🔍

Sapphire Beach

NSW 2450 • Rest of NSW

2,660
Population (2021)
$49,660
Median Income
7.83 km²
Area
$475/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRetireesAffordable

About Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is a small coastal suburb located approximately 10 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid-North Coast, within the City of Coffs Harbour local government area. With a population of around 2,660 residents spread across 7.8 square kilometres, it is a relaxed, low-density community centred around its namesake beach — a sheltered, patchy-sand beach known for crystal-clear waters. The suburb sits at a modest elevation of 23 metres above sea level and backs onto Pacific Highway corridors and native coastal bushland.

Sapphire Beach attracts a predominantly older demographic, with a median age of 46, including many sea-changers, retirees, and families seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle away from the bustle of Coffs Harbour. The local beach is popular for swimming, dog walking, and fishing, while the broader Coffs Harbour area offers shopping, dining, the Coffs Harbour Jetty precinct, and access to Southern Cross University. Residents typically drive to Coffs Harbour CBD for everyday needs, with limited local shops and a small café near the beach reserve. The Pacific Highway provides easy road access north toward Woolgoolga and Grafton.

Sapphire Beach falls under postcode 2450 and is governed by Coffs Harbour Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Coffs Harbour electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2450
Urban Area
Coffs Harbour
LGA / Council
Coffs Harbour
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Coffs Harbour
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.23°, 153.15°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
7.83 km²
Elevation
23m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 640, 641 — Coffs Harbour CBD 20-30 min

Commute to Coffs Harbour CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
No train station in suburb; Coffs Harbour station ~10km south
By Car (Peak)
12-18 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Car is the primary mode of transport. Limited local bus services connect to Coffs Harbour CBD.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Very limited walkability beyond the beach area; car required for most daily needs

🛒 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 Sapphire Beach by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Sapphire Beach Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$475
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,174
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
46 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,084
Census 2021
2,660
▲ 27.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$37,492
Income 2021
$49,660
▲ 32.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,098
Born Overseas 467

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 113
  • 2. New Zealand 44
  • 3. South Africa 41
  • 4. India 36
  • 5. United States 20
  • 6. Canada 12
  • 7. Ireland 12
  • 8. Scotland 12
  • 9. China 11
  • 10. Germany 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,187
Australian 963
Irish 407
Scottish 330
German 138
Italian 81
Australian Aboriginal 78
Dutch 51
Indian 43
Chinese 41

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,646
Both parents born in Australia
555
Both parents born overseas
345
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.9%
No Religion
41.8%
Sikhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
154 (5.8%)
5-14 years
365 (13.7%)
15-19 years
127 (4.8%)
20-24 years
66 (2.5%)
25-34 years
217 (8.2%)
35-44 years
351 (13.2%)
45-54 years
367 (13.8%)
55-64 years
427 (16.1%)
65-74 years
389 (14.6%)
75-84 years
165 (6.2%)
85+ years
38 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sapphire Beach patrolled? +

Sapphire Beach is not a patrolled beach, so swimmers should exercise caution. However, it is known for its calm and sheltered conditions. Dogs are allowed on lead at the beach reserve.

How far is Sapphire Beach from Coffs Harbour? +

Sapphire Beach is approximately 10 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour CBD, roughly a 12–15 minute drive via the Pacific Highway.

What is the population of Sapphire Beach? +

Sapphire Beach had a population of 2,660 at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 46 — reflecting its appeal to retirees and sea-changers.

Are there schools in Sapphire Beach? +

There are no schools within Sapphire Beach itself. The nearest schools are in Woolgoolga (about 5 km north) and Coffs Harbour (about 10 km south), with bus services connecting families to these areas.