Charmhaven
Charmhaven sits at the bottom of two SEIFA indexes, ranking decile 1 on both IRSAD and IEO, yet house prices reached $767,500 in 2025 and rent surged 44% over the past decade. That gap between affordability rank and price level is the defining tension: household income sits at the 39.7th percentile nationally, but detached housing stock at 92.8% and a 2,501-person population spread across 7.07 square kilometres has kept demand steady. The suburb's identity is blue-collar and Anglo-leaning, with slow but consistent growth of 8.2% over 10 years and overseas migration of 100 residents a year outpacing internal arrivals.
Population
2,501
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,392/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Median House
$750K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $750,500 in the 2024-2025 period, up 2.3% from $750,000 in 2024 to $767,500 in 2025. That growth is modest compared to broader NSW coastal markets, suggesting buyers are not overpaying into a hot run. Separate houses dominate at 92.8% of dwellings, with 49.2% being 3-bedroom and 31.0% having 4 or more bedrooms, so family-sized stock is the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,705 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. However, with household income at the 39.7th percentile nationally, buyers need to stretch on deposit rather than rely on strong local wages.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $750,500 in the 2024-2025 period, up 2.3% from $750,000 in 2024 to $767,500 in 2025. That growth is modest compared to broader NSW coastal markets, suggesting buyers are not overpaying into a hot run. Separate houses dominate at 92.8% of dwellings, with 49.2% being 3-bedroom and 31.0% having 4 or more bedrooms, so family-sized stock is the norm rather than the exception. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,705 and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 28.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. However, with household income at the 39.7th percentile nationally, buyers need to stretch on deposit rather than rely on strong local wages.
For Investors
Rental demand is real: 31.6% of households rent, and weekly rent of $375 has climbed 44% over the decade, well above general inflation. The vacancy rate at 6.2% is elevated, indicating supply is ahead of immediate demand, so investors entering now face some absorption risk. Development activity produced 27 applications in the past 12 months, including multiple secondary dwellings and manufactured homes, signalling that the local planning framework accommodates value-add additions. Net overseas migration of 100 per year is the primary population driver, adding more reliable long-term rental demand than internal migration, which contributes only 30 net arrivals annually. Gross yield at $375 per week against a $750,500 median sits near 2.6%, below most investors' targets.
Development Activity
Total DAs
132
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+45.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 39 is 1.0 year below the national figure, placing Charmhaven slightly younger than average nationally. The overseas-born share at 11.3% is 10.3 percentage points below the national rate, making this one of the more locally born communities in NSW. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,081 residents), Scottish (296) and Irish (253). University qualifications reach only 15.0%, which is 15.1 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the decile 1 IEO score that captures low educational and occupational outcomes. Average household size is 2.6, marginally above the national figure. Couples with children (684 families) outnumber couples without children (520), and Christianity is the dominant religion with 1,190 adherents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.8%
Houses
6.5%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Nine in ten dwellings are separate houses at 92.8%, with apartments at just 0.8%, making Charmhaven one of the more uniformly detached suburbs in NSW. Tenure splits into 30.8% owning outright, 37.7% on mortgages and 31.6% renting, meaning renters and mortgage holders together make up about 69% of households. The 3-bedroom configuration accounts for 49.2% of all dwellings and 4-plus bedrooms cover another 31.0%, so the housing stock skews toward mid-to-large family homes. Prices moved from $750,000 in 2024 to $767,500 in 2025, a 2.3% gain over one year. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,705 are relatively contained compared to greater Sydney, though household income at the 39.7th percentile nationally means buyers are spending a meaningful share of earnings on repayments.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,705
Rent / wk
$375
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$631
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.2%
Unoccupied
61
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.6%
Couples, no children
1,957
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs the largest share of the local workforce at 24.8% (160 workers), reflecting the Central Coast's growing aged-care and hospital sector. Construction follows at 14.7% (95 workers), with Retail (9.0%), Education (8.0%) and Hospitality (7.4%) rounding out the top five. By occupation, Community and Personal Service workers lead at 176, trailed by Labourers (153) and Machinery and Transport Drivers (116), a distribution consistent with the decile 1 IEO score that signals below-average occupational complexity nationally. The unemployment rate sits at 7.4%, above state and national averages, and the participation rate of 47.9% is low, partly because 841 residents are not in the labour force. Real income growth of 20.4% over the decade is positive but has not closed the gap to national medians.
