Jilliby
Household income is the standout feature in Jilliby: the median household earns $2,713 a week, placing it at the 94.8th percentile nationally. The suburb also has a median age of 43, 3 years above the national figure, and 98.0% separate houses across 84.02 sq km. That combination supports a spacious, owner-oriented profile, with 40.6% owning outright and 47.8% paying a mortgage. Compared with nearby Wyong and Tuggerah, Jilliby is more acreage-oriented and less dense, suiting households who value land and privacy over apartment convenience. Its 20.2 people per sq km density reinforces that distinction.
Local council: Central Coast (NSW)
Population
1,694
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,713/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
41
For homebuyers, Jilliby suits buyers seeking detached space: 98.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 78.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, while apartments account for just 1.2%. The typical mortgage payment is $2,564 a month, equal to 21.8% of household income, so mortgage stress is not flagged, although buyers still need to check current sales. Compared with smaller-lot markets around Wyong and Tuggerah, the trade-off is likely more land for less walk-up convenience. Affordability worsened from 47.8 in 2011 to 51.1 in 2021, making deposit size and commute costs important.
For Buyers
For homebuyers, Jilliby suits buyers seeking detached space: 98.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 78.2% have 4 or more bedrooms, while apartments account for just 1.2%. The typical mortgage payment is $2,564 a month, equal to 21.8% of household income, so mortgage stress is not flagged, although buyers still need to check current sales. Compared with smaller-lot markets around Wyong and Tuggerah, the trade-off is likely more land for less walk-up convenience. Affordability worsened from 47.8 in 2011 to 51.1 in 2021, making deposit size and commute costs important.
For Investors
Jilliby has a small rental base, with 9.4% of households renting, weekly rent at $445 and vacancy at 5.4%. That vacancy level is higher than a tightly constrained market might show, so investors should test achievable rent and days on market rather than assume scarcity. The 39 development matters lodged in the past 12 months, including self-storage and secondary-dwelling proposals, may add local service capacity but do not automatically translate into new rental stock. Compared with higher-rental-share suburbs, tenant demand may be thinner because 40.6% own outright and 47.8% hold mortgages. Balanced migration supports steadier rather than purely investor-led demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
158
Last 12 Months
41
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+28.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Jilliby’s demographic profile is older and more locally settled than the national pattern. Median age is 43, 3 years above the national figure, while the university-qualified share is 28.3%, 1.8 percentage points below national. Only 11.1% of residents were born overseas, 10.5 points below national, and 85.0% stayed at the same address over the reference period. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 764, 200 and 161, while Christianity has 1,004 adherents and no religion 584. The aging trajectory is visible in a 3.9-point rise in the senior share and a 2.6-point fall in the young share, because established households are staying longer. Compared with more migrant-heavy Central Coast centres, Jilliby is less internationally diverse.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.0%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Jilliby’s housing stock is unusually concentrated in large detached dwellings: 98.0% are separate houses, 78.2% contain 4 or more bedrooms and only 1.2% are apartments. Tenure is comparatively secure, with 40.6% owned outright and 47.8% mortgaged, while 9.4% rent. Mortgage repayments average $2,564 monthly and represent 21.8% of household income, with mortgage stress flagged false. Compared with denser Central Coast suburbs, this layout gives families more internal space but can mean fewer low-cost entry options. Vacancy is 5.4%, higher than an extremely tight rental market, because the rental pool is small and the suburb is overwhelmingly owner-occupied.
Mortgage / mo
$2,564
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $445.
