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Palm Beach

NSW 2108 • Greater Sydney

1,652
Population (2021)
$67,340
Median Income
2.72 km²
Area
$895/wk
Median Rent
BeachsidePrestigeCoastalHeritageRetiree-Haven

About Palm Beach

Palm Beach is an iconic beachside suburb at the northernmost tip of Sydney's Northern Beaches, approximately 50 kilometres from the Sydney CBD within the Northern Beaches Council area. With a population of 1,652 at the 2021 Census, it is a small but prestigious enclave perched on a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and Pittwater. The suburb's median age of 58 and a weekly household income of $2,807 reflect an affluent and established resident base, supplemented by an enormous influx of visitors and holiday-home owners throughout the year.

Palm Beach is defined by its twin beaches — surf-facing Palm Beach to the east and the calm waters of Pittwater to the west — along with the heritage-listed Barrenjoey Lighthouse, which crowns the headland above the suburb. The village strip along Ocean Road offers boutique dining, cafes, and shopping, and the area is famously used as the filming location for the long-running television series Home and Away. A ferry service connects Pittwater residents to Church Point and Ettalong Beach, while the L90 bus provides access to Manly and Sydney. The suburb attracts families, retirees, and sea-change seekers who prize its combination of natural beauty, exclusivity, and relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Palm Beach falls under postcode 2108 and is governed by Northern Beaches Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pittwater electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2108
Urban Area
Pittwater
LGA / Council
Northern Beaches
Federal Electorate
Mackellar
State Electorate
Pittwater
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.60°, 151.33°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
2.72 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • L90 — Sydney CBD (Wynyard via Manly) Approx. 2 hrs (limited service)
  • 190 — Mona Vale / Wynyard Approx. 1 hr 30 min to CBD

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
No direct rail service; must drive or bus to Manly/Mona Vale then transfer
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
50 min – 1 hr 10 min

🛣️ Palm Beach Road / Barrenjoey Road is the main route south; the Palm Beach Ferry connects to Pittwater and Ettalong Beach

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The village centre and beach are walkable for residents, but most errands beyond the strip require a car or bus

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Palm Beach, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Currawong Workers' Holiday Camp
Currawong Beach • SHR #01784
Barrenjoey Head Lightstation
Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach • SHR #00979

🔍 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 Palm Beach by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Palm Beach Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$895
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$4,000
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
58 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,593
Census 2021
1,652
▲ 3.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$54,704
Income 2021
$67,340
▲ 23.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,221
Born Overseas 354

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 126
  • 2. New Zealand 45
  • 3. United States 27
  • 4. South Africa 14
  • 5. Italy 11
  • 6. Ireland 10
  • 7. Germany 9
  • 8. Hong Kong 9
  • 9. Scotland 9
  • 10. China 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 870
Australian 504
Irish 265
Scottish 244
German 67
Italian 56
French 25
Spanish 25
Dutch 23
Polish 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

885
Both parents born in Australia
402
Both parents born overseas
290
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.7%
No Religion
41.0%
Buddhism
1.2%
Judaism
1.0%
Islam
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
56 (3.4%)
5-14 years
111 (6.7%)
15-19 years
81 (4.9%)
20-24 years
58 (3.5%)
25-34 years
92 (5.6%)
35-44 years
120 (7.3%)
45-54 years
201 (12.2%)
55-64 years
306 (18.5%)
65-74 years
339 (20.5%)
75-84 years
240 (14.5%)
85+ years
41 (2.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Palm Beach NSW known for? +

Palm Beach is famous for its stunning twin beaches, the historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and as the filming location of the long-running Australian TV series Home and Away. It is also one of Sydney's most prestigious and sought-after coastal addresses.

How far is Palm Beach from Sydney CBD? +

Palm Beach is approximately 50 kilometres north of Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 50–70 minutes off-peak but can exceed 2 hours during peak hour, making it one of Sydney's more remote coastal suburbs.

Does Palm Beach have public transport? +

Palm Beach is served by bus routes including the L90 and 190 connecting to Sydney CBD via Manly and Mona Vale. There is no rail service; the nearest stations are far away. A Pittwater ferry service connects to Church Point and the Central Coast.

What is the population of Palm Beach? +

Palm Beach had a population of 1,652 at the 2021 Census, with roughly equal numbers of males and females. The resident population is small year-round but swells significantly during summer and school holidays due to holiday homes.

Is Palm Beach a good place to live? +

Palm Beach is exceptional for those who value natural beauty, a relaxed coastal lifestyle, and exclusivity. Property prices are among the highest in Sydney; it suits affluent retirees, holiday-home owners, and those who work remotely or have flexible arrangements given the distance from the city.

What is the postcode for Palm Beach NSW? +

The postcode for Palm Beach, New South Wales is 2108.