Unemployment
5.8%
Labour Force
10,836
Unemployed
628
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.2%
Part-time
32.4%
Participation
47.9%
Employed
911
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.0%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
11.3%
Dwellings
928
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 89.6% of residents drive to work and only 0.9% use public transport, compared to far higher public transport use in metropolitan Sydney suburbs. That figure reflects the limited rail and bus frequency typical of Central Coast localities at this distance from Sydney. Schools data is not recorded in the local boundary, so families assess catchment options in surrounding Lake Macquarie and Wyong areas. The need-for-assistance rate is 10.1%, representing 241 residents, which is higher than lower-disadvantage suburbs and consistent with the decile 2 IRSD score for relative disadvantage nationally. Rent-to-income at 26.9% and mortgage-to-income at 28.3% remain below stress thresholds, giving both tenants and owners reasonable financial headroom by that measure.
Drive
89.6%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.42%/yr
(+96 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 8.2% over the decade and the 10-year trajectory averaged approximately 96 additional residents per year, with overseas migration adding 100 and internal migration contributing another 30 net arrivals annually. Current population sits at 2,501 and medium forecasts project gradual expansion toward the wider SA2 reaching 23,595 by 2031. The gentrification stage is recorded as Active with a score of 48, supported by the 44% rent surge over the period, a real income gain of 20.4% and a slight rise in working-age share of 0.8 points. Affordability remained stable between 57.6% in 2021 and 59.2% in 2011, suggesting the suburb absorbed price growth without dramatically repricing out existing residents. Annual trend growth of 0.42% is slow but consistent, unlike boom-bust coastal markets.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+100
Net Internal / yr
+30
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Charmhaven compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charmhaven a good suburb to live in?
Charmhaven offers affordable detached housing at a $750,500 median, below most Sydney markets, and mortgage-to-income sits at 28.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-offs are a low SEIFA decile 1 ranking on both IRSAD and IEO, a 7.4% unemployment rate above state averages, and near-total car dependence with only 0.9% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Charmhaven?
The median house price is $750,500, based on the 2024-2025 period. Prices rose from $750,000 in 2024 to $767,500 in 2025, a 2.3% gain. Weekly rent averages $375 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,705.
What schools are in Charmhaven?
No schools are recorded within the Charmhaven boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in surrounding Central Coast suburbs. University qualifications locally stand at 15.0%, which is 15.1 percentage points below the national average.
Is Charmhaven safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Charmhaven in this dataset. As a proxy, the suburb ranks in SEIFA decile 2 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, indicating some socioeconomic pressure. About 10.1% of residents (241 people) need daily assistance, above the rate seen in higher-advantage suburbs.
Is Charmhaven good for property investment?
Rent of $375 a week against a $750,500 median gives a gross yield near 2.6%, modest but above inner-city levels. Rent grew 44% over the decade, a strong signal of demand. The 6.2% vacancy rate is elevated, so investors should expect some time between tenancies. Development activity of 27 applications in 12 months shows planning activity.
How is Charmhaven's population changing?
The population grew 8.2% over the past decade. Overseas migration contributes 100 net arrivals per year, the primary driver, while internal migration adds 30 more. The current population is 2,501 and medium forecasts project steady growth through to 2031 at around 0.42% per year.
How much development is happening in Charmhaven?
There were 27 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent examples include secondary dwellings and manufactured homes under both Complying Development Certificates and standard Development Applications, reflecting an active but small-scale residential pipeline consistent with the suburb's slow 0.42% annual growth rate.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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