🔍

Empire Bay

NSW 2257 • Greater Sydney

2,522
Population (2021)
$97,968
Median Household Income
3.97 km²
Area
$410/wk
Median Rent
WaterfrontFamily-FriendlyBushlandCentral CoastNature

About Empire Bay

Empire Bay is a scenic waterfront suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, nestled on the shores of Cockle Bay, part of Brisbane Water. With a population of around 2,400, it has a mature demographic aged 40-59 and sits within the Central Coast Council area, roughly 80 km north of Sydney. The suburb is characterised by its bushland setting and water views.

Empire Bay offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with access to kayaking, fishing, and bushwalking along the Brisbane Water foreshore. The high owner-occupancy rate of 83% and median house prices around $1.1 million reflect its desirability as a family-friendly, nature-oriented community. Residents enjoy the Cockle Bay foreshore reserve, local parks, and proximity to Gosford and Woy Woy for shopping and services.

Empire Bay falls under postcode 2257 and is governed by Central Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Terrigal electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2257
Urban Area
Gosford - East
LGA / Council
Central Coast
Federal Electorate
Robertson
State Electorate
Terrigal
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.50°, 151.37°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
3.97 km²
Elevation
5m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.12M
32 sales · ▼ 3.2% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$835K
5 sales · vs 2024 n/a

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)
$410
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,165
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
42 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.3%

0 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Woy Woy Station
5 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line
Gosford Station
10 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line

Bus Services

  • Red Bus 56 — Woy Woy, Umina Beach, Ettalong 15-20min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
1h 30min (from Woy Woy)
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 10min

🛣️ Drive or bus to Woy Woy Station, then train to Sydney. Many residents commute to Gosford rather than Sydney.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Hilly terrain with limited footpaths. No local shops within the suburb; car needed for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Bouddi Farm
265 The Scenic Road, Killcare Heights • SHR #2081

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Central Coast Local Government Area, which contains Empire Bay. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
208 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.9%
Motor vehicle theft
171.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 2.5%
Non-DV assault
430.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
14.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
336 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.3%
View all 62 offence types for Central Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,400
Census 2021
2,522
▲ 5.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,604
Personal Income 2021
$39,260
▲ 20.4% 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
$39,260 / yr
$755/wk
Household
$97,968 / yr
$1884/wk
Family
$109,200 / yr
$2100/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,092
Born Overseas 325

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 116
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. South Africa 13
  • 4. Wales 12
  • 5. China 10
  • 6. Italy 10
  • 7. United States 10
  • 8. Philippines 9
  • 9. Scotland 9
  • 10. Germany 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,125
English 1,089
Scottish 302
Irish 283
Australian Aboriginal 113
German 84
Italian 52
Dutch 32
Chinese 31
Maltese 31

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,662
Both parents born in Australia
417
Both parents born overseas
336
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.0%
No Religion
42.1%
Buddhism
1.4%
Judaism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
150 (5.9%)
5-14 years
352 (14.0%)
15-19 years
171 (6.8%)
20-24 years
125 (5.0%)
25-34 years
219 (8.7%)
35-44 years
319 (12.6%)
45-54 years
358 (14.2%)
55-64 years
336 (13.3%)
65-74 years
308 (12.2%)
75-84 years
147 (5.8%)
85+ years
38 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Empire Bay known for? +

Empire Bay offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with access to kayaking, fishing, and bushwalking along the Brisbane Water foreshore.

How far is Empire Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Empire Bay is approximately 80 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 1h 30min in peak hour and 1h 10min off-peak.

Does Empire Bay have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Woy Woy Station (5 km away, approximately null walk) on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line. Bus services include Red Bus 56, running to Woy Woy, Umina Beach, Ettalong in approximately 15-20min.

What is the population of Empire Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Empire Bay has a population of 2,522 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Empire Bay a good place to live? +

Empire Bay is well-suited to families, offering a leafy, nature-connected lifestyle in NSW. The high owner-occupancy rate of 83% and median house prices around $1.1 million reflect its desirability as a family-friendly, nature-oriented community.

What is the postcode for Empire Bay? +

The postcode for Empire Bay is 2257. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Empire Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Empire Bay is about $755 per week (around $39,300 per year). The median household income is $1,884 per week and the median family income is $2,100 per week.

What is the median house price in Empire Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,117,500, down 3.2% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $835,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Empire Bay? +

The median age in Empire Bay is 42. The largest age group is 45–54 (358 residents, around 14%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Empire Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Empire Bay is part of the Central Coast 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 Empire Bay? +

In Empire Bay, the median weekly rent is $410, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,165 (2021 Census).