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Suburbs›NSW›Coffs Harbour & Grafton›Sawtell

Sawtell, NSW 2452

Property data updated June 2026·3,788 residents
Last 12 months snapshot
72 sales · 131 leases · Refreshed June 2026

Sawtell, NSW 2452 market activity

Sawtell's busiest market is unit rentals, but only just, with 76 leases (up 4.1%) at $520 a week (up 4%), renting out in about 16 days, with 2-bedroom homes making up around 55%.

House rentals are close behind, with 55 leases at $705 a week, renting out in about 14 days (up from 12 days last year), more sought-after than most house rental markets in NSW, with 3-bedroom making up around 4 in 10. Followed by 48 house sales at around $1.193M (down), among the country's biggest house price drops. 24 unit sales at around $639.5K (among the country's biggest unit price drops).

Below-average incomeOlder communityMostly owners

Who lives hereA below-average-income, mostly owner-occupied, older-leaning suburb.

House covers houses, duplexes, semi-detached and terraces; Unit covers apartments, units, townhouses and villas.

Census · ABS 2021

Snapshot

Population
3,788
Median age
47yrs
Avg household
2.3people
Male · Female
49% · 51%
Owner-occupied
66%
Renting
33%
Lone person
32%
Couples, no kids
30%
Born overseas
12%
Year 12+ⓘ
55%

Sawtell on the map

3.71 km²
Loading map
Ranked against all suburbs
How well-off · ABS SEIFA 2021 · vs Australia
Overall advantageⓘ
Top 40%
decile 6/10
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage & Disadvantage. Combines income, education, occupation and housing. Higher = more advantaged overall.
Economic resourcesⓘ
Bottom 28%
decile 3/10
IER — Index of Economic Resources. Household income, rent/mortgage costs and dwelling size. Higher = more economic resources (lots of renters or students pulls it down).
Education & jobsⓘ
Top 30%
decile 7/10
IEO — Index of Education and Occupation. Residents’ qualifications and skilled occupations. Higher = a more educated, higher-skilled workforce.
IncomeMedian household incomeProfessionalsShare who are managers or professionalsDiversityBirthplace diversityMortgage stressMortgage repayments as a share of incomeTrain / busCommute by public transportNo carHouseholds with no carNew moversMoved in within the last yearRent stressRent as a share of income
Hover a point for its percentile · – – – median
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median household incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of all households — half earn more, half less.Bottom 35%Median household income · $1,405/wk — below average: in the bottom 35%, lower household income than 65% of Aussie suburbs.
Rent stress (rent ÷ income)ⓘMedian weekly rent as a share of median weekly household income — a rough rental-affordability gauge. Higher = rent takes a bigger bite.Top 12%Rent stress · 27% — well above average: in the top 12%, more rent stress than 88% of Aussie suburbs.
Mortgage stress (repay ÷ income)ⓘMedian mortgage repayment (converted to weekly) as a share of median weekly household income. Higher = repayments take a bigger bite.Top 19%Mortgage stress · 28% — well above average: in the top 19%, more mortgage stress than 81% of Aussie suburbs.
Birthplace diversityⓘChance two random residents were born in different countries — 0 = everyone the same, 1 = all different.Bottom 33%Birthplace diversity · 0.22 — below average: in the bottom 33%, less diverse than 67% of Aussie suburbs.
Born overseasⓘResidents born outside Australia, of those who stated a birthplace.Bottom 32%Born overseas · 12% — below average: in the bottom 32%, 68% of Aussie suburbs have more overseas-born residents than this suburb.
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 26%Managers & professionals · 42% — above average: in the top 26%, more professionals than 74% of Aussie suburbs.
Unemployment rateⓘShare of the labour force (people working or actively looking) who are unemployed — not a share of all residents.Top 42%Unemployment rate · 4.6% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Public transport to workⓘCommuters who travelled to work by train, bus, ferry or tram, of those who travelled.Bottom 41%Public transport to work · 0.2% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
No motor vehicleⓘHouseholds with no motor vehicle.Top 33%No motor vehicle · 5.3% — above average: in the top 33%, more car-free households than 67% of Aussie suburbs.
High-rise apartmentsⓘOccupied dwellings that are apartments in 4-storey-or-higher blocks.Bottom 1%High-rise apartments · 0.0% — among the lowest: in the bottom 1%, 100% of Aussie suburbs have more high-rise apartments than this suburb.
Settled 5+ yearsⓘResidents living at the same address as five years ago — how settled the community is.Bottom 34%Settled 5+ years · 59% — below average: in the bottom 34%, 66% of Aussie suburbs have more long-settled residents than this suburb.
This suburb Typical range · 25–75th Median
How this suburb comparesPosition among all Australian suburbs — “Top 10%” means higher than 90% of them.
LowMedianHighPercentile
