Sawtell
An older coastal profile, Sawtell has 3,788 residents, a median age of 47 and a density of 1,020.7 people per square kilometre. Its median age is 7 years above the national figure, while 34.4% of residents have university qualifications, 4.3 percentage points above the national comparison. That combination supports demand from established professionals, retirees and smaller households rather than rapid family-led expansion. Compared with nearby Toormina, Sawtell has a more compact coastal setting, with housing and local services concentrated across 3.71 square kilometres. The suburb's 17.0% work-from-home rate also supports a lifestyle less dependent on daily commuting.
Population
3,788
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,405/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
34
Sawtell suits buyers who value established housing, coastal amenity and a smaller-household setting, but property selection should be assessed carefully by dwelling type and condition. Separate houses account for 68.5% of homes, while apartments represent 16.6% and semi-detached dwellings 12.4%, giving buyers more choice than a purely detached market. The largest bedroom groups are 3-bedroom homes at 39.9% and 4 or more bedrooms at 30.1%. Compared with renting at $380 per week, a recorded mortgage commitment of $1,733 per month needs to be tested against deposit size, rates and maintenance costs. Mortgage stress is recorded at 28.5%, with the stress flag marked false, so affordability is manageable for some households but not uniform across the suburb.
For Buyers
Sawtell suits buyers who value established housing, coastal amenity and a smaller-household setting, but property selection should be assessed carefully by dwelling type and condition. Separate houses account for 68.5% of homes, while apartments represent 16.6% and semi-detached dwellings 12.4%, giving buyers more choice than a purely detached market. The largest bedroom groups are 3-bedroom homes at 39.9% and 4 or more bedrooms at 30.1%. Compared with renting at $380 per week, a recorded mortgage commitment of $1,733 per month needs to be tested against deposit size, rates and maintenance costs. Mortgage stress is recorded at 28.5%, with the stress flag marked false, so affordability is manageable for some households but not uniform across the suburb.
For Investors
Sawtell presents a mixed rental proposition. The rental share is 32.9%, weekly rent is $380 and vacancy is 13.9%, a higher level than a tightly supplied market and a factor that can reduce competition between tenants. That vacancy rate may reflect seasonal availability, established housing turnover or a mismatch between asking rents and tenant demand, so investors should verify current leasing periods rather than rely on headline rent alone. Development activity is also material, with 34 applications recorded over 12 months, including alterations, commercial work and medium-density housing changes. Compared with a low-supply coastal market, this combination provides more potential stock but also greater competition. Overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver, while the annual trend is only 0.37%, favouring a selective rather than speculative strategy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
295
Last 12 Months
34
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-15.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sawtell
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Sawtell has a mature resident base, with a median age of 47, which is 7 years above the national comparison. Smaller households are common: average household size is 2.3 people, 0.2 below the national figure, and 46.0% of families are couples without children. English, Irish and Scottish are the leading reported ancestries, with counts of 1,798, 575 and 492 respectively. Overseas-born residents account for 11.8%, 9.8 percentage points below the national comparison, while university participation is 34.4%, 4.3 points above it. Compared with a younger growth suburb, Sawtell's 77.3% residential stability and 22.7% turnover point to a settled population. Christianity and no religion are almost evenly represented at 1,721 and 1,715 people, supporting a socially mixed but predominantly established demographic profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
68.5%
Houses
12.4%
Townhouse
16.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Sawtell's housing mix is weighted toward conventional homes, with 68.5% separate houses, 16.6% apartments and 12.4% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom properties form 39.9% of the stock, followed by homes with 4 or more bedrooms at 30.1%, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 23.1%. The tenure pattern shows a substantial established-owner base: 42.6% own their homes outright, 23.2% have a mortgage and 32.9% rent. Compared with the 16.6% apartment share, the separate-house proportion is higher, which helps preserve a lower-density residential character despite the suburb's density of 1,020.7 people per square kilometre. Housing costs remain a key consideration because rent absorbs 27.0% of household income and mortgage costs represent 28.5%, while the 13.9% vacancy rate may create more choice for renters than in a tighter market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $380.
