🔍

Sawtell

NSW 2452 • Rest of NSW

3,788
Population (2021)
$73,060
Median Household Income
3.71 km²
Area
$380/wk
Median Rent
CoastalVillageFamily-FriendlyHistoricSurf

About Sawtell

Sawtell is a charming coastal suburb located 8 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, approximately 528 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of around 3,800, it has grown from a historic timber settlement into a beloved seaside village. The suburb is known for its heritage character, with Norfolk pines lining the main street and a strong community spirit. The traditional custodians of the area are the Gumbaynggirr people.

Sawtell offers an enviable coastal lifestyle with a vibrant village atmosphere. First Avenue, the tree-lined main street, is home to boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and a historic cinema. Sawtell Beach is a popular patrolled surf beach, while Bonville Creek and the nearby Bongil Bongil National Park provide bushwalking and nature experiences. The suburb hosts popular events including the annual Chilli Festival. It attracts a mix of families, retirees, and sea-changers drawn to the relaxed pace and natural beauty.

Sawtell falls under postcode 2452 and is governed by Coffs Harbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Coffs Harbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2452
Urban Area
Sawtell
LGA / Council
Coffs Harbour
Federal Electorate
Cowper
State Electorate
Coffs Harbour
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.37°, 153.09°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.71 km²
Elevation
9m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.18M
37 sales · ▼ 1.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$750K
31 sales · ▲ 0% 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)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.2%

26 state housing + 55 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Sawtell (disused)
0.5 km
N/A
Coffs Harbour
10 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • 361 — Coffs Harbour to Sawtell via Toormina 15-20 mins
  • 360 — Sawtell to Coffs Harbour direct 15 mins

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
528 km
By Train
8-9 hours (NSW TrainLink from Coffs Harbour)
By Bus
15-20 mins to Coffs Harbour
By Car (Peak)
15 mins to Coffs Harbour
By Car (Off-Peak)
10 mins to Coffs Harbour

🛣️ Regional coastal suburb — Coffs Harbour is the nearest major centre. Coffs Harbour Airport provides domestic flights.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre with shops, cafes and beach all within easy walking distance along First Avenue

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
419.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
304 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 6.6%
Non-DV assault
593.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
17.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
428.3 / 100k
2yr Down 20.4% 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Coffs Harbour →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,682
Census 2021
3,788
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,668
Personal Income 2021
$39,000
▲ 23.2% 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
$39,000 / yr
$750/wk
Household
$73,060 / yr
$1405/wk
Family
$97,032 / yr
$1866/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,147
Born Overseas 422

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 136
  • 2. New Zealand 56
  • 3. South Africa 25
  • 4. Scotland 17
  • 5. Netherlands 13
  • 6. Thailand 13
  • 7. Canada 12
  • 8. Germany 11
  • 9. United States 10
  • 10. Vietnam 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,798
Australian 1,448
Irish 575
Scottish 492
German 188
Australian Aboriginal 133
Italian 106
Dutch 61
French 37
Polish 26

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,617
Both parents born in Australia
509
Both parents born overseas
441
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.7%
Christianity
45.4%
Buddhism
1.0%
Hinduism
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
178 (4.7%)
5-14 years
440 (11.6%)
15-19 years
205 (5.4%)
20-24 years
130 (3.4%)
25-34 years
358 (9.5%)
35-44 years
434 (11.5%)
45-54 years
535 (14.1%)
55-64 years
554 (14.6%)
65-74 years
571 (15.1%)
75-84 years
288 (7.6%)
85+ years
97 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sawtell known for? +

Sawtell is a charming coastal suburb located 8 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, approximately 528 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of around 3,800, it has grown from a historic timber settlement into a beloved seaside village.

How far is Sawtell from Sydney CBD? +

Sawtell is approximately 528 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 15 mins to Coffs Harbour during peak hour and 10 mins to Coffs Harbour off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 8-9 hours (NSW TrainLink from Coffs Harbour).

Does Sawtell have public transport? +

Sawtell is served by Sawtell (disused) station (0.5 km, approximately N/A walk) on the North Coast line — station closed; nearest active station Coffs Harbour. Local bus services including 361 also connect residents to Coffs Harbour to Sawtell via Toormina.

What is the population of Sawtell? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sawtell has a population of approximately 3,788 residents.

Is Sawtell a good place to live? +

Sawtell is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Sawtell? +

The postcode for Sawtell in NSW is 2452.

What is the average income in Sawtell? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Sawtell is about $750 per week (around $39,000 per year). The median household income is $1,405 per week and the median family income is $1,866 per week.

What is the median house price in Sawtell? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,175,000, down 1.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $750,000, up 0% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Sawtell? +

The median age in Sawtell is 47. The largest age group is 65–74 (571 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 25% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Sawtell a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sawtell is part of the Coffs Harbour 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 Sawtell? +

In Sawtell, the median weekly rent is $380, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).