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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Population
Toukley - Norah Head has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
Toukley - Norah Head's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 9,872, a decrease of 37 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 9,909. This change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 9,848 in June 2024 and an additional 19 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 938 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration. 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, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021.
Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to expand by 1,764 persons, reflecting an increase of 17.6% over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Toukley - Norah Head, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally
Toukley - Norah Head has seen approximately 34 dwellings granted development approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 172 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved so far in FY26. Despite recent population decline, this level of development activity has been adequate relative to population size, which may benefit buyers due to increased housing supply.
The average expected construction cost value for new dwellings is $312,000. In the current financial year, $34.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating significant commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney, Toukley - Norah Head has about three-quarters the building activity per person, and it ranks among the 36th percentile of areas assessed nationally, suggesting more limited housing choices for buyers, which may support demand for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 68% detached dwellings and 32% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments offering options across various price points.
The estimated population per dwelling approval is 543 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Toukley - Norah Head's population is forecasted to grow by 1,739 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Toukley - Norah Head has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 31stth percentile nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 11 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Central Coast Desalination Plant, Toukley Town Centre Public Domain Upgrade, Seabreeze Royale Development Site (11 Beach Parade), and 5-8 Beach Parade Residential & Retail Development. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Central Coast Desalination Plant
A proposed 30 ML/day reverse osmosis desalination plant to be built adjacent to the existing Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant. The project will provide a climate-independent water supply for the Central Coast region during severe drought, using a direct ocean intake between Jenny Dixon Beach and Pelican Point Beach and discharging brine via the existing Norah Head ocean outfall. The plant is designed to improve water security and system resilience for up to 250,000 residents.
Lake Haven Centre Redevelopment
Proposed expansion and modernisation of Lake Haven Centre, a sub-regional shopping centre owned and managed by Vicinity Centres. Current GLA approximately 43,207 sqm with anchors including Kmart, Coles, Woolworths and ALDI. As of December 2025, no development application has been lodged with Central Coast Council and no public timeline or scope has been released by Vicinity Centres.
Wyong Hospital Redevelopment
The $200 million Wyong Hospital Redevelopment (completed 2021-2022) delivered a new six-storey clinical services building (Block H) with expanded emergency department, ICU, paediatrics, medical imaging (including the hospital's first MRI), additional inpatient beds, and a medical assessment unit; plus refurbishment of existing facilities adding operating theatre capacity, expanded medical day unit, transit lounge, and cancer day unit expansion. The project significantly increased healthcare capacity for the Central Coast community.
Kanwal-Lake Haven-Gorokan Growth Corridor (Warnervale East / Greater Warnervale)
Long term residential growth corridor along the Pacific Highway between Kanwal, Lake Haven and Gorokan, forming part of the Warnervale East and Greater Warnervale urban release area. The corridor is planned to deliver around 4,000 new homes over more than 20 years, primarily as low density house and land estates supported by local parks, schools, neighbourhood centres and transport links. Most of the release area is already zoned and either developed or approved, with remaining stages guided by Central Coast Development Control Plan Chapter 5.37 and the 2024 Greater Warnervale Structure Plan. Delivery is occurring progressively through estates such as Rosella Rise and other private subdivisions, with full build out expected by the mid 2040s.
Gorokan Waterfront Masterplan & Foreshore Revitalisation
Council-adopted masterplan guiding staged public domain upgrades to the Gorokan foreshore along Wallarah Road, including improved lake access, shared paths, playgrounds and associated aquatic infrastructure upgrades near Wallarah Point Peace Park. This record summarises the broader waterfront revitalisation intent rather than a single construction contract and reflects works progressing under Central Coast Council's Tuggerah Lakes catchment and open space programs. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Toukley Town Centre Public Domain Upgrade
Upgrades to the Toukley Town Centre, including footpath improvements, landscaping, and new street furniture to improve pedestrian safety, connectivity, and visual amenity. This is part of a broader masterplan to rejuvenate the town centre.
Seabreeze Royale Development Site (11 Beach Parade)
DA-approved boutique mixed-use project site with plans for seven luxury residential apartments and two premium commercial spaces in a waterfront location, currently for sale to a developer.
