Terrigal
A 13.8% rental vacancy rate is one of Terrigal's most distinctive signals, sitting alongside an established, relatively affluent coastal profile. The suburb has 12,730 residents, a median age of 43 that is 3 years above the national figure, and household income at the 77.1 percentile. Housing is mainly detached, with 71.1% of dwellings separate houses, while 46.6% have four or more bedrooms. Terrigal sits in the same Central Coast housing conversation as nearby Wamberal and Erina, but its stronger ownership base, high work-from-home share of 40.6%, and aging trajectory give it a different day-to-day character. Population change across the wider area is 18.2% over 10 years, while gentrification remains at the Early signs stage.
Population
12,730
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,056/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
129
Terrigal suits buyers seeking established housing, larger floorplans and a substantial owner base, although entry costs need careful budgeting. Separate houses account for 71.1% of dwellings and four-bedroom-plus homes make up 46.6%, giving families more choice than in a smaller-unit market. The tenure profile is stronger than a renter-heavy suburb: 39.5% of residents own outright, 35.3% have a mortgage and 24.3% rent. The indicative mortgage cost is $2,492 per month, while mortgage payments represent 28.0% of household income and rent represents 25.3%. Compared with apartment-led parts of the Central Coast, Terrigal is more suited to buyers prioritising land, space and long-term ownership, but the 21.5% apartment share still provides a lower-maintenance option.
For Buyers
Terrigal suits buyers seeking established housing, larger floorplans and a substantial owner base, although entry costs need careful budgeting. Separate houses account for 71.1% of dwellings and four-bedroom-plus homes make up 46.6%, giving families more choice than in a smaller-unit market. The tenure profile is stronger than a renter-heavy suburb: 39.5% of residents own outright, 35.3% have a mortgage and 24.3% rent. The indicative mortgage cost is $2,492 per month, while mortgage payments represent 28.0% of household income and rent represents 25.3%. Compared with apartment-led parts of the Central Coast, Terrigal is more suited to buyers prioritising land, space and long-term ownership, but the 21.5% apartment share still provides a lower-maintenance option.
For Investors
Terrigal presents a mixed rental case because demand fundamentals are supported by income and migration, while rental competition may be higher than in a tightly supplied market. Weekly rent is $520 and 24.3% of occupied dwellings are rented, but the vacancy rate is 13.8%, which can lengthen leasing periods or limit pricing power. Development activity is also material, with 136 applications recorded over 12 months, including dual-occupancy work that may gradually add competing stock. The wider forecast grows at 1.09% annually and identifies overseas migration as the primary driver, supporting longer-term demand. Investors should compare gross yield, maintenance and vacancy assumptions against nearby Wamberal and Erina, rather than relying on beachside appeal alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
770
Last 12 Months
129
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+9.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Terrigal
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Terrigal has an older age profile than Australia overall, with a median age of 43, or 3 years above the national figure. Its university-educated share is 38.4%, which is 8.3 percentage points above the national comparison, while 22.2% of residents were born overseas, only 0.6 points above the national result. English, Irish and Scottish are the leading reported ancestries, at 5,653, 1,707 and 1,450 people respectively. Household size is 2.6 people, just 0.1 above the national comparison, and household composition is split between couples with children at 43.0% and couples without children at 42.0%. Compared with nearby Wamberal and Erina, this points to an established mix of families, professionals and older households, with aging reinforced by a 4.5% rise in the senior share.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
71.1%
Houses
7.3%
Townhouse
21.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Terrigal is detached-house dominant but retains a meaningful apartment component. Separate houses represent 71.1% of dwellings, apartments 21.5% and semi-detached homes 7.3%. Larger properties are prominent, with 46.6% containing four or more bedrooms and 36.5% containing three bedrooms, while two-bedroom dwellings account for 14.3% and one-bedroom or studio homes 2.7%. Tenure is comparatively secure: 39.5% of households own outright, 35.3% are paying a mortgage and 24.3% rent. Compared with a more renter-heavy or unit-focused suburb, Terrigal has greater owner stability and family-house exposure. The $520 weekly rent and $2,492 monthly mortgage figure also show why buyers should assess property type carefully, since holding costs differ sharply between larger houses and apartments.
Mortgage / mo
$2,492
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $520.
