NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Canton Beach, 2263
Current weather
17.1°CClear sky
61% humidity · 14 km/h wind · 21.2° / 14.1° today · 4.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
In Central Coast (NSW), Canton Beach is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Transport options are solid enough for daily errands and regular trips further afield. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
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, with transport and access and community and employment the main drags compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,202
- Median age
- 61
- Median household income / week
- $710
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 61 of 688
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,781
- Employment rate
- 30.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 70 / 95 / 44
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
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $450
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $600
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $570
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 230
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)
- 133
- Against the person
- 42
- Against property
- 41
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 110.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 29 residents
- State safety percentile
- 78.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6.1%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order193
- Breach Bail Conditions442
- Domestic Violence Related Assault201
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment344
- Malicious Damage To Property238
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
Public transport
10 public transport stops in this suburb
- 38 Evans Rd
- Evans Rd Opp Ocean Pde
- Evans Rd Opp Oleander St
- Evans Rd Opp Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostel
- Long Khanh Lakefront Village, Evans Rd
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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
36 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
May 2026
- Subdivision46-52 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
March 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation22 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Under Assessment
2025· 4 proposals
November 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 WALLIS AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
June 2025
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Erection of a new structure1 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space2 COCHRANE AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2024· 7 proposals
November 2024
- Residential flat building; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure11 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure9 WALLIS AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)4 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision32 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (outdoor)1 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
April 2024
- Temporary building, structure or use; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like1 Oleander Street Canton Beach Lot 497 DP/SP755266Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2023· 5 proposals
October 2023
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor); Retail Premise1 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2023
- Shop top housing; Mixed use development5-7 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land24 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Demolition1 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
February 2023
- Residential flat building12 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2022· 9 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development2 COCHRANE AVENUE CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
November 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces5 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Secondary dwelling19 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2022
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land4 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing25 BANKSIA STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
June 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs66 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2022
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land1 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
January 2022
- Subdivision of land10 BELBOWRIE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing18 OLEANDER STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2021· 7 proposals
November 2021
- Residential flat building8 KANTARA ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
July 2021
- Secondary dwelling25 KANTARA ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land20 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
May 2021
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land1 READ STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
February 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing4 WATTLE STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
- Stormwater management systems34 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
January 2021
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision of land20 CROSSINGHAM STREET CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
2020· 2 proposals
December 2020
- Other12 BEACH PARADE CANTON BEACH 2263Withdrawn
November 2020
- Alterations and additions to residential development34 EVANS ROAD CANTON BEACH 2263Determined
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
10 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- 38 Evans RdBus stop
- Evans Rd opp Ocean PdeBus stop
- Evans Rd opp Oleander StBus stop
- Evans Rd opp Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC HostelBus stop
- Long Khanh Lakefront Village, Evans RdBus stop
- Playground (2)
- Public toilets
- Slipway
- Toukley Sailing ClubSports centre
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
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Montgomery Avenue ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Toukley Preschool KindergartenEvans Roadkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 17.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6724th in Australia
- State rank
- 2088th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #143 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #874 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 76%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 38 Evans Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Evans Rd opp Ocean Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- Evans Rd opp Oleander Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Evans Rd opp Vietnam Veterans Keith Payne VC Hostelamenitiesbus_stop
- Long Khanh Lakefront Village, Evans Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Public toiletsamenitiestoilets
- Slipwayamenitiesslipway
- Toukley Sailing Clubamenitiessports_centre
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Central Coast (NSW) Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.