🔍

Copacabana

NSW 2251 • Greater Sydney

2,809
Population (2021)
$46,436
Median Income
2.00 km²
Area
$510/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideCoastalFamily-FriendlyEstablished

About Copacabana

Copacabana is a small beachside suburb on the New South Wales Central Coast, situated approximately 75 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD within the Central Coast Council area. With a population of 2,809 and a median age of 43, the suburb has a settled, established character shaped by both permanent residents and those who have made it a long-term home by the sea. The median household income of around $2,143 per week reflects a comfortable demographic, and housing is predominantly low-density with detached homes and a handful of unit blocks spread across the coastal headland.

The suburb's centrepiece is Copacabana Beach, a patrolled surf beach sheltered between two rocky headlands and popular with swimmers, surfers, and families year-round. A small local shopping strip caters to daily needs, while the nearby township of Terrigal and Gosford provide broader retail, dining, and services. Residents rely on buses for connections to Gosford, where train services run to Sydney, and a car remains the most practical way to get around. The peaceful, unhurried atmosphere and direct beach access make Copacabana a favourite for families and retirees seeking coastal living within reach of Sydney.

Copacabana falls under postcode 2251 and is governed by Central Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Terrigal electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2251
Urban Area
Gosford - East
LGA / Council
Central Coast
Federal Electorate
Robertson
State Electorate
Terrigal
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.49°, 151.43°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
2.00 km²
Elevation
19m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Gosford
13 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Busways Route 68, 69 — Gosford Station 25-35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
75 km
By Train
Train from Gosford (~13 km away) to Sydney Central approx. 80 min via Central Coast & Newcastle Line
By Car (Peak)
75-100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-75 min

🛣️ M1 Pacific Motorway provides the main road corridor to Sydney. Gosford is the nearest major transport hub.

Walkability Car-Dependent

A small local strip and beach access are walkable, but most shopping and services require driving to Gosford or Terrigal.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Copacabana by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Copacabana Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Copacabana" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$510
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
43 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,735
Census 2021
2,809
▲ 2.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$39,312
Income 2021
$46,436
▲ 18.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,238
Born Overseas 500

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 193
  • 2. New Zealand 47
  • 3. Germany 25
  • 4. Ireland 24
  • 5. South Africa 23
  • 6. United States 21
  • 7. Italy 12
  • 8. Canada 11
  • 9. Scotland 11
  • 10. France 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,238
Australian 1,153
Irish 399
Scottish 299
Italian 119
German 118
Australian Aboriginal 70
Welsh 38
Dutch 35
New Zealander 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,586
Both parents born in Australia
647
Both parents born overseas
494
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.5%
Christianity
45.3%
Buddhism
0.9%
Judaism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
149 (5.3%)
5-14 years
405 (14.4%)
15-19 years
196 (7.0%)
20-24 years
149 (5.3%)
25-34 years
194 (6.9%)
35-44 years
360 (12.8%)
45-54 years
437 (15.6%)
55-64 years
440 (15.7%)
65-74 years
319 (11.4%)
75-84 years
116 (4.1%)
85+ years
26 (0.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Copacabana known for? +

Copacabana is best known for its beautiful patrolled surf beach nestled between two rocky headlands. The beach is popular with swimmers, surfers, and families, and the suburb has a relaxed coastal village atmosphere that draws both permanent residents and visitors from Sydney.

How far is Copacabana from Sydney CBD? +

Copacabana is approximately 75 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, making it around a 60–100 minute drive depending on traffic and conditions on the M1 Pacific Motorway.

Does Copacabana have public transport? +

Copacabana is served by Busways bus routes connecting it to Gosford Station, where Central Coast & Newcastle Line trains run to Sydney. There is no train station in the suburb itself, so a car or bus connection is required to reach the rail network.

What is the population of Copacabana? +

According to the 2021 Census, Copacabana has a population of 2,809 residents. The suburb has a median age of 43 and is predominantly made up of established families and long-term residents.

Is Copacabana a good place to live? +

Copacabana offers a rare combination of direct beach access and a quiet community atmosphere within reasonable distance of Sydney. It suits families and retirees who value coastal living and are happy to commute or work remotely, though day-to-day reliance on a car is necessary for most errands.

What is the postcode for Copacabana? +

The postcode for Copacabana, NSW is 2251.