Median house price
$1.05M
-0.9% change
NSW · Port Stephens Council
Salamander Bay, 2317
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,061
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.0%
Median age
57
Median income
$1,107/wk
Employment rate
40.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,050,000
Languages at home
4.3%non-English
Most common: Italian, Mandarin, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Well away from Sydney, Salamander Bay is a coastal mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and space. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.
Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Versus similar coastal suburbs, the suburb reads around average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment, plus schools and education trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Salamander Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Population (ERP)
5,061
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
14.3%
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
#33
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
43rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
46th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
39th
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
- 45.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 42% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2920th in Australia
- State rank
- 889th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #33 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #87 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $785
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 33
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,050,000
- Median price change
- -0.9%
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
5,061(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +1.0% over 5 years · 46th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +1.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +19
- Change in 5 years
- +50
- Growth rank in NSW
- 46th 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 (~5,200), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,991
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,107
- Dwelling vacancy
- 14.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 360 of 2,518
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 40.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,280 / 677 / 107 (+ 68 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)
- 310
- Against the person
- 94
- Against property
- 121
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 61.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 53 residents
- State safety percentile
- 43th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.4%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault39
- Fraud40
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment46
- Malicious Damage To Property40
- Other Offences44
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 917.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 39th
School list
- St Philip's Christian College - Port StephensCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1072 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 821 students · Top SEA quarter 32% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Philip's Christian College GilibaaPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 763 · 2th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 30 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.9 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
103 public transport stops in this suburb
- St Phillips Christian College, School Grounds
- St Phillips Christian College, School Grounds
- Tomaree Education Centre, Bays 1-3
- Tomaree Education Centre, Bays 4-8
- Tomaree Primary School
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
76 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 fast food · 1 libraries · 2 playgrounds · 2 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 14 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 103 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.2
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.81
Food & drink(1)
- The easy eateryFast food
316 Soldiers Point Road
Community(2)
- Tomaree Community CentreCommunity centre
- Tomaree LibraryLibrary
Sport & outdoors(19)
- Horizons Golf CourseGolf course
Horizons Drive
- Bob Cairns ReservePark
- Boronia GardensPark
- Park (9)
- Playground (2)
- Salamander Bay OvalSports field
- Salamander Bay Sports ComplexSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(1)
- Mangrove pointViewpoint
Transport(28)
28 bus stops
Other(13)
- AE1Bench
- AE2Bench
- Bicycle Parking
- D & L CanvasBoat
- Novus GlassCar repair
- Soilders Point Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Mambo Wetlands ReserveNature Reserve
- Sandpiper ReserveNature Reserve
- Parking (4)
- Picnic Table
- Public toilets
- Shelter (10)
- JAX Quickfit tyresTyres
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bob Cairns ReservePark
- Boronia GardensPark
- George ReservePark
- Mambo Wetlands ReserveNature reserve
- Sandpiper ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- Hospital (5.1 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)
- 136
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 26.9
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
- 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· 23 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)1 187 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (external)60 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 NINOX CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support330A WANDA AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure306 WANDA AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Landscaping structures7 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure312 WANDA AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 WARATAH AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
May 2026
- Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and tradingLot 6 SP3811 3 Town Centre Circuit SALAMANDER BAYUnder Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure44 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation103 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 MARTY AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)70 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 KEMP STREET SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah203 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah157 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure195 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 WANDA AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Withdrawn
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 COMPASS CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Swimming pool2B GILCHRIST ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space81 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure17 YACHTSMAN CRESCENT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure15 BAGNALL BEACH ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)38 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 KESTREL AVENUE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation219 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure231 SANDY POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool2 NINOX CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 COMPASS CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)186 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development237 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia336 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 WARDS WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation140 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure174 SALAMANDER WAY SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 THE JIB SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 JACKSON CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure405 SOLDIERS POINT ROAD SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 SANDERLING CLOSE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96A FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 RANDALL DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah59 SCOTT CIRCUIT SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)53 FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96A FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool131 PORT STEPHENS DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah83 FORESHORE DRIVE SALAMANDER BAY 2317Determined
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
- Paterson
- Member of Parliament
- Meryl SWANSON (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 127,926
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.3 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.1%Labor 56.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 6.1 km away).
Coalition 52.3%Labor 47.7%
9.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Salamander BayLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- SalamanderLabor 54.3% · Coalition 45.7% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- CorletteLabor 45.9% · Coalition 54.1% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Soldiers PointLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Nelson BayLabor 46.3% · Coalition 53.7% TPP (2025)4.9 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)
- 4/10
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 Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.