$835
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $880 · units $650
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$906
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.8%
Unoccupied
751
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.0%
Couples with children
42.0%
Couples, no children
14.4%
Single parent
3,601
Total families
Economy & Employment
Terrigal's employment base is service-led, with healthcare the largest industry at 22.2% and 968 workers, followed by education at 12.8% and 558, construction at 11.1% and 484, professional and technical services at 8.7% and 379, and public administration at 6.5% and 283. This mix supports local service demand while also linking the suburb to wider Central Coast employment. Professionals number 1,747 and managers 1,026, compared with 796 in clerical and administrative roles and 716 in trades. Unemployment is 3.2%, participation is 59.9% and the full-time employment rate is 53.6%. Terrigal's socioeconomic position is above the national average, reflected in an IEO decile of 8 and IRSAD and IRSD deciles of 9, although the participation rate is moderated by its older population.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
6,261
Unemployed
199
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.6%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
59.9%
Employed
6,062
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.4%
Postgraduate
8.8%
Born Overseas
22.2%
Dwellings
4,697
Transport to Work
Terrigal's commuting profile is car-oriented, with 53.9% driving to work, compared with 0.8% using public transport and 1.8% walking or cycling. Work from home is high at 40.6%, which can reduce daily travel pressure for suitable occupations but makes home office space more valuable. Families have access to 2 local government schools, covering primary and secondary education; enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because they can cross suburb boundaries. Socioeconomic conditions are above the national average, with IRSAD and IER both at decile 9, IEO at decile 8 and IRSD at decile 9. Compared with lower-density parts of the wider region, the density of 1,404.7 people per square kilometre supports closer access to services, while car dependence remains an important practical consideration. For safety decisions, compare current NSW Police incident patterns with nearby Wamberal and Erina.
Drive
53.9%
Public Transport
0.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
40.6%
Population Forecast
+1.09%/yr
(+171 people/yr)
EstablishedTerrigal is on an established growth path, with the forecast trend running at 1.09% annually and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 18.2% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is labelled Aging. The senior share has increased by 4.5%, the working share has fallen by 3.4%, and real income growth is 17.4%, indicating demand is being shaped by both wealth and life-stage change. Compared with a flat market, 1.09% annual growth provides positive momentum, but the aging pattern may favour adaptable homes, low-maintenance properties and accessible services. Gentrification is still at the Early signs stage, with a score of 21, while the separate shift indicator is 41 and also rated Early signs. Affordability is described as Stable at 55.7% in both 2011 and 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+191
Net Internal / yr
-70
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Accelerating: 5% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Terrigal compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Terrigal a good suburb to live in?
Terrigal suits households that value established services, larger homes and a coastal lifestyle. It has 2 local government schools, 40.6% working from home and 71.1% separate houses. The trade-offs are a car-oriented commute, with 53.9% driving to work, and a median age of 43, which is older than many family-growth suburbs.
What is the median house price in Terrigal?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales. Terrigal has 71.1% separate houses and 46.6% four-bedroom-plus dwellings, so buyers should compare like-for-like properties, including land size, bedroom count and renovation condition, rather than relying on a single suburb-wide headline.
What schools are in Terrigal?
Terrigal has 2 local government schools, with 1 primary option and 1 secondary option. Families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact address, as boundaries can affect eligibility. School access should also be considered alongside the 53.9% car-driver commuting rate and the location of daily services.
Is Terrigal safe?
Use current NSW Police incident data when assessing safety, and compare Terrigal with Wamberal and Erina over the latest 12-month period. Terrigal has 12,730 residents and a median age of 43, but those population characteristics do not establish safety on their own. Inspect the exact street and consider lighting, traffic and evening activity.
Is Terrigal good for property investment?
Terrigal has investment strengths, including weekly rent of $520, 24.3% renters and forecast growth of 1.09% annually. However, the 13.8% vacancy rate is high compared with a tightly supplied rental market, and 136 development applications over 12 months could add competing stock. Stress-test vacancy, maintenance and insurance costs before buying.
How is Terrigal's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 18.2% over 10 years, with forecast growth of 1.09% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the trajectory is Aging. The senior share has risen 4.5% and the working share has fallen 3.4%, so future demand is likely to include more older households and adaptable housing.
Is development increasing in Terrigal?
Development activity is substantial, with 136 applications recorded over 12 months. The examples include alterations, demolition and a 2-dwelling attached dual-occupancy proposal. This may improve housing choice over time, but buyers and investors should check the exact site, approval status, construction timing and likely impact on local traffic and rental competition.
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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