LowMedianHighPercentile
Owner-occupiedⓘHouseholds that own their home — outright or with a mortgage.Bottom 26%Owner-occupied · 66% — below average: in the bottom 26%, 74% of Aussie suburbs have more owner-occupiers than this suburb.
RentingⓘHouseholds renting their home.Top 24%Renting · 33% — well above average: in the top 24%, more renters than 76% of Aussie suburbs.
Owned outrightⓘHouseholds that own their home outright, with no mortgage.Top 37%Owned outright · 43% — above average: in the top 37%, more outright owners than 63% of Aussie suburbs.
Owned with mortgageⓘHouseholds buying their home with a mortgage.Bottom 15%Owned with mortgage · 23% — well below average: in the bottom 15%, 85% of Aussie suburbs have more mortgaged owners than this suburb.
Separate housesⓘOccupied dwellings that are standalone (detached) houses.Bottom 15%Separate houses · 69% — well below average: in the bottom 15%, 85% of Aussie suburbs have more detached houses than this suburb.
ApartmentsⓘOccupied dwellings that are flats or apartments, any height.Top 11%Apartments · 17% — well above average: in the top 11%, more apartments than 89% of Aussie suburbs.
Median personal incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of individuals aged 15+.Bottom 47%Median personal income · $750/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Median family incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of families.Bottom 43%Median family income · $1,866/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Low earners (<$500/wk)ⓘResidents earning under $500 per week.Bottom 41%Low earners · 33% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Low-income households (<$650/wk)ⓘHouseholds with a total income under $650 per week.Top 27%Low-income households · 22% — above average: in the top 27%, more low-income households than 73% of Aussie suburbs.
Full-time workersⓘResidents in the labour force who are employed full-time.Bottom 24%Full-time workers · 29% — well below average: in the bottom 24%, 76% of Aussie suburbs have more full-time workers than this suburb.
Part-time workersⓘEmployed residents working part-time, of all employed.Top 9%Part-time workers · 42% — among the highest: in the top 9%, more part-time workers than 91% of Aussie suburbs.
Not in labour forceⓘResidents 15+ neither working nor looking for work — retirees, students, carers.Top 30%Not in labour force · 41% — above average: in the top 30%, more out of the workforce than 70% of Aussie suburbs.
Community & personal serviceⓘEmployed residents in community and personal-service jobs — care, hospitality, security and similar.Top 26%Community & personal service · 14% — above average: in the top 26%, more care and service workers than 74% of Aussie suburbs.
Clerical & adminⓘEmployed residents in clerical and administrative jobs.Bottom 28%Clerical & admin · 10% — below average: in the bottom 28%, 72% of Aussie suburbs have more clerical and admin workers than this suburb.
Sales workersⓘEmployed residents in sales jobs.Top 12%Sales workers · 10% — well above average: in the top 12%, more sales workers than 88% of Aussie suburbs.
Completed Year 12+ⓘResidents aged 15+ whose highest year of school is Year 12 or equivalent.Top 41%Completed Year 12+ · 55% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
In educationⓘResidents currently attending school, TAFE or university — full or part time.Bottom 41%In education · 21% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Children (0–14)ⓘResidents aged 0–14.Bottom 36%Children · 16% — below average: in the bottom 36%, 64% of Aussie suburbs have more children than this suburb.
Seniors (65+)ⓘResidents aged 65 and over.Top 21%Seniors · 25% — well above average: in the top 21%, more seniors than 79% of Aussie suburbs.
Youth dependencyⓘChildren (0–14) for every 100 working-age residents aged 15–64.Bottom 46%Youth dependency · 27.89 — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Total dependencyⓘChildren (0–14) plus seniors (65+) for every 100 working-age residents aged 15–64.Top 22%Total dependency · 71.03 — well above average: in the top 22%, more dependants per worker than 78% of Aussie suburbs.
Australian citizensⓘResidents who are Australian citizens — Australian-born and naturalised.Top 32%Australian citizens · 91% — above average: in the top 32%, more Australian citizens than 68% of Aussie suburbs.
Both parents born overseasⓘResidents whose mother and father were both born overseas — the second generation.Bottom 28%Both parents born overseas · 14% — below average: in the bottom 28%, 72% of Aussie suburbs have more second-generation residents than this suburb.
Established migrants (pre-2011)ⓘOf overseas-born residents, the share who arrived before 2011 — higher = a long-settled migrant community.Bottom 42%Established migrants · 77% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Vehicles per dwellingⓘAverage number of motor vehicles per household.Bottom 20%Vehicles per dwelling · 1.00 — well below average: in the bottom 20%, fewer vehicles per home than 80% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb

Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.

Census · ABS 2021

Who lives here

The age structure, household make-up, and cultural fabric of the people who call this suburb home.

Age & sex3,788 residentsMaleFemale
85+1.0% · 391.4% · 5380-841.0% · 391.8% · 6775-792.3% · 892.3% · 8970-743.8% · 1443.5% · 13365-693.6% · 1374.1% · 15760-643.9% · 1474.4% · 16655-593.2% · 1223.2% · 12350-543.2% · 1203.6% · 13745-493.3% · 1254.1% · 15440-442.8% · 1072.7% · 10435-393.0% · 1153.0% · 11230-342.3% · 862.4% · 9225-292.5% · 932.3% · 8920-241.6% · 591.8% · 6915-192.8% · 1072.5% · 9510-142.9% · 1113.5% · 1335-93.1% · 1192.1% · 790-42.0% · 762.7% · 103◀ MaleFemale ▶

Share of all residents by 5-year band · hover a band for the count + split

Life stage
16%
26%
15%
25%
Children0–1416%Youth15–248.8%Young adults25–349.4%Midlife35–5426%Mature55–6415%Seniors65+25%
Household composition
32%
30%
26%
Lone person32%Couples, no kids30%Families with kids26%Other families8.9%Group / share3.1%
2.3 people / household0.8 persons / bedroom6.3% are 5+ person
Household sizepersons per dwelling
32%1
36%2
13%3
12%4
4.9%5
1.5%6+
Cultural make-upshare of residents · diversity = odds two differ
Born overseasⓘResidents born outside Australia, as a share of those who stated a birthplace.12%
Other language at homeⓘResidents who mainly speak a language other than English at home — counts the language used, not how well English is spoken.3.8%
Limited EnglishⓘResidents who speak English “not well” or “not at all”. A language-barrier measure, not bilingualism — many who speak another language at home still speak English well.0.4%
Both parents overseasⓘResidents whose mother and father were both born overseas — the Australian-born-to-migrants “second generation”, distinct from being born overseas yourself.14%
Australian citizensⓘResidents who are Australian citizens — both Australian-born and people who have since naturalised.91%
Birthplace diversity22%
Chance two random residents were born in different countries
Language diversity8%
Chance two random residents speak different languages at home
Religious diversity52%
Chance two random residents follow different religions
Where residents were bornoverseas origins
England3.8%
New Zealand1.6%
Elsewhere0.8%
South Africa0.7%
Scotland0.5%
Netherlands0.4%
Thailand0.4%
Canada0.3%
Born in Australia88%
Languages at homeother than English
Other0.9%
Japanese0.4%
Spanish0.3%
Thai0.3%
French0.3%
Afrikaans0.2%
Australian Indigenous0.2%
Tagalog0.1%
English only96%
Ancestry% reporting · multi-response
English47%
Australian38%
Irish15%
Scottish13%
German5.0%
Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander3.5%
Faith & belieftap Christianity
No religion49%
▸Christianity49%
Buddhism1.1%
Other religions0.3%
Hinduism0.2%
Judaism0.1%

15% report Irish ancestry, but only 0.2% were born in Ireland — the gap is the Australian-born and diaspora Irish community, invisible in birthplace alone.

Family originsparents’ birthplace
14%
12%
73%
Both parents overseas14%One parent overseas12%Both parents in Australia73%

A predominantly Australian-born community.

When migrants arrivedshare of overseas-born
Before 198136%
1981-200022%
2001-201019%
2011-20158.9%
2016-202114%

2020–21 understated — COVID border closures.

Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.

Census · ABS 2021

Affordability, Ownership & Housing

What it costs to live here, who owns versus rents, and the shape of the housing stock.

Affordability at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median weekly rentⓘMiddle weekly rent paid by renting households.Top 35%Median weekly rent · $380/wk — above average: in the top 35%, higher rent than 65% of Aussie suburbs.
Median monthly mortgageⓘMiddle monthly mortgage repayment among households with a mortgage.Bottom 49%Median monthly mortgage · $1,733/mo — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Rent stress (rent ÷ income)ⓘMedian weekly rent as a share of median weekly household income — a rough rental-affordability gauge. Higher = rent takes a bigger bite.Top 12%Rent stress · 27% — well above average: in the top 12%, more rent stress than 88% of Aussie suburbs.
Mortgage stress (repay ÷ income)ⓘMedian mortgage repayment (converted to weekly) as a share of median weekly household income. Higher = repayments take a bigger bite.Top 19%Mortgage stress · 28% — well above average: in the top 19%, more mortgage stress than 81% of Aussie suburbs.
High mortgage (≥$3k/mo)ⓘMortgaged households repaying $3,000 or more per month.Top 40%High mortgage · 14% — above average: in the top 40%, more big mortgages than 60% of Aussie suburbs.
Social housingⓘHouseholds renting from a state housing authority or community housing provider.Top 19%Social housing · 5.3% — well above average: in the top 19%, more social housing than 81% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Bedrooms per dwellingshare of dwellings
1.0%0
6.0%1
23%2
40%3
25%4
4.5%5
0.8%6+
Who owns vs rentsoccupied dwellings
43%
23%
33%
Owned outright43%Mortgage23%Renting33%Other1.3%
What’s built heredwelling types
69%
12%
17%
House69%Townhouse12%Apartment17%Other2.4%
69% separate houses17% apartments0.0% high-rise

Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.

Census · ABS 2021

Economy & Work

Incomes, employment, and the occupation mix of the people who live here.

Income & work at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median personal incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of individuals aged 15+.Bottom 47%Median personal income · $750/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Median family incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of families.Bottom 43%Median family income · $1,866/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 26%Managers & professionals · 42% — above average: in the top 26%, more professionals than 74% of Aussie suburbs.
High earners (≥$2k/wk)ⓘResidents earning $2,000 or more per week.Top 42%High earners · 12% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Occupations
LowMedianHighPercentile
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 26%Managers & professionals · 42% — above average: in the top 26%, more professionals than 74% of Aussie suburbs.
Clerical & adminⓘEmployed residents in clerical and administrative jobs.Bottom 28%Clerical & admin · 10% — below average: in the bottom 28%, 72% of Aussie suburbs have more clerical and admin workers than this suburb.
Community & personal serviceⓘEmployed residents in community and personal-service jobs — care, hospitality, security and similar.Top 26%Community & personal service · 14% — above average: in the top 26%, more care and service workers than 74% of Aussie suburbs.
Sales workersⓘEmployed residents in sales jobs.Top 12%Sales workers · 10% — well above average: in the top 12%, more sales workers than 88% of Aussie suburbs.
Technicians, trades & labourersⓘEmployed residents in technical/trade, machinery-operating and labouring jobs.Bottom 19%Technicians, trades & labourers · 23% — well below average: in the bottom 19%, 81% of Aussie suburbs have more trades and labourers than this suburb.
Household incomeheight = share of households · weekly
% of households$0$300$650$1.5k$2.5k$4k+
Personal incomeheight = share of residents 15+ · weekly
% of residents 15+$0$300$650$1k$1.8k$3.5k+

A typical household pulls in about 1.9× the typical individual — a multi-earner area.

