🔍

Emerald Beach

NSW 2456 • Rest of NSW

2,677
Population (2021)
$94,276
Median Household Income
15.04 km²
Area
$463/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyPeacefulSemi-Rural

About Emerald Beach

Emerald Beach is a coastal locality within the Coffs Harbour City local government area, located approximately 16 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The suburb spans 15 square kilometres and has a population of 2,677 residents, who enjoy a relaxed beachside lifestyle at low elevation right on the Pacific coast. The median household income of $1,813 per week is above regional averages, reflecting the area's appeal to working families and sea-changers seeking coastal living.

Emerald Beach is centred around its popular surf beach, which is patrolled and well-regarded for swimming and surfing, along with connecting coastal reserves and walking tracks. The community is close-knit and family-oriented, with a primary school, local shops, and access to the broader Coffs Harbour amenities just to the south. The suburb has a median age of 41 and attracts families, professionals, and retirees alike who value the natural environment, with Moonee Beach and Woolgoolga a short drive away for additional shops, cafes, and services.

Emerald Beach falls under postcode 2456 and is governed by Coffs Harbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Coffs Harbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2456
Urban Area
Coffs Harbour
LGA / Council
Coffs Harbour
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Coffs Harbour
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.18°, 153.19°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
15.04 km²
Elevation
1m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.01M
36 sales · ▲ 5.8% 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)
$463
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
41 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coffs Harbour
16 km
N/A (drive only)

Bus Services

  • Coffs Harbour Bus Service regional routes — Coffs Harbour CBD 25–35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
570 km
By Train
Drive to Coffs Harbour station (16 km), then NSW TrainLink North Coast Line to Sydney; approx. 6–7 hours total
By Car (Peak)
5 hr 30 min – 6 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 hr – 5 hr 30 min

🛣️ Coffs Harbour Airport (20 km south) offers regular flights to Sydney, making air travel the most practical option for CBD commuters.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Daily errands and services require a car; the beach and local coastal walks are accessible on foot but shops and services are limited within walking distance.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Emerald Beach, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Lord Howe Island Group
South Pacific Ocean NE of NSW, Lord Howe Island • SHR #00970

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area, which contains Emerald Beach. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
419.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
304 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 6.6%
Non-DV assault
593.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
17.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
428.3 / 100k
2yr Down 20.4% 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Coffs Harbour →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,234
Census 2021
2,677
▲ 19.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,696
Personal Income 2021
$42,172
▲ 25.2% 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
$42,172 / yr
$811/wk
Household
$94,276 / yr
$1813/wk
Family
$99,372 / yr
$1911/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,189
Born Overseas 378

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 87
  • 2. New Zealand 64
  • 3. United States 30
  • 4. Scotland 19
  • 5. South Africa 18
  • 6. Germany 16
  • 7. Philippines 13
  • 8. Canada 11
  • 9. Italy 9
  • 10. Malaysia 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,227
Australian 1,024
Scottish 364
Irish 354
German 138
Australian Aboriginal 133
Italian 52
Dutch 48
Chinese 39
French 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,718
Both parents born in Australia
467
Both parents born overseas
370
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.9%
Christianity
39.5%
Sikhism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
173 (6.5%)
5-14 years
415 (15.5%)
15-19 years
145 (5.4%)
20-24 years
95 (3.5%)
25-34 years
274 (10.2%)
35-44 years
379 (14.2%)
45-54 years
370 (13.8%)
55-64 years
364 (13.6%)
65-74 years
310 (11.6%)
75-84 years
121 (4.5%)
85+ years
28 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emerald Beach known for? +

Emerald Beach is known for its beautiful and uncrowded surf beach, which is patrolled and popular with swimmers, surfers, and families. The suburb has a relaxed coastal character and is surrounded by coastal heathland and reserves, making it a popular destination for those seeking a quieter alternative to Coffs Harbour's more developed areas.

How far is Emerald Beach from Coffs Harbour? +

Emerald Beach is approximately 16 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour city centre, roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive via the Pacific Highway.

Does Emerald Beach have public transport? +

Emerald Beach has limited bus services connecting to Coffs Harbour. The nearest train station is Coffs Harbour (16 km), served by NSW TrainLink North Coast services. A car is essentially required for daily life in the suburb.

What is the population of Emerald Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Emerald Beach has a population of 2,677, up significantly from 2,234 in 2016 — reflecting the strong growth in coastal Mid North Coast communities during that period.

Is Emerald Beach a good place to live? +

Emerald Beach is an excellent choice for those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle away from the hustle of larger towns, with a patrolled beach, natural surroundings, and a family-friendly community. It suits remote workers, retirees, and families who value outdoor living and don't need day-to-day urban amenities on their doorstep.

What is the postcode for Emerald Beach? +

The postcode for Emerald Beach is 2456, shared with Moonee Beach and other nearby localities.

What is the average income in Emerald Beach? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Emerald Beach is about $811 per week (around $42,200 per year). The median household income is $1,813 per week and the median family income is $1,911 per week.

What is the median house price in Emerald Beach? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,010,000, up 5.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Emerald Beach? +

The median age in Emerald Beach is 41. The largest age group is 5–14 (415 residents, around 16%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 17% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Emerald Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Emerald Beach is part of the Coffs Harbour 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 Emerald Beach? +

In Emerald Beach, the median weekly rent is $463, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).