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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 $1.31m, with units at $935k. House values have moved 7.8% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
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
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Empire Bay has an estimated population of around 2,375, according to AreaSearch evaluations of broader ABS demographic releases and post-Census address validations. This represents a contraction of 147 people (5.8%) compared to the 2,522 people recorded in the 2021 Census. AreaSearch established this 2,375 estimate after reviewing the June 2025 ERP data from the ABS alongside address updates since the Census date. With a density ratio of 635 persons per square kilometer, the suburb of Empire Bay maintains a spacious residential setting with potential room for future development.
In recent periods, population expansion was predominantly driven by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 72.0% of overall population gains. Demographic projections applied by AreaSearch incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year, supplemented by NSW State Government SA2 forecasts released in 2022 using 2021 as the benchmark where necessary. Age-specific growth patterns from these series are applied across all locations for 2032 to 2041. In line with projected demographic movements, the suburb of Empire Bay is tracking within the lower quartile of statistical areas nationwide, with aggregated SA2 figures pointing to an increase of 6 persons to 2041, representing a total rise of 0.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building approvals across Empire Bay have remained exceptionally low in recent years according to AreaSearch's analysis of ABS construction metrics, with only 4 homes approved over the past 5 financial years. Throughout FY-25 to date, no approvals have been recorded. Because the local population has contracted in recent times, new residential supply has likely aligned with demand to maintain buyer choice. In addition, commercial approvals registered this financial year total $96,000 in expected construction cost, reflecting minimal non-residential building activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, property development in Empire Bay is heavily constrained, sitting 91.0% below the regional per capita average.
This limited addition of new dwellings generally underpins demand and supports pricing for established properties. Building rates are similarly below national levels, indicating market maturity alongside possible physical or planning constraints. Furthermore, recent construction has consisted entirely of detached houses, preserving the locality's traditional low-density urban fabric and providing spacious family homes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Empire Bay
Loading development applications…
| 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
Community development is heavily shaped by planning frameworks and capital works. AreaSearch has identified 1 project expected to influence the locality. Surrounding works of key relevance include the Ettalong Channel Dredging Project, Jabiru Ettalong Beach, Gosford Private Hospital redevelopment, and Northside Private Hospital.
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.
1,204 residents of Empire Bay are employed, from a labour force of 1,225. Unemployment sits at 1.8%, with participation at 63.2%. 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 1,834, 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
Empire Bay maintains a skilled local workforce characterized by solid representation in essential services, an unemployment rate of only 1.8%, and estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year based on AreaSearch statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, 1,204 residents are employed. The jobless rate sits 2.3% below the 4.1% recorded for Greater Sydney, though local labour force participation of 63.2% trails Greater Sydney's 68.9%. In addition, 33.3% of workers indicated working from home in Census responses, though Covid-19 restrictions during that period should be noted. The primary employment sectors among local workers are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.
The area displays a strong specialization in construction, where the workforce concentration is 2.0 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for 6.5% of local employment relative to 11.5% regionally. As a predominantly residential enclave, the suburb provides relatively few jobs locally when comparing Census workplace counts against resident employee numbers. According to AreaSearch analysis of ABS and SALM data over the 12 months to March 2026, local employment grew by 2.2% while the labour force expanded by 2.3%, resulting in a 0.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same period in Greater Sydney, employment rose by 1.9%, the labour force grew by 1.9%, and unemployment declined slightly. National projections from Jobs and Skills Australia published in Mar-26 anticipate nationwide employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Mapping these industry trends against Empire Bay's sectoral profile suggests local employment could expand by 6.8% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on simple industry weighting for illustrative purposes without factoring in localized population shifts.
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
ATO postcode data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that the suburb of Empire Bay has a median taxpayer income of $46,714 and an average of $69,961, sitting slightly above the national average while trailing Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Applying a 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023 produces updated estimates of approximately $51,535 for median income and $77,181 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census recorded weekly household income at the 58th percentile ($1,884 weekly) and personal income at the 39th percentile.
