Toukley
Toukley is a charming, affordable suburb at the northern end of the Central Coast, known for its relaxed lakeside and coastal lifestyle on Budgewoi Lake. The suburb has a vibrant community atmosphere, with supermarkets, specialty stores, cafes, medical centres, schools and recreational facilities all close at hand. Neighbouring Norah Head is a short drive away for more of the coastline.
At a glance
- Population: 4,557
- Area size: 3.68 km²
- Median weekly household income: $1,164
- Median monthly mortgage repayments: $2,054
Living on the Central Coast
What it's like to live in Toukley
Toukley is a compact lakeside suburb of just over 4,500 people across 3.68 square kilometres, about 74 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Population has grown gradually from 4,131 in 2001 to 4,557 in 2021, with most of that growth landing between 2011 and 2016.
Toukley Population & Household Growth Over Time
| 2001 | 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,131 | 4,200 | 4,139 | 4,550 | 4,557 |
| Median weekly household income | No data | $582 | $710 | $903 | $1,044 |
| Medial Monthly Mortgage Repayments | No Data | $1,430 | $1,554 | $1,602 | $1,742 |
| Percentage of Owner Occupier | 60% | 55% | 55% | 56% | 55% |
| Percentage of Renter | 40% | 45% | 45% | 44% | 45% |
| Total Dwellings | 2,172 | 2,175 | 2,194 | 2,244 | 2,358 |
| Average People per Household | No Data | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.1 |
Owner-occupiers currently make up 55% of households, with renters at 45%, a split that has held fairly steady since 2006 after easing slightly from 60% owner-occupier in 2001. Renters make up a genuinely sizeable share of the suburb rather than a small minority, worth keeping in mind for anyone weighing up the local rental market alongside buying.
It's still a predominantly house-first suburb: 71% of dwellings are separate houses, with 16% townhouses and 13% flats or apartments.
The leading occupations locally are Technicians and Trades Workers (17%), Professionals (15%) and Community and Personal Service Workers (15%). The top employing industries are Hospitals (excluding psychiatric), Aged Care Residential Services and Other Social Assistance Services.
Housing options for owner-occupiers
Toukley offers some of the more affordable housing on the Central Coast, with a genuine mix of modest townhouses, retirement living, family homes and waterfront properties on Budgewoi Lake. If you're after a Central Coast acreage, Toukley isn't the suburb for it, but its lakeside position and range of dwelling types make it an accessible entry point for buyers prioritising affordability and lifestyle.
Current property snapshot (October 2026)
| Metric | Houses | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Median Price | $925,000 | $595,000 |
| Median Rent (per week) | $580 | $520 |
| Typical time to sell | ~22 days | ~33 days |
| Gross rental yield | 3.26% | 4.54% |
For units, only the current median ($767,500) and the 20-year average annual growth (4.99%) are available. Sales volumes for units here are low enough that shorter-term figures simply aren't reported.
Houses are typically selling in around 15 days, down from roughly 42 days a year ago and 68 days three years ago. That's a strong signal of buyer interest in family homes here. Against its neighbours, Killarney Vale remains one of the more accessible entry points to Tuggerah Lake and beach-side living on the Central Coast, well under the waterfront premiums you'd pay in Bateau Bay or Blue Bay.
How Prices Have Moved Over Time (Houses)
| Period | Change |
|---|---|
| 3 Months | -1.39% (-$13,000) |
| 12 Months | +8.38% ($71,500) |
| 3 Years | +19.74% ($152,500) |
| 5 Years | +33.95% ($234,450) |
| 5-year average annual growth | 6.02% |
| 10-year average annual growth | 5.89% |
| 20-year average annual growth | 6.25% |
| 30-year average annual growth | 6.99% |
Renting in Toukley
The median rent for a house in Toukley is $580 a week, flat over the past quarter but up 5.45% over the year and 38.10% over five years. Units sit at $520 a week, up 15.56% over the year and 52.94% over five years, the steeper climb of the two.
Schools and childcare
Public schools: Toukley has one school within the suburb, Toukley Public School (government, primary).
Early learning & childcare: there are six childcare and early learning services in the suburb: Coastal Kids Education and Care, Play to Learn Early Learning Centre (two locations, Main Road and Victoria Avenue), Toukley Pre-School, Toukley Public School Preschool and Toukley Public School Kooloora Preschool.
Health and everyday amenities
Wyong Hospital is the main public hospital servicing the area. Day-to-day needs are otherwise well covered locally, with supermarkets, specialty stores, cafes, restaurants and medical centres in the suburb's shopping precinct.
An affordable, lakeside neighbourhood
Toukley's SEIFA scores (the ABS's measure of relative socio-economic advantage) have sat at the lower end of the scale across every Census since 2001, consistent with its position as one of the more affordable suburbs on the Central Coast. That said, median household income has nearly doubled since 2006, from $582 to $1,044 a week. It's also worth noting for due diligence: social and community housing makes up 5.64% of dwellings (133 properties), a larger share than some neighbouring suburbs, concentrated mostly in apartments and semi-detached homes rather than standalone houses.
Getting around
Toukley is a 15 minute drive to Warnervale train station, or a 15 minute drive to the M1 motorway, which connects to both Sydney and Newcastle.
Our local favourite
A Sharp Property Buyers recommendation in Toukley is The Beachcomber Hotel & Resort.
Toukley is a sought-after suburb on the Central Coast, offering a relaxed coastal lifestyle, diverse housing options and a range of amenities to cater to residents' needs. Whether you're seeking a waterfront retreat or a family-friendly community, Toukley has something to offer for everyone.
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