Labour forceemployment status · residents 15+
29%
24%
41%
Employed full-time29%Employed part-time24%Employed (away/other)2.9%Unemployed2.8%Not in labour force41%
LowMedianHighPercentile
Full-time workersⓘResidents in the labour force who are employed full-time.Bottom 24%Full-time workers · 29% — well below average: in the bottom 24%, 76% of Aussie suburbs have more full-time workers than this suburb.
Part-time workersⓘEmployed residents working part-time, of all employed.Top 9%Part-time workers · 42% — among the highest: in the top 9%, more part-time workers than 91% of Aussie suburbs.
Unemployment rateⓘShare of the labour force (people working or actively looking) who are unemployed — not a share of all residents.Top 42%Unemployment rate · 4.6% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Not in labour forceⓘResidents 15+ neither working nor looking for work — retirees, students, carers.Top 30%Not in labour force · 41% — above average: in the top 30%, more out of the workforce than 70% of Aussie suburbs.
Labour-force participationⓘResidents 15+ who are in the labour force — working or looking for work.Bottom 30%Labour-force participation · 59% — below average: in the bottom 30%, less workforce participation than 70% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb

Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.

Census · ABS 2021

Getting Around

How people get to work, and how car-dependent the suburb is — the clearest tell of inner-urban versus outer-suburban living.

Transport at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Public transport to workⓘCommuters who travelled to work by train, bus, ferry or tram, of those who travelled.Bottom 41%Public transport to work · 0.2% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Walked or cycled to workⓘCommuters who walked or cycled to work, of those who travelled.Top 33%Walked or cycled to work · 5.5% — above average: in the top 33%, more walking and cycling than 67% of Aussie suburbs.
Worked from homeⓘEmployed residents who worked from home in the Census week — elevated by COVID in 2021.Top 47%Worked from home · 15% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
No motor vehicleⓘHouseholds with no motor vehicle.Top 33%No motor vehicle · 5.3% — above average: in the top 33%, more car-free households than 67% of Aussie suburbs.
Vehicles per dwellingⓘAverage number of motor vehicles per household.Bottom 20%Vehicles per dwelling · 1.00 — well below average: in the bottom 20%, fewer vehicles per home than 80% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Journey to workamong commuters · top modes
Car (driver)85%
Car (passenger)6.1%
Walked3.9%
Other/combined1.8%
Bicycle1.6%
Motorbike0.6%
Bus0.2%
Vehicles per dwellingshare of households
5.3%0
39%1
39%2
11%3
4.3%4+

Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.


Education · ACARA My School 2025

Schools in and around Sawtell

2 schools inside Sawtell, plus the closest options around it. Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre and are not enrolment catchments — always confirm zones with the school.

Within Sawtell2schools in the suburb itself
Primary schools7within 5 km · nearest in suburb
Secondary schools5within 5 km · nearest 2.1 km
Median ICSEA rank63rdenrolment-weighted
What is ICSEA Rank?

ICSEA is ACARA’s official measure of a school’s socio-educational advantage — based mainly on parents’ education and occupation, plus the school’s location and student mix.

Nearby within11 schools
  • Within Sawtell · 2Order by
  • 1
    Sawtell Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburb
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students293Multilingual11%ICSEA Rank48th
  • 2
    William Bayldon Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Within suburb
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students159Multilingual5%ICSEA Rank3rd
  • Nearby · within 5 km · 9
  • 3
    Mary Help of Christians Primary School SawtellCatholic · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Toormina · 1.6 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students490Multilingual13%ICSEA Rank69th
  • 4
    Toormina Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Toormina · 2.0 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students174Multilingual10%ICSEA Rank16th
  • 5
    Toormina High SchoolGovernment · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 7-12 · Toormina · 2.1 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students739Multilingual7%ICSEA Rank22nd
  • 6
    Coffs Harbour Bible Church SchoolIndependent · Combined · Co-ed · Years K-10 · Toormina · 2.8 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students37Multilingual8%ICSEA Rank56th
  • 7
    Coffs Harbour Learning CentreGovernment · Special · Co-ed · Years U · Boambee · 3.1 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students23Multilingual0%ICSEA Rank4th
  • 8
    Coffs Harbour Christian Community SchoolIndependent · Combined · Co-ed · Years K-12 · Bonville · 4.1 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students1,008Multilingual10%ICSEA Rank63rd
  • 9
    Coffs Harbour Senior CollegeGovernment · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 11-12 · Coffs Harbour · 4.1 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students454Multilingual11%ICSEA Rank63rd
  • 10
    Boambee Public SchoolGovernment · Primary · Co-ed · Years K-6 · Boambee · 4.1 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students383Multilingual5%ICSEA Rank45th
  • 11
    St John Paul CollegeCatholic · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 7-12 · Coffs Harbour · 4.8 km
    State Rank—English—Maths—Students1,062Multilingual13%ICSEA Rank66th
GovernmentCatholicIndependent

Why are some State Rank and star ratings blank? Schools can choose not to publish their results. In practice, schools that score well above their state average almost always publish theirs — so a blank rating more often reflects a school opting out than a top result being hidden. Academic results also tend to rise with ICSEA Rank, so higher-ICSEA schools more often carry a strong State Rank as well.

School profile and ICSEA data sourced from ACARA — © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (data year 2025) · State Rank & star columns are Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings from publicly available school results · Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre, not catchments.


Census · ABS 2021

Turnover

How settled or transient the community is — and where newcomers came from.

