · 62th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 545 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 1.4 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Toukley Preschool KindergartenEvans Roadkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
10 public transport stops in this suburb
- 38 Evans Rd
- Evans Rd Opp Ocean Pde
- Evans Rd Opp Oleander St
- Evans Rd Opp Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostel
- Long Khanh Lakefront Village, Evans Rd
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
20 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds · 1 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 10 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 15/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.83
Community(1)
- Toukley Preschool KindergartenKindergarten
96 Evans Road
Sport & outdoors(4)
- Montgomery Avenue ReservePark
- Playground (2)
- Toukley Sailing ClubSports centre
Transport(5)
5 bus stops
Other(8)
- Camp ToukleyCamp Site
- Canton Beach Tourist ParkCaravan Site
- Heritage Village ToukleyCaravan Site
- Waterfront Tourist ParkCaravan Site
- Parking (3)
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's WitnessesPlace of worship
92 Evans Road
- Public toilets
- Slipway
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
- Montgomery Avenue ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- 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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
92 Evans Road
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital (6.2 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)
- 42
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.1
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· 5 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
July 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)40 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure11 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
May 2026
- Subdivision46-52 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
March 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation22 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
2025· 4 proposals
November 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 WALLIS AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
June 2025
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Erection of a new structure1 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space2 COCHRANE AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2024· 7 proposals
November 2024
- Residential flat building; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure11 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure9 WALLIS AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)4 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision32 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (outdoor)1 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
April 2024
- Temporary building, structure or use; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like1 Oleander Street Canton Beach Lot 497 DP/SP755266Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2023· 5 proposals
October 2023
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor); Retail Premise1 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2023
- Shop top housing; Mixed use development5-7 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land24 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Demolition1 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
February 2023
- Residential flat building12 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2022· 9 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development2 COCHRANE AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
November 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces5 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Secondary dwelling19 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2022
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land4 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing25 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
June 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs66 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2022
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land1 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
January 2022
- Subdivision of land10 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing18 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2021· 7 proposals
November 2021
- Residential flat building8 KANTARA ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2021
- Secondary dwelling25 KANTARA ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land20 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2021
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land1 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
February 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing4 WATTLE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Stormwater management systems34 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
January 2021
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land20 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2020· 2 proposals
December 2020
- Other12 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
November 2020
- Alterations and additions to residential development34 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
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
- 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 6.7 km away).
Coalition 39.4%Labor 60.6%
1.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.1 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- Toukley EastLabor 61.4% · Coalition 38.6% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- ToukleyLabor 59.1% · Coalition 40.9% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Norah HeadLabor 58.1% · Coalition 41.9% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- GorokanLabor 65.4% · Coalition 34.6% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- Lake HavenLabor 65.3% · Coalition 34.7% TPP (2025)5.2 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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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.