Halekulani
Age is the standout feature of Halekulani: the median age is 49, which is 9 years above the national comparison. Its compact 1.4 square kilometre footprint supports a density of 1,916 people per square kilometre, yet 90.5% of dwellings are separate houses. Household income sits at the 13.9th percentile, helping explain why mortgage and rent pressure matter despite 49.1% of homes being owned outright. English ancestry is prominent, with 1,256 residents reporting it, followed by Irish at 335 and Scottish at 281. Buyers comparing Halekulani with nearby Budgewoi or Lake Munmorah should focus on its older resident base, detached housing and car-oriented routine.
Local council: Central Coast (NSW)
Population
2,677
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,031/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Homebuyers are entering a detached-house market where 90.5% of dwellings are separate homes, compared with only 1.9% apartments and 1.0% semi-detached properties. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.5%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 28.6% and four or more bedrooms at 24.9%, creating options for couples, downsizers and smaller families. The $1,760 monthly mortgage figure and mortgage-to-income ratio of 39.4% indicate meaningful repayment pressure, while weekly rent is $360. Outright ownership is higher than mortgage ownership, at 49.1% versus 29.5%. Affordability moved from 58.1 in 2011 to 56.3 in 2021, so buyers should compare loan limits with current household income of $1,031 per week.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are entering a detached-house market where 90.5% of dwellings are separate homes, compared with only 1.9% apartments and 1.0% semi-detached properties. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 41.5%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 28.6% and four or more bedrooms at 24.9%, creating options for couples, downsizers and smaller families. The $1,760 monthly mortgage figure and mortgage-to-income ratio of 39.4% indicate meaningful repayment pressure, while weekly rent is $360. Outright ownership is higher than mortgage ownership, at 49.1% versus 29.5%. Affordability moved from 58.1 in 2011 to 56.3 in 2021, so buyers should compare loan limits with current household income of $1,031 per week.
For Investors
Halekulani has a relatively small rental base, with 20.4% of occupied dwellings rented compared with 49.1% owned outright and 29.5% under mortgage. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 6.0%, so investors should allow for periods of reletting rather than assume uninterrupted income. The rental share is lower than the outright-owner share, which can limit tenant depth but may support a more settled streetscape. Twenty development matters were recorded over 12 months, including new dwelling, secondary-dwelling and alteration applications, creating some potential for incremental supply. Balanced migration and an annual trend of 0.54% point to measured rather than rapid expansion. Recorded rent growth of 50.0% is a reason to test yield against maintenance and vacancy costs.
Development Activity
Total DAs
94
Last 12 Months
20
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+33.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Halekulani's median age of 49 is 9 years above the national comparison, while university attendance at 15.6% is 14.5 percentage points below the national figure. Only 11.6% of residents were born overseas, 10 percentage points below the national comparison, reinforcing the suburb's Anglo-leaning character. English ancestry accounts for 1,256 people, Irish for 335 and Scottish for 281. Christianity is reported by 1,545 residents and no religion by 908. Average household size is 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national comparison, and 78.2% stayed at the same address compared with a turnover rate of 21.8%. This combination of older age, smaller households and high residential stability helps explain why Halekulani feels more settled than growth-led.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.5%
Houses
1.0%
Townhouse
1.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is strongly detached and owner-oriented. Separate houses account for 90.5% of dwellings, far higher than apartments at 1.9% and semi-detached homes at 1.0%. Outright ownership is higher than mortgage ownership, at 49.1% versus 29.5%, while renting accounts for 20.4%. The largest bedroom category is three bedrooms at 41.5%, followed by two bedrooms at 28.6% and four or more at 24.9%. These proportions suit established households because the average household size is 2.2 people and couples without children represent 45.3% of families. Affordability remains a constraint: rent consumes 34.9% of income and mortgage costs equal 39.4%, both above comfortable budget levels for many households. Compared with apartment-led areas, Halekulani gives buyers more conventional house stock but less dwelling-format choice.
Mortgage / mo
$1,760
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $360.
