Tinonee
With 1,202 residents across 16.48 sq km, Tinonee is a low-density Mid Coast locality where the median age is 46, or 6 years above the national average. Housing is overwhelmingly detached, with 97.3% separate houses, while 82.6% of residents drive and 8.7% work from home. The 79.4% same-address rate is higher than a high-turnover market, supporting a settled feel. Compared with nearby Taree, Tinonee reads as more small-scale and residential, with 19 development applications in the last 12 months rather than a large development pipeline. Its 30.7th household-income percentile and 13.7% rental share point to a mortgage-oriented market, although buyers should assess services and commute times carefully.
Local council: Mid-Coast
Population
1,202
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,294/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
19
Tinonee suits buyers prioritising detached space over apartment living. Separate houses account for 97.3% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes at 44.6% and 4 or more bedrooms at 43.2%, so family-sized stock dominates. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,509, while mortgage costs equal 26.9% of household income. Rent is $350 a week and only 13.7% of households rent, indicating a smaller tenant base than in a strongly rental-oriented suburb. Compared with apartment-heavy areas, the trade-off is clear: more land and storage, but greater reliance on a car because 82.6% drive. Household income sits at the 30.7th percentile, so buyers should stress-test rates, insurance and maintenance rather than rely on dwelling size alone.
For Buyers
Tinonee suits buyers prioritising detached space over apartment living. Separate houses account for 97.3% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes at 44.6% and 4 or more bedrooms at 43.2%, so family-sized stock dominates. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,509, while mortgage costs equal 26.9% of household income. Rent is $350 a week and only 13.7% of households rent, indicating a smaller tenant base than in a strongly rental-oriented suburb. Compared with apartment-heavy areas, the trade-off is clear: more land and storage, but greater reliance on a car because 82.6% drive. Household income sits at the 30.7th percentile, so buyers should stress-test rates, insurance and maintenance rather than rely on dwelling size alone.
For Investors
Tinonee presents a small, low-rental-share investment market rather than a high-volume unit precinct. Rent is $350 a week, 13.7% of households rent and vacancy is 8.5%. Compared with outright ownership at 44.4% and mortgage ownership at 41.2%, renting is a much smaller tenure, which may limit tenant depth but also reflects an established owner base. Detached houses make up 97.3% of stock, supporting a family-housing strategy, while 19 development applications over 12 months indicate ongoing activity without evidence of a major pipeline. Compared with larger nearby centres, local tenant demand may be narrower, and 82.6% car dependence makes proximity to services and employment important. Review insurance, flood exposure, maintenance and property-specific rents before buying.
Development Activity
Total DAs
86
Last 12 Months
19
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-5.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Tinonee
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Tinonee has an older, more settled demographic profile: the median age is 46, or 6 years above the national average, and 79.4% of residents stayed at the same address. The university-educated share is 20.8%, or 9.3 percentage points below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 8.0%, 13.6 points below national levels. English, Scottish and Irish ancestry counts are 545, 134 and 128, while Christianity and no religion account for 601 and 493 responses. Average household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, with couples without children forming 42.4% of families and couples with children 38.2%. Compared with a more migrant-oriented regional centre, Tinonee is less internationally diverse and more established, which can support continuity but may limit rental churn.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.3%
Houses
0.9%
Townhouse
1.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tinonee's housing is defined by detached, family-sized stock and relatively high owner occupation. Separate houses represent 97.3% of dwellings, compared with only 1.8% apartments and 0.9% semi-detached homes. Tenure is split between 44.4% owned outright and 41.2% with a mortgage, while renting accounts for 13.7%. The bedroom mix reinforces the pattern: 44.6% are 3-bedroom homes and 43.2% have 4 or more bedrooms. A 16.48 sq km area and density of 72.9 people per sq km create a more spacious setting than compact urban suburbs. Vacancy is 8.5% and mortgage-to-income is 26.9%, so ownership appears established without eliminating affordability risks. Compared with compact urban suburbs, buyers should expect fewer apartment choices and a stronger house-and-land focus.
