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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
Sales Activity
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Sales Detail
Population
Chittaway Bay is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, the estimated population of the suburb of Chittaway Bay is around 1,972 as of May 2026. This reflects a decrease of 15 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,987 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,970 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and address validation since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,760 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 56% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, lower quartile growth of Australian statistical areas is anticipated, with the suburb expected to grow by 22 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.0% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in Chittaway Bay is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
Chittaway Bay has had no residential development approvals in the past five years. This indicates that the area is largely built out with limited vacant land available for new developments. Established areas like Chittaway Bay often experience steady demand for existing properties due to the scarcity of new-build alternatives.
Compared to Greater Sydney, Chittaway Bay has significantly less development activity. This scarcity typically enhances demand and prices for existing properties in the area. Nationally, this level of development is below average, reflecting the maturity of the area and suggesting possible planning constraints may be in place.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Chittaway Bay
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Chittaway Bay has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally
The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure. A single project has been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting this area. Notable projects include Berkeley Vale Industrial Estate Expansion, Berkeley Vale Private Hospital & Medical Precinct, Tumbi Umbi/Killarney Vale Priority Growth Precinct (Planning Proposal), and M1 Pacific Motorway Tuggerah to Doyalson Widening. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.
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
Mardi Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
An $82.5 million major upgrade to the Mardi Water Treatment Plant to future-proof water security for over 210,000 residents. The project introduces Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) technology and new flocculation tanks to handle poor raw water conditions such as algal blooms and high turbidity. Key works include new chemical dosing systems, a new access road, and electrical switch rooms to ensure a reliable supply of up to 160 million litres of water per day.
Berkeley Vale Private Hospital & Medical Precinct
Berkeley Vale Private Hospital is a 50-bed private facility on the NSW Central Coast providing rehabilitation, general medical, and mental health services. Operated by Ramsay Health Care, the campus includes the Ramsay Clinic Berkeley Vale, which has expanded its mental health capacity to 28 beds to meet regional demand. The precinct features specialized units for hydrotherapy, a persistent pain program, and community-based psychology services through Ramsay Health Plus. It serves as a core medical hub adjacent to local aged care and retirement facilities.
Wyong Hospital Redevelopment - Stage 3
The third and final stage of the $200 million Wyong Hospital Redevelopment is now complete. This stage delivered a $6.4 million expansion of the Wyong Cancer Centre with eight new consultation rooms, a new Women's Outpatients service for antenatal clinics, and an expanded NSW Pathology laboratory. The redevelopment also includes dedicated spaces for the Nunyara Aboriginal Health Unit, the Carer Support Unit, and new modern medical workspaces to support clinical teams. While the Cancer Centre and pathology lab are operational, remaining services are set to open in a staged approach throughout early 2026.
Toukley Desalination Water Treatment Plant
A proposed seawater desalination water treatment plant adjacent to the existing Toukley Sewage Treatment Plant, being developed as a 'plan ready' drought response project under the Central Coast Water Security Plan. The current concept is a reverse osmosis facility with an initial capacity of 30 ML/day, with provision in the EIS for staged expansion up to 40 ML/day to support normal water supply if needed. The preferred design uses a direct ocean intake located around one kilometre offshore from Jenny Dixon Reserve, with the transfer pump station relocated to the desalination plant site (replacing the earlier Lakes Beach underground well concept under Budgewoi Beach) and connected by a deep tunnel bored about 25 metres below ground. Brine would be discharged via the existing Norah Head ocean outfall. Council is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement, with a community drop-in session held in August 2025 and another planned for the second quarter of 2026. The plant would only be constructed if dam storage falls below the 45 percent trigger at Mangrove Creek Dam, with construction estimated to take 3 to 4 years once activated. GHD has been appointed as the specialist consultant supporting concept design and statutory approvals.
High Speed Rail - Newcastle to Sydney (Line 1)
High Speed Rail Line 1 will connect Newcastle to Sydney on a new dedicated 194km rail line with trains capable of speeds up to 320 km/h on surface sections and 200 km/h in tunnels. Around 115km of the route will run through tunnels. The line will reduce travel time between Newcastle and Sydney to around one hour, with Central Coast trips of about 30 minutes. Six stations are proposed at central Newcastle (Broadmeadow), Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast (Gosford), Sydney Central, Parramatta and Western Sydney International Airport. Following release of the business case in early 2026, the project moved into a two-year Development Phase, with the Australian Government investing a further $230 million for design refinement, environmental and planning approvals, and corridor preservation. The first two major contract packages went to tender in 2026: Area Package 1 (around 35km of twin TBM tunnels, an underground station and associated civil works) and Trains, Systems and Systems Integration (supply of trains, design of all systems, rail depot and operations control centre). The Newcastle to Sydney section is estimated to cost around $61.2 billion by 2039, with a further $32 billion to extend to Western Sydney International Airport by 2042. The project is forecast to support up to 15,000 construction jobs annually at peak and add around $250 billion to the Australian economy over a 50-year appraisal period.
