Chart Color Schemes
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 Moonee Beach is $1.32m, with units at $844k. House values have moved 7.4% 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
Moonee Beach has an estimated 2,662 residents, up from 2,176 at the 2021 Census — a change of 486 people, or 22.3%. Growth has averaged 4.2% a year over five years, faster than 92% of areas nationally. 222 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Overseas migration accounts for 41.0% of that increase. That puts 146 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
According to census figures, the suburb of Moonee Beach had 2,176 residents in 2021, but recent assessments of administrative data and localized registry updates indicate the population has grown to approximately 2,662 by May 2026. This representing a 22.3% gain, or 486 additional residents. The revised figure is calculated from a base of 2,654 estimated in mid-2025 using official demography reports, supplemented by 222 new addresses confirmed since the census. The local density stands at 146 persons per square kilometer, which points to a spacious environment with capacity for expansion.
This 22.3% rate of growth outpaced both the SA3 territory at 3.7% and the broader SA4 district, establishing the suburb of Moonee Beach as a regional leader in expansion. Positive contributions came from all demographic factors, including interstate arrivals and natural change, though overseas immigration was the primary driver, accounting for roughly 41.0% of the overall increase. 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. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national non-metropolitan areas is forecast, with the suburb of Moonee Beach expected to expand by 1,004 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 37.4% in total over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
192 new dwellings have been approved in Moonee Beach over the past five years, an average of 38 a year. That places the area in the 84th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 14 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 36 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 86% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 56, 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
Analysis of construction permits indicates that the suburb of Moonee Beach averages roughly 38 residential permits per year. Over a 5-year timeframe spanning FY-21 to FY-25, this resulted in 192 approved homes, with another 52 added in the current FY-26 period. Historically, each new home has coincided with a population increase of 2.6 residents, indicating robust local demand. The average building value is $482,000, illustrating that developers are focused on higher-value properties. In contrast to this residential focus, commercial permits totaled only $717,000 for the current financial year. Per capita residential development approvals in the suburb of Moonee Beach are 293.0% higher than the average for the Rest of NSW, ensuring a broad selection for prospective buyers.
This volume of activity is well above the national median, indicating strong builder investment interest. Single-family detached houses constitute 86.0% of recent approvals, with townhouses and units making up 14.0%, maintaining the low-density character of the neighborhood. The ratio of 51 individuals for every new housing approval matches the profile of a developing area. Based on current quarterly projections, the suburb of Moonee Beach is expected to add 996 residents by 2041. The current volume of home building suggests that supply is well-positioned to balance incoming demand, maintaining favorable purchasing options and potentially driving population figures above current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Moonee Beach
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 37 current infrastructure and development projects close to Moonee Beach, worth an estimated $4.78 billion. 12 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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 and planning changes are major drivers of regional performance. No projects were identified within the immediate area that are expected to impact local conditions. Regional projects that may have indirect relevance include the Pacific Highway Upgrade: Hexham To Brisbane, the Queensland New South Wales Interconnector, the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, and the NSW Heavy Vehicle Rest Stops Program (TfNSW).
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
PP-2023-1583 - Sandy Beach Community Hub Re-zoning
A planning proposal to rezone the site from R2 Low Density Residential to E1 Local Centre and amend the minimum lot size, formalising a current development operating under existing use rights.
Seacrest Estate
A residential estate offering land and house & land packages, designed for a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Stage 3 is completed and nearly sold out, with Stage 4 now released due to high demand.
15-17 Pine Crescent & Ti-Tree Road Residential Subdivision
Development application to subdivide land at Ti-Tree Road and Pine Crescent, Sandy Beach, to create 113 low-density residential lots, 1 biodiversity stewardship lot and associated roads, bulk earthworks and services. The Northern Regional Planning Panel refused the DA (0220/25DA; Panel Ref PPSNTH-367) on 29 April 2025, citing flood and stormwater risk, impacts on coastal wetlands and Hearnes Lake, and unresolved design and servicing issues. The applicant, Elite Constructions NSW, has since lodged a Class 1 appeal against the refusal in the NSW Land and Environment Court.An amended proposal was placed on public exhibition by Coffs Harbour City Council, drawing more than 800 objections and one submission in support.
