Fingal Bay
Fingal Bay's standout feature is its 37.3% vacancy rate alongside a median age of 63, pointing to a coastal market with substantial non-permanent occupancy. The suburb has 1,635 residents across 9.61 sq km, at a density of 170.1 people per sq km. Its median age is 23 years above the national comparison, while household income sits at the 18.1st percentile. Compared with Nelson Bay's town-centre role and Shoal Bay's visitor-oriented setting, Fingal Bay is more residential in feel, with 82.6% of residents staying at the same address and 49.6% owning outright. A 20.9% volunteering rate reinforces local participation, although only 35.8% are in the labour force.
Local council: Port Stephens
Population
1,635
Median Age
63.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,114/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
22
Homebuyers face a housing mix that suits both conventional family layouts and more compact coastal living. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, while mortgage costs reach 35.9% of household income, making borrowing capacity important. Renters face a similar pressure point, with weekly rent at $390 and rent taking 35.0% of income. The stock is split between 51.8% separate houses and 45.8% semi-detached dwellings, a more varied mix than a conventional detached-house suburb. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom dwellings at 27.4% and two-bedroom homes at 26.8%. Because 49.6% of residents own outright and only 14.9% hold a mortgage, buyers should compare maintenance, insurance and travel costs as carefully as the purchase price.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a housing mix that suits both conventional family layouts and more compact coastal living. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, while mortgage costs reach 35.9% of household income, making borrowing capacity important. Renters face a similar pressure point, with weekly rent at $390 and rent taking 35.0% of income. The stock is split between 51.8% separate houses and 45.8% semi-detached dwellings, a more varied mix than a conventional detached-house suburb. Three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom dwellings at 27.4% and two-bedroom homes at 26.8%. Because 49.6% of residents own outright and only 14.9% hold a mortgage, buyers should compare maintenance, insurance and travel costs as carefully as the purchase price.
For Investors
Investors need to treat Fingal Bay as a vacancy-sensitive market. Weekly rent is $390 and 23.1% of occupied dwellings are rented, but the vacancy rate is 37.3%, much higher than in a tightly occupied rental market. That gap can reflect intermittent or non-permanent dwelling use, so advertised rent alone may overstate reliable annual income. There were 22 development applications over 12 months, including a dwelling house and alterations to existing buildings, indicating ongoing small-scale activity rather than a single major project. Compared with a low-vacancy suburb, investors should stress-test longer letting periods, upkeep and management costs. The median age of 63 and 17.4% turnover rate also point to a lifestyle-led market where tenant demand may differ from employment-centred locations.
Development Activity
Total DAs
134
Last 12 Months
22
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+4.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Fingal Bay has an older resident base, with a median age of 63, or 23 years above the national comparison. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below the national figure, and couples without children account for 67.7% of families. The overseas-born share is 14.4%, 7.2 percentage points below the national comparison, while university attainment is 20.3%, 9.8 points lower. English ancestry is recorded for 767 residents, followed by Irish at 235 and Scottish at 183. Christianity has 941 adherents and no religion 549. Compared with a higher-turnover coastal market, the 82.6% stayed-at-same-address rate and 17.4% turnover indicate strong residential continuity. The age profile helps explain the small household size and lower labour-force participation.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
51.8%
Houses
45.8%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Fingal Bay's tenure profile is more established than a mortgage-heavy market: 49.6% of residents own outright, 14.9% have a mortgage and 23.1% rent, while 12.5% fall into other tenure categories. The dwelling mix is also distinctive, with 51.8% separate houses, 45.8% semi-detached homes and only 1.0% apartments. Three-bedroom properties make up 43.9% of dwellings, ahead of 4-plus-bedroom homes at 27.4% and two-bedroom homes at 26.8%. A 37.3% vacancy rate suggests that housing use is less consistent than the ownership figures alone imply, potentially reflecting part-time or non-permanent occupation. For owners, the 35.9% mortgage-to-income ratio is higher than a comfortable affordability threshold, so insurance, repairs and coastal maintenance should be included in any budget.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $390.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $720 · units $550
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$573
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
37.3%
Unoccupied
416
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
35.0% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
35.9% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.9%
Couples with children