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
Comprehensive NSW state planning reforms designed to increase housing density in well-located areas. The policy mandates mid-rise apartment buildings (3-6 storeys) and low-rise multi-dwelling housing (terraces, townhouses, and dual occupancies) within 800m of 171 high-frequency transport hubs and town centres. As of May 2026, the policy is fully operational following the phased rollout of dual occupancy provisions in July 2024 and mid-rise apartment provisions in early 2025. Recent updates include refined floor space ratios (FSR) and non-refusal standards to streamline local council assessments.
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.
Tumbi Umbi/Killarney Vale Priority Growth Precinct (Planning Proposal)
Central Coast Council-identified priority growth precinct for future medium-density housing and mixed-use development along Wyong Road to accommodate population growth. The project is a Planning Proposal for a Strategic Growth Corridor, which is a key component of the region's overall planning framework to deliver housing, jobs, and infrastructure. It is currently in the Planning stage, consistent with the Central Coast Regional Plan 2036.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis reveals Chittaway Bay significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide
Chittaway Bay has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar employment. Essential services sectors are well represented. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.5% in the past year (AreaSearch aggregation).
As of December 2025, 1,033 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.5% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is 65.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 26.4% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
Manufacturing has a high employment share at 1.6 times the regional level. Professional & technical employs only 4.7% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 2.5%, alongside labour force growth of 2.4%, leaving unemployment broadly flat (AreaSearch analysis). By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chittaway Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment
The suburb of Chittaway Bay had a median income among taxpayers of $47,598 and an average income of $59,183 in the financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are lower than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 for the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% from financial year 2023 to March 2026, estimated incomes in Chittaway Bay would be approximately $52,510 (median) and $65,291 (average). Census data from 2021 shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Chittaway Bay rank modestly, between the 40th and 46th percentiles. Income distribution reveals that 34.6% of residents (682 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, mirroring the surrounding region where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Chittaway Bay, with only 83.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 47th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Chittaway Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership
Chittaway Bay's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.9% houses and 3.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chittaway Bay stood at 34.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.6% and rented ones at 22.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,905, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Chittaway Bay was $380, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Chittaway Bay features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 78.4% of all households, including 31.9% couples with children, 28.9% couples without children, and 16.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.6%, with lone person households at 19.5% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Chittaway Bay fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 16.1%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 43.2% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (34.4%). Educational participation is high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 9.6% in primary, 6.2% in secondary, and 2.9% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 26.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.6% in primary education, 6.2% in secondary education, and 2.9% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Chittaway Bay has 25 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus services. These stops are covered by 45 different routes, offering a total of 991 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically living just 118 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 94% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm.
According to the 2021 Census, a significant 26.4% of residents work from home, potentially due to COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 141 trips per day, translating to approximately 39 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Chittaway Bay is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts
Chittaway Bay faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are substantially higher than average, particularly amongst older age cohorts. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~993 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.
Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.9% and 9.8% of residents respectively. However, 62.5% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The working-age population faces notable health challenges due to elevated chronic condition rates. Chittaway Bay has 20.0% of residents aged 65 and over (394 people), higher than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes amongst seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Chittaway Bay is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics
Chittaway Bay had a cultural diversity level below average, with 87.2% of its population born in Australia, 93.0% being citizens, and 94.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion in Chittaway Bay, comprising 57.2%, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups were English (31.8%), Australian (31.4%), and Irish (8.5%).
Welsh, Maltese, and Samoan groups showed notable differences in representation: Welsh at 0.7% vs regional 0.4%, Maltese at 0.9% vs 1.0%, and Samoan at 0.3% vs 0.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Chittaway Bay's median age exceeds the national pattern
Chittaway Bay's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and slightly above Australia's median of 38 years. In comparison with Greater Sydney, the 65-74 age group is notably overrepresented at 12.0% in Chittaway Bay, while the 25-34 age group is underrepresented at 11.4%. Following the 2021 Census, the population of the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 4.8% to 6.3%, and the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 11.8% to 13.2%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 14.7% to 13.8%. Demographic modeling indicates that Chittaway Bay's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow by 26%, adding 32 residents to reach a total of 157. This demographic aging trend continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 75% of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 age groups.