Median house price
$4.25M
+12% change
NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Fairlight, 2094
Est. population · Jun 2025
6,823
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.3%
Median age
39
Median income
$3,251/wk
Employment rate
67.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$4,250,000
Languages at home
10.8%non-English
Most common: French, Spanish, Portuguese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, Fairlight is a mid-sized suburb where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. The suburb has a clear multicultural mix alongside longer-term local households.
There is a dense cluster of schools and early-learning options nearby. Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because growth momentum lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus safety.
At a glance
Fairlight snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$1,000/wk
Population (ERP)
6,823
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.3%
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
#215
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
0th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
67th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
94th
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
- 51.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 27% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1924th in Australia
- State rank
- 566th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #215 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #414 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $940
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 77
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $4,250,000
- Median price change
- +12.2%
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
6,823(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +4.3% over 5 years · 67th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +4.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +68
- Change in 5 years
- +284
- Growth rank in NSW
- 67th 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 (~7,050), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 6,141
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $3,251
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 219 of 2,623
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,467
- Employment rate
- 67.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 635 / 538 / 1,223 (+ 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)
- 89
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 55
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 13
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 323 residents
- State safety percentile
- 0.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4%
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling8
- Fraud16
- Malicious Damage To Property6
- Steal From Motor Vehicle12
- Trespass7
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
- 11
- Median school ICSEA (10 schools)
- 1,141
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 94th
School list
- Manly West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1147 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 761 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- St Mary's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1159 · 97th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 330 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1115 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 32% · 1,023 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Manly Village Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1151 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 39% · 532 students · Top SEA quarter 62% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Royal Far West SchoolSpecial · Government · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Stella Maris CollegeSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 1135 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 1,006 students · Top SEA quarter 53% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Cecilia's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1168 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 232 students · Top SEA quarter 65% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- St Kieran's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1122 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 141 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Manly Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1129 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 553 students · Top SEA quarter 51% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1115 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 1,100 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Only About Childrenchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
62 public transport stops in this suburb
- Sydney Rd At Austin St
- Sydney Rd At Bellevue St
- Sydney Rd Opp Cohen St
- Sydney Rd Opp Crescent St
- Sydney Rd Opp Crescent St
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
92 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 5 cafes · 1 pharmacies · 2 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 62 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.81
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.3
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.33
Food & drink(8)
- Honeybee BoulangerieBakery
- St Remy BakeryBakery
- botéCafe
- Cafe
- Ink & Press CafeCafe
145 Sydney Road, Fairlight
- The Butchers CafeCafe
152-154 Sydney Road
- Two Siisters PantryCafe
- Fairlight KitchenRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- The Fairlight ButcherButcher
- Foodworks FairlightConvenience store
Community(2)
- Only About ChildrenChildcare
- Manly CouncilTownhall
17 Austin Street
Health & services(3)
- Myora MedicalMedical clinic
- Fairlight PharmacyPharmacy
- Manly Veterinary ClinicVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Park
- Weerona ParkPark
- Playground
- Sports field
- Swimming pool
Transport(25)
25 bus stops
Other(25)
- Alcohol
- CoinFlip Bitcoin ATMATM
- Bench (17)
- Avo's Auto RepairsCar repair
126 Sydney Road
- Rowena houseDepartment Store
- Drinking water (2)
- Manly Fire StationFire station
Sydney Road, Fairlight
- Herrb Garden In TrailerGarden
- Paul CorbittHairdresser
- Rusk InternationalHairdresser
- Honeybee HomewaresHouseware
- Fairlight LaundretteLaundry
- Parking (2)
- Parking Entrance
- Picnic Table (2)
- Manly Life ChurchPlace of worship
3 William Street, Fairlight
- Post Box (2)
- Practice Pitch
- Northern Beaches CouncilPublic Bookcase
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Shower
- Slipway (2)
- Track
- Waste Basket (2)
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
- Weerona ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- Manly Life Church
3 William Street, Fairlight
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Manly Waters Private Hospital (1.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Fairlight PharmacyPharmacy
- Myora MedicalDoctor
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)
- 65
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 9.5
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
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 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· 28 proposals
August 2026
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure33 FAIRLIGHT STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Additional Information Requested
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure86 LAUDERDALE AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Additional Information Requested
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Pathways and paving; Swimming pool1 HARLAND ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 CLIFFORD AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)42 FAIRLIGHT STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 BELLEVUE STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure181 SYDNEY ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)17 JAMIESON AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure149-153 Sydney Road FairlightDetermined
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Fences127 BALGOWLAH ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool37 FRANCIS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure5 LAUDERDALE AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)48 UPPER CLIFFORD AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 FRANCIS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces17 THORNTON STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)1 LAUDERDALE AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure38 HILLTOP CRESCENT FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Stairway41 FAIRLIGHT CRESCENT FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure54 GRIFFITHS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Withdrawn
March 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 BALTIC STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 FAIRLIGHT CRESCENT FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
- Shop top housing; Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure144 SYDNEY ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure81 Raglan Street, FairlightDetermined
February 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool2 KRUI STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation83 FAIRLIGHT STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 BOLINGBROKE PARADE FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 BELLEVUE STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 GRIFFITHS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool82 GRIFFITHS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool80 LAUDERDALE AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 THORNTON STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29 AUGUSTA ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 PARKVIEW ROAD FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)75 LAUDERDALE AVENUE FAIRLIGHT 2094Pending Court Appeal
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 HILLTOP CRESCENT FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Subdivision1 LA PEROUSE STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling4 WILLIAM STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 BALTIC STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah14 BELLEVUE STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation24 THORNTON STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure38 HILLTOP CRESCENT FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 EDWIN STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision1 LA PEROUSE STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Residential Accommodation8 BALTIC STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
August 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling66 GRIFFITHS STREET FAIRLIGHT 2094Determined
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
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Warringah
- Member of Parliament
- Zali STEGGALL (Independent)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,761
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.1%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.3 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.5%Labor 54.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 1.8 km away).
Coalition 41.3%Labor 58.7%
4.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- FairlightLabor 59.1% · Coalition 40.9% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Manly WestLabor 58.3% · Coalition 41.7% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- Balgowlah EastLabor 54.2% · Coalition 45.8% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Manly CentralLabor 60.0% · Coalition 40.0% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- ManlyLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)1.3 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)
- 10/10
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 Northern Beaches Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.