Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Scotland Island, 2105
Est. population · Jun 2025
726
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.7%
Median age
48
Median income
$2,397/wk
Employment rate
62%
Languages at home
11.4%non-English
Most common: German, Italian, French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Northern Beaches Council, Scotland Island is a settled smaller community where everyday shopping leans on neighbouring suburbs. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Many residents were born overseas or speak a language other than English at home.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses and ferries covering longer trips across the wider area. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Reported crime has been falling recently. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability lands below average here: softer weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment, plus growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Scotland Island snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
726
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
23.2%
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
#125
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
58th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
56th
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
- 28.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5870th in Australia
- State rank
- 1898th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #125 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #842 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
726(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +0.7% over 5 years · 56th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +0.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +5
- Growth rank in NSW
- 56th 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 (~750), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 711
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $2,397
- Dwelling vacancy
- 23.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 78 of 336
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 62%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 257 / 0 / 0
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)
- 57
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 24
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 78.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 237 residents
- State safety percentile
- 58.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -24.8%
Most common offence types
- Malicious Damage To Property8
- Other Offences32
- Other Theft6
- Steal From Dwelling4
- Steal From Motor Vehicle6
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
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Scotland Island, Bells Wharf
- Scotland Island, Carols Wharf
- Scotland Island, Eastern Wharf
- Scotland Island, Eastern Wharf
- Scotland Island, Tennis Wharf
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
20 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 12/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 11.25
Sport & outdoors(9)
- Catherine ParkPark
- Elizabeth ParkPark
- Harold ReservePark
- Leahvera ReservePark
- Park (3)
- Pathilda ReservePark
- Northern Beaches CouncilPlayground
Transport(3)
3 ferry terminals
Other(6)
- Bbq
- Bench
- Scotland Island Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
Catherine Park, Scotland Island
- Picnic Table (2)
- Shelter (2)
- Telephone
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
- Catherine ParkPark
- Elizabeth ParkPark
- Harold ReservePark
- Leahvera ReservePark
- Pathilda ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- 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 (4.2 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)
- 13
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 17.9
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
- 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· 4 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 KEVIN AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
June 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Stairway; Supporting Development119 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Under Assessment
May 2026
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development33 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp7 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
2025· 6 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation87 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty; Mooring Pen9 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support55 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
2024· 17 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure91 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure89 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Access ramp13 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Stairway109 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure89 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
June 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Access ramp13 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty41 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp61 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
March 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
January 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
2023· 13 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
October 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support55 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure118 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2023
- Port, wharf, boating facilities107 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development121 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development47 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs91 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development61 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
July 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Retaining walls, protection of trees7 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing3 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Port, wharf, boating facilities17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development5 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
April 2023
- Port, wharf, boating facilities49 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
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
- 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 4.1 km away).
Coalition 52.1%Labor 47.9%
1.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +47.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BayviewLabor 44.2% · Coalition 55.8% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Bilgola PlateauLabor 52.2% · Coalition 47.8% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- NewportLabor 45.6% · Coalition 54.4% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- Newport BeachLabor 47.2% · Coalition 52.8% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Mona Vale NorthLabor 43.3% · Coalition 56.7% TPP (2025)3.3 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)
- 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 Northern Beaches Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.