Settledness at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Settled 5+ yearsⓘResidents living at the same address as five years ago — how settled the community is.Bottom 34%Settled 5+ years · 59% — below average: in the bottom 34%, 66% of Aussie suburbs have more long-settled residents than this suburb.
Moved in past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.Top 29%Moved in past year · 16% — above average: in the top 29%, more recent movers than 71% of Aussie suburbs.
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.Top 42%Arrived from overseas · 2.4% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Where residents lived 5 years agoof those who stated
59%
14%
24%
Same address59%Moved within area14%From elsewhere in Australia24%From overseas2.4%
Residential paceshare of residents
Moved in the past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.16%
Moved in the past 5 yearsⓘResidents not living at the same address as five years ago.41%
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.2.4%
Property market
Market data

Snapshot

Headline price, rent, yield and time on market for Sawtell — choose a property type and size below.

Active segment
Houses
Units
Median priceⓘLast 12 months
1.19M
↓ -6.5% YoY
Days on marketⓘLast 12 months
55
↑ 48 days YoY
SoldⓘLast 12 months
48
↑ +50.0% YoY
Months of supplyⓘLast 12 months
3.8mo
Median rentⓘLast 12 months
$705/w
↑ +1.4% YoY
Days to leaseⓘLast 12 months
14
↓ 2 days YoY
LeasedⓘLast 12 months
55
↑ +3.8% YoY
Gross yieldⓘLast 12 months
3.10%
Annualised
Data confidenceSales sample48GoodLease sample55Good
Market data

Segment breakdown

Every segment this suburb tracks — sales and rentals side by side, ranked by total activity over the last twelve months.

Year-on-year growth · demand percentile rank 0–100
Segment
Sales
Price
DOM
Leased
Rent
DOM
Yield
Market demand
01
Units · 2 bed10 sales · 43 leases
Sales10▼−37.5%
Price—
Sales DOM—
Leased43−2.3%
Rent$525/wk▲+4.0%
Rental DOM17 days+2d
4.20%
—
46/100
02
Houses · 3 bed16 sales · 23 leases
Sales16▲+33.3%
Price$1.06M▼−15.5%
Sales DOM57 days▲+20d
Leased23▲+4.5%
Rent$700/wk+2.2%
Rental DOM13 days−2d
3.40%
7/100
87/100
03
Houses · 4 bed20 sales · 16 leases
Sales20▲+33.3%
Price$1.37M▲+7.5%
Sales DOM89 days▼−51d
Leased16+0.0%
Rent$845/wk▲+5.6%
Rental DOM13 days▲+3d
3.20%
3/100
84/100
04
Units · 3 bed11 sales · 14 leases
Sales11▲+57.1%
Price—
Sales DOM—
Leased14▲+16.7%
Rent—
Rental DOM—
—
—
—
05
Units · 1 bed4 sales · 19 leases
Sales4▼−33.3%
Price—
Sales DOM—
Leased19▲+26.7%
Rent$400/wk▲+5.3%
Rental DOM17 days▼−3d
4.90%
—
23/100
06
Houses · 2 bed5 sales · 11 leases
Sales5▲+66.7%
Price—
Sales DOM—
Leased11▲+175.0%
Rent—
Rental DOM—
—
—
—
All houses
Sales48▲+50.0%
Price$1.19M▼−6.5%
Sales DOM55 days▼−48d
Leased55▲+3.8%
Rent$705/wk+1.4%
Rental DOM14 days+2d
3.10%
19/100
89/100
All units
Sales24+0.0%
Price$640k▼−11.3%
Sales DOM48 days▼−24d
Leased76▲+4.1%
Rent$520/wk▲+4.0%
Rental DOM16 days+0d
4.20%
12/100
60/100
Market data

Where each segment ranks

Where each segment sits against its peers in the chosen geography — past the midline means it's outperforming the rest.

Metric
Ranked against

Market demandHow fast this market is moving — a velocity index built from trailing-year transaction volume and median days on market. Strong volume lifts the score; days on market drags it down, with the drag growing sharply once listings start lingering. Ranked against peers in the chosen geography.

Houses
0/3above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs NSW
Value
Units
0/1above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs NSW
Value
Market data

The buy-versus-rent equation

What it costs each week to own a property versus renting the same one — positive means buying carries the premium, negative means rent covers the mortgage.

Property
Compare to
Units · Total: +36%
Houses · 3 bed: +67%
Houses · 4 bed: +80%
Houses · Total: +87%
NSW MEDIAN · +70%
Rent covers itRenting matches or beats the cost of owning−10% to 0%
BalancedMortgage roughly matches asking rent+30% to +60%
Far pricier to ownBuying costs much more than renting+100% to +130%+
BreakdownLast 12 months
Holding cost
Mortgage
Rent
Premium
Band
Assumes 80% LVR·6.0% rate·30y P&I
Premium = (weekly mortgage − weekly rent) ÷ weekly rent. Band thresholds are national breakpoints across ~11,400 eligible Australian segments — the Typical premium band spans national P25 to P75, so it’s literally what’s typical.
Market data

How strong is demand, and which way is it heading?

Two questions on one chart — how strong demand is right now, and which way it's heading year-on-year.

