Norah Head
Norah Head (postcode 2263) is a coastal suburb at the northern end of the Central Coast, closer to Newcastle than it is to Sydney. It has a charming coastal feel, with a rocky headland, a historic lighthouse and popular surf beaches including Soldiers Beach, Pebbly Beach and Hargraves Beach.
The suburb offers a mix of natural beauty and modern amenities, with the Wyrrabalong National Park running along its southern edge, making it an attractive place to call home for those after a quieter, tight-knit coastal community.
At a glance
- Population: 1,149
- Area size: 4.25 km²
- Median weekly household income: $1,908
- Median monthly mortgage repayments: $2,555
Living on the Central Coast
What it's like to live in Norah Head
Norah Head is home to 1,149 people across 4.25 square kilometres, a small community that has held steady for two decades, from 1,104 in 2001 to 1,149 in 2021. With an average of 2.5 people per household, the suburb has a family feel.
Norah Head Population & Household Growth Over Time
| 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,104 | 1,144 | 1,086 | 1,129 | 1,149 |
| Median weekly household income | No data | $952 | $1,062 | $1,567 | $1,711 |
| Medial Monthly Mortgage Repayments | No Data | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,013 | $2,167 |
| Percentage of Owner Occupier | 71% | 73% | 76% | 79% | 80% |
| Percentage of Renter | 29% | 27% | 24% | 21% | 20% |
| Total Dwellings | 521 | 492 | 516 | 506 | 498 |
| Average People per Household | No Data | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.5 |
Owner-occupiers make up 80% of households and renters 20%, with home ownership rising at every Census since 2001. The leading occupations are Professionals (21%), Technicians and Trades Workers (15%) and Clerical and Administrative Workers (15%), and the top employing industries are Hospitals, Secondary Education and Primary Education.
Crime sits low here too. A score of 22 out of 100, where a higher number means more crime. Often one of the first things families check before deciding to move.
Housing options for owner-occupiers
Norah Head offers a diverse range of property options, with the large majority free-standing homes (89.9%), complemented by townhouses (6.1%) and a scattering of apartments throughout the suburb. If you're after beachfront or ocean views, Norah Head has plenty of both. If you're after a Central Coast acreage, Norah Head is not the suburb for you.
Current property snapshot (October 2026)
| Metric | Houses |
|---|---|
| Median Price | $1,675,000 |
| Median Rent (per week) | $675 |
| Typical time to sell | ~70 days |
| Gross rental yield | 2.10% |
How Prices Have Moved Over Time (Houses)
| Period | Change |
|---|---|
| 3 Months | 4.20% ($67,500) |
| 12 Months | 7.54% ($117,500) |
| 3 Years | 34.00% ($425,000) |
| 5 Years | 36.18% ($445,000) |
| 5-year average annual growth | 6.37% |
| 10-year average annual growth | 9.66% |
| 20-year average annual growth | 6.56% |
| 30-year average annual growth | 7.79% |
Renting in Norah Head
Median rent for a house in Norah Head is $675 a week, up 0.75% over the past quarter and 14.41% over three years, though 3.57% lower than a year ago. Units rent for $585 a week, up 6.36% over the year and 11.43% over three years. The vacancy rate is 1.39%, well under the 3% generally considered a healthy balance between tenants and owners. With only one in five households renting, rentals are relatively scarce and Norah Head is a predominantly owner-occupied suburb.
An above-average, owner-occupied coastal village
Norah Head's SEIFA advantage score (the ABS's measure of relative socio-economic advantage) has sat above the midpoint at every Census since 2001, between 6 and 8 out of 10, and the economic resources index has risen from 5 in 2001 to 7 in 2021. Median weekly household income has almost doubled from $952 in 2006 to $1,711 at the 2021 Census, with the current estimate now $1,908 a week, and houses are up 36.18% over five years, with a 12-month gain of 7.54%. Public and community housing makes up 0.80% of dwellings (4 dwellings), a negligible share of the suburb.
Getting around
Norah Head is an 18 minute drive to both Warnervale train station and Wyee train station. The M1 motorway, which connects to both Sydney and Newcastle, is 20 minutes away.
Our local favourite
A Sharp Property Buyers favourite in Norah Head is Johnny Tapas on Mitchell Street. Be sure to check out their cocktails!
If you're thinking about calling Norah Head home, our team of buyers agents are here to help you find your ideal property. Contact us today and let us assist you in your search for the perfect property in Norah Head.
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