Empire Bay
NSW 2257 · Central Coast
2,522 (2021) → 2,575 est. (2025) · Stable
Part of the Central Coast local government area (est. 356,114 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Empire Bay is a stable suburb in Central Coast, NSW 2257, about 44km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.25M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 1 school, a transport score of 51/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Empire Bay has an overall score of 48/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 100/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2257 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (4.6%), New Zealand (1.31%), South Africa (0.52%), Wales (0.48%), China (0.4%)
Top languages: Tagalog (0.4%), Spanish (0.4%), French (0.36%), German (0.24%), Thai (0.24%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Small population (under 3,000) — crime rates may be volatile due to low sample size.
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1038 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Empire Bay Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1039
Nearby (within 10km)
- Coast Christian SchoolPrimary · Independent · 2.3kmICSEA 1061
- Brisbania Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3kmICSEA 1014
- Pretty Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3kmICSEA 1102
- Ettalong Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.5kmICSEA 975
- Woy Woy Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4kmICSEA 970
- Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy CampusSecondary · Government · 4.4kmICSEA 974
- Kincumber Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.4kmICSEA 1004
- Woy Woy South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 4.4kmICSEA 996
- Holy Cross Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 4.4kmICSEA 1081
- Kincumber High SchoolSecondary · Government · 4.5kmICSEA 1045
- Green Point Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · 4.7kmICSEA 1106
- Yattalunga Valley Christian SchoolPrimary · Independent · 4.8kmICSEA 1095
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Some green space
Around the national average — a reasonable amount of parks and outdoor space nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Rich cultural scene
Well above average — a strong mix of cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Central Coast
Compare Empire Bay with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Empire Bay
Is Empire Bay safe?
Empire Bay has a residential safety score of 100/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 1,269 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Empire Bay?
In Empire Bay, the median house price is $1.25M and the median unit price is $818K. Median weekly house rent is $650.
How far is Empire Bay from Sydney CBD?
Empire Bay is about 43.7 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 119 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Empire Bay?
Empire Bay has 1 school, with an average ICSEA of 1039 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Empire Bay?
Empire Bay has a transport score of 51/100 and 30 bus stops.