NSW · Port Stephens Council
Bobs Farm, 2316
Current weather
19.8°CClear sky
59% humidity · 14.4 km/h wind · 22.4° / 16.8° today · 1.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Bobs Farm revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 662
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,211
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 20 of 282
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,019
- Employment rate
- 41.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 30 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $740
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 29
- Against the person
- 9
- Against property
- 12
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 43.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 74 residents
- State safety percentile
- 19.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6.2%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Fraud29
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment31
- Malicious Damage To Property29
- Other Offences19
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 979
- Bobs Farm Public SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
54 public transport stops in this suburb
- 3814 Nelson Bay Rd
- Bobs Farm Public School, Marsh Rd
- Bobs Farm Public School, Marsh Rd
- Marsh Rd Opp Bobs Farm Public School
- Marsh Rd Opp Bobs Farm Public School
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Reduced speed limit. Expect delays. Exercise caution. Reduced speed limit restrictions applyMarsh Road, B6312 Jun 2024 – 03 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
66 planning-related records
2026· 3 proposals
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Function centre3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARMDetermined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3454 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)3988 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2025· 10 proposals
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Subdivision614 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2025
- Dual occupancy; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (external)3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Function centre; Food and drink premise3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (outdoor)3551 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
May 2025
- Dual occupancy; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Function centre3724 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2024· 12 proposals
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development6 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool294 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park4011 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation436 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Function centre; Food and drink premise3907 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure698 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure470 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2023· 13 proposals
October 2023
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
September 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed3357A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
August 2023
- Signage; Shed; Retail premises3337 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Other3443 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
May 2023
- Food and drink premises686 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Other16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
April 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Recreational Uses448 MARSH ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
March 2023
- Signage; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed; Retail premises3337 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Withdrawn
- Pools / decks / fencing1 CROMARTY LANE BOBS FARM 2316Determined
January 2023
- Other16 TROTTER ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Shed3357A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
2022· 2 proposals
December 2022
- Farm buildings3938 NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
- Shed3365A NELSON BAY ROAD BOBS FARM 2316Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- 3551 Nelson Bay RdBus stop
- 3721 Nelson Bay RdBus stop
- 3724 Nelson Bay RdBus stop
- 643 Marsh RdBus stop
- 644 Marsh RdBus stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp 3382Bus stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp 3551Bus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 39.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3568th in Australia
- State rank
- 1116th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #49 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #115 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 3551 Nelson Bay Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 3721 Nelson Bay Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 3724 Nelson Bay Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 643 Marsh Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 644 Marsh Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp 3382amenitiesbus_stop
- Nelson Bay Rd opp 3551amenitiesbus_stop
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime32
- Fraudcrime29
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime31
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.