NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
The Entrance, 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
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
The Entrance wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. The beach sets the tone, while nearby towns and coastal pockets add variety without a long journey. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with renters and young professionals well represented. A genuine café and dining culture runs through the area, with locals returning to favourite spots. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and community and employment against similar coastal suburbs, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 4,244
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $971
- Dwelling vacancy
- 37.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 1,229 of 3,293
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 39.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 242 / 398 / 1,093
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)
- 294
- Against the person
- 91
- Against property
- 114
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 69.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 47 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13.3%
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
- 923
- The Entrance 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
28 public transport stops in this suburb
- Central Coast Hwy At Warrigal St
- Fairview Av Opp Copnor Av
- The Entrance Rd After Dening St
- Torrens Av After Coral St
- Warrigal St Opp Park 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).
168 planning-related records
2026· 12 proposals
June 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)38 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 DUNCAN STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool9 MCGIRR AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation16 BROONARRA STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Business premises; Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Specialised Retail Premises23-25 CORAL STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)83 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure28 DENING STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia76 THE ENTRANCE ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
February 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 CAMPBELL AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Additional Information Requested
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 BOONDILLA ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
January 2026
- Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Specialised Retail Premises76 THE ENTRANCE ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)23 2-6 WARRIGAL STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise115-117 THE ENTRANCE ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
November 2025
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure15-17 CORAL STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Fences34 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 YAMBA STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure14 GOSFORD AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
October 2025
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)29 NORFOLK STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure74 OCEAN PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Subdivision43-49 OCEAN PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure11 MCGIRR AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Deferred Commencement
- Subdivision55 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Additional Information Requested
August 2025
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure5 BENT STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential Accommodation18 BENELONG STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)83 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)64 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool39A GOSFORD AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
June 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)1 ARMIDALE STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Subdivision6 BOOMERANG ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies15 BAY ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure23 BOONDILLA ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure85 LAKESIDE PARADE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure32 BAY ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
January 2025
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)18 BENELONG STREET THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 BAY ROAD THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 GOSFORD AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 2261Determined
2024· 1 proposal
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Landscaping structures; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development18 CAMPBELL AVENUE THE ENTRANCE 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
138 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BottlemartAlcohol
- BWSAlcohol
The Entrance
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Chi Cong BakeryBakery
- Ken's Humble Pie ShopBakery
- Norro's BakehouseBakery
- Pink Pearl Nails & BeautyBeauty salon
139 The Entrance Road
- Bench (7)
- The Entrance BoathouseBoat Rental
- Boondilla Rd at Benelong StBus 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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Edith Ring RestPark
- Memorial ParkPark
- Picnic Point ReservePark
- Shore ParkPark
- Taylor ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 6
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Chemsavepharmacy
- Douglass Hanly Moirsample_collection
- Hearing Australiaaudiologist
- Laverty Pathologysample_collection
- Oceanside Private PracticeVictoria Avenuedoctor
- Seascape Dentaldentist
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)
- 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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Entrance Ocean Pools, TheOcean Parade, The EntranceSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 7
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
- 48.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 31% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2099th in Australia
- State rank
- 663rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #27 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #75 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
- Adriftamenities135 The Entrance Roadsports
- Australian Red Crossamenitiesclothes
- BWSamenitiesThe Entrancealcohol
- Bang Rak ThaiamenitiesThe Entrance Roadrestaurant
- Bella Famillia Italianamenitiesrestaurant
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
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.