Chittaway Bay
With 96.9% of dwellings being separate houses, Chittaway Bay sits at the extreme end of detached-housing dominance nationally, more suburban in form than almost any comparison suburb. At 1,987 residents spread across 1.12 km2, density reaches 1,781 people per km2, yet the streetscape is almost entirely freestanding homes. Household income sits in the 59.4th percentile, close to the national median, while the SEIFA IER score of decile 8 signals solid economic resources despite that mid-range income. The suburb's aging trajectory is the defining demographic story: the senior share rose 4.4 points over the decade while the working-age share barely shifted, and median age of 41 matches the national figure exactly.
Population
1,987
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,693/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$905K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $905,000 (2024-2025) sits at a meaningful premium above most regional NSW markets, yet prices have eased from the 2024 peak of $957,000 to $892,500 in 2025, a 6.7% correction that gives buyers more room than existed 12 months ago. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,905, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.0%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold even at current rates. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.9%, with three-bedroom homes dominant at 51.9% and four-plus bedroom homes a substantial 37.4%, meaning buyers get genuine family-sized homes rather than smaller detached stock. Only 1.3% of dwellings are apartments, so competition focuses on land and house packages rather than unit segments.
For Buyers
The median house price of $905,000 (2024-2025) sits at a meaningful premium above most regional NSW markets, yet prices have eased from the 2024 peak of $957,000 to $892,500 in 2025, a 6.7% correction that gives buyers more room than existed 12 months ago. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,905, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.0%, which stays below the 30% stress threshold even at current rates. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.9%, with three-bedroom homes dominant at 51.9% and four-plus bedroom homes a substantial 37.4%, meaning buyers get genuine family-sized homes rather than smaller detached stock. Only 1.3% of dwellings are apartments, so competition focuses on land and house packages rather than unit segments.
For Investors
A 22.2% renter share and weekly rent of $380 are the headline numbers for landlords assessing Chittaway Bay. Against the $892,500 median that implies a gross yield near 2.2%, below the national average for regional markets. The 4.4% vacancy rate is elevated compared to tight coastal markets, suggesting some oversupply or sluggish rental demand. Development activity is low at 3 applications in 12 months, so new supply is not the pressure. Net overseas migration drives the broader area at 80 people per year, while internal migration removes 16 annually. The 81.8% resident stability rate means turnover is low, which supports long-term tenancy length but limits rental pool churn. The 6.7% price correction from peak introduces a rebound upside case, though the aging demographic trajectory moderates long-run demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
80
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-78.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Chittaway Bay iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Chittaway Bay Public School
K-6 · 479 students
Demographics
Median age of 41 sits exactly at the national figure, though the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.4 points and the young share fell 2.0 points over the decade, signalling where the suburb is heading rather than where it stands today. Overseas-born residents make up 12.8% of the population, which is 8.8 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly locally-born community. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (887), Irish (236) and Scottish (205) are the three leading ancestries by count. University qualifications at 21.5% run 8.6 points below the national figure, consistent with the trades and services workforce profile. Average household size of 2.6 is 0.1 above national, fitting the family-house stock. Couples with children (582) outnumber couples without children (452) among the suburb's 1,666 families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.9%
Houses
1.8%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership rates are the defining feature: 34.5% own outright and 43.3% carry a mortgage, leaving only 22.2% renting, a tenure split that skews well toward ownership compared to most NSW markets. The 43.3% mortgage rate is the dominant tenure class, marking a mortgage-belt suburb where recent buyers are still paying down debt. Three-bedroom homes account for 51.9% of dwellings and four-plus bedrooms for 37.4%, giving a combined 89.3% in larger family configurations, significantly above state and national averages. The median house price tracked from $957,000 in 2024 to $892,500 in 2025, a 6.7% fall from peak. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,905 against household weekly income of $1,693 put the mortgage-to-income ratio at 26.0%, indicating the market is affordable relative to buyer income here.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,905
Rent / wk
$380
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$757
