Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Council TBC
Palm Beach
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,701
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.4%
Median age
58
Median income
$2,807/wk
Employment rate
50.7%
Languages at home
5.4%non-English
Most common: Spanish, French, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Palm Beach revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community 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. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because growth momentum lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus safety. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Palm Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,701
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
38.5%
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
#19
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Pop. growth
5th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
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
- 50.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2070th in Australia
- State rank
- 618th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #19 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #62 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 57%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
1,701(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · +0.4% over 5 years · 5th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +0.4%
- Change in 1 year
- -7
- Change in 5 years
- +7
- 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 (~1,700), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,652
- Median age
- 58
- Median household income / week
- $2,807
- Dwelling vacancy
- 38.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 415 of 1,077
- Median monthly mortgage
- $4,000
- Employment rate
- 50.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 591 / 8 / 63
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
Public transport
57 public transport stops in this suburb
- 965 Barrenjoey Rd
- 981 Barrenjoey Rd
- Barrenjoey Rd At Iluka Rd
- Barrenjoey Rd Before Currawong Av
- Barrenjoey Rd Opp Surf Rd
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
131 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 restaurants · 4 cafes · 1 fast food · 2 playgrounds · 7 swimming pools · 1 ev charging
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 57 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 46/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 2.42
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 4.84
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.84
Food & drink(8)
- 2108 ExpressoCafe
- Cafe
- Coast Palm BeachCafe
1031 Barrenjoey Road
- Hole in One CafeCafe
- Palm Beach Fish & ChipsFast food
- Beach Road DiningRestaurant
- DunesRestaurant
1193 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
- The Joey'sRestaurant
Sport & outdoors(17)
- Palm Beach YogaGym
Palm Beach
- Hordern ParkPark
- Iluka ParkPark
- Lucinda ParkPark
- Ocean Road ReservePark
- Park
- Pittwater ParkPark
- Wiltshire ParkPark
- Playground (2)
- Palm Beach Rock PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (6)
Transport(21)
21 bus stops
Other(25)
- Barrenjoey wineryAlcohol
- Bbq (3)
- Bench (19)
- Barrenjoey Boating ServicesBoat Rental
Barrenjoy Boatshed, Palm Beach
- Drinking water (6)
- JoltEV charging
- Alf's bait shopFishing
- Motorcycle Parking (2)
- Dark Gully ReserveNature Reserve
- McKay ReserveNature Reserve
- Sunrise ReserveNature Reserve
- Dunes CafeOutdoor Seating
- The Boathouse groupOutdoor Seating
- Northern Beaches CouncilParking
- Parking (9)
- Parking Space (5)
- Picnic Table (15)
- Northern Beaches CouncilPublic toilets
- Public toilets
- The Boathouse Palm BeachPublic toilets
- Shelter (3)
- Northern Beaches CouncilShower
- Shower (3)
- Slipway (2)
- Waste Basket (4)
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
11 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Barrenjoey Head Aquatic ReserveNature reserve
- Currawong Avenue ReservePark
- Dark Gully ReserveNature reserve
- Hordern ParkPark
- Iluka ParkPark
- Lucinda ParkPark
- McKay ReserveNature reserve
- Ocean Road ReservePark
- Pittwater ParkPark
- Sunrise ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 12
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- Arcadia Pittwater Private Hospital (9.5 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)
- 18
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 10.6
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· 38 proposals
August 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 ILUKA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 OCEAN ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29-30 OCEAN ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 NORMA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 WARATAH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 RALSTON ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool61 BYNYA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 WARATAH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24-26 Sunrise Road, Palm BeachDetermined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10A BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1005 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation411 WHALE BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 PALM BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Temporary building, structure or use27 FLORIDA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Under Assessment
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure1112-1116 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision1176 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 PALM BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Withdrawn
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure989 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure136 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation1110 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure325 WHALE BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 THYRA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure85 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 NORMA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 THYRA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 SUNRISE ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12-14 ROCK BATH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Withdrawn
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure1112-1116 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure40 SUNRISE ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 WARATAH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure134 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 EBOR ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure1102 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation10 NORMA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- 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; Landscaping structures25 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 WARATAH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
2025· 9 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure153 PACIFIC ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Subdivision826 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 WARATAH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)1169 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 OCEAN ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 BYNYA ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure316 WHALE BEACH ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure1112-1116 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Pathways and paving885 BARRENJOEY ROAD PALM BEACH 2108Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksBarrenjoey Road, Iluka Road18 Aug 2026 – 24 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Barrenjoey Head LightstationBarrenjoey Headland, Palm BeachSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Mackellar
- Member of Parliament
- Sophie SCAMPS (Independent)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,339
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 53.7%Labor 46.3%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.0 km away).
Coalition 57.4%Labor 42.6%
3.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +42.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Palm BeachLabor 42.0% · Coalition 58.0% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- Avalon BeachLabor 53.1% · Coalition 46.9% TPP (2025)3.8 km away
- AvalonLabor 50.4% · Coalition 49.6% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
- Avalon SouthLabor 50.1% · Coalition 49.9% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
- Bilgola PlateauLabor 52.2% · Coalition 47.8% TPP (2025)5.1 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.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.