NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Empire Bay, NSW, 2257
Desirability index
78.2/100
How this score is calculated#98 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Empire Bay is a smaller suburban community in the Central Coast (NSW) area, home to around 2,522 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 1,501 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (+4%), roughly 595.2 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $615 (flats $500, houses $650), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
Population
- Population
- 2,522
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,884
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 83 of 959
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,165
- Employment rate
- 57.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 64 / 34 / 19
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $615
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 246
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,501
- Against the person
- 503
- Against property
- 607
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 595.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 5 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.3th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- +4.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order132
- Domestic Violence Related Assault138
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment178
- Malicious Damage To Property174
- Other Offences94
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,039
- Empire Bay Public SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
58 public transport stops in this suburb
- Empire Bay Dr Before Greenfield Rd
- Greenfield Rd Before Rickard Rd
- Greenfield Rd Opp Rosella Rd
- Kendall Rd Opp Shelly Beach Rd
- Sorrento Rd At Boongala Av
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
146 planning-related records
2026· 12 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation65 HILLCREST ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation271 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool265 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Under Assessment
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah423 WARDS HILL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure429 WARDS HILL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 MYRTLE ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool65 KENDALL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation13A POMONA ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 KENDALL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure8 ECHUCA ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Withdrawn
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 GORDON ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
2025· 12 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure36 HILLCREST ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure57 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool5 GORDON ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure39 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool65 KENDALL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 SHELLY BEACH ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like; Supporting Development433 WARDS HILL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation271 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
May 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure70 KENDALL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 47 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 KENDALL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Mooring; Water supply system170 Wharparilla Road, EchucaAdditional Information Requested
2024· 14 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space19 POMONA ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 AWINYA CLOSE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 GORDON ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation61 ROSELLA ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure77 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation69 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation10 BOONGALA AVENUE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space9 palmers lane empire bay 2257Determined
April 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)437 WARDS HILL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
March 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Swimming pool1 BOONGALA AVENUE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool15 RICKARD ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
February 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces148 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure10 BOONGALA AVENUE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 BOONGALA AVENUE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
2023· 22 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space14 ROSELLA ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
November 2023
- Subdivision of land260 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Determined
2022· 41 proposals
41 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 32 proposals
32 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 13 proposals
13 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
42 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench
- 142 Empire Bay DrBus stop
- 227 Empire Bay DrBus stop
- 249 Empire Bay RdBus stop
- 271 Empire Bay DrBus stop
- 33 Greenfield RdBus stop
- 38 Greenfield RdBus stop
- Empire Bay Dr at Awinya ClBus stop
- Empire Bay Dr at Poole ClBus stop
- Empire Bay Dr before Greenfield RdBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 78.2/100
- Cohort rank
- #98 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Empire Bay Dr Before Greenfield Rdtransport
- Greenfield Rd Before Rickard Rdtransport
- Greenfield Rd Opp Rosella Rdtransport
- Kendall Rd Opp Shelly Beach Rdtransport
- Sorrento Rd At Boongala Avtransport
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandahplanning423 WARDS HILL ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Lodged 30 Apr 2026 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking spaceplanning9 palmers lane empire bay 2257Lodged 03 May 2024 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodationplanning271 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Lodged 29 May 2026 · Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodationplanning271 EMPIRE BAY DRIVE EMPIRE BAY 2257Lodged 05 Jun 2025 · Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming poolplanning5 GORDON ROAD EMPIRE BAY 2257Lodged 23 Oct 2025 · Determined
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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