🔍

Dee Why

NSW 2099 • Greater Sydney

23,354
Population (2021)
$109,512
Median Household Income
3.05 km²
Area
$550/wk
Median Rent
Beach LifestyleSurf CultureNorthern BeachesUrban Convenience

About Dee Why

Dee Why is the unofficial capital of Sydney's Northern Beaches, a beachside centre where over 23,000 residents enjoy genuine coastal living and comprehensive urban amenities. The beach is excellent—a long stretch of golden sand with reliable surf. Recent development has added significant apartment stock around the town centre, transforming its character while maintaining beach town appeal.

Dee Why Grand shopping centre provides comprehensive retail, while the strip along Pittwater Road hosts cafes, restaurants, and beachy boutiques. The rock pool and lagoon are local treasures, and the surf club is a community institution. Dee Why attracts young professionals and families who want Northern Beaches lifestyle without Manly prices. It's the beaches for people who actually want to live there, not just visit.

Dee Why falls under postcode 2099 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Manly electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2099
Urban Area
Manly - Warringah
LGA / Council
Northern Beaches
Federal Electorate
Mackellar
State Electorate
Manly
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.75°, 151.29°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
3.05 km²
Elevation
15m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Dee Why for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$2.87M
67 sales · ▼ 1.9% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.05M
627 sales · ▲ 11.7% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$550
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,457
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

88 state housing + 62 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
15 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
25-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-35 min

🛣️ Located 15 km from Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Daily errands can often be done on foot near local shopping strips, but a car is useful for larger trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Dee Why Plaza Howard Avenue Dee Why 2099 NSW
  • Woolworths
    37 Howard Avenue Dee Why 2099 NSW
  • ALDI
    15 - 19 Pacific Parade, Dee Why NSW 2099

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, which contains Dee Why. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
62 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.9%
Motor vehicle theft
55.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.5%
Non-DV assault
204.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.4 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
130.4 / 100k
2yr Down 23.8% 10yr Down 9.1%
View all 62 offence types for Northern Beaches →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
21,518
Census 2021
23,354
▲ 8.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$44,980
Personal Income 2021
$55,380
▲ 23.1% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$55,380 / yr
$1065/wk
Household
$109,512 / yr
$2106/wk
Family
$127,920 / yr
$2460/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

⚖️ Compare Dee Why With

🏘️Manly
View comparison →🏘️Cronulla
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 12,130
Born Overseas 10,429

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 1,372
  • 2. Brazil 985
  • 3. China 849
  • 4. Nepal 752
  • 5. India 738
  • 6. New Zealand 602
  • 7. Philippines 541
  • 8. South Africa 298
  • 9. Italy 262
  • 10. Thailand 206

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 7,028
Australian 5,233
Irish 2,134
Scottish 1,805
Italian 1,604
Chinese 987
German 859
Filipino 720
Indian 581
Dutch 475

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

6,827
Both parents born in Australia
12,634
Both parents born overseas
2,973
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
41.2%
Christianity
40.8%
Buddhism
4.7%
Hinduism
4.4%
Islam
1.5%
Sikhism
1.0%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,481 (6.3%)
5-14 years
2,024 (8.7%)
15-19 years
864 (3.7%)
20-24 years
1,464 (6.3%)
25-34 years
4,932 (21.1%)
35-44 years
4,196 (18.0%)
45-54 years
3,037 (13.0%)
55-64 years
2,544 (10.9%)
65-74 years
1,589 (6.8%)
75-84 years
862 (3.7%)
85+ years
355 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dee Why known for? +

Dee Why is a well-established residential suburb in Northern Beaches, NSW, with a population of approximately 23,354 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Dee Why from Sydney CBD? +

Dee Why is approximately 15 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 20-35 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Dee Why have public transport? +

Dee Why is served by local bus services connecting to the broader NSW network. Nearby train stations provide access to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Dee Why? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dee Why has a population of approximately 23,354 residents.

Is Dee Why a good place to live? +

Dee Why offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $53,138, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Dee Why? +

The postcode for Dee Why, NSW is 2099.

What is the average income in Dee Why? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Dee Why is about $1,065 per week (around $55,400 per year). The median household income is $2,106 per week and the median family income is $2,460 per week.

What is the median house price in Dee Why? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $2,870,000, down 1.9% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,050,000, up 11.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Dee Why? +

The median age in Dee Why is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (4,932 residents, around 21%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 12% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Dee Why a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dee Why is part of the Northern Beaches LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Dee Why? +

In Dee Why, the median weekly rent is $550, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,457 (2021 Census).