Side
View
Property
Compared against
Sales demand
3 segments · sales · vs Australia
rising
DOM change YoYis demand rising or falling?
falling
median
median
Recoveryweak but rising
Boomstrong and rising
Troughweak and falling
Peakstrong but easing
House Total
Demand index
16 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
55 days▼ −48 days YoY
Median price
$1.19M▼ −6.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
48▲ +50.0% YoY
House 3 bed
Demand index
7 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
57 days▲ +20 days YoY
Median price
$1.06M▼ −15.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
16▲ +33.3% YoY
House 4 bed
Demand index
3 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
89 days▼ −51 days YoY
Median price
$1.37M▲ +7.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
20▲ +33.3% YoY
weakSales demandhow strong sales demand isstrong
Property segments · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
Sales demand
How strong is sales demand — and is it rising or falling?
What this shows

Each dot is one of this suburb's property segments on the sales side. Left-right shows how strong sales demand is — combining how many properties sold in the last 12 months with how quickly they sold (median days on market). Top-bottom shows whether that demand is rising or falling compared to 12 months ago.

The two axes
Sales demandX axis
how strong sales demand is

A composite of 12-month sales volume and median days on market. Higher means more sales completed faster — stronger sales demand right now.

Days on market change (Year-on-year)Y axis
is demand rising or falling?

How much faster (or slower) sales are completing compared to 12 months ago. Top half means sales are completing faster than a year ago (demand growing).

Market data

Sawtell against the neighbourhood

Eight diagnostic views cutting the data a different way each time — Sawtell in blue, peers in colour.

Pair
View
Property
How fast — and is it getting faster?
0 peer segments · Total house
faster
DOM change YoYvs 12 months ago
slower
median
median
Recoveringquiet but accelerating
Boomingbusy and accelerating
Stalledquiet and slowing further
Coolingbusy but slowing
Sawtell · this suburb
Demand index
16 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
55 days▼ −48 days YoY
Median price
$1.19M▼ −6.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
48▲ +50.0% YoY
Gross yield
3.10%
slowDays on marketmedian days to sellfast
This suburb Property segments · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
PAIR 01 OF 08
How fast — and is it getting faster?
What this shows

Combines the current median days on market with how much faster or slower it is changing compared to last year. Top-right means a fast-selling market that is getting faster compared to last year — peak demand.

The two axes
Days on marketX axis
median days to sell

Median days a property sits on the market before selling. Right side = fewer days (faster).

Days on market change (Year-on-year)Y axis
vs 12 months ago

How much faster (or slower) sales are completing compared to 12 months ago. Top = sales completing faster than a year ago.

Market data

How much stock is available right now?

How long current listings would take to clear at the recent rate of sales or leases. Critical shortage and Oversupply only fire at the genuine tails of the national distribution — sales tip in under 0.7 months, rentals far faster, under 0.3.

View
Sales market
SegmentBandMonths of supply leftYoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening.ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate.SoldSold (last year)Total sold transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months.Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are sold each month in this segment, over the last 12 months.
median
Rental market
SegmentBandMonths of supply leftYoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening.ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate.LeasedLeased (last year)Total leased transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months.Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are leased each month in this segment, over the last 12 months.
median
Severe
Very Tight
Tight
Balanced
Loose
Very Loose
Saturated
Under-suppliedOver-supplied
Market data

Who's transacting — buyers or tenants?

Out of every property transaction in this suburb, what share are sales versus leases — each point a rolling twelve-month window.

Property
Sawtell — Units & Houses, all bedrooms
Jun 2021 – May 2026 · each point = a 12-month window
0%25%50%75%100%20222023202420252026
Sales · buyer transactions
Leases · tenant transactions
Latest tenant share · trailing year
63.0%

of Sawtell's transactions in the year to May 2026 were leases.

5-year shift

Tenant share moved ↑ 9.3 pts since the 12 months ending Jun 2021, from 53.7% to 63.0%.

Market data

Five-year arc — how this market has moved

Each tape traces one metric across sixty months for the selected segment — every point a trailing twelve-month figure, matching the headline KPIs above.

Property
Bedrooms
Median price (trailing year)
May 2026
$1.20M-4.2%
5y median $1.17Mvs last year $1.25M
Total sales (trailing year)
May 2026
52+67.7%
5y median 40vs last year 31
Days on market (trailing year)
May 2026
84 days-31
5y median 97 daysvs last year 115 days
Median rent (trailing year)
May 2026
$705/wk+1.4%
5y median $650/wkvs last year $695/wk
Total leases (trailing year)
May 2026
55+3.8%
5y median 53vs last year 53
Days on market (rental) (trailing year)
May 2026
15 days+2
5y median 13 daysvs last year 13 days
Gross yield (trailing year)
May 2026
3.05%+0.17 pt
5y median 2.91%vs last year 2.88%
Months of supply
May 2026
3.7 months-51.9%
5y median 6.5 monthsvs last year 7.7 months
Months of supply (rental)
May 2026
2.0 months+0.0%
5y median 1.5 monthsvs last year 2.0 months
Market data

Nearby markets

Every market within reach of Sawtell, ranked by distance — each compared against this suburb's Houses · Total segment so divergence reads at a glance.

Market
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
Colour by
This marketSawtellNSW 2452 · Houses · Total
Price$1.19M
DOM55 days
Sold48
2 markets within 5kmLast 12 months
01
ToorminaNSW 2452 · 1.6km · Houses · Total
Price$766k
DOM26 days
Sold66
much cheapermuch faster
02
Boambee EastNSW 2452 · 3.1km · Houses · Total
Price$837k
DOM26 days
Sold98
cheapermuch faster
Loading map
Houses · TotalSales market
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Sawtell
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher
Market data

Similar markets

NSW markets whose Houses · Total segment behaves most like Sawtell's on the buy side — ranked by a like-for-like blend of price, yield, days on market, ownership cost and cycle phase.