Mortgage / mo
$1,509
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$520
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $585 · units $418
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$662
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.5%
Unoccupied
41
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.9%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.2%
Couples with children
42.4%
Couples, no children
20.6%
Single parent
340
Total families
Economy & Employment
Tinonee's employment base is led by healthcare, at 25.8% and 83 workers, followed by education at 14.3% and 46, construction at 9.6% and 31, other services at 9.0% and 29, and retail at 6.2% and 20. The occupation mix is similarly practical and service-based, with community and personal roles at 94, professionals at 89 and trades at 87, ahead of clerical administration at 53 and sales at 52. Unemployment is 5.1%, participation is 55.2% and full-time work is 56.3%, indicating a mixed labour market rather than a purely commuter profile. Compared with a more industrial economy, healthcare and education provide the strongest local anchors, while construction and trades can benefit from housing maintenance and 19 recent development applications. Household income at $1,294 weekly is below the national distribution midpoint, so access to nearby jobs matters.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
531
Unemployed
27
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.3%
Part-time
35.7%
Participation
55.2%
Employed
504
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.8%
Postgraduate
4.7%
Born Overseas
8.0%
Dwellings
442
Transport to Work
Tinonee's lifestyle is best suited to households comfortable with car-based access. About 82.6% of residents drive to work, compared with 1.8% who walk or cycle, while 8.7% work from home. Tinonee Public School is the one named local school, a government primary option; families should check enrolment zones and secondary-school travel against the exact address. The 16.48 sq km area and density of 72.9 people per sq km support a low-density setting, while the median age of 46 is above the national average by 6 years. No local crime rate or SEIFA decile is stated, so current NSW Police mapping and an address-level visit are sensible safety checks. Compared with denser centres, the benefit is space, but daily errands and school runs may require more planning.
Drive
82.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
8.7%
Growth Outlook
Tinonee's growth outlook is more likely to be gradual than explosive. The suburb has 1,202 residents, a 79.4% same-address rate and a 20.6% turnover rate, a combination that points to continuity and limited churn. Nineteen development applications in the past 12 months, including applications for 2 new dwelling houses, indicate incremental building activity rather than a large release of housing. The 46 median age, 13.7% rental share and 97.3% detached-house share also suggest an established market where change will depend on replacement, infill and household turnover. Compared with faster-growing regional corridors, Tinonee's appeal is likely to be stability and space, while its 8.5% vacancy rate may reduce pressure for rapid rental expansion. Buyers should monitor local approvals and assess each project on its own merits.
Population trend: Mid-Coast council area
Tinonee sits in the Mid-Coast council area. These are the council area's residents, not Tinonee's.
Residents 2025
99,448
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.8%/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 Tinonee compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tinonee a good suburb to live in?
Tinonee may suit households seeking space, detached housing and a settled setting. It has 1,202 residents, 97.3% separate houses and a 79.4% same-address rate. The trade-off is car dependence, with 82.6% driving, so check commuting and service access before choosing an address.
What is the median house price in Tinonee?
A current median house price is not stated. Tinonee is strongly house-oriented, with 97.3% separate houses, while the typical mortgage figure is $1,509 per month and rent is $350 per week. Buyers should confirm recent comparable sales and property-specific pricing before making an offer.
What schools are in Tinonee?
Tinonee Public School is the named local option and is a government primary school. Families should check the exact enrolment zone, available year levels and secondary-school travel because Tinonee has a low density of 72.9 people per sq km and daily transport is mainly car-based.
Is Tinonee safe?
A definitive safety comparison requires a current local crime rate, which is not stated here. Check NSW Police crime mapping and visit the specific street at different times. Tinonee's 1,202-person scale and 79.4% same-address rate provide context about settlement, but they should not be treated as a safety rating.
Is Tinonee good for property investment?
Tinonee may suit investors targeting detached family housing rather than apartments. Rent is $350 per week, vacancy is 8.5%, and 13.7% of households rent. There were 19 development applications over 12 months, but the small population of 1,202 means investors should verify tenant depth, insurance and achievable rent.
How is Tinonee's population changing?
Tinonee appears relatively settled rather than fast-changing. The suburb has 1,202 residents, 79.4% stayed at the same address and turnover is 20.6%. Nineteen development applications over 12 months suggest incremental activity, while the median age of 46 points to gradual change through household turnover and replacement housing.
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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