🔍

Port Macquarie

NSW 2444 • Rest of NSW

47,693
Population (2021)
$66,664
Median Household Income
54.47 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
Coastal ParadiseSea ChangeRetirement FriendlyBeach Lifestyle

About Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie is a stunning coastal city on the NSW Mid North Coast, where the Hastings River meets the Tasman Sea. With a population approaching 48,000, it's transformed from a quiet retirement destination into a vibrant regional centre attracting sea-changers of all ages. The climate is near-perfect subtropical, and the town is blessed with seventeen beaches stretching along its coastline.

The lifestyle here is quintessentially Australian coastal—relaxed yet active, with surfing, fishing, and bushwalking all part of daily life. The town centre offers excellent shopping and dining, while the surrounding hinterland provides winery experiences and rainforest walks. Port Macquarie attracts retirees, young families seeking a lifestyle change, and remote workers who've discovered you can have beach views and a career. The koala hospital is a beloved local institution.

Port Macquarie falls under postcode 2444 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
2444
Urban Area
Port Macquarie
LGA / Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Port Macquarie
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.46°, 152.89°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
54.47 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$890K
725 sales · ▲ 4.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$600K
449 sales · ▼ 1.6% 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)
$380
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,751
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.3%

353 state housing + 501 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
311 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
2+ hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5+ hours

🛣️ Located 311 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
    Shop 1a Ocean Drive Port Macquarie 2444 NSW
  • Woolworths
    Cnr Bay And Park Streets Port Macquarie 2444 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 8 heritage-listed places in or near Port Macquarie, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Courthouse and Norfolk Island pines (former)
Clarence Street (cnr), Port Macquarie • SHR #00554
Port Macquarie Second Burying Ground 1824 - 1886
Gordon Street, Port Macquarie • SHR #01731
Port Macquarie First (Allman Hill) Burying Ground 1822 - 1824
Clarence Street, Port Macquarie • SHR #01730
Port Macquarie Government House Site
2 Clarence Street Port Macquarie • SHR #01517
St Thomas' Anglican Church
Hay Street, Port Macquarie • SHR #01653
Hastings Historical Society Museum
22 Clarence Street Port Macquarie • SHR #00326
Lake Innes House ruins and environs
The Ruins Way, Port Macquarie • SHR #00997
Archaeological Remains of Overseers' Cottages
30-44 Clarence Street Port Macquarie • SHR #01813

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area, which contains Port Macquarie. 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
44,830
Census 2021
47,693
▲ 6.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,640
Personal Income 2021
$35,308
▲ 19.1% 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
$35,308 / yr
$679/wk
Household
$66,664 / yr
$1282/wk
Family
$87,568 / yr
$1684/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 38,572
Born Overseas 6,840

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 2,151
  • 2. New Zealand 738
  • 3. Philippines 293
  • 4. South Africa 262
  • 5. India 255
  • 6. Scotland 250
  • 7. Germany 212
  • 8. United States 174
  • 9. Netherlands 172
  • 10. China 139

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 21,452
Australian 19,118
Irish 6,438
Scottish 5,422
Australian Aboriginal 2,356
German 1,970
Italian 1,049
Dutch 729
Chinese 478
Filipino 390

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

31,580
Both parents born in Australia
8,132
Both parents born overseas
5,433
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
53.4%
No Religion
37.9%
Buddhism
0.8%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
2,041 (4.3%)
5-14 years
5,382 (11.3%)
15-19 years
2,758 (5.8%)
20-24 years
2,341 (4.9%)
25-34 years
4,419 (9.3%)
35-44 years
4,995 (10.5%)
45-54 years
5,742 (12.0%)
55-64 years
6,251 (13.1%)
65-74 years
6,726 (14.1%)
75-84 years
4,892 (10.3%)
85+ years
2,147 (4.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Port Macquarie known for? +

Port Macquarie is a well-established residential suburb in Port Macquarie-Hastings, NSW, with a population of approximately 47,693 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Port Macquarie from Sydney CBD? +

Port Macquarie is approximately 311 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 1.5+ hours drive outside peak hours.

Does Port Macquarie have public transport? +

Port Macquarie 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 Port Macquarie? +

According to the 2021 Census, Port Macquarie has a population of approximately 47,693 residents.

Is Port Macquarie a good place to live? +

Port Macquarie offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $42,274, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Port Macquarie? +

The postcode for Port Macquarie, NSW is 2444.

What is the average income in Port Macquarie? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Port Macquarie is about $679 per week (around $35,300 per year). The median household income is $1,282 per week and the median family income is $1,684 per week.

What is the median house price in Port Macquarie? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $890,000, up 4.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $600,000, down 1.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Port Macquarie? +

The median age in Port Macquarie is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (6,726 residents, around 14%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Port Macquarie a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Port Macquarie 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 Port Macquarie? +

In Port Macquarie, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,751 (2021 Census).