🔍

North Haven

NSW 2443 • Rest of NSW

1,619
Population (2021)
$43,264
Median Household Income
5.88 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenRiversideQuietBeachside

About North Haven

North Haven is a small coastal locality on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, situated on the southern bank of the Camden Haven River estuary within the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, approximately 390 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of 1,619 and a notably high median age of 61, North Haven has a distinctive character as a retirement and sea-change destination where lifestyle and natural surroundings take precedence. Low average household incomes and small household sizes of 1.9 persons reflect a predominantly retired community of couples and singles enjoying the coastal pace of life.

North Haven offers direct access to the Camden Haven River for boating, fishing, and kayaking, with North Haven Beach nearby providing safe swimming in a sheltered coastal setting. The neighbouring township of Laurieton, just across the river bridge, offers everyday shopping, cafes, and local services, while the scenic Camden Haven Inlet and adjacent lagoon system are popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers. The combination of river frontage, beach access, and a tight-knit community makes North Haven one of the Mid North Coast's most appealing retirement villages.

North Haven falls under postcode 2443 and is governed by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2443
Urban Area
Hastings
LGA / Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Port Macquarie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.64°, 152.81°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
5.88 km²
Elevation
6m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$811K
54 sales · ▲ 10.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$590K
12 sales · ▼ 6.6% 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)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,495
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
61 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.8%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Busways Mid North Coast — Port Macquarie 30-40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
390 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest station is Wauchope (~25km) with limited intercity services
By Car (Peak)
4.5-5 hrs via Pacific Motorway
By Car (Off-Peak)
4-4.5 hrs via Pacific Motorway

🛣️ Port Macquarie Airport (approx. 15km away) offers regular flights to Sydney (~1 hr)

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for daily life; the beach and river foreshore are walkable, but all shopping and services require driving to Laurieton or Port Macquarie

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area, which contains North Haven. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
220.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
154.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Non-DV assault
487.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
208.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Port Macquarie-Hastings →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,670
Census 2021
1,619
▼ 3.1% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,504
Personal Income 2021
$26,988
▲ 14.8% 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
$26,988 / yr
$519/wk
Household
$43,264 / yr
$832/wk
Family
$59,748 / yr
$1149/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,332
Born Overseas 155

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 68
  • 2. New Zealand 18
  • 3. Scotland 14
  • 4. Indonesia 8
  • 5. Netherlands 7
  • 6. Philippines 5
  • 7. India 4
  • 8. China 3
  • 9. Fiji 3
  • 10. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 743
Australian 702
Scottish 206
Irish 159
Australian Aboriginal 78
German 50
Chinese 16
Welsh 13
French 10
Maori 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,177
Both parents born in Australia
196
Both parents born overseas
127
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
54.5%
No Religion
35.1%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
39 (2.4%)
5-14 years
121 (7.5%)
15-19 years
60 (3.7%)
20-24 years
52 (3.2%)
25-34 years
84 (5.2%)
35-44 years
102 (6.3%)
45-54 years
179 (11.1%)
55-64 years
292 (18.0%)
65-74 years
377 (23.3%)
75-84 years
220 (13.6%)
85+ years
87 (5.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is North Haven known for? +

North Haven is known for its relaxed coastal lifestyle on the Camden Haven River estuary, with access to North Haven Beach, excellent fishing and boating on the river, and a quiet, retirement-friendly community atmosphere on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

How far is North Haven from Sydney CBD? +

North Haven is approximately 390 kilometres north of Sydney CBD. The drive via the Pacific Motorway typically takes around 4 to 4.5 hours in off-peak conditions.

Does North Haven have public transport? +

North Haven is serviced by Busways Mid North Coast regional bus routes connecting to Port Macquarie. There is no passenger rail in the immediate area; the nearest train station is at Wauchope, approximately 25 kilometres away. A car is essential for most travel.

What is the population of North Haven? +

According to the 2021 Census, North Haven has a population of 1,619 residents. With a median age of 61, the suburb has one of the older demographic profiles on the Mid North Coast, consistent with its appeal as a retirement destination.

Is North Haven a good place to live? +

North Haven is an ideal location for retirees or those seeking a sea-change lifestyle, offering a quiet coastal environment with river and beach access. Everyday amenities are a short drive away in Laurieton and Port Macquarie, making it well-suited to those who value peace and natural surroundings over urban convenience.

What is the postcode for North Haven? +

The postcode for North Haven is 2443, which it shares with neighbouring localities including Dunbogan and Laurieton.

What is the average income in North Haven? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in North Haven is about $519 per week (around $27,000 per year). The median household income is $832 per week and the median family income is $1,149 per week.

What is the median house price in North Haven? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $811,250, up 10.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $590,000, down 6.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of North Haven? +

The median age in North Haven is 61. The largest age group is 65–74 (377 residents, around 23%). Around 14% of residents are under 20 and about 42% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is North Haven a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. North Haven is part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings 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 North Haven? +

In North Haven, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,495 (2021 Census).