Harrington vs Mitchells Island

Mitchells Island is the younger of the two, with a median age of 55 against 64 in Harrington. In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Harrington, most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Mitchells Island: a median of $925,000, against $778,000 in Harrington, though rent is higher in Harrington. On these figures, Harrington tends to suit people living alone, older residents, and buyers on a tighter budget.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Mitchells Island

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (18/100 vs 52/100)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • is already more of a family suburb (61% vs 37%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Harrington

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($477,500 vs $1,005,500)
  • has cheaper houses ($778,000 vs $925,000)
  • But Mitchells Island leaves households under less mortgage stress (22% vs 40%)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mitchells Island

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (22% vs 38%)
  • has cheaper rent ($290/wk vs $340/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Mitchells Island

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (13/100 vs 0/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (228 min vs 242 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (326.6 km vs 335.4 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Harrington

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (19% vs 2%)
  • has more GPs (2 vs 0)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (49% vs 32%)
  • But Mitchells Island is more walkable (13/100 vs 0/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Harrington

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (11.5% vs -1.3%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

Harrington and Mitchells Island drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Harrington Mitchells Island
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Harrington Mitchells Island
Walkability 0 / 13
Harrington — Walkability: 0/100 Mitchells Island — Walkability: 13/100
Safety 48 / 82
Harrington — Safety: 48/100 Mitchells Island — Safety: 82/100
Low fire risk 17 / 100
Harrington — Low fire risk: 17/100 Mitchells Island — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Harrington has more residents (3,381 vs 462); Mitchells Island has higher household incomes ($67,808 vs $45,916).

Harrington Mitchells Island
Population 3,381
+86% vs other
 462
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +11.5% -1.3%
Median age 64 55
Median household income $45,916/yr $67,808/yr
+48% vs other
Median weekly rent $340/wk
+15% vs other
 $290/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Harrington Mitchells Island
0-4 2.7% / 1.7%
Harrington — 0-4: 2.7% Mitchells Island — 0-4: 1.7%
5-14 5.3% / 9.5%
Harrington — 5-14: 5.3% Mitchells Island — 5-14: 9.5%
15-19 2.8% / 4.8%
Harrington — 15-19: 2.8% Mitchells Island — 15-19: 4.8%
20-24 2.5% / 3.9%
Harrington — 20-24: 2.5% Mitchells Island — 20-24: 3.9%
25-34 5.2% / 3.9%
Harrington — 25-34: 5.2% Mitchells Island — 25-34: 3.9%
35-44 5.8% / 8.7%
Harrington — 35-44: 5.8% Mitchells Island — 35-44: 8.7%
45-54 8.0% / 16.9%
Harrington — 45-54: 8.0% Mitchells Island — 45-54: 16.9%
55-64 18.8% / 19.3%
Harrington — 55-64: 18.8% Mitchells Island — 55-64: 19.3%
65-74 30.5% / 22.3%
Harrington — 65-74: 30.5% Mitchells Island — 65-74: 22.3%
75-84 14.6% / 7.8%
Harrington — 75-84: 14.6% Mitchells Island — 75-84: 7.8%
85+ 4.0% / 2.4%
Harrington — 85+: 4.0% Mitchells Island — 85+: 2.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (30.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Harrington 57.9% lone person
Harrington — Lone Person: 57.9% Harrington — Couple Families: 20.9% Harrington — One Parent Families: 15.7% Harrington — Group Household: 3.4% Harrington — Other Families: 2.1%
Mitchells Island 29.8% lone person
Mitchells Island — Lone Person: 29.8% Mitchells Island — Couple Families: 39.4% Mitchells Island — One Parent Families: 21.3% Mitchells Island — Group Household: 4.3% Mitchells Island — Other Families: 5.3%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Harrington 18.5% renting
Harrington — Owned Outright: 66.7% Harrington — Mortgage: 14.8% Harrington — Renting: 18.5%
Mitchells Island 9.1% renting
Mitchells Island — Owned Outright: 63.0% Mitchells Island — Mortgage: 27.9% Mitchells Island — Renting: 9.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Harrington Mitchells Island
Certificate III & IV 21.3% / 19.7%
Harrington — Certificate III & IV: 21.3% Mitchells Island — Certificate III & IV: 19.7%
Bachelor Degree 6.3% / 8.9%
Harrington — Bachelor Degree: 6.3% Mitchells Island — Bachelor Degree: 8.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.2% / 3.7%
Harrington — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.2% Mitchells Island — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 3.7%
Postgraduate Degree 1.9% / 1.7%
Harrington — Postgraduate Degree: 1.9% Mitchells Island — Postgraduate Degree: 1.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.0% / 1.5%
Harrington — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.0% Mitchells Island — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.3%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Harrington Mitchells Island
England 3.9% / 3.5%
Harrington — England: 3.9% Mitchells Island — England: 3.5%
New Zealand 1.0% / 1.3%
Harrington — New Zealand: 1.0% Mitchells Island — New Zealand: 1.3%
Malaysia — / 1.3%
Harrington — Malaysia: not among its largest Mitchells Island — Malaysia: 1.3%
South Africa — / 1.1%
Harrington — South Africa: not among its largest Mitchells Island — South Africa: 1.1%
Scotland 0.5% / —
Harrington — Scotland: 0.5% Mitchells Island — Scotland: not among its largest
Germany 0.5% / —
Harrington — Germany: 0.5% Mitchells Island — Germany: not among its largest
Philippines 0.4% / —
Harrington — Philippines: 0.4% Mitchells Island — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Harrington 81.1% houses
Harrington — Houses: 81.1% Harrington — Flats / Apartments: 11.4% Harrington — Townhouses: 7.5%
Mitchells Island 98.2% houses
Mitchells Island — Houses: 98.2% Mitchells Island — Flats / Apartments: 1.8% Mitchells Island — Townhouses: 0.0%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Harrington Mitchells Island
Median house price $778,000 $925,000
Median unit price $561,250 —
Median land price $477,500 $1,005,500
Typical days to sell (houses) 64 days
from 69 sales
 40 days
from 3 sales