5-8 Beach Parade Residential & Retail Development
Bathla Group's proposed residential development of 40 large 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with 4 ground floor retail tenancies in a five-storey building, designed for luxury coastal living. The shoptop housing includes 28 two-bedroom and 13 three-bedroom units. Plans underwent updates after receiving operational consent in 2018, envisioning a prominent urban landmark.
Employment
Employment performance in Toukley - Norah Head has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally
Toukley - Norah Head has a balanced workforce comprising white and blue collar jobs, with essential services well represented. The unemployment rate in September 2025 was 5.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year.
As of that date, 4167 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.5% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lagged at 47.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction stood out with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.
Conversely, professional & technical services had lower representation at 4.6% versus the regional average of 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census data comparison. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, while labour force grew by 3.2%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.9 percentage points. In Greater Sydney, employment grew by 2.1%, labour force expanded by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% growth over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Toukley - Norah Head's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localized population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Toukley - Norah Head SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $46,443 and an average of $55,378. This is below the national average. Greater Sydney's median was $56,994 with an average of $80,856. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% suggest median income will be approximately $52,299 and average income $62,361. The 2021 Census indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Toukley - Norah Head fall between the 10th and 17th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 28.2% of locals (2,783 people) earn between $400 and $799, differing from metropolitan regions where the predominant category is $1,500 to $2,999 at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 79.3% of income remaining, ranking at the 8th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Toukley - Norah Head is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
In Toukley-Norah Head, as per the latest Census data, 79.0% of dwellings were houses, with 21.0% being semi-detached homes, apartments, or other types. This compares to Sydney's metropolitan area where 83.2% were houses and 16.7% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Toukley-Norah Head stood at 38.9%, with mortgaged properties at 25.9% and rented ones at 35.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,950, higher than Sydney's metro average of $1,900 but close to the national figure of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Toukley-Norah Head was $350, lower than both Sydney's metro average of $385 and the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Toukley - Norah Head features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 60.8% of all households, including 20.6% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 39.2%, with lone person households at 35.7% and group households making up 3.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Toukley - Norah Head faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally
The area's university qualification rate is 14.7%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials, such as advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (32.6%), are held by 42.6% of residents aged 15 and above. Educational participation is high with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.1% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 6.6% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Toukley-Norah Head has 90 operational public transport stops. These are served by 34 different bus routes offering a total of 738 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 170 meters to the nearest stop.
On average, there are 105 daily trips across all routes, equating to around eight weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Toukley - Norah Head is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Toukley-Norah Head faces significant health challenges, with various conditions affecting both younger and older age groups. Approximately 48% of the area's total population (~4699 people) has private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.
The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.9%) and mental health issues (10.4%), while 57.2% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 61.5% in Greater Sydney. As of 2018, 29.2% of the area's population is aged 65 and over (2886 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 22.3%. The health outcomes among seniors are broadly aligned with those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Toukley - Norah Head is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Toukley-Norah Head was found to have a cultural diversity below average, with 87.8% of its population born in Australia, 90.6% being citizens, and 96.0% speaking English only at home. The primary religion in Toukley-Norah Head is Christianity, which accounts for 56.7% of the population, compared to 56.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups are English (31.3%), Australian (31.1%), and Irish (9.4%).
Notably, there are variations in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Australian Aboriginal is overrepresented at 5.2%, Maltese at 0.9%, and Lebanese at 0.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Toukley - Norah Head hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide
Toukley-Norah Head's median age is 47 years, higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and the national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 11.2% of its population, significantly more than Greater Sydney's percentage but slightly less than the national figure of 6%. Post-2021 Census data reveals that this age group grew from 9.4% to 11.2%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 9.6% to 10.9%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort decreased from 10.9% to 9.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Toukley-Norah Head's age profile, with the 75-84 cohort expected to grow by 50%, adding 559 residents to reach 1,669. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 64% of population growth, indicating a trend towards demographic aging. Meanwhile, populations in the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decline.