NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Chittaway Bay, 2261
Current weather
16.1°CClear sky
58% humidity · 14.3 km/h wind · 21.8° / 13.6° today · 4.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Chittaway Bay is a practical smaller community in Central Coast (NSW), well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Still within reach of the city while offering more breathing room, it suits those who want balance over bustle. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because growth momentum and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and safety.
Population
- Population
- 1,987
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,693
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 34 of 765
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,905
- Employment rate
- 58.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 52 / 13 / 9
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)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 368
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)
- 138
- Against the person
- 42
- Against property
- 54
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 69.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 47 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order247
- Breach Bail Conditions456
- Domestic Violence Related Assault295
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment446
- Malicious Damage To Property380
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
- 992
- Chittaway Bay 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
49 public transport stops in this suburb
- Chitaway Rd Before Aston Wilde Av
- Thomas Walker Dr Before James Watt Dr
- Thomas Walker Dr Before Ware Cl
- Thomas Walker Dr Opp Kinsey Cres
- Thomas Walker Dr Opp Trigg 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).
83 planning-related records
2026· 1 proposal
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 KAUAI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
2025· 8 proposals
October 2025
- Pub; Hours of operation and trading100 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 JAMES WATT DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool50 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 ALOHA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 JANE ELLEN CRESCENT CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development92 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure108 OBERON ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure97 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 KAUAI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 THOMAS WALKER DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure79 ALOHA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies4 JANIAN CLOSE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Carport3 COLLAROY CLOSE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)3 WARE CLOSE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 KAUAI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
April 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure99 OBERON ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure38 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Withdrawn
February 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Withdrawn
2023· 12 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure79 ALOHA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 JANE ELLEN CRESCENT CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure109 OBERON ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 JANE ELLEN CRESCENT CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure52 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Dwelling90 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
August 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development67 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling81 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Shed29 JAMES WATT DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to commercial development100 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
February 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development9 MAGNOLIA CLOSE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing11 MOLOKI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development6 MOUI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
November 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development97 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
September 2022
- Business premises8 MOLOKI AVENUE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development6 KALUA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development117 ALOHA DRIVE CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development100 CHITTAWAY ROAD CHITTAWAY BAY 2261Determined
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
31 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Aloha Dr at Chittaway RdBus stop
- Aloha Dr at Hanalei AvBus stop
- Bus stop (3)
- Chitaway Rd before Aston Wilde AvBus stop
- Chittaway Rd after James Watt DrBus stop
- Chittaway Rd at Moloki AvBus stop
- Chittaway Rd before Kauai AvBus stop
- Chittaway Rd before Oberon RdBus stop
- Chittaway Rd opp James Watt DrBus stop
- Kalua Dr at Aloha DrBus 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
Parks & reserves
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Aloha Drive ReservePark
- Chittaway Bay Lions ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- 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
- No overlay at centroid
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)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 46.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 35% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2393rd in Australia
- State rank
- 745th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #247 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #495 among Metro Sydney 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
- Aloha Dr at Chittaway Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Aloha Dr at Hanalei Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
- Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
- Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
- Chitaway Rd before Aston Wilde Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Chittaway Bay Tavernamenities100 Chittaway Road, Chittaway Baypub
- Chittaway Rd after James Watt Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Chittaway Rd at Moloki Avamenitiesbus_stop
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.