🔍

Emerald Beach

NSW 2456 • Rest of NSW

2,677
Population (2021)
$42,172
Median Income
15.04 km²
Area
$463/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyPeacefulSemi-Rural

About Emerald Beach

Emerald Beach is a coastal locality within the Coffs Harbour City local government area, located approximately 16 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The suburb spans 15 square kilometres and has a population of 2,677 residents, who enjoy a relaxed beachside lifestyle at low elevation right on the Pacific coast. The median household income of $1,813 per week is above regional averages, reflecting the area's appeal to working families and sea-changers seeking coastal living.

Emerald Beach is centred around its popular surf beach, which is patrolled and well-regarded for swimming and surfing, along with connecting coastal reserves and walking tracks. The community is close-knit and family-oriented, with a primary school, local shops, and access to the broader Coffs Harbour amenities just to the south. The suburb has a median age of 41 and attracts families, professionals, and retirees alike who value the natural environment, with Moonee Beach and Woolgoolga a short drive away for additional shops, cafes, and services.

Emerald Beach 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
-30.18°, 153.19°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
15.04 km²
Elevation
1m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coffs Harbour
16 km
N/A (drive only)

Bus Services

  • Coffs Harbour Bus Service regional routes — Coffs Harbour CBD 25–35 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
570 km
By Train
Drive to Coffs Harbour station (16 km), then NSW TrainLink North Coast Line to Sydney; approx. 6–7 hours total
By Car (Peak)
5 hr 30 min – 6 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 hr – 5 hr 30 min

🛣️ Coffs Harbour Airport (20 km south) offers regular flights to Sydney, making air travel the most practical option for CBD commuters.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Daily errands and services require a car; the beach and local coastal walks are accessible on foot but shops and services are limited within walking distance.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

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

Lord Howe Island Group
South Pacific Ocean NE of NSW, Lord Howe Island • SHR #00970

🔍 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 Emerald Beach by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Emerald Beach Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$463
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
41 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,234
Census 2021
2,677
▲ 19.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$33,696
Income 2021
$42,172
▲ 25.2% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,189
Born Overseas 378

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 87
  • 2. New Zealand 64
  • 3. United States 30
  • 4. Scotland 19
  • 5. South Africa 18
  • 6. Germany 16
  • 7. Philippines 13
  • 8. Canada 11
  • 9. Italy 9
  • 10. Malaysia 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,227
Australian 1,024
Scottish 364
Irish 354
German 138
Australian Aboriginal 133
Italian 52
Dutch 48
Chinese 39
French 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,718
Both parents born in Australia
467
Both parents born overseas
370
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.9%
Christianity
39.5%
Sikhism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
173 (6.5%)
5-14 years
415 (15.5%)
15-19 years
145 (5.4%)
20-24 years
95 (3.5%)
25-34 years
274 (10.2%)
35-44 years
379 (14.2%)
45-54 years
370 (13.8%)
55-64 years
364 (13.6%)
65-74 years
310 (11.6%)
75-84 years
121 (4.5%)
85+ years
28 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emerald Beach known for? +

Emerald Beach is known for its beautiful and uncrowded surf beach, which is patrolled and popular with swimmers, surfers, and families. The suburb has a relaxed coastal character and is surrounded by coastal heathland and reserves, making it a popular destination for those seeking a quieter alternative to Coffs Harbour's more developed areas.

How far is Emerald Beach from Coffs Harbour? +

Emerald Beach is approximately 16 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour city centre, roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive via the Pacific Highway.

Does Emerald Beach have public transport? +

Emerald Beach has limited bus services connecting to Coffs Harbour. The nearest train station is Coffs Harbour (16 km), served by NSW TrainLink North Coast services. A car is essentially required for daily life in the suburb.

What is the population of Emerald Beach? +

According to the 2021 Census, Emerald Beach has a population of 2,677, up significantly from 2,234 in 2016 — reflecting the strong growth in coastal Mid North Coast communities during that period.

Is Emerald Beach a good place to live? +

Emerald Beach is an excellent choice for those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle away from the hustle of larger towns, with a patrolled beach, natural surroundings, and a family-friendly community. It suits remote workers, retirees, and families who value outdoor living and don't need day-to-day urban amenities on their doorstep.

What is the postcode for Emerald Beach? +

The postcode for Emerald Beach is 2456, shared with Moonee Beach and other nearby localities.