$675
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $700 · units $480
HH Size
3.4
Personal Income / wk
$856
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
28
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.8%
Couples with children
38.3%
Couples, no children
10.7%
Single parent
488
Total families
Economy & Employment
Jilliby combines high household resources with a practical employment base. Healthcare leads local industry at 15.5% with 92 workers, followed by Education at 14.8% and 88, Construction at 14.5% and 86, Public Administration at 7.4% and 44, and Other Services at 7.3% and 43. Managers number 161, Professionals 156 and Trades 153, showing a mix of higher-skill and hands-on work. Unemployment is 2.4%, participation 67.3% and full-time employment 54.6%, so the labour market is stronger than in lower-income locations. SEIFA places education and occupation at decile 7, economic resources at 10, disadvantage at 8 and overall advantage at 8. The 94.8th household-income percentile is consistent with that resource profile, although the occupation decile is lower than the resources decile.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
931
Unemployed
22
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.6%
Part-time
34.4%
Participation
67.3%
Employed
909
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.3%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
11.1%
Dwellings
493
Transport to Work
Jilliby’s livability is strongest for households comfortable with a spread-out, car-based setting. About 62.4% drive to work, 32.7% work from home and only 1.5% walk or cycle, so daily convenience depends more on a vehicle and trip planning than in denser centres. At 84.02 sq km and 20.2 people per sq km, distances matter; families should check school enrolment zones and service access against the exact address. Volunteering is 15.8%, supporting local participation, while IRSAD sits at decile 8, above the national midpoint for relative advantage. Compared with busier Central Coast hubs, Jilliby provides more physical space but less immediate amenity. Check current NSW Police mapping before judging safety, because socioeconomic deciles do not measure crime.
Drive
62.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
32.7%
Growth Outlook
Jilliby’s growth outlook is steady rather than explosive, with forecast annual growth of 0.77% and a Balanced migration driver. The wider area records 13.6% population change over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 3.9 points and the young share down 2.6 points. Affordability is worsening, moving from 47.8 in 2011 to 51.1 in 2021, which can restrain younger household growth even as established owners remain. The current gentrification forecast is score 5, stage Not gentrifying, compared with a separate shift signal of 51 and Active. This points to gradual change driven by household turnover and regional demand, not a rapid transformation.
Population trend: Central Coast (NSW) council area
Jilliby sits in the Central Coast (NSW) council area. These are the council area's residents, not Jilliby'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 Jilliby compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jilliby a good suburb to live in?
Jilliby can suit households wanting detached space, privacy and a slower pace. The median age is 43, 98.0% of homes are separate houses and 32.7% of workers work from home. Compared with denser Wyong or Tuggerah, it trades immediate amenity for land and lower density, so it is strongest for people comfortable driving.
What is the median house price in Jilliby?
Buyers should check the current median against recent comparable sales and active listings before making an offer. Jilliby is 98.0% separate houses, 78.2% have 4 or more bedrooms and typical mortgage payments are $2,564 per month. Compared with apartment-heavy markets, the suburb-wide median can hide large differences by land size and dwelling condition.
What schools are in Jilliby?
Families should check nearby school options and enrolment zones against the exact Jilliby address, because the suburb covers 84.02 sq km and access can vary by road location. The 20.2 people-per-sq-km density is below what you would expect in a compact town centre, so school travel planning matters more than simply choosing a suburb.
Is Jilliby safe?
Check current NSW Police crime mapping and recent local reports before deciding, rather than treating Jilliby’s SEIFA decile 8 as a safety score. The suburb has 1,694 residents spread across 84.02 sq km, so conditions can vary by road and surrounding area. Compared with relying on a single suburb-wide figure, an address-level check gives a more useful view.
Is Jilliby good for property investment?
Jilliby may suit a long-term investor who values detached-house land, but the rental case needs careful testing. Rent is $445 a week, vacancy is 5.4% and only 9.4% of households rent, while 39 development matters were recorded in 12 months. Compared with higher-rental-share suburbs, the tenant pool is smaller, although balanced migration and owner stability can support consistent demand.
How is Jilliby's population changing?
Jilliby has 1,694 residents today and is changing gradually rather than rapidly. Forecast annual growth is 0.77%, with migration labelled Balanced, while population change across the wider area is 13.6% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 3.9 points and the young share fell 2.6 points. Compared with younger-growth locations, demand is more likely to come from established households and family buyers.
What development is occurring in Jilliby?
Planning activity is noticeable, with 39 development matters in the past 12 months. Examples include self-storage units, storage premises and a secondary dwelling alongside a dwelling-house application. That mix points to incremental service and housing adjustments rather than a large estate rollout. Compared with a major greenfield release, the likely effect is gradual, so investors should check each site’s approval status, timing and impact on access before assuming extra supply.
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).
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