$660
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $720 · units $460
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$750
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.9%
Unoccupied
252
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.5%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.0%
Couples with children
46.0%
Couples, no children
17.4%
Single parent
1,033
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Sawtell's largest industry at 27.1%, or 332 workers, followed by education at 14.9% and 183 workers. Construction contributes 8.5% and 104 workers, while professional and technical services and public administration each account for 8.2% and 100 workers. The occupation profile is led by 495 professionals, 234 community and personal service workers, 214 managers, 187 trades workers and 174 clerical and administrative workers. Compared with a higher-income suburb, household income is modest at $1,405 per week and sits at the 40.5 percentile. SEIFA results are also mixed: IEO and IER are both in decile 4, while IRSAD is lower at decile 3. This suggests that professional employment is present, but overall economic resources are constrained for part of the population. Unemployment is 4.6% and participation is 55.9%, with 867 full-time and 712 part-time workers.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
1,769
Unemployed
82
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.4%
Part-time
42.2%
Participation
55.9%
Employed
1,687
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.4%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
11.8%
Dwellings
1,562
Transport to Work
Sawtell is practical for residents who can drive or work locally. Car drivers account for 72.8% of travel, compared with only 0.2% using public transport and 4.7% walking or cycling, so daily convenience is likely to depend on vehicle access. Working from home is relatively common at 17.0%, which can reduce commuting needs for some professional households. Two local government primary schools serve the suburb: Sawtell Public School and William Bayldon Public School. Families should confirm enrolment zones and secondary options against the exact address, particularly when comparing with nearby Toormina. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, Sawtell has a more car-dependent pattern. Its IRSAD result is in decile 3, while the median age of 47 and 5.8% need-assistance rate point to the value of accessible services. Check current NSW Police and council information when assessing safety, as a suburb-level crime rate is not stated.
Drive
72.8%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
17.0%
Population Forecast
+0.37%/yr
(+77 people/yr)
EstablishedSawtell is on a slow-growth, aging trajectory. The forecast annual trend is 0.37%, while population change across the wider area is 5.9% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the shift label is Aging, supported by a 6.0 percentage point rise in the senior share, a 1.8 point fall in the young share and a 2.2 point reduction in the working share. Compared with faster-growing regional locations, this points to gradual change rather than a rapid expansion cycle. Rent growth of 48.0% shows that housing demand has strengthened even as the population profile ages, while affordability moved from 53.5 in 2011 to 54.2 in 2021 and is labelled Stable. The combination means future demand is likely to favour accessible homes, downsizer stock and services suited to older residents.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+84
Net Internal / yr
-6
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sawtell compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sawtell a good suburb to live in?
Sawtell can suit residents seeking a settled coastal suburb, established housing and a slower pace. It has 3,788 residents, a median age of 47 and a 17.0% work-from-home rate. Car access is important because 72.8% drive, while only 0.2% use public transport.
What is the median house price in Sawtell?
A current median house price should be checked against recent local sales because values vary by location, condition and dwelling type. Sawtell has 68.5% separate houses and weekly rent of $380, providing useful context when comparing purchase listings and expected rental income.
What schools are in Sawtell?
Sawtell Public School and William Bayldon Public School are the 2 local government primary schools in the suburb. Families should confirm enrolment zones, available places and secondary pathways by address, especially when comparing options in nearby Toormina.
Is Sawtell safe?
A suburb-level crime rate is not stated, so safety should be checked through current NSW Police and council information before making a decision. Sawtell has 3,788 residents and 5.8% of people report needing assistance, which also makes access to support services relevant.
Is Sawtell good for property investment?
Sawtell may suit a selective investor, but the 13.9% vacancy rate is higher than in a tightly supplied rental market and may mean longer leasing periods. Weekly rent is $380, while 34 development applications in 12 months indicate potential future competition from additional or upgraded stock.
How is Sawtell's population changing?
Sawtell has 3,788 residents today, with forecast growth of 0.37% annually and 5.9% population change across the wider area over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.0 points, while overseas migration is the primary driver.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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