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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Budgewoi is $856k, with units at $640k. House values have moved 4.3% a year compounded over five years.
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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Budgewoi has an estimated 3,627 residents, up from 3,497 at the 2021 Census — a change of 130 people, or 3.7%. Growth has averaged 0.7% a year over five years. That puts 1,300 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Budgewoi has an estimated resident population of roughly 3,627, drawn from AreaSearch evaluations of broader ABS figures and post-Census validated addresses. Compared to the 3,497 people counted in the 2021 Census, this marks an expansion of 130 people (3.7%). The updated count stems from an ERP figure of 3,626 determined by AreaSearch following the ABS June 2025 release, along with 3 validated new addresses confirmed after the Census. The suburb of Budgewoi records a population density of 1,300 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national benchmark across locations evaluated by AreaSearch.
Outperforming the wider SA4 region (3.4%), the suburb of Budgewoi established itself as a regional growth leader with its 3.7% post-2021 Census gain. Overall growth was primarily underpinned by overseas arrivals representing approximately 51.0% of recent additions, alongside positive contributions across interstate migration and natural growth. Demographic modelling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on the year 2022, supplemented where necessary by NSW State Government 2022 releases based on 2021. For the period spanning 2032 to 2041, age-specific growth trajectories from these datasets are applied locally. On the basis of aggregated SA2 forecasts, the suburb of Budgewoi is slated to expand by 408 persons by 2041, representing a cumulative rise of 11.2% across the 16 years and placing local expansion just under the median of locations reviewed by AreaSearch.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
33 new dwellings have been approved in Budgewoi over the past five years, an average of 6 a year. That is 2.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
According to ABS residential building permit figures compiled by AreaSearch, development approvals in Budgewoi have averaged roughly 6 dwellings each year, with 33 homes sanctioned across the 5 financial years between FY-21 and FY-25, alongside 8 approvals recorded to date in FY-25. The delivery rate generated an average of 3.1 new residents annually per completed dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that construction is lagging population needs and creating upward pricing pressure through competitive purchasing conditions. Approved residential dwellings averaged an estimated construction cost of $401,000, sitting below wider regional averages and highlighting an entry point for attainable home builds.
Non-residential development comprised $235,000 in commercial approvals lodged during this financial year, underscoring an emphasis heavily weighted to housing. Per capita residential building approvals in Budgewoi track at roughly half the level observed across Greater Sydney, positioning the locality in the 32nd percentile nationally and restricting stock additions while bolstering demand for established housing. This below-average rate highlights the mature fabric of the area and potential planning constraints. Within recent residential building activity, 88.0% comprised detached dwellings while 12.0% were attached dwellings, reinforcing the low-density suburban landscape and availability of standalone properties. Overall activity translates to approximately 452 people per dwelling approval, representative of a settled housing market. Demographic projections from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update indicate Budgewoi will add 407 residents leading into 2041. If residential construction volumes remain at current levels, housing additions may fall short of demographic expansion, which could heighten market competition and support property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Budgewoi
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 13 current infrastructure and development projects close to Budgewoi, worth an estimated $3.95 billion. 2 are already under construction and 3 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Civic infrastructure, development frameworks, and strategic planning exert substantial influence on an area's trajectory. AreaSearch has identified no major projects likely to deliver a direct impact locally. Key surrounding developments of relevance include Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant, Lakeside Gardens, Mixed-Use Development 139 Main Road, and Beachcomber Hotel Relaunch.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Lakeside Gardens Toukley
Lakeside Gardens is an approved mixed-use waterfront residential project comprising two multi-storey residential flat buildings housing 109 apartments along with ground-floor commercial tenancies. Developed by Universal Property Group (Bathla Group), the development site fronts Budgewoi Lake and features basement parking, a swimming pool, landscaped communal space, and lakefront access.
Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant
A proposed seawater desalination facility adjacent to the existing Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant on Wilfred Barrett Drive, being advanced as a plan-ready drought response project under the Central Coast Water Security Plan. The reverse osmosis facility has an initial design capacity of 30 ML/day with provision for expansion up to 40 ML/day, activated only if dam storage falls below critical triggers. Central Coast Council is currently preparing the Environmental Impact Statement with specialist support from GHD.
