Coffs Harbour - North

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

Coffs Harbour - North's population is around 18,992 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 893 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,099 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,960 from the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 283 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 739 persons per square kilometer. Coffs Harbour - North's growth rate of 4.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (3.7%) and the SA4 region, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.4% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, a population increase of just below the median of national regional areas is expected, with the area projected to expand by 1,767 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 9.1% in total over the 16 years.

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, 40 approvals have been recorded. On average, around two people move to the area per year for each new home constructed between FY21 and FY25, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $331,000.

This financial year has seen $9.2 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to the rest of NSW, Coffs Harbour - North has 12.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 25th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing homes. New development consists of 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 66.0% houses. The area has an estimated 616 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate Coffs Harbour - North will gain 1,735 residents by 2041, with current development well-matched to future needs and supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Population forecasts indicate Coffs Harbour - North will gain 1,735 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Coffs Harbour - North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 22ndth percentile nationally

Eleven projects are identified by AreaSearch as likely impacting the area, with key ones being The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living, Coffs Harbour Bypass, Ocean Parade Apartments, and Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore Precinct Revitalisation.

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.

The employment landscape in Coffs Harbour - North shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Coffs Harbour - North has an unemployment rate of 5.1% as of the past year. The estimated employment growth over this period is 4.0%. As of December 2025, 8,038 residents are employed with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, which is 1.1% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in the area is 54.2%, significantly lower than Regional NSW's 60.5%. According to Census responses, only 10.2% of residents work from home. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food. Health care & social assistance has a notable concentration with employment levels at 1.2 times the regional average.

Manufacturing employs just 3.0% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.8%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. Over the past year, employment increased by 4.0%, while labour force increased by 2.8%, causing a fall in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW experienced employment decline of 1.2% and labour force decline of 0.8%, with an increase in unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with significant differences in growth rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Coffs Harbour - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years.

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

The median income among taxpayers in Coffs Harbour - North SA2 was $48,467 in financial year 2023, according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This figure is lower than the national average of $52,390 for Regional NSW. The average income in Coffs Harbour - North SA2 stood at $61,355 compared to Regional NSW's $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $53,469 and the average income around $67,687 as of March 2026. The 2021 Census figures indicate that household, family and personal incomes in Coffs Harbour - North all fall between the 17th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income brackets show that 28.4% of individuals in Coffs Harbour - North earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, which is consistent with the surrounding region's trend of 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th 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 structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 65.9% houses and 34.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coffs Harbour - North stood at 35.3%, with the remainder being mortgaged (27.4%) or rented (37.2%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $355, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Coffs Harbour - North's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less 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 constitute 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 account for the remaining 36.0%, with lone person households at 31.9% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional 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%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (28.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 29.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 10.1% in primary, 8.0% in secondary, and 3.3% in tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Coffs Harbour - North indicates there are 186 active transport stops currently operating. These stops facilitate a variety of bus routes totalling 87 individual services, which together accommodate approximately 1,791 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport within this area is considered excellent, with residents on average residing just 165 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential region, most residents commute outward from Coffs Harbour - North. The car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 93% of residents. Vehicle ownership in the area averages at 1.2 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census data (which may reflect COVID-19 conditions), a relatively low 10.2% of residents work from home. The service frequency across all routes averages around 255 trips per day, translating to approximately 9 weekly trips per individual stop. An accompanying map illustrates the locations of the 100 nearest stops in relation to the area's centrepoint.

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

Coffs Harbour's northern region faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~9,458 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (impacting 10.6%) and mental health issues (10.0%), while 62.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (4,202 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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 had cultural diversity figures close to the regional average: 86.4% citizens, 82.6% born in Australia, and 88.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion with 51.5%. Notably, 'Other' religion made up 3.1%, higher than Regional NSW's 0.8%.

The top three ancestral groups were English (30.3%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (8.6%). Some ethnic groups showed variations: Australian Aboriginal at 5.2% compared to 4.6% regionally, New Zealand at 0.6% vs 0.4%, and Welsh at 0.5%.

Coffs Harbour - North's median age exceeds the national pattern

Coffs Harbour - North's median age is 41 years, lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 but higher than the national average of 38. The 15-24 age group constitutes 12.7% of its population, higher than Regional NSW, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 10.7%, less prevalent than Regional NSW. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 11.6% to 12.7%, and the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 12.3% to 10.7%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Coffs Harbour - North's age profile will change significantly. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 92%, adding 562 residents to reach 1,176. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 cohorts.