Booker Bay
A 54-year median age makes Booker Bay markedly older than the national profile, with the gap at 14.0 years. The suburb has 1,442 residents packed into 0.49 square kilometres, giving a density of 2,916.7 people per square kilometre. Housing is split between separate houses at 51.3% and semi-detached homes at 40.0%, while a 13.5% vacancy rate adds flexibility for renters but also signals a less tightly held market. A 2.1-person average household and 44.9% outright ownership point to a settled base. Buyers comparing Booker Bay with nearby Ettalong Beach or Woy Woy should expect an older, lower-turnover profile, with growth running at only 0.5% annually.
Local council: Central Coast (NSW)
Population
1,442
Median Age
54.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,218/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Homebuyers face a housing mix that rewards careful budgeting rather than assuming a conventional family-house market. Separate houses account for 51.3% of dwellings, but semi-detached homes are also substantial at 40.0%, while apartments represent 5.7%. Three-bedroom properties dominate at 49.8%, ahead of two-bedroom homes at 27.0% and four-plus-bedroom homes at 18.5%, so the stock generally provides moderate space. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 monthly and mortgage costs equal 41.1% of household income, higher than the 32.8% rent-to-income measure. That pressure matters because household income sits at the 26.2nd percentile nationally. The 41.6% work-from-home rate may suit buyers seeking a home workspace, but parking, layout and renovation needs should be checked closely.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a housing mix that rewards careful budgeting rather than assuming a conventional family-house market. Separate houses account for 51.3% of dwellings, but semi-detached homes are also substantial at 40.0%, while apartments represent 5.7%. Three-bedroom properties dominate at 49.8%, ahead of two-bedroom homes at 27.0% and four-plus-bedroom homes at 18.5%, so the stock generally provides moderate space. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 monthly and mortgage costs equal 41.1% of household income, higher than the 32.8% rent-to-income measure. That pressure matters because household income sits at the 26.2nd percentile nationally. The 41.6% work-from-home rate may suit buyers seeking a home workspace, but parking, layout and renovation needs should be checked closely.
For Investors
Booker Bay's rental case rests on a 33.0% renting share and weekly rent of $400, but the 13.5% vacancy rate points to more leasing competition than a tightly supplied market. Property condition, parking and tenant appeal therefore matter, especially as rent absorbs 32.8% of income. Development activity reached 19 applications in 12 months, including residential accommodation and a new dwelling, which may add choice over time. Rent growth of 44.4% has far exceeded the 0.5% annual population trend, so recent gains need caution. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the aging trajectory may favour accessible, low-maintenance homes. Compared with the 20.9% mortgage-held share, renting is a meaningful part of local demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
140
Last 12 Months
20
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-9.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Booker Bay has an older, smaller-household population: the median age is 54, or 14.0 years above the national comparison, and average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national figure. University attainment is 26.0%, 4.1 percentage points below the national level, while 17.5% of residents were born overseas, also 4.1 points below it. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 656, 206 and 159 respectively, giving the suburb an Anglo-leaning cultural profile. Christianity accounts for 770 residents and no religion for 538, with Buddhism at 8. Residential stability is notable: 78.2% stayed at the same address, against a 21.8% turnover rate. Compared with nearby Ettalong Beach or Woy Woy, the key distinction is a more settled age and household structure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
51.3%
Houses
40.0%
Townhouse
5.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Booker Bay's housing stock is compact and predominantly medium-sized. Separate houses make up 51.3% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 40.0% and apartments 5.7%; three-bedroom properties lead at 49.8%, well above the 18.5% share of four-plus-bedroom homes. Tenure is settled: 44.9% own outright, compared with 20.9% carrying a mortgage and 33.0% renting. That ownership pattern aligns with a median age of 54 and helps explain why household turnover is 21.8%. Affordability is not effortless, however: mortgage costs reach 41.1% of household income, while rent takes 32.8%, and weekly rent is $400. The 13.5% vacancy rate is higher than the 5.7% apartment share, so buyers should assess whether a property appeals to owner-occupiers, downsizers or tenants.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $400.