Gorokan Waterfront Masterplan & Foreshore Revitalisation
Council-led long term revitalisation of the Gorokan foreshore along Tuggerah Lake, delivering staged improvements including foreshore public domain upgrades, shared pathways, improved lake access, landscaping, recreation facilities and supporting aquatic infrastructure. The Wallarah Point Peace Park playspace has been completed as an early stage, while broader foreshore improvements continue to be delivered progressively through Council capital works and waterways programs.
Mixed-Use Development 139 Main Road
A mixed-use development with two commercial units and four residential units, including Specialist Disability Accommodation and affordable rental housing.
Beachcomber Hotel Relaunch
Relaunch of Beachcomber as a 4-star, 80-room resort with bars, restaurants, function rooms, and wellness services.
Lake Munmorah Recreation Facility
A $3.81 million project to create a significant active precinct including an inclusive regional-sized playspace, a district-level skatepark and pump track, an upgraded access road and carpark, and supporting recreational infrastructure.
Toukley Town Centre Public Domain Upgrade
Public domain upgrade along Main Road in Toukley Town Centre delivered by Central Coast Council. The works included widened footpaths, accessibility upgrades, decorative paving, landscaped garden beds, new street furniture, and improved pedestrian connectivity. Completed under the Toukley Public Domain Masterplan framework to revitalise the commercial heart of Toukley.
Lakes Ridge Residential Estate
A 283-lot residential subdivision on 27.2 hectares of land. The development has received consent and includes 3 hectares for conservation, restoration of a wetland, a local park, and walking/cycleways.
1,643 residents of Budgewoi are employed, from a labour force of 1,752. Unemployment sits at 6.2%, with participation at 57.5%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,931, about 81% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Covering both blue and white collar roles alongside strong representation across public and community services, Budgewoi records a 6.2% unemployment rate and experienced a 3.7% increase in workforce positions over the trailing year, based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. By March 2026, working residents numbered 1,643, while local unemployment sat 2.1% higher than the Greater Sydney rate of 4.1%, and labour force participation registered at 57.5% compared to 68.9% across Greater Sydney. Census records showed 23.7% of working residents carried out their roles from home, although prevailing Covid-19 restrictions at the time of collection should be kept in mind.
Leading employment categories for resident workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Local representation in health care & social assistance is particularly pronounced, tracking at 1.4 times regional levels. Conversely, professional & technical occupations account for only 4.1% of the resident workforce, trailing Greater Sydney's 11.5%. A comparison between Census local employment tallies and resident workers highlights the community's primarily residential character, with limited jobs situated within the suburb boundaries. Based on AreaSearch compilations of ABS and SALM releases across broader statistical zones, local employment expanded by 3.7% over the 12-month period, while the total labour pool rose by 3.4%, bringing about a 0.3 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. Over the identical timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded a 1.9% rise in employment, a 1.9% rise in the labour force, and a slight decrease in unemployment. Forward-looking workforce expectations published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 project national employment to increase by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, with performance varying by sector. Aligning these national sectoral trajectories with local workforce concentrations suggests Budgewoi's resident employment could rise by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years (calculated via basic weighted extrapolation for illustrative purposes, excluding localized demographic forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Budgewoi is $1,289 a week (about $67,000 a year), with median personal income at $663 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,680 a year against an average of $53,433. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Aggregated ATO figures from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 place taxpayer income levels in the suburb of Budgewoi under the national standard. Median individual taxable earnings stood at $46,680 and mean taxable earnings reached $53,433, trailing Greater Sydney benchmarks of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $51,497 for median income and $58,947 for average income by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed Budgewoi within the 19th to 21st percentiles across household, family, and individual earnings brackets.
