Median house price
$1.34M
+9.4% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Hardys Bay, 2257
Est. population · Jun 2025
241
Growth (1 yr)
+0.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.1%
Median age
59
Median income
$2,068/wk
Employment rate
52.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,340,000
Languages at home
2.6%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Central Coast Council, Hardys Bay is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. 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, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
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.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer growth momentum and safety compared with similar metro 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
Hardys Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$615/wk
Houses $650 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
241
+0.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
39.8%
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
#139
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
26th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
85th
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
- 25.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6226th in Australia
- State rank
- 2014th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #139 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #863 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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 house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,340,000
- Median price change
- +9.4%
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
241(June 2025)
+0.8% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 61th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.8%
- 5-year growth
- +2.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +5
- Growth rank in NSW
- 61th 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 (~250), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 233
- Median age
- 59
- Median household income / week
- $2,068
- Dwelling vacancy
- 39.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 68 of 171
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,409
- Employment rate
- 52.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 96 / 5 / 0
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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 11
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 5
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 45.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 58 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order132
- Domestic Violence Related Assault138
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment178
- Malicious Damage To Property174
- Other Offences94
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
- 1,102
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 85th
School list
- Pretty Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1102 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 154 students · Top SEA quarter 41% · 0.5 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
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- 53 Heath Rd
- 56 Heath Rd
- Araluen Dr Opp Killcare Rd
- Heath Rd Opp Araluen Dr
- Killcare Rd After Nukara Av
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
32 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 14 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 21/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Entertainment(2)
- Viewpoint (2)
Transport(7)
7 bus stops
Other(8)
- Alcohol
- Bench (2)
- Picnic Table (10)
- Post Box
- Public toilets
- Recycling
- Shelter
- Waste Basket (6)
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Central Coast Day Hospital (10.2 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)
- 6
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 24.9
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· 7 proposals
May 2026
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise58 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation39 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure86 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure70 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure140 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Under Assessment
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space27 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY NSW 2257Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure44 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
2025· 5 proposals
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool55 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Under Assessment
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 NUKARA AVENUE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)25 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
May 2025
- Shop top housing; Commercial development; Erection of a new structure58 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Under Assessment
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure86 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation37 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation91 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 NUKARA AVENUE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure182 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club14 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
March 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure140 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2A HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Withdrawn
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation70 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
2023· 4 proposals
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to commercial development14 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Attached dwelling76 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces140 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Withdrawn
February 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development55 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Withdrawn
2022· 4 proposals
November 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development100A ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development156 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
September 2022
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing35 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
April 2022
- Dwelling; Demolition86 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
2021· 4 proposals
November 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs2 FLORA AVENUE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
- Other71 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
April 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development2 HAWKE HEAD DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
February 2021
- Attached dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development63 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
2020· 3 proposals
October 2020
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces116 ARALUEN DRIVE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
August 2020
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs5 FLORA AVENUE HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
July 2020
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development49 HEATH ROAD HARDYS BAY 2257Determined
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 3.8 km away).
Coalition 27.6%Labor 72.4%
13.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +9.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Hardys BayLabor 72.8% · Coalition 27.1% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Booker BayLabor 51.9% · Coalition 48.1% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- Ettalong CentralLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Empire BayLabor 60.8% · Coalition 39.2% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- EttalongLabor 66.3% · Coalition 33.7% TPP (2025)2.6 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
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.