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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 Empire Bay is $1.29m, with units at $861k. House values have moved 7.5% 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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Sales Detail
Empire Bay has an estimated 2,375 residents, down from 2,522 at the 2021 Census — a change of 147 people, or 5.8%. That puts 635 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
Following an examination of ABS population updates for the wider region alongside address records validated by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of Empire Bay has a population estimated at approximately 2,375 as of May 2026. This represents a contraction of 147 people (5.8%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 2,522 people. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 2,375, estimated by AreaSearch using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 and subsequent address verification. With this population level, the density stands at 635 persons per square kilometer, which indicates plenty of space for residents and capacity for future housing.
The main driver of population growth locally was overseas migration, accounting for roughly 72.0% of all population increases over recent times. For projected figures, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 projections published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. Where these are unavailable, SA2 projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are utilised. The growth dynamics by age bracket from these models are carried forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these anticipated demographic trends, the suburb of Empire Bay is projected to track in the lower quartile of national growth, with overall numbers rising by 63 persons to 2041 under SA2 aggregations, representing a modest increase of 2.6% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
According to AreaSearch's review of ABS building approvals mapped to local boundaries, the suburb of Empire Bay has averaged approximately 2 new residential approvals annually, yielding an estimated 10 homes over the preceding 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, no approvals have been registered. Given the declining population trajectory, housing additions have kept pace with demand to ensure a balanced marketplace with healthy choice for buyers. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $96,000 have been logged during this financial year, reflecting a very quiet commercial building sector. Relative to Greater Sydney, building volumes in the suburb of Empire Bay are exceptionally low, running at 78.0% below regional average per person.
This lack of new inventory generally supports demand and valuations for established dwellings. Activity is also below the national benchmark, which indicates a mature suburb that may be restricted by planning controls. In terms of composition, recent construction consists solely of detached houses, preserving the established low density feel and emphasizing family residences. Looking forward, the suburb of Empire Bay is projected to expand by 63 residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly estimate from AreaSearch. Current development is matching this expected growth reasonably well, though buyers might experience tighter competition as the overall population grows.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Empire Bay
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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 27 current infrastructure and development projects close to Empire Bay, worth an estimated $267 million. 3 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics 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
Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and new developments are critical drivers of local performance. AreaSearch has identified a single project expected to influence the local area. Principal projects include the Ettalong Channel Dredging Project, Jabiru Ettalong Beach, the redevelopment of Gosford Private Hospital, and Northside Private Hospital, with the most relevant details provided below.
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
Ettalong Beach Hotel Development
A five-storey boutique hotel development featuring 83 rooms on a 1,467 sqm site. The project includes a ground floor restaurant and cafe, conference facilities, and a roof terrace equipped with a bar and swimming pool. While the original 2020 approval faced expiration concerns, recent court-backed determinations in April 2026 have reaffirmed the project's progression despite local objections.
Blackwall Road Intersection Upgrades
The NSW Government is investing $19 million in upgrades to three key intersections on the Woy Woy Peninsula: Blackwall and McMasters Road, Blackwall, Allfield and Farnell Roads, and Memorial Avenue, Barrenjoey Road and Maitland Bay Drive. The project aims to improve travel times, safety, and traffic flow for the 22,000 vehicles using the Blackwall Road corridor daily. Works commenced in July 2025 and include new traffic lights, pedestrian-activated signals, dual right-turn lanes, and improved pathways.The upgrades will future-proof the Peninsula's critical transport spine as the Central Coast continues to grow.
Green Point Shopping Village Expansion
Approved expansion and refurbishment of Green Point Shopping Village including additional retail tenancies, upgraded public amenities, improved parking and site improvements. No evidence of construction commencement was identified from official sources as of July 2026.
Gable Glass Room - Bream Road
Construction of gable glass room extension at residential property in Ettalong Beach.
100-101 The Esplanade Development Site - Ettalong Beach
Prime beachfront development site comprising 2,617.3 sqm amalgamated site with direct beach frontage and stunning water views. Development potential for 18 premium apartments. Owned by the Fardoulis family for over 30 years. 33m frontage to The Esplanade.
Frost Reserve Upgrades
Central Coast Council is delivering major sports and community recreation upgrades at Frost Reserve in Kincumber. The project includes a modern 750sqm regional skate park, a new 370sqm sports amenities building with accessible changerooms, canteen, and storage, upgraded car parking facilities, and enhanced sports field lighting.
SDA Customised - 145 Blackwall Road Apartments
Multi-unit apartment development designed for NDIS participants with specialized accessibility features and support infrastructure. The development includes accessible parking, communal facilities, and proximity to essential services including public transport and healthcare facilities. Estimated completion early 2025.
Jabiru Ettalong Beach
A five-storey mixed-use development with 51 apartments above six retail tenancies on a site previously occupied by a single-storey Centrelink office.
1,219 residents of Empire Bay are employed, from a labour force of 1,242. Unemployment sits at 1.9%, with participation at 63.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,826, about 77% 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
The suburb of Empire Bay has an educated workforce with strong representation in vital service industries, an unemployment rate sitting at only 1.9%, and employment growing by an estimated 2.4% over the preceding year based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 1,219, while the unemployment rate is 2.3% below the 4.1% reported for Greater Sydney. Conversely, workforce participation is much lower, sitting at 63.9% relative to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a notable 33.3% of the workforce worked from home, though this should be interpreted in the context of pandemic restrictions.