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.4%
Unoccupied
34
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.1%
Couples, no children
1,666
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 21.6% of workers (133 people), well above what a small suburb of 1,987 would typically sustain in one industry, suggesting many residents commute to Central Coast health facilities. Construction follows at 12.4% (76 workers) and Education at 10.7% (66 workers), with Manufacturing at 8.6% and Public Admin at 8.3% rounding out the top five. By occupation, Professionals lead at 154 workers, followed closely by Community/Personal service (141) and Clerical/Admin (140). The unemployment rate is 4.9%, higher than the national average, and the full-time employment rate of 58.4% is moderate. The labour force participation rate of 54.5% is below national norms, in part because 562 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the suburb's aging profile. Real income grew 21.0% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.5%
Labour Force
8,729
Unemployed
214
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.4%
Part-time
36.7%
Participation
54.5%
Employed
843
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.5%
Postgraduate
4.7%
Born Overseas
12.8%
Dwellings
719
Transport to Work
Car dependency is near-total: 90.1% of residents drive to work, versus the national average where public transport use is substantially higher, and only 0.7% use public transport here. That figure reflects the suburb's position within Gosford-Wyong area, where rail and bus coverage is limited compared to Sydney. Walking and cycling account for 2.9% of journeys. No schools are recorded within the 1.12 km2 boundary, so families depend on nearby institutions in Tuggerah and Wyong. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places the suburb at the national median for overall advantage and disadvantage, and the IRSD decile of 6 puts relative disadvantage slightly above average. Housing stress is low: mortgage-to-income at 26.0% and rent-to-income at 22.4% both sit comfortably below stress thresholds. The volunteering rate of 10.0% matches a typical suburban community.
Drive
90.1%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.37%/yr
(+62 people/yr)
EstablishedChittaway Bay is growing at 0.37% annually, below the national average for established suburbs, adding roughly 62 people per year. The 10-year population change of 5.0% places it in the slow-growth category. The broader SA2 area tracked from 16,249 in 2023 to 16,559 by 2025, with medium forecasts projecting 16,790 by 2031. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 80 arrivals per year, while internal migration produces a net outflow of 16 annually. Rent growth of 41.7% over the decade outpaced real income growth of 21.0%, and affordability improved slightly from 56.7% in 2011 to 54.0% in 2021. The gentrification score of 40 signals early signs, meaning structural change is beginning rather than established.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+80
Net Internal / yr
-16
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Chittaway Bay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chittaway Bay a good suburb to live in?
Chittaway Bay offers a low housing stress environment, with mortgage-to-income at 26.0% and rent-to-income at 22.4%, both below stress thresholds. Household income sits in the 59.4th percentile nationally and the SEIFA IER decile of 8 signals solid economic resources. The trade-off is near-total car dependency at 90.1% and limited public transport at 0.7%.
What is the median house price in Chittaway Bay?
The median house price is $905,000 for the 2024-2025 period, down from the 2024 peak of $957,000 to $892,500 in 2025, a 6.7% fall. Weekly rent averages $380 and monthly mortgage repayments run $1,905, keeping the mortgage-to-income ratio at 26.0%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Chittaway Bay?
No schools are recorded within the 1.12 km2 Chittaway Bay boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in nearby suburbs such as Tuggerah and Wyong. The suburb's university qualification rate is 21.5%, which is 8.6 points below the national average, reflecting its trades-oriented workforce profile.
Is Chittaway Bay safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Chittaway Bay in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 places the suburb slightly above the national median for low disadvantage, and housing stress measures are below stress thresholds, with mortgage-to-income at 26.0% and rent-to-income at 22.4%.
Is Chittaway Bay good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $380 against a $892,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.2%, below average for regional NSW. The 4.4% vacancy rate is elevated and the 6.7% price correction from the 2024 peak introduces a rebound case. Net overseas migration of 80 per year into the broader area supports underlying demand, though the aging demographic trajectory moderates long-run rental growth.
How is Chittaway Bay's population changing?
The suburb's population of 1,987 is growing at 0.37% annually, adding about 62 people per year. The 10-year population change is 5.0%, classifying it as slow but stable growth. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 80 per year, while net internal outflow runs at 16 annually. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 16,790 by 2031.
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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