67.7%
Couples, no children
11.9%
Single parent
489
Total families
Economy & Employment
Fingal Bay's employment base leans towards essential and local services. Healthcare accounts for 15.3% of jobs, or 49 positions, followed by Construction at 13.4% and 43 positions, Education at 12.1% and 39, Hospitality at 10.9% and 35, and Professional/Tech at 7.2% and 23. Occupations are led by Community/Personal roles at 84 people, Professionals at 80 and Trades at 77. Household income is $1,114 per week, at the 18.1st percentile and below the national median. Only 35.8% participate in the labour force, with 804 people outside it, a pattern partly explained by the median age of 63. Compared with a larger employment hub, the mix of 42.0% full-time and 230 part-time workers suggests a smaller, service-focused economy, supported by 22.1% working from home.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
524
Unemployed
29
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
42.0%
Part-time
46.5%
Participation
35.8%
Employed
495
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.3%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
14.4%
Dwellings
699
Transport to Work
Fingal Bay is better suited to residents comfortable with car-based access than to households seeking strong public-transport dependence. A total of 68.5% drive to work, compared with 4.0% who walk or cycle, while 22.1% work from home. At 170.1 people per sq km across 9.61 sq km, the suburb has a relatively spacious coastal setting, and the median age of 63 supports a quieter daily rhythm than a younger, denser centre. Community participation is visible in the 20.9% volunteering rate, although 7.9% of residents, or 118 people, need assistance with core activities. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, households should plan around vehicle ownership, road access and travel time. School options should be checked by exact address across the wider Port Stephens area because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries.
Drive
68.5%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
4.0%
Work from Home
22.1%
Growth Outlook
Fingal Bay's growth profile appears incremental rather than driven by rapid resident churn. The suburb has 1,635 residents, while 82.6% stayed at the same address and turnover was 17.4%. A 37.3% vacancy rate means dwelling use can change more quickly than the permanent resident base. There were 22 development applications over the past 12 months, including a dwelling house and alterations to existing buildings, so small-scale additions are a clearer local signal than a large project pipeline. Compared with a high-turnover growth corridor, the combination of a median age of 63, labour-force participation of 35.8% and substantial vacancy points to lifestyle-led change. Future activity is likely to be shaped by incremental renovations, additional homes and changes in occupancy rather than by a rapid expansion of the established population.
Population trend: Port Stephens council area
Fingal Bay sits in the Port Stephens council area. These are the council area's residents, not Fingal Bay's.
Residents 2025
80,070
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.3%
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 Fingal Bay compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fingal Bay a good suburb to live in?
Fingal Bay can suit buyers wanting a coastal setting and established tenure. It has 1,635 residents, a median age of 63 and a 20.9% volunteering rate, but car dependence and a 37.3% vacancy rate deserve consideration before choosing a home.
What is the median house price in Fingal Bay?
A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales before bidding. Fingal Bay's stock includes 51.8% separate houses, 45.8% semi-detached dwellings and 43.9% three-bedroom homes, so the dwelling mix can affect the comparison.
What schools are in Fingal Bay?
School options should be checked by exact address across the wider Port Stephens area because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. Fingal Bay has 1,635 residents and 68.5% of workers drive, so school travel time may shape family decisions.
Is Fingal Bay safe?
Assess safety using recent local incident reports, lighting and street activity before deciding, rather than relying on the suburb's older age profile. Daily movement is car-led, with 68.5% driving and 4.0% walking or cycling.
Is Fingal Bay good for property investment?
Investment suitability is mixed. Weekly rent is $390 and 23.1% of occupied dwellings are rented, but vacancy reaches 37.3%, higher than in a tightly occupied market. The 22 development applications in 12 months add activity, but vacancy and maintenance costs should be stress-tested.
How is Fingal Bay's population changing?
Fingal Bay has 1,635 residents, with a median age of 63 and 82.6% staying at the same address. That points to a relatively stable, older resident base, while the 17.4% turnover rate and 37.3% vacancy indicate that dwelling occupancy can change faster than the permanent population.
Are there new developments in Fingal Bay?
Yes, 22 development applications were recorded over 12 months, including a dwelling house and alterations to existing buildings. The activity points to incremental additions rather than a single large project, so buyers should check each proposal's timing and likely effect on access or outlook.
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 Fingal Bay on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map