Narara
Narara recorded 67 development applications in the past 12 months, an outsized figure for a suburb of 8,471 people that suggests active residential renewal on the Central Coast. Healthcare employs 24.0% of the workforce, nearly double the national average and consistent with proximity to Gosford Hospital. The median house price of $945,000 rose 9.9% in one year, and 47.7% of residents carry mortgages, the highest mortgage-belt concentration in this cohort. With 87.4% detached houses and 45.1% having 4+ bedrooms, Narara's housing stock skews towards larger family homes compared to typical coastal suburbs.
Population
8,471
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,896/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
69
Median House
$900K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $945,000, Narara sits below Sydney metro medians but above many Central Coast alternatives. Prices grew 9.9% from $860,000 in 2024, and the vacancy rate of 2.9% signals a tight market favouring sellers. Nearly half of residents (47.7%) hold mortgages, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8%. The housing stock suits families: 45.1% of homes have 4+ bedrooms and another 45.9% have 3 bedrooms, while apartments are virtually absent at 0.8%. Rent-to-income at 22.2% keeps rental fallback affordable. The 67 development applications, including new dwelling houses, indicate steady new supply entering the market.
For Buyers
At $945,000, Narara sits below Sydney metro medians but above many Central Coast alternatives. Prices grew 9.9% from $860,000 in 2024, and the vacancy rate of 2.9% signals a tight market favouring sellers. Nearly half of residents (47.7%) hold mortgages, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.8%. The housing stock suits families: 45.1% of homes have 4+ bedrooms and another 45.9% have 3 bedrooms, while apartments are virtually absent at 0.8%. Rent-to-income at 22.2% keeps rental fallback affordable. The 67 development applications, including new dwelling houses, indicate steady new supply entering the market.
For Investors
The 2.9% vacancy rate sits near the equilibrium point, suggesting a balanced rental market rather than oversupply. With 20.5% renting, the tenant pool is smaller than average but stable. Weekly rent of $420 against the $945,000 median price produces a gross yield around 2.3%, typical for Central Coast markets. Population growth of 0.54% per year (40 people) is modest, supported by 48 net overseas arrivals offset by 35 internal departures. The 67 development applications in 12 months represent the highest building activity in this batch, suggesting the area is attracting developer interest driven by the tight vacancy rate.
Development Activity
Total DAs
282
Last 12 Months
69
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+30.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Narara iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Philip's Christian College - Gosford
K-12 · 694 students
Narara Valley High School
7-12 · 629 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 3,562 residents (42% of the population), followed by Irish (950) and Scottish (860). The overseas-born share of 20.0% is 1.6 points below the national average, and non-English language speakers are limited (Malayalam 44, Mandarin 31). University attainment at 31.8% is 1.7 points above national, reflecting a middle-class professional base. The median age of 38 matches the suburb's family orientation, with couples with children (3,151) outnumbering childless couples (1,684) by nearly 2:1. An 80.2% population stability rate (those who stayed at the same address) indicates low turnover compared to metro areas.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.4%
Houses
11.8%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 87.4% of dwellings, with semi-detached at 11.8% and apartments negligible at 0.8%. This is one of the most house-dominant profiles in the region. Bedroom distribution skews large: 45.1% have 4+ bedrooms and 45.9% have 3 bedrooms, with very few 1-2 bedroom options. Ownership is strong at 31.8% outright and 47.7% mortgaged, versus only 20.5% renting. Prices moved from $860,000 to $945,000 in one year (9.9% growth). The mortgage stress ratio of 23.8% and rent stress of 22.2% both sit comfortably below the 30% threshold. The low apartment stock limits density but also limits future oversupply risk.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$808
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
89
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.3%
Couples, no children
7,221
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 24.0% (683 workers), more than double the national average, reflecting Narara's integration with the Gosford health corridor. Education follows at 9.9% (281), then construction at 9.5% (269). Professionals lead occupations (951), ahead of clerical workers (578) and community service workers (458). Unemployment at 5.0% sits near the national average, and the 57.4% participation rate is below typical metro levels because of the older demographic segment (not in labour force: 2,181). SEIFA deciles cluster at 6 for deprivation and advantage, rising to 8-9 for economic resources, indicating moderate affluence with strong asset positions.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
4,105
Unemployed
117
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.4%
Part-time
34.6%
Participation
57.4%
Employed
3,656
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.8%
Postgraduate
6.7%
Born Overseas
20.0%
Dwellings
2,979
Transport to Work
Two schools serve the area: St Philip's Christian College (independent combined, ICSEA 1093, 694 students) and Narara Valley High School (government secondary, ICSEA 974, 629 students). Both offer solid options, with St Philip's sitting well above the national median. Public transport usage is low at 2.5%, and 89.3% of commuters drive, reflecting the Central Coast's car-dependent layout. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 6 and IER decile of 8 indicate a suburb with moderate overall advantage but relatively strong economic resources compared to the national population.
Drive
89.3%
Public Transport
2.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.54%/yr
(+40 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is growing slowly at 0.54% per year, adding about 40 residents annually. The senior share increased 3.9 percentage points over the decade, while working-age share barely shifted (-0.6 points). Net overseas migration of 48 per year slightly exceeds internal outflow of 35, producing minimal net gain. Medium projections show 7,597 by 2031, up from 7,425 in 2025. The gentrification score of 3 (not gentrifying) confirms demographic stability rather than transformation. Real income grew 18.8% over the decade, above the national pace, though rent growth of 44.8% significantly outpaced it, tightening affordability for renters.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+48
Net Internal / yr
-35
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +10% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Narara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Narara a good suburb to live in?
Narara suits families seeking Central Coast lifestyle with Sydney access. The $945,000 median buys predominantly 3-4 bedroom detached homes (91% of stock), and mortgage stress at 23.8% is manageable. Two local schools both score above or near the national median (ICSEA 1093 and 974). The trade-off is car dependency (89.3% drive) and limited public transport options.
What is the median house price in Narara?
The median house price is $945,000 as of 2025, up 9.9% from $860,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950. With 87.4% detached houses and 45.1% having 4+ bedrooms, the stock is heavily weighted toward family homes. The vacancy rate of 2.9% indicates a tight market with limited available supply.
What schools are in Narara?
Narara has 2 schools: St Philip's Christian College Gosford (independent combined, ICSEA 1093, 694 students) and Narara Valley High School (government secondary, ICSEA 974, 629 students). St Philip's scores 93 points above the national ICSEA median of 1000, offering strong educational outcomes.
Is Narara safe?
Specific crime data is not available for Narara. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 6 and IER decile of 8 indicate moderate-to-good socioeconomic conditions. The high homeownership rate (79.5% owned or mortgaged), stable population (79.6% stayed at same address), and professional workforce all correlate with lower crime in comparable suburbs.
Is Narara good for property investment?
The tight 2.9% vacancy rate and 9.9% annual price growth are positive signals. However, the 20.5% renter base is small, and gross yield is low at roughly 2.3% ($420 weekly rent on $945,000). The 67 development applications suggest growing supply, which could ease current tightness. Population growth of 0.54% per year is modest, so demand growth will be gradual.
How is Narara's population changing?
Population grows slowly at 0.54% per year (about 40 people). The senior share expanded by 3.9 percentage points over the decade, reflecting an aging trajectory. Net migration is minimal: 48 overseas arrivals versus 35 internal departures annually. Projections show 7,597 by 2031, up from 7,425 in 2025. Rent has grown 44.8% over the decade, faster than incomes.
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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