Coffs Harbour - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Coffs Harbour - North has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of August 2025, Coffs Harbour - North's population is approximately 18,959, showing an increase of 860 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 4.8% rise from the previous population count of 18,099. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,845 in June 2024 and an additional 276 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 738 persons per square kilometer, which aligns with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Notably, Coffs Harbour - North's growth exceeded that of the SA3 area (3.8%), positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are utilized, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Coffs Harbour - North is expected to increase by approximately 1,907 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 9.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Coffs Harbour - North recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Coffs Harbour - North has seen approximately 67 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 335 approvals over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with 9 approvals so far in FY26. On average, around 2 people have moved to the area per new home constructed over these five years, indicating solid demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $677,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year has seen $9.2 million in commercial approvals registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Coffs Harbour - North has 13.0% less new development per person, and it ranks among the 26th percentile of areas assessed nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. New building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, providing affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This marks a considerable change from the current housing mix of 66.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population density in Coffs Harbour - North is around 616 people per dwelling approval, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment.

Future projections suggest Coffs Harbour - North will add approximately 1,793 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Coffs Harbour - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 48thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living, Coffs Harbour Bypass, Ocean Parade Apartments, and CODA Apartments. Below is a list of those likely most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment drivers in Coffs Harbour - North are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Coffs Harbour - North has an unemployment rate of 6.6% as of June 2025, with estimated employment growth of 1.0% over the past year. There are 7,810 residents in work, and the unemployment rate is 2.9% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation stands at 53.5%, lower than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level, but manufacturing shows lower representation at 3.0% versus the regional average of 5.8%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census working population vs resident population data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.0%, labour force grew by 3.6%, leading to an unemployment rise of 2.4 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, losing 19,270 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia indicate growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coffs Harbour - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Coffs Harbour - North had a median taxpayer income of $45,839 and an average income of $58,360 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is lower than the national average, with Rest of NSW having a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for March 2025 would be approximately $50,698 (median) and $64,546 (average). The 2021 Census showed that household, family, and personal incomes in Coffs Harbour - North fall between the 17th and 20th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile indicates that 28.4% of the community earns between $1,500 and $2,999 (5,384 individuals), which is similar to the surrounding region where this cohort represents 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Coffs Harbour - North, with only 80.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 15th percentile nationally.

Coffs Harbour - North displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Coffs Harbour - North's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 65.9% houses and 34.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Non-Metro NSW had 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coffs Harbour - North stood at 35.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.4% and rented ones at 37.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, matching Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $355, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Coffs Harbour - North's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were also lower at $355 than the national figure of $375.

Coffs Harbour - North features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households compose 64.0% of all households, including 21.9% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 14.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 31.9% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Coffs Harbour - North fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 18.4%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 28.9%. Educational participation is high at 29.2%, including primary education (10.1%), secondary education (8.0%), and tertiary education (3.3%).

The four schools in Coffs Harbour - North have a combined enrollment of 1,832 students. Education provision is balanced with three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School places per 100 residents are lower at 9.7 compared to the regional average of 15.6, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Coffs Harbour - North has 149 active public transport stops. These are served by a mix of buses operating along 87 routes. The total weekly passenger trips across these routes is 1,791.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 166 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 255 trips per day, equating to around 12 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Coffs Harbour - North is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Coffs Harbour - North faces significant health challenges, as indicated by its health data. Both younger and older age groups have a notable prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 49% (~9,270 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is relatively low compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 10.6 and 10.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 62.4% of residents report being completely free from medical ailments, slightly lower than the 63.9% reported across Rest of NSW. The region has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.7% (4,108 people), compared to Rest of NSW's 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges largely in line with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Coffs Harbour - North records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Coffs Harbour - North has a cultural diversity profile similar to the wider region's average. 86.4% of its population are citizens, 82.6% were born in Australia, and 88.3% speak English only at home. Christianity is the main religion, making up 51.5% of people in Coffs Harbour - North.

The most notable overrepresentation is in the 'Other' category, comprising 3.1% of the population compared to 3.3% across Rest of NSW. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (30.3%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (8.6%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal people are overrepresented at 5.2% in Coffs Harbour - North versus 4.0% regionally, New Zealanders at 0.6% versus 0.5%, and Welsh people at 0.5% versus 0.5%.

Coffs Harbour - North hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Coffs Harbour - North's median age is 41 years, which is lower than the Rest of NSW average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The 15-24 age group constitutes 12.6% of its population, compared to the Rest of NSW figure, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 10.7%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 11.6% to 12.6%, and the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 12.3% to 10.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Coffs Harbour - North's age profile. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 97%, adding 559 residents to reach 1,138. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts.