Median house price
$1.38M
+8.0% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Copacabana, 2251
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,799
Growth (1 yr)
-0.0%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.5%
Median age
43
Median income
$2,143/wk
Employment rate
63.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,380,000
Languages at home
6.1%non-English
Most common: German, Italian, French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Copacabana revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. The wider metro area and neighbouring suburbs stay within easy reach when you want a change of scene. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities compared with similar coastal suburbs, though community and employment, plus schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Copacabana snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$778/wk
Houses $850 · Units $550
Population (ERP)
2,799
-0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
28.4%
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
#20
among Coastal & beach · Emerging
Safety
8th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
8th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
76th
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
- 43.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 45% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3167th in Australia
- State rank
- 967th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #20 among Coastal & beach · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #93 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)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $778
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 142
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,380,000
- Median price change
- +8%
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
2,799(June 2025)
-0.0% annual · -0.5% over 5 years · 8th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.0%
- 5-year growth
- -0.5%
- Change in 1 year
- -1
- Change in 5 years
- -13
- Growth rank in NSW
- 8th 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 (~2,850), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,809
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $2,143
- Dwelling vacancy
- 28.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 392 of 1,379
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,300
- Employment rate
- 63.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 937 / 24 / 26 (+ 5 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)
- 78
- Against the person
- 25
- Against property
- 35
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 27.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 112 residents
- State safety percentile
- 7.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -2.2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order76
- Domestic Violence Related Assault79
- Fraud74
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment114
- Malicious Damage To Property110
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)
- 1,072.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 76th
School list
- Copacabana Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1064 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 259 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
- Avoca Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1081 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 455 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.8 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
30 public transport stops in this suburb
- 73 Del Mar Dr
- Copabacana Public School, Pueblo St
- Copacabana Dr Opp Cullens Rd
- Del Mar Dr At Birdland Cl
- Oceano St Walkway, Del Mar Dr
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
61 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 playgrounds · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 5 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 30 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
- 1.78
Community(1)
- Copacabana Public SchoolSchool
Pueblo Street, Copacabana
Sport & outdoors(9)
- Park (3)
- Shaun Brinklow ParkPark
- Susan Fahey ParkPark
- Picnic area
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
Entertainment(3)
- Bonnie LookoutViewpoint
235B Del Monte Place, Copacabana
- Captain Cook LookoutViewpoint
- Winnie Bay LookoutViewpoint
Transport(14)
14 bus stops
Other(17)
- Bbq (2)
- Bench (4)
- Pocock family giftBench
- Bicycle Parking
- Drinking water (2)
- Copacabana Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
202A Del Monte Place, Copacabana
- Fitness Station
- Council Reserve Car ParkParking
202A Del Monte Place, Copacabana
- Parking (5)
- Council Reserve Car ParkParking Space
202A Del Monte Place, Copacabana
- Picnic Table (4)
- Copacabana Post OfficePost office
206 Del Monte Place
- Public toilets
- Recycling (2)
- Shelter
- Shower (3)
- Waste Basket (3)
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Shaun Brinklow ParkPark
- Susan Fahey ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
- Central Coast Day Hospital (7.2 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)
- 49
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 17.5
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
- 26° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 386 mm · ~48 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 394 mm · ~49 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 266 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 253 mm · ~32 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· 24 proposals
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development128 OCEANO STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)88 DEL RIO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 WARWILLA AVENUE COPACABANA 2251Determined
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool166 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 BIRDLAND CLOSE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 FIESTA CRESCENT COPACABANA 2251Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation15 CIRCULO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29 HELEN DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers; Residential Accommodation324 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure260 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 HELEN DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 CIRCULO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure58 BRANGA AVENUE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah191 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 LADERA DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure128 COPACABANA DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool24 WARWILLA AVENUE COPACABANA 2251Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation146 DEL MAR DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation24 DEL MAR DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Demolition126 COPACABANA DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 SEGURA STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure164 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development128 OCEANO STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 LAGUNA AVENUE COPACABANA 2251Determined
2025· 18 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure213 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 OCEANO STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure196 CAPE THREE POINTS ROAD COPACABANA 2251Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure82 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah314 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision34 OCEANO STREET COPACABANA 2251Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 CHICO STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure86 DEL RIO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2 220 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure184 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure190 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 MUNYANA STREET COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure131 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure61 DEL RIO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport8 LADERA DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 CARMEN CLOSE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool23 CIRCULO DRIVE COPACABANA 2251Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool60 DEL MONTE PLACE COPACABANA 2251Determined
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
- Robertson
- Member of Parliament
- Gordon REID (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 114,922
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.1 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 5.5 km away).
Coalition 33.1%Labor 66.9%
7.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- CopacabanaLabor 66.9% · Coalition 33.1% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Avoca BeachLabor 68.0% · Coalition 32.0% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Terrigal SouthLabor 53.1% · Coalition 46.9% TPP (2025)4.1 km away
- KincumberLabor 62.1% · Coalition 37.9% TPP (2025)4.4 km away
- TerrigalLabor 61.3% · Coalition 38.7% TPP (2025)4.9 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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.