🔍

Rose Bay

NSW 2029 • Greater Sydney

9,911
Population (2021)
$132,028
Median Household Income
2.56 km²
Area
$630/wk
Median Rent
WaterfrontAffluentFerry AccessEastern SuburbsPrestige

About Rose Bay

Rose Bay is one of Sydney's most prestigious harbour suburbs, an exclusive enclave of nearly 10,000 residents hugging the southern shores of Sydney Harbour just 7 kilometres east of the CBD. With median incomes among the highest in Australia, this Eastern Suburbs gem offers waterfront living at its most refined. The iconic seaplane base adds a touch of glamour, while the ferry service provides a scenic commute to Circular Quay.

The lifestyle here is quintessentially harbour Sydney—morning swims at the netted beach, waterfront cafes along New South Head Road, and sunset views across the bay. Rose Bay attracts Sydney's established wealth, families in heritage homes, and professionals seeking the Eastern Suburbs lifestyle without Double Bay's intensity. The Royal Sydney Golf Club anchors the western end, while boutique shopping and excellent dining serve residents who expect quality in everything.

Rose Bay falls under postcode 2029 and is governed by Waverley Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Vaucluse electorate.

📰 Featured In

🏷️ Top 25 Most Expensive Suburbs in NSW by Median House Price🏷️ Top 25 Most Expensive Suburbs in NSW by Median Unit Price

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2029
Urban Area
Waverley
LGA / Council
Waverley
Federal Electorate
Wentworth
State Electorate
Vaucluse
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.87°, 151.27°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
2.56 km²
Elevation
14m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$4.65M
59 sales · ▼ 34.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.82M
186 sales · ▼ 2.7% 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)
$630
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,250
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

9 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Rose Bay Wharf
0.2 km
3 min
Edgecliff Station
2.5 km
30 min
Bondi Junction Station
3.2 km
40 min

Bus Services

  • 324 — Watsons Bay to CBD via Bondi Junction 35 min to CBD
  • 325 — Watsons Bay to CBD via Double Bay 30 min to CBD
  • 386 — Bondi Beach via Dover Heights 25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
7 km
By Train
N/A - ferry or bus
By Bus
30-40 min to CBD
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min

🛣️ Ferry to Circular Quay takes 12-13 min and is the scenic commute option

Walkability Very Walkable

Good for local errands; hilly terrain

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Rose Bay Old South Head Road Rose Bay 2029 NSW
  • Woolworths
    757 New South Head Road Rose Bay 2029 NSW
  • Harris Farm Markets
    520-536 Old South Head Road, Rose Bay NSW 2029

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 4 heritage-listed places in or near Rose Bay, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Site of Ficus superba var. henneana tree
3-4 Fernleigh Gardens Rose Bay • SHR #00578
Salisbury Court
1-7 Salisbury Road Rose Bay • SHR #00251
Rose Bay Seawall, Promenade and its Setting
Rose Bay • SHR #01932
Sydney Croquet Clubhouse, its collections, lawns and grounds
O'Sullivan Road, Rose Bay • SHR #02080

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
122.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.4%
Motor vehicle theft
155.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
329.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
8.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
115.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.9%
View all 62 offence types for Waverley →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
10,053
Census 2021
9,911
▼ 1.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$60,008
Personal Income 2021
$72,696
▲ 21.1% 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
$72,696 / yr
$1398/wk
Household
$132,028 / yr
$2539/wk
Family
$182,520 / yr
$3510/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Rose Bay With

🏘️Double Bay
View comparison →🏘️Mosman
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,431
Born Overseas 3,988

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. South Africa 926
  • 2. England 553
  • 3. New Zealand 210
  • 4. China 206
  • 5. United States 113
  • 6. Italy 88
  • 7. Brazil 87
  • 8. Philippines 84
  • 9. Ireland 75
  • 10. Germany 60

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,803
Australian 2,026
Irish 909
South African 685
Scottish 677
Italian 493
Chinese 450
German 382
Polish 341
Russian 327

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,548
Both parents born in Australia
5,225
Both parents born overseas
1,551
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
31.9%
Judaism
29.0%
No Religion
28.8%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.6%
Islam
0.5%
Sikhism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
514 (5.2%)
5-14 years
1,108 (11.2%)
15-19 years
486 (4.9%)
20-24 years
522 (5.3%)
25-34 years
1,427 (14.4%)
35-44 years
1,452 (14.7%)
45-54 years
1,326 (13.4%)
55-64 years
1,063 (10.7%)
65-74 years
936 (9.4%)
75-84 years
710 (7.2%)
85+ years
361 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rose Bay known for? +

Rose Bay is one of Sydney's most prestigious harbour suburbs, an exclusive enclave of nearly 10,000 residents hugging the southern shores of Sydney Harbour just 7 kilometres east of the CBD.

How far is Rose Bay from Sydney CBD? +

Rose Bay is approximately 7 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 25-35 min during peak hour and 15 min off-peak.

Does Rose Bay have public transport? +

Rose Bay is served by Rose Bay Wharf station (0.2 km, approximately 3 min walk) on the F7 Double Bay Ferry. Local bus services including 324 also connect residents to Watsons Bay to CBD via Bondi Junction.

What is the population of Rose Bay? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rose Bay has a population of approximately 9,911 residents.

Is Rose Bay a good place to live? +

Rose Bay offers a suburban lifestyle in NSW. The area suits those looking for a quieter setting away from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Rose Bay? +

The postcode for Rose Bay in NSW is 2029.

What is the average income in Rose Bay? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rose Bay is about $1,398 per week (around $72,700 per year). The median household income is $2,539 per week and the median family income is $3,510 per week.

What is the median house price in Rose Bay? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $4,650,000, down 34.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,825,000, down 2.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Rose Bay? +

The median age in Rose Bay is 40. The largest age group is 35–44 (1,452 residents, around 15%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rose Bay a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rose Bay is part of the Waverley 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 Rose Bay? +

In Rose Bay, the median weekly rent is $630, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,250 (2021 Census).