Ti-Tree Road / Pine Crescent Residential Subdivision
Proposed 113 lot low density residential subdivision on approximately 49.6 ha between Ti-Tree Road and 15-17 Pine Crescent at Sandy Beach, including new internal roads and drainage and bushfire access. The development application by Elite Constructions NSW Pty Ltd seeks to create 113 residential lots plus a residue lot on land partly zoned residential and partly environmental conservation. In April 2025 the Northern Regional Planning Panel unanimously refused the 113 lot DA on flooding, environmental and infrastructure impact grounds, so the project currently has no development approval and would require a new or amended application to proceed.
Sandy Beach Reserve Community Hub and Active Youth Space Project
Building a new playground, pathways, picnic facilities, skate park, and multi-purpose court at Sandy Beach Reserve, based on the 2017 Masterplan. The project aims to provide better play opportunities and community facilities.
The Shoreline Luxury Retirement Living
Luxury retirement living and residential aged care village at Park Beach, Coffs Harbour. The project includes 185 architecturally designed independent living apartments and townhouses and 120 residential aged care beds, with resort-style facilities including a community hub, swimming pool, cafe, Bombora Bar, gardens, recreation facilities and a secure gated community. The aged care home and earlier stages are open, while final stages of the retirement village are underway and marketed as more than 65 percent sold.
Ocean Parade Apartments
A State Significant Development featuring two seven-storey buildings with 80 apartments (31 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom, and 13 three-bedroom units) across a 3,055 sqm beachfront site. The development includes 1,150 sqm of communal open space, 121 parking spaces (105 residential, 6 visitor), central courtyard with pool and kitchen on level one, and a 380 sqm rooftop garden with landscaping and kitchen facilities. Designed by Stewart Architecture, the project will demolish existing Ocean Park Motel and Holiday Apartments to create premium beachfront living opposite Park Beach.
Plantations by Ingenia Lifestyle Extension
Expansion of the existing Plantations by Ingenia Lifestyle land lease community in Woolgoolga delivering approximately 178-180 new homes for over 55s together with a second clubhouse, wellness facilities, community spaces and associated road infrastructure. Construction officially commenced in February 2026 following development approval.
1,301 residents of Moonee Beach are employed, from a labour force of 1,316. Unemployment sits at 1.1%, with participation at 63.3%. 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, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 2,232, about 84% 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 local workforce features a high concentration of essential service personnel, with job numbers increasing by 3.5% over the past year. The current jobless rate is exceptionally low at 1.1%. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 1,301, and the unemployment rate was 3.0% lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Workforce engagement remains standard at 63.3%, slightly above the 60.6% recorded across Regional NSW. Census records indicate that 15.7% of the local workforce worked from home, a figure likely influenced by recent pandemic conditions. The primary sectors employing local residents are healthcare and social assistance, retail, and construction.
The building sector shows strong specialization, with representation 1.5 times the regional average. Conversely, primary industries like agriculture, forestry, and fishing are underrepresented, employing only 2.3% of local workers compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. A comparison of resident workers to local job numbers indicates that most residents commute outside the area for employment. Local labor market metrics for the year ending March 2026 show a 3.5% rise in total employment and a 3.2% increase in the labor force, which helped reduce overall unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Regional NSW, where employment fell by 0.9%, the workforce contracted by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Long-term national projections from May-25 estimate general employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry weightings to the suburb of Moonee Beach suggests local employment could expand by 6.7% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming local distributions follow national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Moonee Beach is $1,875 a week (about $98,000 a year), with median personal income at $801 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $42,981 a year against an average of $54,279. 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
Tax statistics for the 2023 financial year show that the suburb of Moonee Beach has a median individual income of $42,981 and an average income of $54,279, which is below the national average and lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Factoring in a Wage Price Index rise of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, estimated figures for March 2026 would be roughly $47,417 for the median and $59,881 for the average. Census records place local household and personal earnings around the 53rd percentile nationally.
