Median house price
$820k
+13% change
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Tea Gardens, 2324
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,298
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.5%
Median age
69
Median income
$991/wk
Employment rate
24.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$820,000
Languages at home
3.3%non-English
Most common: German, Urdu, Nepali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Tea Gardens is a coastal mid-sized suburb a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. 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. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment compared with similar coastal suburbs, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Tea Gardens snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$578/wk
Houses $610 · Units $498
Population (ERP)
3,298
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
15.6%
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
#70
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
77th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
6th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
19th
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
- 36.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4350th in Australia
- State rank
- 1374th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #70 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #138 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)
- $498
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $610
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $578
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 194
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $820,000
- Median price change
- +13.1%
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
3,298(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 6th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- +3.5%
- Change in 1 year
- -11
- Change in 5 years
- +110
- Growth rank in NSW
- 6th 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 (~3,550), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,288
- Median age
- 69
- Median household income / week
- $991
- Dwelling vacancy
- 15.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 286 of 1,829
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,420
- Employment rate
- 24.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,409 / 104 / 21 (+ 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)
- 349
- Against the person
- 108
- Against property
- 118
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 105.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 76.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions384
- Domestic Violence Related Assault228
- Fraud159
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment331
- Malicious Damage To Property237
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 934
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 19th
School list
- Tea Gardens Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 130 students · Top SEA quarter 7%View 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
37 public transport stops in this suburb
- Banksia Park, Yalinbah St
- Myall St At Maxwell St
- Pindimar Rd Before Myall Way
- Tea Gardens Public School, Witt St
- Toonang Dr At Myall Way
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
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
- ANZAC ParkPark
- Dunshea Avenue ReservePark
- Memorial ParkPark
- Tea Gardens Rest AreaPark
- The Admirals Green Public ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 19
- Parks (OSM)
- 9
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Tomaree Community Hospital (11.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Myall PharmacyPharmacy
- Ochre Medical Centre Tea GardensClinic
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)
- 53
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 16.1
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· 22 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Animal care premises; Veterinary hospital1 197 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 BILLABONG AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 MARTIN CIRCUIT TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah7 31-33 MARINE DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah8 31-33 MARINE DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool45 MARTIN CIRCUIT TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure10 GANNET PLACE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 BAYVIEW ROAD TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure64 WITT STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure12 BILLABONG AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure84 PORT STEPHENS STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport37 ADMIRALTY AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure59 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 HIGGINS CLOSE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home1A WANYA ROAD TEA GARDENS 2324Under Assessment
March 2026
- Subdivision3-5 HOUGH STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation111 MARINE DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool25 MARTIN CIRCUIT TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureMYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 COUPLAND AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure72 COUPLAND AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 JACOB STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 WOMBOURNE ROAD TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure199 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Under Assessment
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Charter and tourism boating facilityMARINE DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 SINCLAIR DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah61 WINDWARD CIRCUIT TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure84 PORT STEPHENS STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Storage premises1 YANDALA STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 BUDGEREE STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation29 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation23 WINDWARD CIRCUIT TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool15 ADMIRALTY AVENUE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool185 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 MARINE DRIVE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)231 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)571 VINEY CREEK ROAD TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)581 VINEY CREEK ROAD TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 COMPASS CLOSE TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure29 MYALL STREET TEA GARDENS 2324Determined
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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 33.4 km away).
Coalition 58.8%Labor 41.2%
1.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Tea GardensLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
- Hawks NestLabor 40.2% · Coalition 59.8% TPP (2025)6.9 km away
- North Arm CoveLabor 43.5% · Coalition 56.5% TPP (2025)9.5 km away
- KaruahLabor 49.5% · Coalition 50.5% TPP (2025)15.7 km away
- BooralLabor 43.2% · Coalition 56.8% TPP (2025)23.4 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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 Mid-Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.