NSW · Coffs Harbour Council
Sawtell, 2452
Current weather
14.7°CClear sky
94% humidity · 7.1 km/h wind · 20.4° / 11.4° today · 5.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Life in Sawtell revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb 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. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Neighbourhood food and coffee spots add warmth to the local routine. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker schools and education and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar coastal suburbs, even with growth momentum and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,788
- Median age
- 47
- Median household income / week
- $1,405
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 252 of 1,807
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 53.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 112 / 194 / 260
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)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 105
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)
- 295
- Against the person
- 111
- Against property
- 114
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 77.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -15.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order89
- Domestic Violence Related Assault122
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment163
- Malicious Damage To Property113
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault81
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 907.5
- Sawtell Public SchoolPrimary
- William Bayldon 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
60 public transport stops in this suburb
- Eighteenth Av After Sixteenth Av
- Eighteenth Av At First Av
- Eighteenth Av Before Sixteenth Av
- First Av After Boambee St
- First Av Before Boambee St
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
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Exercise caution. Temporary Road Closure – Sawtell Chilli Festival, Saturday, 4 July 2026 (between 5:00am and 7:00pm)First Avenue, from between 50m north of Second Avenue and Boronia Street, and Second Avenue from 30m west and 35m east of First Avenue, Sawtell. Signs & traffic controls will be in place.First Avenue, Second Avenue29 Jun 2026 – 04 Jul 2026
- Exercise caution. Check signage. Watermain construction works Lyons Road (Banool St to railway overbridge) from 25.5.26 to 18.9.26. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists.Lyons Road20 May 2026 – 18 Sep 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).
342 planning-related records
2026· 18 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50 ELIZABETH STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8A Seventh Av Sawtell 2452Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Swimming pool46 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation25 ELEVENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Attached dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Subdivision; 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; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Letterboxes; Minor building alterations (external)3 CORONATION AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 BROWN AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 ELIZABETH STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 CUNNINGHAM CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
February 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure88 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)11 BROWN AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool7 TINDARA DRIVE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 THIRD AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 HONEYSUCKLE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation133 BORONIA STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 GILLIBRI CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
2025· 22 proposals
December 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool145A FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7-7A HARRISON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure63 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 FIFTEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation14 DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool; Supporting Development31 BANGALOW TERRACE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Demolition1A DILLON STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool21 TINDARA DRIVE SAWTELL 2452Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 NINETEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space18 DIRRIGEREE CRESCENT SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure56 SIXTEENTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool144 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
July 2025
- Business premises; Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia2/59 First Avenue , Sawtell NSW 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool143 FIRST AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool18 HERON PLACE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool35 TWENTY-FIFTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure83 CIRCULAR AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)11 HONEYSUCKLE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96 BAYLDON ROAD SAWTELL 2452Withdrawn
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool13 CORONATION AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development11A BELLGROVE STREET SAWTELL 2452Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 TWENTY-FIFTH AVENUE SAWTELL 2452Determined
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
91 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- AllpointATM
- Hearthfire BakeryBakery
- Bbq (4)
- Bench (8)
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Bus stop (4)
- HilltonCafe
- Split EspressoCafe
- Clock
- House of Le Dain DesignsClothes
36 First Avenue, Sawtell
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Richardsons ParkPark
- Sawtell ParkPark
- Sawtell Tennis ClubPark
- Wonga ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Sawtell Dental SurgeryFirst Avenuedentist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
- 49.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 30% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1974th in Australia
- State rank
- 633rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #25 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #73 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Allpointamenitiesatm
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Coffs Harbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.