Central Coast: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Central Coast: The median total income of residents of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) who had income was $55,035 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 6th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Central Coast: 3,539 births were registered to mothers living in the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.87 births per woman, above the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Central Coast: 47.2% of residents of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 3rd lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Central Coast: The median weekly rent paid by households in the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) was $400 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Central Coast?
The Central Coast Council (New South Wales) had an estimated 357,816 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 13th highest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Central Coast growing?
The population of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) grew by 2,462 people (0.7%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 355,354 to 357,816; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Central Coast grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) rose 2.9%, from 347,734 to 357,816, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Central Coast in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) had net overseas migration of +1,823 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of +238 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Central Coast?
The Central Coast Council (New South Wales) covers 1,681 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 213 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Central Coast?
The median age of residents of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) was 42.8 years in 2024, above the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Central Coast?
The 2021 Census counted 131,713 households in the Central Coast Council (New South Wales), with an average of 2.5 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Central Coast were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 16.0% of residents of the Central Coast Council (New South Wales) were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 7.1% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Central Coast?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Sydney 5,638,830
- Greater Melbourne 5,435,590
- Greater Brisbane 2,833,524
- Greater Perth 2,452,765
- Greater Adelaide 1,491,015
- Brisbane 1,375,301
- Gold Coast-Tweed Heads 761,634
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
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Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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