The most common weekly earnings bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, which includes 34.3% of the population, or 913 residents, compared to 29.9% across the wider region. Residents retain 85.4% of their income after paying for housing, and the area ranks in the 6th decile on the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Moonee Beach had 741 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 90% detached houses and 1% apartments. 41% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $450 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,965 a month. Rent absorbs 24.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.2%. 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 census, the housing mix in the suburb of Moonee Beach consisted of 90.2% detached houses and 9.8% alternative options like townhouses or apartments, compared to Regional NSW's ratio of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. The homeownership rate matches the regional standard of 39.3%, with 40.8% of properties mortgaged and 19.8% occupied by renters. Typical monthly mortgage outlays are $1,965, which is higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733. Median weekly rent is $450, compared to $330 regionally. Nationally, these figures exceed the Australian average mortgage payment of $1,863 and the typical rent of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Moonee Beach counted 741 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 906 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 35% couples without children. 14% 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 83.5% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 36.6%, couples without children at 35.4%, and single-parent households at 10.3%. The remaining 16.5% are non-family households, including lone-person households at 14.3% and group living situations at 1.8%. The average household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
21.9% of adults in Moonee Beach hold a university qualification, including 14.9% with a bachelor degree and 4.5% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 98% of areas nationally. A further 30.6% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Higher education attainment in the area is lower than the state average, with 21.9% of residents holding a university degree compared to 32.2% across NSW. Among degree holders, bachelor qualifications are most common at 14.9%, followed by post-graduate degrees at 4.5% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational and technical skills are highly prevalent, with 43.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a trade qualification, consisting of 12.7% with advanced diplomas and 30.6% with certificates. A high proportion of the population is engaged in study, with 30.3% of residents enrolled in an educational program.
This is composed of 11.9% in primary schooling, 9.9% in high school, and 2.6% in university or vocational training.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Moonee Beach reaches 43 stops on 18 routes, timetabled for about 240 services a week. The typical home sits about 220 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.9 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 options within the suburb of Moonee Beach include 43 active bus stops. These stops are served by 18 routes, which provide 242 weekly trips in total. Accessibility is high, with the average resident living within 224 meters of a transit point. Because the suburb of Moonee Beach is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the area, and private vehicles remain the primary mode of travel for 97% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.9 vehicles, which is above the regional average. Census records from 2021 show that 15.7% of residents worked from home, a figure likely influenced by temporary pandemic restrictions.
Transit service frequency averages 34 daily trips across all active routes, which translates to roughly 5 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.0% of residents in Moonee Beach report no long-term health condition. 5.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 48.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health trends are generally positive, with low rates of common illnesses across both younger and older residents. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 48% of the community, or about 1,289 people, holding private policies. This is lower than the 51.9% average for Regional NSW and the national average of 55.7%. The most common chronic illnesses reported are arthritis and mental health conditions, affecting 8.5% and 8.4% of residents, respectively. A high proportion of residents, 70.0%, reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW.
Health outcomes for residents under 65 are better than the national average. Residents aged 65 and older make up 19.6% of the population, totaling 521 people, which is lower than the Regional NSW proportion of 23.4%. Senior health metrics are strong, aligning well with broader national trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Moonee Beach is largely Australian-born, at 87.3% of residents, with 3.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (33.5%) and Australian (28.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population has a low level of cultural diversity, with 87.3% of residents born in Australia, 93.8% holding citizenship, and 96.4% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 49.2% of the population. However, the most distinct religious difference is in the Other category, which represents 0.9% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Regional NSW. The primary ancestries reported are English at 33.5%, Australian at 28.8%, and Irish at 9.1%. Certain minor backgrounds show higher representation than the regional average, with German ancestry at 4.3% compared to 3.1% regionally, Dutch at 1.5% compared to 1.0%, and South Australian at 0.5% compared to 0.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Moonee Beach is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 20.9% 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 of 40 in the suburb of Moonee Beach is slightly lower than the Regional NSW average of 43, but sits just above the national median of 38. The 5 - 14 age group is highly represented at 16.5%, while the 75 - 84 demographic is underrepresented at 6.2%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 9.7% to 11.3%, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 4.8% to 6.2%. Meanwhile, the 55 to 64 bracket fell from 13.2% to 10.6%.
Projections for 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts, with the 45 to 54 cohort expected to grow by 176 people, representing a 48% increase from 367 to 544.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Moonee Beach
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 — 222 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,176 at the 2021 Census → 2,662 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 (SAL12714). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.