🔍

Freshwater

NSW 2096 • Greater Sydney

9,186
Population (2021)
$141,752
Median Household Income
1.78 km²
Area
$600/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyAffluentHistoric

About Freshwater

Freshwater is a coastal suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches, located approximately 17 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. Nestled between Manly to the south and Curl Curl to the north, it is home to around 7,500 residents and is renowned for its relaxed seaside character. The suburb centres on the historic Freshwater Beach, one of Australia's most celebrated surf beaches and the site of Duke Kahanamoku's landmark 1914 surfing demonstration.

Life in Freshwater revolves around the beach, with a vibrant café and dining strip along Oliver Street catering to locals and visitors alike. The suburb attracts young professionals, families, and long-time locals who value the tight-knit community feel and easy access to both surf and bushland. Excellent primary schools, strong sporting clubs, and a walkable village centre make Freshwater one of the Northern Beaches' most sought-after addresses.

Freshwater falls under postcode 2096 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Manly electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2096
Urban Area
Manly - Warringah
LGA / Council
Northern Beaches
Federal Electorate
Warringah
State Electorate
Manly
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.78°, 151.28°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.78 km²
Elevation
18m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$3.96M
70 sales · ▲ 5.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.3M
160 sales · ▲ 12.1% 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)
$600
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,055
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

35 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Manly Ferry Wharf
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 139 — Manly 10 min
  • 136, 137 — Chatswood 45 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
17 km
By Train
Bus to Manly then ferry ~50 min total
By Car (Peak)
40-60 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min

🛣️ No direct train; bus to Manly + Manly Ferry is the popular commuter route

Walkability Very Walkable

Flat village centre with good footpaths, easy beach and café access on foot

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 7 parks and reserves in Freshwater.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, which contains Freshwater. 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
8,866
Census 2021
9,186
▲ 3.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$57,044
Personal Income 2021
$70,460
▲ 23.5% 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
$70,460 / yr
$1355/wk
Household
$141,752 / yr
$2726/wk
Family
$176,280 / yr
$3390/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Freshwater With

🏘️Manly
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,213
Born Overseas 2,715

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 835
  • 2. New Zealand 200
  • 3. United States 152
  • 4. Brazil 132
  • 5. South Africa 109
  • 6. Ireland 78
  • 7. Scotland 78
  • 8. Germany 73
  • 9. Canada 66
  • 10. Italy 66

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 4,025
Australian 3,057
Irish 1,280
Scottish 1,099
Italian 460
German 418
Dutch 172
French 149
Chinese 144
New Zealander 122

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,972
Both parents born in Australia
3,351
Both parents born overseas
1,565
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.1%
Christianity
42.5%
Buddhism
0.9%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
604 (6.6%)
5-14 years
1,125 (12.2%)
15-19 years
478 (5.2%)
20-24 years
416 (4.5%)
25-34 years
1,594 (17.4%)
35-44 years
1,475 (16.1%)
45-54 years
1,374 (15.0%)
55-64 years
965 (10.5%)
65-74 years
678 (7.4%)
75-84 years
362 (3.9%)
85+ years
114 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Freshwater NSW known for? +

Freshwater is famous for its historic surf beach where Duke Kahanamoku first demonstrated surfing in Australia in 1914. It's one of Sydney's most beloved coastal suburbs with a vibrant café strip and strong community feel.

How far is Freshwater from Sydney CBD? +

Freshwater is approximately 17 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. By car off-peak the trip takes around 25 minutes; by public transport (bus to Manly then ferry) expect around 50 minutes.

What schools are in Freshwater? +

Freshwater has Freshwater Public School (government primary) and Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus (government secondary).

Is Freshwater good for families? +

Yes — Freshwater is very popular with families due to its safe beach, good schools, walkable village centre, and strong sporting clubs including surf lifesaving and football.

What is the average income in Freshwater? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Freshwater is about $1,355 per week (around $70,500 per year). The median household income is $2,726 per week and the median family income is $3,390 per week.

What is the median house price in Freshwater? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $3,962,500, up 5.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,300,000, up 12.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Freshwater? +

The median age in Freshwater is 37. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,594 residents, around 17%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Freshwater a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Freshwater 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.

What is the population of Freshwater? +

Freshwater had a population of 9,186 at the 2021 Census, up 3.6% from 8,866 in 2016.

How much is rent in Freshwater? +

In Freshwater, the median weekly rent is $600, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,055 (2021 Census).