Taxpayers taking home between $1,500 - 2,999 made up 30.2% of the cohort (1,095 individuals), matching the 30.9% share seen across the metropolitan region. Housing costs exert significant pressure, leaving 81.9% of disposable income and placing the locality in the 17th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Budgewoi had 1,418 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 89% detached houses and 8% apartments. 33% are owned with a mortgage, 30% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,717 a month. Rent absorbs 27.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 30.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential property in Budgewoi at the most recent Census was configured as 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (incorporating semi-detached units, apartments, and alternative structures), diverging from the Sydney metro distribution of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Outright property ownership reached 37.6%, well above the Sydney metro average, with 32.8% of dwellings held under a mortgage and 29.7% occupied by tenants. Median monthly mortgage commitments were $1,717, substantially lower than Sydney metro's $2,427 and the national benchmark of $1,863. Median weekly rents stood at $350, below both the Sydney metro figure of $470 and the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Budgewoi counted 1,418 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.3 people each. 20% are couples with children, fewer than in 86% of areas nationally, against 26% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the majority of living arrangements at 62.8% of households, consisting of couples without children (25.7%), couples with children (20.3%), and one-parent households (15.6%). Non-family setups make up the remaining 37.2%, driven primarily by single-person dwellings (33.8%) and group residences (3.8%). The typical household comprises 2.3 people, tracking below the Greater Sydney standard of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
14.3% of adults in Budgewoi hold a university qualification, including 9.9% with a bachelor degree and 2.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 79% of areas nationally. A further 34.7% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Higher education qualifications present a key area of development locally, with university credential holders accounting for 14.3% of residents compared to 38.0% across Greater Sydney. Bachelor degrees represent the largest tertiary cohort at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational education forms a major cornerstone of local attainment, as 45.1% of individuals aged 15+ hold technical qualifications, comprising 10.4% with advanced diplomas and 34.7% with certificates. General learning engagement remains robust across the community, with 27.7% of residents undertaking formal studies. Primary schooling accounts for 9.8% of the populace, secondary education represents 6.3%, and tertiary courses engage 3.7% of locals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Budgewoi reaches 33 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 520 services a week. The typical home sits about 140 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport in Budgewoi is facilitated by 33 operational stops supporting various bus services. These facilities connect to 23 separate routes, generating 521 scheduled weekly passenger departures. Physical access to public transit is rated as excellent, with the typical resident situated 137 meters from their closest boarding point. Reflecting the area's residential profile, most travel is outward-bound, with private vehicles serving as the primary commute choice at 94%. Households maintain an average of 1.3 vehicles per dwelling. Work-from-home arrangements were utilized by 23.7% of employed residents in the 2021 Census, subject to the conditions of COVID-19 at the time.
Bus networks operate at a frequency of 74 daily trips across the combined route schedule, delivering approximately 15 weekly journeys for each transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
60.6% of residents in Budgewoi report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 89% of areas nationally. 7.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.1% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of health indicators, encompassing illness rates and mortality statistics, show notable health vulnerabilities across both younger and older cohorts in Budgewoi. Private health insurance coverage is constrained, covering approximately 48% of the local community (~1,745 people), which compares to 59.9% throughout Greater Sydney and an Australian benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent ailments locally, diagnosed in 11.6 and 10.6% of residents respectively. Conversely, 60.6% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health vulnerabilities are also noticeable within the workforce-age bracket due to elevated rates of long-term conditions.
Residents aged 65 and over account for 24.9% of the population (903 people), exceeding the Greater Sydney proportion of 15.5%, with senior health measures broadly aligning with national outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Budgewoi is largely Australian-born, at 88.5% of residents, with 3.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (32.1%) and Australian (30.5%). 4.6% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Budgewoi displays a lower level of cultural diversity compared to national averages, with Australian citizens comprising 89.8% of the populace, Australian-born individuals representing 88.5%, and 96.9% speaking only English in their households. Christianity is the predominant religious faith, followed by 54.4% of residents, in contrast to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. Examining parental birthplaces, the primary ancestral backgrounds in Budgewoi are English at 32.1% (compared to 19.0% regionally), Australian at 30.5% (above the 17.8% regional mark), and Irish at 9.4%. Variations exist across other heritages, including Australian Aboriginal representation at 4.6% (compared to 1.3% across the region), Maltese background at 1.3% (versus 1.0% regionally), and Hungarian ancestry at 0.3% (matching 0.3% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Budgewoi is 44, older than 76% of areas nationally. 23.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
Demographic distributions in Budgewoi tilt significantly toward older generations. August 2026 data shows retirees and seniors (65+) making up 24.9% of the populace compared to 15.5% in Greater Sydney, whereas young and middle-aged adults (25 - 44) comprise 23.6% versus 31.4% regionally. The median age remains at an estimated 44, matching the 2021 Census figure, while exceeding the Greater Sydney Census median of 37 by 7 years and the national Census median of 38. Since the Census, the most visible shift occurred in the senior and retiree demographic, rising from 22.0% to an estimated 24.9%.
Looking toward 2041, retirees and elderly residents are projected to experience the highest growth, adding 307 residents (34%) to reach 1,210, while counts for children and younger adults are projected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Budgewoi
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 3 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (3,497 at the 2021 Census → 3,627 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL10639). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.