Colour by
Property
Bedrooms
Market
Loading map
This marketSawtellNSW 2452 · Houses · Total
Price$1.19M
DOM55 days
Sold48
Most similar sales markets · within 15.5–669 kmLast 12 months
01
RobertsonNSW 2577 · 529km · 83% match
Price$1.20M
DOM58 days
Sold43
02
VincentiaNSW 2540 · 571km · 81% match
Price$1.24M
DOM55 days
Sold98
03
MittagongNSW 2575 · 518km · 81% match
Price$1.12M
DOM50 days
Sold98
04
BrouleeNSW 2537 · 669km · 81% match
Price$1.16M
DOM50 days
Sold31
05
Mollymook BeachNSW 2539 · 604km · 80% match
Price$1.16M
DOM60 days
Sold84
06
KoolewongNSW 2256 · 384km · 79% match
Price$1.15M
DOM45 days
Sold16
07
BundeenaNSW 2230 · 452km · 78% match
Price$1.35M
DOM53 days
Sold30
08
Caves BeachNSW 2281 · 334km · 78% match
Price$1.40M
DOM57 days
Sold69
09
Sapphire BeachNSW 2450 · 16km · 78% match
Price$1.19M
DOM29 days
Sold50
10
CorletteNSW 2315 · 278km · 78% match
Price$1.27M
DOM41 days
Sold110
188
BlaxlandNSW 2774 · 442km · 65% match
Price$1.20M
DOM21 days
Sold119
209
Mayfield WestNSW 2304 · 309km · 64% match
Price$1.02M
DOM22 days
Sold28
219
Mount AnnanNSW 2567 · 466km · 64% match
Price$1.24M
DOM20 days
Sold147
231
Narellan ValeNSW 2567 · 466km · 63% match
Price$1.15M
DOM20 days
Sold104
242
SpringwoodNSW 2777 · 440km · 63% match
Price$1.13M
DOM26 days
Sold109
297
NarellanNSW 2567 · 465km · 61% match
Price$1.11M
DOM19 days
Sold48
441
NararaNSW 2250 · 376km · 57% match
Price$1.05M
DOM22 days
Sold113
477
Berkeley ValeNSW 2261 · 366km · 56% match
Price$1.00M
DOM28 days
Sold159
488
Currans HillNSW 2567 · 464km · 55% match
Price$1.02M
DOM21 days
Sold72
628
WaratahNSW 2298 · 311km · 51% match
Price$963k
DOM21 days
Sold58
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Sawtell
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher

Comparable sales markets to Sawtell include Robertson (NSW 2577), Vincentia (NSW 2540), Mittagong (NSW 2575), Broulee (NSW 2537), Mollymook Beach (NSW 2539), Koolewong (NSW 2256), Bundeena (NSW 2230) and Caves Beach (NSW 2281). Each link opens that suburb's full market report.

Market data

Frequently asked · Sawtell

23 data-driven answers about Sawtell's property market — every one computed from the metrics above.

Browse by
  • What things costPrices, rent, yield, ownership cost6
  • How the market is movingSpeed, supply, growth, cycle phase7
  • How it comparesVs state, vs nearby, vs popular4
  • About the areaPopulation, income, who lives here, schools5
  • About this dataMethodology and update cadence1

What things cost

Prices, rent, yield, ownership cost
01

What is the median house price in Sawtell?

#

The median house price in Sawtell, NSW 2452 is $1.19M as of June 2026, based on 48 sales recorded over the past 12 months. Houses there have moved −6.5% year-on-year. Prices vary by bedroom count, from compact two-bedroom homes to larger four-bedroom houses. See the bedroom-level breakdown below for 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom medians.

02

What is the median unit price in Sawtell?

#

The median unit price in Sawtell, NSW 2452 is $640k as of June 2026, based on 24 sales over the past 12 months. Units have moved −11.3% year-on-year and currently trade at roughly 54% of the median house price.

03

How much does it cost to rent in Sawtell?

#

The median weekly house rent in Sawtell is $705 as of June 2026, drawn from 55 leases over the past 12 months. Units rent for around $520 per week. House rents have moved +1.4% year-on-year. Current vacancy pressure is shown in the supply section above.

04

What is the gross rental yield in Sawtell?

#

Gross rental yield in Sawtell is 3.10% for houses and 4.20% for units as of June 2026, compared with the NSW unit median of 4.81%. Gross yield is annual rent divided by purchase price — it doesn't account for ownership costs like council rates, strata, maintenance or vacancy.

05

What are typical sale prices by bedroom count in Sawtell?

#

As of June 2026, Sawtell medians by bedroom count:

Property1 bed2 bed3 bed4 bedTotal
Houses—$1.03M$1.06M$1.37M$1.19M
Units$423k$656k$1.31M—$640k

Figures cover only segments with enough recent transactions to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded.

06

What does it cost to own versus rent at the Sawtell median?

#

At the median Sawtell unit ($640k purchase, $520/week rent), weekly mortgage repayments sit at roughly $707 — about $187 more per week than renting. That gap is the ownership premium. Figures assume 80% LVR, a 6.0% interest rate and a 30-year principal-and-interest loan.

How the market is moving

Speed, supply, growth, cycle phase
07

What are Sawtell's property market trends?

#

Sawtell's property market trends to June 2026: house prices fell −6.5% year-on-year and units −11.3%; weekly house rents moved +1.4%; homes now sell in a median 55 days — faster than a year ago by 48; sales supply sits at 3.8 months (loose). Read together — price, rent, selling speed and supply — they show which way the Sawtell market is leaning. The 5-year tape and demand cycle charts above plot the full trajectory.

08

What does the data say about Sawtell as an investment?

