Coffs Harbour - South

Population growth drivers in Coffs Harbour - South are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Coffs Harbour - South's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 11,933. This figure represents a growth of 628 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,305. The increase is inferred from an estimated resident population of 11,476 in June 2024 and the addition of 423 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 354 persons per square kilometer. Coffs Harbour - South's growth rate of 5.6% since the 2021 census surpassed both the SA3 area (4.2%) and the SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.0% to the overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate an above median population growth for non-metropolitan areas nationally, with the area expected to expand by 2,741 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 18.4% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Coffs Harbour - South when compared nationally

Coffs Harbour - South has seen approximately 85 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, totaling 427 homes. In FY26, up until now, 15 homes have been approved. On average, over these five years, 0.2 new residents per year arrived for each new home built.

This pace of construction matches or exceeds demand, providing buyers with more options and potentially driving population growth beyond current projections. The average value of new dwellings developed is $431,000, consistent with regional trends. In FY26, there have been $149.0 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Coffs Harbour - South shows 79.0% higher construction activity per person. This should offer buyers ample choice, although recent construction activity has eased. New development consists of 27.0% detached dwellings and 73.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the area's current housing composition of 57.0% houses.

This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. The location has approximately 220 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. Population forecasts estimate Coffs Harbour - South will gain 2,199 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, creating favorable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Coffs Harbour - South has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 25thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Elements at Coffs, TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour Campus Upgrade, Coffs Harbour Affordable Housing, and Pacific Bay Resort Studios & Village. The following list details those 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.

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

Coffs Harbour - South has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 7.6% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.7%.

As of June 2025, there are 4,752 residents employed, while the unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is lower at 50.5% compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food sectors. The area specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level but has lower representation in manufacturing at 3.0% compared to the regional average of 5.8%.

There are 1.3 workers for every resident, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 0.7%, while labour force grew by 3.8%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 2.8 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW experienced a 0.1% employment decline and 0.3% labour force growth with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data from Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.3% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coffs Harbour - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

The Coffs Harbour - South SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $45,349 and an average income of $57,736 in the financial year 2022. These figures were below the national averages for Rest of NSW, which stood at $49,459 and $62,998 respectively. By September 2025, based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.61%, estimated incomes would be approximately $51,068 (median) and $65,017 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Coffs Harbour - South fell between the 14th and 19th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket comprised 3,281 residents earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly, representing 27.5% of the population, similar to the broader area at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 79.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 12th percentile nationally.

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

Coffs Harbour - South's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 56.6% houses and 43.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Non-Metro NSW had 78.4% houses and 21.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coffs Harbour - South was 34.2%, with the rest mortgaged at 22.8% or rented at 42.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Non-Metro NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $370. Nationally, Coffs Harbour - South's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,733 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less at $360 than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 61.4% of all households, including 20.6% couples with children, 26.7% couples without children, and 13.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 38.6%, with lone person households at 34.6% and group households comprising 3.9%. The median household size is 2.3 people, smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

Coffs Harbour - South shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area has university qualification rates of 21.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 3.8% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 39.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 28.8%. Educational participation is high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 10.4% in primary, 8.1% in secondary, and 4.3% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 4.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Coffs Harbour - South has 92 active public transport stops. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 145 individual routes operating in total, providing 2,111 weekly passenger trips collectively.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 207 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 301 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Coffs Harbour - South, with high prevalence of common conditions across younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 49% (~5,835 people), lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.5%) and mental health issues (10.2%). A total of 61.9% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.9% in Rest of NSW. In this area, 23.3% of residents are aged 65 and over (2,783 people). Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

In terms of cultural diversity, Coffs Harbour - South 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-South has a cultural diversity above average, with 21.2% of its population born overseas and 13.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Coffs Harbour-South, comprising 51.5% of its population. The most notable overrepresentation is in Other religions, which comprises 3.8% of the population compared to 3.3% across Rest of NSW.

In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are English (29.3%), Australian (27.3%), and Other (10.2%). There are also notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is equally represented at 4.0%, French remains at 0.5%, and Scottish shows a slight underrepresentation at 7.8% compared to the regional average of 8.3%.

Coffs Harbour - South hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Coffs Harbour - South's median age is 44 years, similar to Rest of NSW's 43 and above the national average of 38 years. Compared to Rest of NSW, Coffs Harbour - South has a higher percentage of 25-34 year-olds (13.0%) but fewer 65-74 year-olds (10.5%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 35-44 age group has increased from 11.3% to 12.9%, while the 15-24 cohort rose from 10.7% to 11.8%. Conversely, the 85+ group declined from 5.7% to 4.1%, and the 65-74 group decreased from 11.7% to 10.5%. By 2041, Coffs Harbour - South's age composition is expected to change notably. The 35-44 group will grow by 34%, reaching 2,053 people from 1,536, while the 65-74 group will grow by 4% with an addition of 49 residents.