Median house price
$989k
+16% change
NSW · Coffs Harbour Council
Sapphire Beach, 2450
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,857
Growth (1 yr)
+1.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.1%
Median age
46
Median income
$2,056/wk
Employment rate
59.3%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$989,000
Languages at home
7.3%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, German, Hindi
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Sapphire Beach revolves around the coast at a genuine remove from Sydney. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety compared with similar coastal suburbs, though growth momentum, plus community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Sapphire Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$620/wk
Houses $680 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
2,857
+1.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.3%
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
#48
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
89th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
77th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
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
- 40.6/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3646th in Australia
- State rank
- 1114th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #48 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #108 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
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)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 433
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $989,000
- Median price change
- +15.7%
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
2,857(June 2025)
+1.4% annual · +9.1% over 5 years · 77th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.4%
- 5-year growth
- +9.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +39
- Change in 5 years
- +237
- Growth rank in NSW
- 77th 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 (~3,200), extrapolated at +2.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,660
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $2,056
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 112 of 1,087
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,174
- Employment rate
- 59.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 822 / 64 / 72 (+ 13 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)
- 364
- Against the person
- 95
- Against property
- 133
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 127.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 28 residents
- State safety percentile
- 88.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order390
- Breach Bail Conditions817
- Domestic Violence Related Assault416
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment572
- Malicious Damage To Property460
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
Public transport
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- Alkina St At Warrawee St
- Elouera Dr Opp Merinda Av
- Headland Rd At Elouera Dr
- Solitary Islands Way After Headland Rd
- Solitary Islands Way After Split Solitary 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
9 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds · 5 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 3 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 31 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.13
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Playground
- Swimming pool (5)
Entertainment(1)
- Legends Of Surf MuseumMuseum
Other(2)
- Sapphire Beach Holiday ParkCaravan Site
48 Split Solitary Road, Sapphire Beach
- Parking
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
- Baringa Private Hospital (6.7 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)
- 59
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 20.7
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
- 26° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 504 mm · ~63 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 522 mm · ~65 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 199 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 270 mm · ~34 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
- Shed; Erection of a new structure341 SOLITARY ISLANDS WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 SAPPHIRE CRESCENT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 NARDIE STREET SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Subdivision26 HEADLAND ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 WHITE BLUFF ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 SAPPHIRE CRESCENT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 GRANDVIEW CLOSE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 IVORY CIRCUIT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences12 ELOUERA DRIVE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 HEADLAND ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 WHITEWATER PLACE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation1A 1 BEACH WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 ELOUERA DRIVE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool29 SUGARMILL ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
January 2026
- Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 WAKELANDS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
2025· 30 proposals
December 2025
- Advertising and signage; Swimming pool25 SAPPHIRE CRESCENT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision11 ELOUERA DRIVE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation42 COACHMANS CLOSE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 FISHER ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation21 GUMTREE GLEN SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah21 OCEANFRONT DRIVE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Demolition14 HEADLAND ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Subdivision9-9A GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)60 THE MOUNTAIN WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Subdivision89 SUGARMILL ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
September 2025
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45/40 SOLITARY ISLANDS WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Home business; Hours of operation and trading12 BLACKWOOD STREET SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Subdivision28 SUGARMILL ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure1 SAN SIMEON CIRCUIT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation7 ALKINA STREET SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; 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 Australia; Centre-based child care2 BEACH WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Shipping containers19 Sapphire Crescent, Sapphire BeachDetermined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)31 ELOUERA DRIVE SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure119 GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool242 GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 RED GUM CIRCUIT SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9-9A GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 GUMTREE GLEN SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 ISLAND ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure25 BEACH ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 GUMTREE GLEN SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 HEADLAND ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
January 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure189 GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation242 GAUDRONS ROAD SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool1 BEACH WAY SAPPHIRE BEACH 2450Determined
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
- Page
- Member of Parliament
- Kevin HOGAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,373
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.3%Labor 40.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 17.8 km away).
Coalition 53.6%Labor 46.4%
5.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KororaLabor 46.6% · Coalition 53.4% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- KarangiLabor 42.0% · Coalition 58.0% TPP (2025)8.6 km away
- Sandy BeachLabor 52.6% · Coalition 47.4% TPP (2025)9.9 km away
- CorambaLabor 42.0% · Coalition 58.0% TPP (2025)11.7 km away
- WoolgoolgaLabor 44.0% · Coalition 56.0% TPP (2025)14.4 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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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 Coffs Harbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.