Zoning mix

Mitchells Island has more rural and farming land (72% vs 20%); Harrington has more land zoned for conservation (70% vs 25%).

Harrington Mitchells Island
Rural and farming 20% 72%
Environmental 70% 25%
Residential 7% 3%
Parks and recreation 2% 0%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Harrington Mitchells Island
New dwellings approved 743
across Mid-Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year +327%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Harrington Mitchells Island
Houses 3.3%
$532/wk on $850K
 —
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Harrington Mitchells Island
House price Higher than 31% of NSW Higher than 43% of NSW
Income Higher than 7% of NSW Higher than 30% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 37% of NSW Higher than 61% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 27% of NSW Higher than 42% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 2% of NSW Higher than 36% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 75% of NSW Higher than 55% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 32% of NSW —

Liveability

Mitchells Island is more walkable (13 vs 0).

Harrington Mitchells Island
Grade D —
Score 14/100 —
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 below-average income
decile 3/10

Risk profile

Harrington carries more bushfire risk (83 vs 0); Harrington carries more crime risk (52 vs 18).

Harrington Mitchells Island
Bushfire High
83/100
 None
0/100
Crime Moderate
52/100
 Low
18/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion High
90/100
 High
81/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
 0
within 5 km

Schools

Harrington Mitchells Island
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Harrington

  • Harrington Public School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Mitchells Island

  • Mitchells Island Public School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Harrington Mitchells Island
Supermarkets 2 0
Cafes & restaurants 1 0
Parks & reserves 2 1
Childcare 2 0
GPs 2 0
Pharmacies 2 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Waterways 4 8

Mobility

Harrington sits further from the CBD (335.4 km vs 326.6 km).

Harrington Mitchells Island
Walkability score 0/100 13/100
Distance to Sydney 335.4 km
+3% vs other
 326.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 242 min 228 min
Electric vehicle share 0.1%
postcode 2427
 0.4%
postcode 2430
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 69
postcode 2427
 54
postcode 2430

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Harrington Mitchells Island
Car (driver) 75.6% / 73.0%
Harrington — Car (driver): 75.6% Mitchells Island — Car (driver): 73.0%
Worked from Home 14.4% / 18.4%
Harrington — Worked from Home: 14.4% Mitchells Island — Worked from Home: 18.4%
Car (passenger) 5.7% / 3.9%
Harrington — Car (passenger): 5.7% Mitchells Island — Car (passenger): 3.9%
Walked Only 4.0% / 2.6%
Harrington — Walked Only: 4.0% Mitchells Island — Walked Only: 2.6%
Bicycle — / 2.0%
Harrington — Bicycle: not among its largest Mitchells Island — Bicycle: 2.0%
Bus 0.4% / —
Harrington — Bus: 0.4% Mitchells Island — Bus: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (75.6%).

Setting

Harrington Mitchells Island
Elevation 1 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 1.7 km
3.7 km to a named beach
 2.6 km
4.6 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Harrington Mitchells Island
Connectivity score 67/100 30/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fixed wireless
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 42%
2,324 premises
 0%
241 premises

Climate

Harrington Mitchells Island
Annual rainfall 1,331 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Harrington Mitchells Island
Average residential rate $1,560/yr
same for both
Council Mid-Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Harrington Mitchells Island
Division Lyne
same for both
Member Alison Penfold
same for both
Party The Nationals
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Harrington Mitchells Island
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Harrington

Coastal Retirees

Mitchells Island

Coastal Retirees Rural

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Harrington

Harrington vs Coopernook Harrington vs Moorland Harrington vs Manning Point Harrington vs Coralville Harrington vs Crowdy Head

Other comparisons with Mitchells Island

Mitchells Island vs Old Bar Mitchells Island vs Coopernook Mitchells Island vs Oxley Island Mitchells Island vs Manning Point Mitchells Island vs Jones Island
Full data on Harrington Full data on Mitchells Island
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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