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 Nov 2025, Coffs Harbour - North's population is approximately 18,966. This figure represents an increase of 867 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,099. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates; as of June 2024, the estimated resident population was 18,845, with an additional 279 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 738 persons per square kilometer. Coffs Harbour - North's growth rate of 4.8% since the 2021 census exceeded that of the SA3 area at 4.2%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.4% to overall population gains, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses 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 used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers and projected demographic shifts, Coffs Harbour - North is expected to increase by approximately 1,907 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of around 9.4% 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 over the past five financial years, totalling 335 homes. As of FY26, 11 approvals have been recorded. Each dwelling built in this area attracts an average of 2 new residents per year, indicating solid demand that supports property values. The average construction cost value for new homes is $331,000.

This financial year has seen $9.2 million in commercial approvals, showing steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Coffs Harbour - North has 13.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 26th percentile nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice that supports interest in existing homes. New developments consist of 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from current housing patterns where 66.0% are houses. This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The area has an estimated 616 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment.

Looking ahead, Coffs Harbour - North is expected to grow by 1,786 residents through to 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects potentially influencing this region. Notable ones include The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living, Coffs Harbour Bypass, Ocean Parade Apartments, and CODA Apartments. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Coffs Harbour - North faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

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, with an unemployment rate 2.9% above Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%.

Workforce participation is 53.5%, below Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance has notable concentration with levels at 1.2 times the regional average. Manufacturing employs just 3.0% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.8%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. In the past year, employment increased by 1.0% while labour force grew by 3.6%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 2.4 percentage points. Rest of NSW experienced employment decline of 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point unemployment rate rise. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections suggest Coffs Harbour - North's growth may be approximately 6.8%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

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

Coffs Harbour - North's median income among taxpayers was $45,839 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $58,360 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Rest of NSW, which had a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, the estimated median income as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,619, with the average income projected to reach around $65,719. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Coffs Harbour - North fall between the 17th and 20th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 captures 28.4% of the community, with a total of 5,386 individuals in this category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, 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

Dwelling structure in Coffs Harbour - North, as per the latest Census, comprised 65.9% houses and 34.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coffs Harbour - North was 35.3%, with the rest being mortgaged (27.4%) or rented (37.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average. 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 compared to 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 account for 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 make up 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, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (28.9%). Educational participation is high at 29.2%, with 10.1% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 3.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Coffs Harbour - North's 4 schools have a combined enrollment of 1,832 students as of the latest data. The area has varied educational conditions, with school places per 100 residents at 9.7, below the regional average of 15.6.

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. All these stops are served by buses via 87 different routes. These routes facilitate a total of 1,791 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance from residents to the nearest stop is 166 meters. On average, there are 255 trips daily across all routes, which amounts to about 12 weekly trips per individual 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 cohorts exhibit a high prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is relatively low, at approximately 49% of the total population (~9,274 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.6%) and mental health issues (10.0%). A lower proportion of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments (62.4%), compared to Rest of NSW (63.9%). The area has a lower percentage of seniors aged 65 and over, at 21.7% (~4,109 people), than the Rest of NSW's 23.9%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly 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 showed cultural diversity similar to its region, with 86.4% citizens, 82.6% born in Australia, and 88.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion at 51.5%. The 'Other' category comprised 3.1%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 3.3%.

Top ancestry groups were English (30.3%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (8.6%). Notably, Australian Aboriginal (5.2%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 4.0%. New Zealand (0.6%) and Welsh (0.5%) also had slightly higher representation than the region's averages.

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 percentage of the population aged 15-24 is 12.6%, higher than the Rest of NSW figure, while the percentage aged 65-74 is 10.7%, lower than Rest of NSW. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 11.6% to 12.6% of the population, and the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 12.3% to 10.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Coffs Harbour - North's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 97%, adding 559 residents to reach 1,138. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts.