Nelson Bay

NSW 2315 · Port Stephens

6,141 (2021) → 6,207 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth

Part of the Port Stephens local government area (est. 79,727 residents)

Overall score

Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.

6,141

Population

$1.09M

Median house (2025)

Safety score

Transport score

Nelson Bay is a moderate growth suburb in Port Stephens, NSW 2315, about 153km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.09M is around the same as the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 28/100, and is right by the coast. Nelson Bay has an overall score of 47/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 43/100.

153.3 km

To Sydney CBD

1.8 km

To coast

$750/wk

Median rent (house)

26.9 km

To nearest station

Demographics

6,141

Population

Median age

2.2

Avg household

Age distribution

Housing tenure

Owned
Mortgage
Rented

Commute to work

Car
Public transport
Walk/cycle
Work from home

Port Stephens LGA population (est. 2025)79,727

Median household income (weekly)$1,305

vs NSW median-29.5%

Bachelor degree or higher28.9%

Born in Australia76.2%

Dwellings: house / unit / townhouse1,525 / 497 / 536

Top countries of birth: England (5.03%), New Zealand (1.51%), Philippines (0.88%), Nepal (0.85%), USA (0.78%)

Top languages: Nepali (0.8%), Greek (0.7%), Italian (0.6%), Croatian (0.47%), Mandarin (0.44%)

Source: ABS Census 2021

Property

$1.09M-7.1%

Median house (2025)

$680K+5.8%

Median unit (2025)

Median price history

Median rent — house / unit$750 / $580 wk

Rental yield (house)3.6%

Days on market (house)33 days

Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q4 2025

Residential Safety

Residential

Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:

Break & enter dwelling309/100k

Steal from dwelling228/100k

Motor vehicle theft261/100k

Domestic assault619/100k

Robbery16/100k

Residential incidents over time

Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.

Area crime context

Total recorded incidents: 665 (all categories, latest year)10,829 per 100,000 residents2-yr5-yr

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 2025

Schools

Within 10km2 in suburb

Govt (suburb)

Catholic (suburb)

Indep. (suburb)

Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 992 (below the national average of 1000).

In suburb

St Michael's Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1045
Alesco Senior College - Tomaree CampusSecondary · Independent

Nearby (within 10km)

Tomaree Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 978
Tomaree High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.5kmICSEA 974
St Philip's Christian College - Port StephensCombined · Independent · 2.7kmICSEA 1074
St Philip's Christian College Dynamic Learning - Port StephensCombined · Independent · 2.7km
Shoal Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 3.3kmICSEA 982
Anna Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 6.5kmICSEA 973
Soldiers Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.5kmICSEA 987
Tea Gardens Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 7.7kmICSEA 921

Source: ACARA 2023

Transport

64Bus

CBD commute (est.)Data not available

Nearest train stationLimeburners Creek Coach Stop (26.9 km)

Source: TfNSW GTFS

Liveability

27.5°C

Summer max

18.0°C

Winter max

1,100mm

Rainfall/yr

Sun/day

Amenities within 2–3km

Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.

31 in suburbSupermarkets

1919 in suburbCafes/Rest.

2020 in suburbParks

44 in suburbPlaygrounds

1210 in suburbPools

31 in suburbGyms

0Dog parks

00 in suburbGPs

00 in suburbPharmacies

00 in suburbChildcare

00 in suburbLibraries

6051 in suburbSports fields

11 in suburbVets

Nearest beachDutchmans Beach (1.8 km)

Nearest hospitalTomaree Community Hospital (2.5 km)

Nearest vet1.4 km

Nearest airportNewcastle (42.4 km)

Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap

Population & Growth

Moderate Growth

Annual growth rate0.27%

Projected population 20417,071

Projected households 2041Data not available

Source: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI

Nearby suburbs in Port Stephens

Corlette$1.19M45transport Fingal Bay$1.66M26transport One MileData not available25transport Shoal Bay$1.23M29transport Salamander Bay$1.15M31transport Boat Harbour (Port Stephens)$1.39M29transport

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Nelson Bay

Frequently asked questions about Nelson Bay

Is Nelson Bay safe?

Nelson Bay has a residential safety score of 43/100, 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 10,829 per 100,000 across all categories.

What are property prices in Nelson Bay?

In Nelson Bay, the median house price is $1.09M and the median unit price is $680K. Median weekly house rent is $750.

How far is Nelson Bay from Sydney CBD?

Nelson Bay is about 153.3 km from Sydney CBD.

What schools are in Nelson Bay?

Nelson Bay has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1045 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.

What is public transport like in Nelson Bay?

Nelson Bay has a transport score of 28/100 and 64 bus stops.