The primary sectors employing residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction shows an exceptionally high concentration, with its share of employment running at 2.0 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, professional & technical roles are underrepresented, accounting for just 6.5% of the workforce compared to 11.5% in Greater Sydney. This predominantly residential suburb appears to offer few local employment positions, as demonstrated by the comparison of Census working residents to the local jobs count. Based on AreaSearch research using SALM and ABS statistics for the broader statistical area, the year ending March 2026 saw employment expand by 2.4% and the workforce grow by 2.6%, leading to a rise of 0.2 percentage points in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 1.9% and workforce growth of 1.9%, with a very small decline. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia dated May-25 offer additional perspective on future labor requirements in the suburb of Empire Bay. These projections for five and ten-year horizons have been combined with the local industry profile to estimate employment trends. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but rates differ widely by sector. Applying these trends to the local industry distribution suggests employment for residents of the suburb of Empire Bay could rise by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, assuming a basic weighted calculation that does not incorporate local population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Empire Bay is $1,884 a week (about $98,000 a year), with median personal income at $755 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $46,714 a year against an average of $69,961. The average runs 50% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. 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
According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023, the suburb of Empire Bay has a median taxpayer income of $46,714 and an average of $69,961. This is slightly higher than the national median, though below the Greater Sydney median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current figures are estimated at approximately $51,535 for the median and $77,181 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household income is in the 58th percentile ($1,884 weekly), while personal income ranks in the 39th percentile.
The largest income cohort contains 31.0% of local taxpayers (736 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, which is very similar to the 30.9% of taxpayers in this bracket across the metropolitan area. Residential costs absorb 15.3% of income, yet solid overall earnings keep disposable income at the 59th percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the 6th decile for income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Empire Bay had 880 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 93% detached houses and 2% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 18% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $410 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,165 a month. Rent absorbs 21.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, residential dwellings in the suburb of Empire Bay were made up of 93.3% houses and 6.8% other options such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other options across the Sydney metropolitan area. Home ownership rates were also much higher than the metropolitan average, standing at 39.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (43.0%) or renters (18.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,165 was well below the metropolitan average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent of $410 was below the metropolitan figure of $470.
Globally within Australia, mortgage costs in the suburb of Empire Bay are higher than the national average of $1,863, and rents also exceed the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Empire Bay counted 880 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 28% couples without children. 19% 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 make up the vast majority of households at 78.3%, consisting of couples with children at 37.4%, couples without children at 27.7%, and single parent families at 12.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 21.7%, with single person households representing 19.2% and group households making up 1.8%. The median household size of 2.7 people matches the average for Greater Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
19.4% of adults in Empire Bay hold a university qualification, including 13.3% with a bachelor degree and 4.3% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 31.4% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 447 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,039 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational profiles present challenges for the area, with tertiary qualification rates sitting at 19.4%, which is far below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This gap represents a key area for targeted educational strategies. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational training is highly prevalent, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding technical credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (31.4%). Student representation is quite high, with 30.2% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies. This includes 11.0% in primary schools, 7.1% in high schools, and 4.6% attending university or college.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Empire Bay reaches 27 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 450 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.7 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 options include 27 stops within the suburb of Empire Bay, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 23 distinct routes that deliver 452 weekly trips. Accessibility is highly rated, with the average home located 179 meters from the closest transport point. As a residential suburb, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the dominant mode of travel at 91%. Dwellings average 1.7 cars, which is above the metropolitan average. A substantial 33.3% of residents work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.
Across all routes, service frequencies average 64 trips daily, which translates to roughly 16 weekly departures from each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.5% of residents in Empire Bay report no long-term health condition. 5.1% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators are generally positive for residents of the suburb of Empire Bay, with AreaSearch analysis of mortality rates and medical diagnoses showing figures that align closely with national averages across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is solid, held by approximately 55% of the local population (~1,296 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent chronic conditions locally, impacting 9.4% and 8.7% of residents, respectively. A total of 66.5% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney.
Health profiles among working-age individuals are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 25.7% of the population (610 people), which is significantly higher than the 15.5% share in Greater Sydney. Health metrics for these older residents are positive, matching national benchmarks for the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Empire Bay is largely Australian-born, at 86.6% of residents, with 4.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (32.1%) and English (31.0%). 3.2% 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
The suburb of Empire Bay has lower levels of cultural diversity than average, with 86.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.3% holding citizenship, and 95.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 53.2% of the population. The most disproportionately represented group is Jewish, making up 0.4% of the population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney. Regarding parents' country of birth, the top three ancestries in the suburb of Empire Bay are Australian at 32.1% (well above the regional average of 17.8%), English at 31.0% (well above the regional average of 19.0%), and Scottish at 8.6%.
Other notable ethnic groups include Welsh at 0.9% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Maltese at 0.9% (compared to 1.0% regionally), and Russian at 0.3% (compared to 0.4% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Empire Bay is 42. 19.4% 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
The median age in the suburb of Empire Bay is 42, which is notably older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is highly represented at 10.3% compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 7.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 bracket has increased from 5.8% to 10.3% of the total population, whereas the 25 to 34 group decreased from 8.7% to 7.1% and the 55 to 64 group fell from 13.3% to 11.9%.
Projections for 2041 suggest major demographic changes, led by the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to expand by 42% (102 people) to reach 347 from 244. The combined cohorts aged 65+ are set to make up 94% of overall population growth, underscoring the aging trend. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Empire Bay
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,522 at the 2021 Census → 2,375 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 May 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 (SAL11418). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.