Median house price
$870k
+8.8% change
NSW · Coffs Harbour Council
Sawtell, 2452
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,847
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.3%
Median age
47
Median income
$1,405/wk
Employment rate
53.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$870,000
Languages at home
3.7%non-English
Most common: Japanese, Australian Indigenous languages, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Well away from Sydney, Sawtell is a coastal mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and space. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
Reported crime has been falling recently. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Desirability rates good overall, led by stronger schools and education, plus growth momentum compared with similar coastal suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Sawtell snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$595/wk
Houses $650 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
3,847
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
13.9%
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
#14
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
56th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
57th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
48th
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
- 56.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 20% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1439th in Australia
- State rank
- 426th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #14 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #47 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
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)
- $595
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 105
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $870,000
- Median price change
- +8.8%
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
3,847(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +2.3% over 5 years · 57th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +2.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +27
- Change in 5 years
- +86
- Growth rank in NSW
- 57th 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 (~3,900), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,788
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,405
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 252 of 1,807
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 53.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,070 / 194 / 260 (+ 38 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)
- 292
- Against the person
- 110
- Against property
- 113
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 75.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 56.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -15.6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order89
- Domestic Violence Related Assault122
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment163
- Malicious Damage To Property113
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault81
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,003
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 48th
School list
- Sawtell Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1003 · 48th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 293 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- William Bayldon Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 812 · 3th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Mary Help of Christians Primary School SawtellPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1052 · 69th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 490 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.6 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
60 public transport stops in this suburb
- Eighteenth Av After Sixteenth Av
- Eighteenth Av At First Av
- Eighteenth Av Before Sixteenth Av
- First Av After Boambee St
- First Av Before Boambee St
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
121 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
6 restaurants · 2 cafes · 3 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 21 swimming pools · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 60 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 26 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 54/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.53
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.17
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.58
Food & drink(12)
- Hearthfire BakeryBakery
- HilltonCafe
- Split EspressoCafe
- Fast food
- Indian CottageFast food
2 First Avenue, Sawtell
- The KioskFast food
- Indian CottageRestaurant
2 First Avenue, Sawtell
- Ong-Ki (Bowl)Restaurant
- Restaurant
- Taste RestaurantRestaurant
- The August MoonRestaurant
- The spare roomRestaurant
Shopping(1)
- Sawtell Lucky 7Convenience store
Unit 5 57 First Avenue
Community(1)
- Sawtell Public SchoolSchool
32-36 Eleventh Avenue, Sawtell
Health & services(1)
- Sawtell Dental SurgeryDentist
34 First Avenue, Sawtell
Sport & outdoors(32)
- Sawtell Golf CourseGolf course
Bayldon Road
- Park (2)
- Richardsons ParkPark
- Sawtell ParkPark
- Sawtell Tennis ClubPark
- Wonga ParkPark
- Playground (2)
- Wonga Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Sports field
- Sawtell Memorial Rock PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (20)
Entertainment(3)
- Sawtell Art GroupArts centre
- Majestic Cinemas SawtellCinema
First Avenue, Sawtell
- Sawtell HeadlandViewpoint
Transport(4)
4 bus stops
Other(32)
- AllpointATM
- Sawtell Chilli FestivalAttraction
- Bbq (4)
- Bench (8)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Sawtell Beach Holiday ParkCaravan Site
- Clock
- House of Le Dain DesignsClothes
36 First Avenue, Sawtell
- Remedy CoffeeCoffee
- Drinking water
- Garden
- Sawtell Hotel & FishtailsHotel
- Sawtell Bowling & Recreation ClubLicensed Club
- Parking (10)
- Sawtell HotelParking
- Sawtell RSL ClubParking
- Picnic Table (7)
- Place of worship
- Sawtell Police StationPolice
- Australia PostPost Box
- Sawtell Post OfficePost office
- Public toilets
- Sawtell Surf Lifesaving ClubPublic toilets
- Reception Desk
- Sanitary Dump Station
- Shelter (5)
- Shower (3)
- Bonville Creek Boat RampSlipway
- Sawtell BoatrampSlipway
- TelstraTelephone
- Waste Basket (4)
- Sawtell Swim CenterWater Park
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Richardsons ParkPark
- Sawtell ParkPark
- Sawtell Tennis ClubPark
- Wonga ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Coffs Harbour Health Campus (5.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Sawtell Dental SurgeryFirst AvenueDentist
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)
- 146
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 38.0
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· 24 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 CUNNINGHAM CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41-43 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Under Assessment
July 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation95 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 SEVENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure83 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50 ELIZABETH STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8A Seventh Av Sawtell 2452Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Swimming pool46 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation25 ELEVENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Attached dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Subdivision; 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; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Letterboxes; Minor building alterations (external)3 CORONATION AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 BROWN AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 ELIZABETH STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 CUNNINGHAM CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
February 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure88 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)11 BROWN AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool7 TINDARA DRIVE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 THIRD AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 HONEYSUCKLE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation133 BORONIA STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 GILLIBRI CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
2025· 22 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool145A FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7-7A HARRISON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure63 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 FIFTEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation14 DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool; Supporting Development31 BANGALOW TERRACE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Demolition1A DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool21 TINDARA DRIVE SAWTELL 2452Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 NINETEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space18 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure56 SIXTEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool144 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
July 2025
- Business premises; Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia2/59 First Avenue , Sawtell NSW 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool143 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool18 HERON PLACE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool35 TWENTY-FIFTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure83 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)11 HONEYSUCKLE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96 BAYLDON ROAD SAWTELL 2452Withdrawn
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool13 CORONATION AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development11A BELLGROVE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 TWENTY-FIFTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
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
3 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Exercise caution. Follow directions on site. Road pavement maintenance works Wednesday 12 to Friday 21 August, 2026 (excluding weekend). Minor delays at times, traffic controllers on site.Bonville Waters Drive, Lyons Road06 Aug 2026 – 21 Aug 2026
- Check signage. Exercise caution. Follow directions on site. Road pavement maintenance works Wednesday 12 to Friday 21 August, 2026 (excluding weekend). Minor delays at times, traffic controllers on site.Banool St, Lyons Road06 Aug 2026 – 21 Aug 2026
- Exercise caution. Check signage. Watermain construction works Lyons Road (Banool St to railway overbridge) from 25.5.26 to 18.9.26. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists.Lyons Road20 May 2026 – 18 Sep 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
- Cowper
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,639
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.1%Labor 40.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.8 km away).
Coalition 48.6%Labor 51.4%
10.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.8 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- SawtellLabor 52.6% · Coalition 47.4% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Toormina SouthLabor 41.9% · Coalition 58.1% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- BayldonLabor 41.5% · Coalition 58.5% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- ToorminaLabor 44.1% · Coalition 55.9% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- BoambeeLabor 38.5% · Coalition 61.5% TPP (2025)4.1 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.