#

As of June 2026 in Sawtell, house prices fell −6.5% over the year, gross rental yield is 3.10% against a NSW median of 3.39%, houses take a median 55 days to sell, sales supply is 3.8 months (loose). Capital growth, rental yield, selling speed and supply are the signals investors weigh — but these figures describe the market, not a recommendation. This is data, not financial advice; always do your own research and consider a licensed adviser.

09

How quickly do houses sell in Sawtell?

#

Houses in Sawtell sell in a median 55 days on market as of June 2026, with units clearing slightly faster at 48 days. Days on market have tightened by 48 days versus a year ago. Faster clearance typically coincides with stronger buyer demand and lower supply.

10

Is Sawtell a tight or loose property market right now?

#

Sawtell's sales market sits at 3.8 months of supply for houses as of June 2026 — classified as Loose against the Australian distribution. Under 1.7 months is Severe (extreme shortage); over 4.5 months is Loose. The rental side is tighter still at 1.3 months of supply.

11

Have property prices in Sawtell gone up or down?

#

House prices in Sawtell moved −6.5% over the 12 months to June 2026, while units moved −11.3%. The 5-year tape above plots the full monthly trajectory — showing where the market changed character rather than just crossing round numbers.

12

How active is the rental market in Sawtell?

#

Sawtell's house rental market sits at 1.3 months of supply as of June 2026 — classified as Tight, with 55 houses leased over the past 12 months. Units sit at 0.8 months. Tighter supply typically corresponds to faster letting and upward pressure on rents.

13

Where is Sawtell in its property market cycle?

#

Sawtell's house market is currently in the 'softer_firming' phase as of June 2026 — combining low sales velocity (bottom quartile nationally) with year-on-year tightening in days on market. The demand cycle chart above plots all eight segments on the same demand-versus-direction axes.

How it compares

Vs state, vs nearby, vs popular
14

How does Sawtell compare to other NSW suburbs?

#

Sawtell's median house price ($1.19M) is 4% above the NSW median ($1.15M) as of June 2026. On selling speed, houses clear in 55 days vs 29 days state median. On gross yield, Sawtell sits at 3.10% vs 3.39% state median.

15

How does Sawtell compare to neighbouring suburbs?

#

Sawtell's most-similar nearby market is Robertson (528.7 km away) with a median house price of $1.2M — about 0% pricier. The Nearby and Similar markets sections above rank every peer within radius and by composite similarity across price, days on market, yield, ownership cost and cycle phase.

16

What's the most popular property type in Sawtell?

#

The most-transacted segment in Sawtell over the 12 months to June 2026 is 4 bed houses with 20 sales. 3 bed houses come second at 16 sales. The 'Most popular' panel above breaks down the top segments with weekly mortgage, rent and ownership-cost detail.

17

How many properties were sold and leased in Sawtell last year?

#

Sawtell recorded 48 house sales and 24 unit sales over the 12 months to June 2026 — a combined 72 transactions. On the rental side, 55 houses and 76 units were leased. Segments with statistically thin samples are excluded from displayed figures.

About the area

Population, income, who lives here, schools
18

What is the population of Sawtell?

#

Sawtell, NSW 2452 is home to 3,788 residents (ABS Census 2021). The median resident age is 47, and the average household holds 2.3 people. The "Who lives here" section above breaks the community down by age, life stage and tenure.

19

What is the median household income in Sawtell?

#

The median household in Sawtell earns $1k per week — roughly $73k a year (ABS Census 2021). Median personal income runs $750/week. Income, rent-to-income and mortgage-to-income context sits in the "Who lives here" section above.

20

Do people own or rent in Sawtell?

#

Sawtell is mostly owner-occupied: about 66% of households are owner-occupiers and 33% rent (ABS Census 2021). Of owners, 43% own outright and 23% are paying off a mortgage.

21

What schools are near Sawtell?

#

Sawtell has 30 schools within reach, 2 of them inside the suburb itself — including Sawtell Public School, William Bayldon Public School. The Schools section above maps each one with sector, year range, enrolment, Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings and ICSEA (ACARA).

22

Is Sawtell a good place to live?

#

Sawtell, NSW 2452 has a population of 3,788, a median age of 47, a median household income around $1k/week, 33% of households renting (ABS Census 2021). There are 30 schools within reach. Whether it's the right fit depends on your priorities — these figures describe the community, housing mix and amenity rather than offer a verdict.

About this data

Methodology and update cadence
23

When was this Sawtell market data last updated?

#

This Sawtell market data was last updated June 2026. Figures are computed monthly from 12-month rolling windows of recorded sales and leases, with five years of monthly history behind the trend charts. Methodology, glossary and data sources are linked in the footer.

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Methodology

  • How metrics are calculated
  • Glossary of terms
  • Browse all suburbs
  • All NSW suburbs
  • About Micromarkets.ai

Suburbs near Sawtell

  • Toormina1.6km
  • Boambee East3.1km
  • Boambee5.2km
  • Bundagen6.7km
  • North Boambee Valley6.7km
  • Coffs Harbour6.8km
  • Bonville7.5km
  • Repton10.1km
  • Korora13.1km
  • Mylestom13.4km
  • Upper Orara13.7km
  • Raleigh14.4km
  • Karangi14.5km
  • Sapphire Beach15.5km
  • Valery16.2km
  • Hydes Creek17.1km
  • Fernmount19.1km
  • Urunga19.5km
  • Moonee Beach19.7km
  • Coramba20.1km
Disclaimer

Information is provided for general analytical purposes and does not constitute financial, investment, or property advice. Past performance does not predict future returns.

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