🔍

Woolgoolga

NSW 2456 • Rest of NSW

6,151
Population (2021)
$61,880
Median Household Income
54.77 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
CoastalMulticulturalRetirementFamily-FriendlySea Change

About Woolgoolga

Woolgoolga is a coastal town on the Coffs Coast of New South Wales, approximately 26 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour. With a population of around 6,150, it is known for its strong Sikh community, which has shaped the town's unique cultural identity since the 1940s. The town sits at an elevation of 126 metres and covers a large area of nearly 55 square kilometres, encompassing both the town centre and surrounding rural land.

The town offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with beautiful beaches including Woolgoolga Beach and nearby Safety Beach. The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple is a prominent landmark, and the annual Curryfest celebrates the town's multicultural heritage. Woolgoolga attracts retirees, sea-changers, and families drawn to its affordable property prices, strong community feel, and proximity to both beaches and hinterland. Local amenities include a shopping village, surf club, bowling club, and several restaurants featuring Indian cuisine.

Woolgoolga falls under postcode 2456 and is governed by Coffs Harbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Coffs Harbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2456
Urban Area
Coffs Harbour
LGA / Council
Coffs Harbour
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Coffs Harbour
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.09°, 153.16°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
54.77 km²
Elevation
126m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$850K
76 sales · ▼ 6.1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$710K
26 sales · ▲ 1.1% 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)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.3%

27 state housing + 49 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coffs Harbour (coach)
26 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • 360 — Coffs Harbour 30 min
  • 361 — Grafton via Woolgoolga 90 min

Commute to Coffs Harbour

Distance
26 km
By Train
N/A (no rail)
By Bus
30-35 min
By Car (Peak)
25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Pacific Highway provides main road access; no direct rail service

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre is walkable for basic errands but outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Pullen and Solitary Island Way Woolgoolga 2456 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Woolgoolga, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

The First Sikh Temple
6 Hastings Street, Woolgoolga • SHR #02044

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area, which contains Woolgoolga. 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
5,290
Census 2021
6,151
▲ 16.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,896
Personal Income 2021
$33,072
▲ 27.7% 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
$33,072 / yr
$636/wk
Household
$61,880 / yr
$1190/wk
Family
$77,740 / yr
$1495/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,331
Born Overseas 1,486

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 659
  • 2. England 214
  • 3. Malaysia 61
  • 4. New Zealand 60
  • 5. Germany 36
  • 6. Scotland 31
  • 7. Taiwan 28
  • 8. China 26
  • 9. South Africa 26
  • 10. Afghanistan 22

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,321
Australian 1,866
Irish 618
Indian 550
Scottish 548
Australian Aboriginal 270
German 220
Chinese 92
Italian 85
Dutch 57

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,293
Both parents born in Australia
1,862
Both parents born overseas
626
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
36.8%
No Religion
35.0%
Sikhism
17.2%
Buddhism
1.5%
Islam
1.0%
Hinduism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
325 (5.3%)
5-14 years
643 (10.5%)
15-19 years
285 (4.6%)
20-24 years
253 (4.1%)
25-34 years
836 (13.6%)
35-44 years
703 (11.4%)
45-54 years
654 (10.6%)
55-64 years
813 (13.2%)
65-74 years
943 (15.3%)
75-84 years
486 (7.9%)
85+ years
220 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Woolgoolga known for? +

Woolgoolga is known for its strong Sikh community, home to the magnificent Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (one of Australia's most significant), and for its beautiful Woolgoolga Beach and Safety Beach. The town has a unique multicultural character and is a popular sea-change destination on the Coffs Coast.

How far is Woolgoolga from Coffs Harbour? +

Woolgoolga is approximately 26 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour, with a drive time of around 25-30 minutes via the Pacific Highway.

Does Woolgoolga have public transport? +

Woolgoolga is served by bus routes connecting to Coffs Harbour and regional centres along the Pacific Highway corridor. The Coffs Harbour train station provides the nearest rail connections. A car is recommended for everyday use.

What is the population of Woolgoolga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Woolgoolga has a population of approximately 6,151 residents within the Coffs Harbour City Council local government area.

Is Woolgoolga a good place to live? +

Woolgoolga is a wonderful sea-change destination with beautiful beaches, a unique multicultural character, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. It is popular with retirees, families, and tree-changers who value community, culture, and the stunning Coffs Coast environment.

What is the postcode for Woolgoolga? +

The postcode for Woolgoolga is 2456.

What is the average income in Woolgoolga? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Woolgoolga is about $636 per week (around $33,100 per year). The median household income is $1,190 per week and the median family income is $1,495 per week.

What is the median house price in Woolgoolga? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $850,000, down 6.1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $710,000, up 1.1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Woolgoolga? +

The median age in Woolgoolga is 45. The largest age group is 65–74 (943 residents, around 15%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Woolgoolga a safe area? +

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

In Woolgoolga, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).