Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Council TBC
Hawks Nest
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,401
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.4%
Median age
61
Median income
$1,096/wk
Employment rate
35.7%
Languages at home
5.4%non-English
Most common: Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Well away from Sydney, Hawks Nest is a coastal smaller community built around sand, sea and space. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many coastal suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Property prices are middling for the area: fair relative to what is nearby. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer community and employment, plus schools and education compared with similar coastal suburbs, though safety and growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Hawks Nest snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,401
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
54.4%
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
#97
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Pop. growth
5th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 32.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5183rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1666th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #97 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #168 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 68%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
1,401(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · +3.4% over 5 years · 5th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +3.4%
- Change in 1 year
- -5
- Change in 5 years
- +46
- Growth rank in NSW
- 5th 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 (~1,500), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,413
- Median age
- 61
- Median household income / week
- $1,096
- Dwelling vacancy
- 54.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 728 of 1,339
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 35.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 452 / 105 / 44 (+ 4 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.
Family & Lifestyle
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
33 public transport stops in this suburb
- Albatross Av At Kurrawong Av
- Booner St At Tuloa Av
- Karthena Cres At Albatross Av
- Mermaid Av At Dolphin Av
- Muneela Av At Carramar Cres
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
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bennets BeachPark
- Jean Shaw Koala ReserveNature reserve
- Providence Bay ParkPark
- Winda Woppa ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Tomaree Community Hospital (11.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Myall PharmacyYamba StreetPharmacy
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)
- 23
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 16.4
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· 15 proposals
August 2026
- Demolition25 MOOLA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport14 FISHERMANS WALK HAWKS NEST 2324On Exhibition
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 ELOUERA CLOSE HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
July 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation4 BENNETT STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 MARGARET STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 MOOLA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
- SubdivisionEAGLE AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 MIRREEN STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 COOLOON STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 KURRAWONG AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40 ALBATROSS AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
March 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Caravan park341 MUNGO BRUSH ROAD HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
February 2026
- SubdivisionEAGLE AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure51 BOONER STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Caravan park341 MUNGO BRUSH ROAD HAWKS NEST 2324Under Assessment
2025· 29 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah50 MERMAID AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4 BENNETT STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 ELOUERA CLOSE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 THE BOULEVARDE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation15 MARGARET STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support6 KURURMA CRESCENT HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 DOLPHIN AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space15 MIRREEN STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43 YAMBA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Camping ground341 MUNGO BRUSH ROAD HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
July 2025
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 KIKARRA CRESCENT HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure23 IBIS AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Subdivision21 COORILLA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition25 BOONER STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition27-31 BOONER STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia36 KURRAWONG AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 BINDA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation46 YAMBA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 GEMALLA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 GUYA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure18 YAMBA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport37 BINDA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 BINDA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- SubdivisionEAGLE AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah28 MOIRA PARADE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 DOLPHIN AVENUE HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah28 MOIRA PARADE HAWKS NEST 2324Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 YAMBA STREET HAWKS NEST 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park288 MUNGO BRUSH ROAD HAWKS NEST 2324Withdrawn
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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 37.4 km away).
Coalition 59.5%Labor 40.5%
0.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Hawks NestLabor 40.2% · Coalition 59.8% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
- Tea GardensLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
- North Arm CoveLabor 43.5% · Coalition 56.5% TPP (2025)13.9 km away
- KaruahLabor 49.5% · Coalition 50.5% TPP (2025)20.6 km away
- BulahdelahLabor 39.4% · Coalition 60.6% TPP (2025)25.7 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.