Earnings between $1,500 - 2,999 account for 31.0% of the community (736 individuals), mirroring the metropolitan rate of 30.9%. Housing costs consume 15.3% of income, while disposable income sits at the 59th percentile and the SEIFA income measure places the suburb in the 6th decile.
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
Residential accommodation in Empire Bay at the latest Census consisted of 93.3% separate houses and 6.8% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across Sydney metro. Outright home ownership reached 39.0%, well above the Sydney metro average, with remaining dwellings split between mortgaged properties (43.0%) and rental accommodation (18.0%). Median monthly mortgage repayments of $2,165 and median weekly rent of $410 sit below the Sydney metro averages of $2,427 and $470. However, compared to national benchmarks, local monthly mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents surpass the national level 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
Family living arrangements represent 78.3% of all households, consisting of couples with children (37.4%), couples without children (27.7%), and single parent families (12.3%). Non-family households make up the remaining 21.7%, comprising single-person households at 19.2% and group living arrangements at 1.8%. The median household size of 2.7 people equals the Greater Sydney average.
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
Tertiary educational attainment presents specific challenges, with the proportion of residents holding university qualifications (19.4%) falling well below the Greater Sydney benchmark of 38.0%, highlighting opportunities for targeted learning programs. Bachelor degree holders make up 13.3% of the community, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 4.3% and graduate diplomas at 1.8%. Vocational education is strongly represented, with 43.2% of residents aged 15+ holding trade or technical credentials, divided between certificates (31.4%) and advanced diplomas (11.8%). Participation in study is robust, with 30.2% of local residents actively enrolled in education. This includes 11.0% attending primary school, 7.1% enrolled in secondary education, and 4.6% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Empire Bay reaches 27 stops on 23 routes, timetabled for about 520 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. 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 transit in Empire Bay comprises 27 bus stops operating across 23 routes, providing a total of 524 weekly passenger trips. Transport connectivity is rated as excellent, with residents located an average of 179 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, outward commuting is standard, with private vehicles accounting for 91% of travel and vehicle ownership averaging 1.7 per dwelling. Furthermore, 33.3% of workers worked from home in the 2021 Census, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Transit schedules average 74 trips per day across the network, providing approximately 19 departures per week at 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
Community health measures for Empire Bay are generally positive, with AreaSearch evaluations of mortality and health metrics tracking closely with national benchmarks across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is solid, held by approximately 55% of the total population (~1,296 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney. Arthritis and asthma are the most common long-term conditions, diagnosed in 9.4 and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 66.5% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health outcomes for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over make up 25.7% of the locality (610 people), exceeding the 15.5% share in Greater Sydney, with older residents recording above-average health results and overall rankings aligned with the general 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
Cultural diversity in Empire Bay is below broader averages, with 86.6% of residents born in Australia, 92.3% holding citizenship, and 95.5% speaking solely English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 53.2% of the local population. In addition, Judaism accounts for 0.4% of residents, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney. In terms of parental heritage, the most common ancestries in Empire Bay are Australian at 32.1% (substantially higher than the regional average of 17.8%), English at 31.0% (well above Greater Sydney's 19.0%), and Scottish at 8.6%. Divergences also appear in other backgrounds, including Welsh at 0.9% (vs 0.4% regionally), Maltese at 0.9% (vs 1.0%), and Russian at 0.3% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Empire Bay is 42. 19.6% 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
Empire Bay possesses a distinct retirement and lifestyle demographic profile. Updated figures to August 2026 indicate that retiree and elderly cohorts (65+) constitute 25.7% of residents, compared to 15.5% across Greater Sydney, while adults aged 25 - 44 represent 19.3% relative to 31.4% regionally. The median age remains estimated at 42, unchanged from the 2021 Census and 5 years higher than the Greater Sydney median of 37 recorded at that time. Since the Census, the share of seniors has increased from 19.5% to an estimated 25.7%. Projections to 2041 indicate that older residents will drive most future expansion, adding 144 residents (24%) to total 754, while young to middle aged adults and younger cohorts are expected to decrease.
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 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. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 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 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 (SAL11418). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.