$670
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $695 · units $535
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$659
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.5%
Unoccupied
101
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.8% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
41.1% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.1%
Couples with children
54.6%
Couples, no children
15.9%
Single parent
414
Total families
Economy & Employment
Booker Bay's economy combines care, trades and professional work. Healthcare leads at 16.9% with 57 workers, followed by Construction at 14.5% and 49, Professional/Tech at 13.4% and 45, Education at 9.2% and 31, and Public Administration at 7.4% and 25. Leading occupations are Professionals 111, Managers 82, Clerical/Admin 74, Trades 73 and Sales 44. Participation is 41.8% and unemployment is 5.2%; 644 people are outside the labour force, consistent with a median age of 54 and an aging trajectory. Household income is at the 26.2nd percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA is mixed: IEO is decile 5 versus IER decile 3, while IRSD and IRSAD are both decile 4.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
517
Unemployed
27
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.3%
Part-time
33.9%
Participation
41.8%
Employed
490
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.0%
Postgraduate
5.8%
Born Overseas
17.5%
Dwellings
653
Transport to Work
Booker Bay is compact at 0.49 square kilometres, with density of 2,916.7 people per square kilometre, so daily convenience depends on navigating a small, built-up footprint. Car travel accounts for 53.6%, compared with 1.6% using public transport and 1.3% walking or cycling. Work from home is 41.6%, higher than public transport use, which can reduce commuting but increases the value of reliable internet and a usable workspace. The 2.1-person household size, 14.3% volunteering rate and 8.1% need-assistance rate point to an older community with some local participation and support needs. Socioeconomic access is mixed: IRSAD is decile 4, below IEO decile 5, while the median age is 54, or 14.0 years above the national comparison. Families should check exact enrolment zones and local service access because nearby facilities may fall outside the 0.49 square kilometre boundary.
Drive
53.6%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
41.6%
Growth Outlook
Booker Bay is an established, slow-growth market: the annual trend is 0.5%, lower than the 44.4% rise in rents over the measured period. Across the wider area, population change over 10 years is 9.6%, while the trajectory is labelled Aging and the primary driver is Overseas migration. The shift is visible in a 3.5-point increase in senior share, alongside a 1.3-point fall in both young share and working share. Affordability was broadly stable, moving from 59.3 in 2011 to 59.0 in 2021, so price pressure has not produced a clear affordability improvement. Gentrification signals are mixed: one measure scores 41 at Early signs, while the current gentrification score is 0, Not gentrifying. Compared with a fast-expanding suburb, the outlook is gradual and shaped more by age structure than rapid population turnover.
Population trend: Central Coast (NSW) council area
Booker Bay sits in the Central Coast (NSW) council area. These are the council area's residents, not Booker Bay's.
Residents 2025
357,816
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.6%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Booker Bay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Booker Bay a good suburb to live in?
Booker Bay can suit buyers wanting a settled, compact suburb, but the fit depends on budget and lifestyle. The median age is 54, outright ownership is 44.9%, public transport use is 1.6%, and the vacancy rate is 13.5%. The profile favours residents comfortable with a mature community and regular car use.
What is the median house price in Booker Bay?
Use recent settled sales to establish the current median, because Booker Bay's housing mix is varied. Separate houses account for 51.3% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 40.0%, and three-bedroom properties 49.8%. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 monthly, so borrowing capacity should be assessed alongside comparable sales.
What schools are in Booker Bay?
There are 0 schools listed within Booker Bay itself. Families should check nearby school options and the exact enrolment zone before signing a lease or contract, because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Booker Bay covers only 0.49 square kilometres, so practical access may extend into neighbouring parts of the Central Coast.
Is Booker Bay safe?
Use the latest NSW Police or BOCSAR figures when assessing safety, including both incident totals and rates per 1,000 residents. Booker Bay has 1,442 residents and a density of 2,916.7 people per square kilometre, so small-area results can vary between reporting periods and should be reviewed over more than 1 year.
Is Booker Bay good for property investment?
Booker Bay may suit a selective investor rather than a purely yield-driven strategy. Weekly rent is $400 and 33.0% of households rent, but vacancy is 13.5%, so letting assumptions need caution. Rent growth was 44.4%, annual population trend is 0.5%, and 19 development applications were recorded in 12 months.
How is Booker Bay's population changing?
Booker Bay is changing gradually rather than rapidly. The annual growth trend is 0.5%, and population change across the wider area is 9.6% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: senior share rose 3.5 percentage points, while young and working shares each fell 1.3 points. Overseas migration is the primary driver.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
Explore Booker Bay on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map