Coast population up 18,860 since 2016

THE AUSTRALIAN STATISTICIAN has released the first tranche of the results of the 2016 Census revealing that the Central Coast’s population has grown by 18,860, up 5.75% over the five years since the last Census.

CCBR has reviewed some of the data released and commencing with this, our August issue, will revue data that shows how the Coast is changing.

The Table opposite shows Population, Median Age and Median Personal Income Weekly for the region by Post Code with comparisons from the 2016 Census.

We have selected Gosford, Terrigal and Hamlyn Terrace, Wadalba, Woongarrah as suburbs to take a closer look at, as anecdotally they have seen significant developments over the last five years.

Population Overall, the Central Coast population has grown by 5.75% which is a little over 1% per annum and aligns with the Department of Planning’s 2036 Growth Strategy (now superseded by a Regional Strategy).

Over the past 20 years, and particularly since 2006, the Central Coast’s population has grown at around 1% per year. Earlier years had seen growth drop to near zero.

Central Coast Population 2001 - 2021 Year Number People Change over 5 years %age change

2001 285,508 2006 293,710 8,202 +2.87% 2011 308,630 14,920 +5.08% 2016 327,736 19,106 +6.19% 2021 346,596 18,860 +5.75% Source: ABS Census data

GOSFORD Gosford’s population as increased by 1,374 or 39.2% and can be attributed to the number of residential developments that have been built and occupied during the 2016-2021 period.

With a Median Age of 35, Gosford is by far a much younger suburb that most of the rest of the Central Coast, except for north Wyong. Gosford – Suburb – Community Profile 2021 2016 Variation

Population 4,873 3,499 +1,374

Median Age 35 35

Median Personal Income weekly $885 $719 +$166

Median Household Income Weekly $1,421 $1,203 +$218

Median Mortgage monthly $1,665 $1,400 +265

Median Rent Weekly $390 $340 +$50 Source: ABS Census 2016 and 2021 TERRIGAL Terrigal’s population increased by 12.2% in the five years. This can be attributed to the large number of infill developments that has taken place in recent years. One aspect of Terrigal’s population compared with the number of residences is the number of apartments that are generally vacant during the week and occupied at weekends. This will become apparent when the ABS releases the next tranche of the Census data in October.

Terrigal - Suburb – Community Profile 2021 2016 Variation

Population Median Age Median Personal Income weekly 12,730 11,349 +1,381 43 42 $906 $734 +$172

Median Household Income Weekly Median Mortgage monthly $2,056 $1,679 +$377

$2,492 $2,167 +$325

Median Rent Weekly $520 $450 +$70

HAMLYN TERRACE, WADALBA, WOONGARRAH By far the areas with the highest growth on the Central Coast is the Hamlyn Terrace, Wadalba, Woongarrah with a growth of 25.4% - 5.1% per year. With a Median Age of 34 this area is by far the youngest on the Central Coast.

Hamlyn Terrace, Wadalba, Woongarrah – Suburbs – Community Profile

2021 2016 Variation

Population 18,927 14,126 +4,801

Median Age 35 34

Median Personal Income weekly Median Household Income Weekly $799 $625 +$174

$2,046 $1,684 +$152

Median Mortgage monthly $2,167 $2,058 +$169 Median Rent Weekly $500 $450 +$50

Central Coast Community Profiles by Post Code – Census 2021 with 2016 comparisons – Page 19