$620
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $630 · units $480
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$601
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.0%
Unoccupied
73
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.9% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
39.4% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.2%
Couples with children
45.3%
Couples, no children
21.1%
Single parent
733
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Halekulani's largest recorded industry, employing 136 people and representing 21.7%, higher than construction at 15.0% and 94 workers. Education contributes 12.0% and 75 workers, followed by retail at 7.2% and public administration at 6.2%. The occupation mix is led by trades at 164 people, community and personal services at 154, labourers at 131, clerical and administrative roles at 117, and professionals at 116. Full-time employment totals 501 people, higher than part-time employment at 329, while unemployment is 4.9%. Participation is 45.4%, below what a younger labour market would typically produce because 1,092 residents are not in the labour force and the median age is 49. Household income is $1,031 per week and ranks at the 13.9th percentile, so local spending power is lower than the national midpoint despite the presence of essential-service industries.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
1,028
Unemployed
50
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.2%
Part-time
33.6%
Participation
45.4%
Employed
978
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.6%
Postgraduate
1.9%
Born Overseas
11.6%
Dwellings
1,138
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented: 72.4% of residents drive to work, compared with 2.2% using public transport and 1.4% walking or cycling. A further 19.6% work from home, which can reduce commuting needs but increases the importance of suitable home space and reliable local services. The suburb covers 1.4 square kilometres and has a density of 1,916 people per square kilometre, giving it a compact rather than dispersed physical footprint. Average household size is 2.2 people, lower than the national comparison by 0.3, and the median age of 49 is 9 years above national levels. Support needs are material, with 9.7% of residents, or 243 people, reporting a need for assistance, while volunteering is 8.9%. Crime data should be checked through current NSW Police sources before making a safety decision, because no suburb-level rate is stated here.
Drive
72.4%
Public Transport
2.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
19.6%
Growth Outlook
Growth is measured at 0.54% annually, with Balanced migration rather than one dominant source. Population change across the wider area is 8.5% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed. Affordability is described as Stable, moving from 58.1 in 2011 to 56.3 in 2021, even as real income growth reached 25.8%. The age profile helps explain the measured pace: Halekulani's median age is 49, or 9 years above the national comparison, and the senior share increased by 1.1 percentage points. The forecast gentrification score is 0, labelled Not gentrifying, so the outlook is more consistent with gradual change than a rapid tenure reset. Compared with a younger, higher-turnover suburb, Halekulani is likely to change through incremental infill and household replacement rather than sudden demographic turnover.
Population trend: Central Coast (NSW) council area
Halekulani sits in the Central Coast (NSW) council area. These are the council area's residents, not Halekulani'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 Halekulani compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Halekulani a good suburb to live in?
Halekulani suits residents seeking a settled, detached-house environment. The median age is 49, 90.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 78.2% of residents stayed at the same address. Car use is high at 72.4%, so the suburb is better suited to households comfortable with driving than those relying on public transport.
What is the median house price in Halekulani?
No current median house price is stated for Halekulani. Buyers can use the 90.5% separate-house share, $360 weekly rent and $1,760 monthly mortgage figure as context, but those measures do not replace recent comparable sales. Check several 2025 and 2026 transactions before setting a purchase budget.
What schools are in Halekulani?
School options should be checked by exact address and enrolment zone. Halekulani has an average household size of 2.2 people, while couples with children account for 30.2% of families, so families should confirm primary and secondary pathways, transport arrangements and out-of-area rules before signing a lease or contract.
Is Halekulani safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so buyers should check NSW Police incident data and visit at different times before deciding. Halekulani has 2,677 residents, a 21.8% turnover rate and 78.2% of residents who stayed at the same address. Those figures describe residential stability, not crime risk.
Is Halekulani good for property investment?
Halekulani may suit investors seeking detached housing and gradual growth rather than a high-turnover market. Renting accounts for 20.4%, weekly rent is $360, vacancy is 6.0% and 20 development matters were recorded over 12 months. The annual growth trend is 0.54%, so compare expected yield with vacancy, maintenance and financing costs.
How is Halekulani's population changing?
Halekulani has 2,677 residents, with growth running at 0.54% annually and migration described as Balanced. Population change across the wider area is 8.5% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Mixed. The median age of 49 and a 1.1 percentage-point rise in the senior share indicate older-led change rather than rapid youth-driven expansion.
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 Halekulani on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map