Nelson Bay vs Anna Bay

In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Nelson Bay, about half of households are people living alone.

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

Anna Bay

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (52/100 vs 79/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (84% vs 59%)
  • But Nelson Bay has more childcare (7 vs 2)

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

First-home buyers

Nelson Bay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper land ($750,000 vs $1,321,000)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Nelson Bay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (32% vs 19%)

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

Commuting to the city

Anna Bay

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (156 min vs 164 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (203.1 km vs 207.4 km)
  • But Nelson Bay is more walkable (26/100 vs 14/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Nelson Bay

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (5 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (41% vs 16%)
  • is more walkable (26/100 vs 14/100)
  • But Anna Bay carries lower crime risk (52/100 vs 79/100)

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

Investors

Anna Bay

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.6% vs 3.2%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
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.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Walkability 26 / 14
Nelson Bay — Walkability: 26/100 Anna Bay — Walkability: 14/100
Safety 21 / 48
Nelson Bay — Safety: 21/100 Anna Bay — Safety: 48/100
Low fire risk 25 / 34
Nelson Bay — Low fire risk: 25/100 Anna Bay — Low fire risk: 34/100

Demographics

Nelson Bay has more residents (6,141 vs 4,221).

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Population 6,141
+31% vs other
 4,221
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +5.5% +9.8%
Median age 51 52
Median household income $67,860/yr
+9% vs other
 $61,828/yr
Median weekly rent $380/wk $390/wk
+3% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
0-4 3.7% / 4.7%
Nelson Bay — 0-4: 3.7% Anna Bay — 0-4: 4.7%
5-14 9.6% / 10.2%
Nelson Bay — 5-14: 9.6% Anna Bay — 5-14: 10.2%
15-19 5.3% / 5.4%
Nelson Bay — 15-19: 5.3% Anna Bay — 15-19: 5.4%
20-24 4.3% / 3.9%
Nelson Bay — 20-24: 4.3% Anna Bay — 20-24: 3.9%
25-34 8.8% / 8.1%
Nelson Bay — 25-34: 8.8% Anna Bay — 25-34: 8.1%
35-44 9.5% / 8.6%
Nelson Bay — 35-44: 9.5% Anna Bay — 35-44: 8.6%
45-54 12.6% / 11.9%
Nelson Bay — 45-54: 12.6% Anna Bay — 45-54: 11.9%
55-64 16.7% / 15.6%
Nelson Bay — 55-64: 16.7% Anna Bay — 55-64: 15.6%
65-74 17.8% / 17.4%
Nelson Bay — 65-74: 17.8% Anna Bay — 65-74: 17.4%
75-84 9.1% / 12.4%
Nelson Bay — 75-84: 9.1% Anna Bay — 75-84: 12.4%
85+ 2.4% / 1.9%
Nelson Bay — 85+: 2.4% Anna Bay — 85+: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Nelson Bay 48.1% lone person
Nelson Bay — Lone Person: 48.1% Nelson Bay — Couple Families: 28.9% Nelson Bay — One Parent Families: 16.9% Nelson Bay — Group Household: 5.1% Nelson Bay — Other Families: 1.0%
Anna Bay 41.8% lone person
Anna Bay — Lone Person: 41.8% Anna Bay — Couple Families: 36.4% Anna Bay — One Parent Families: 16.4% Anna Bay — Group Household: 4.2% Anna Bay — Other Families: 1.2%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Nelson Bay 31.5% renting
Nelson Bay — Owned Outright: 43.7% Nelson Bay — Mortgage: 24.8% Nelson Bay — Renting: 31.5%
Anna Bay 18.9% renting
Anna Bay — Owned Outright: 52.6% Anna Bay — Mortgage: 28.4% Anna Bay — Renting: 18.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Certificate III & IV 17.8% / 21.9%
Nelson Bay — Certificate III & IV: 17.8% Anna Bay — Certificate III & IV: 21.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.1% / 9.0%
Nelson Bay — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.1% Anna Bay — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Bachelor Degree 10.7% / 7.2%
Nelson Bay — Bachelor Degree: 10.7% Anna Bay — Bachelor Degree: 7.2%
Postgraduate Degree 3.3% / 1.7%
Nelson Bay — Postgraduate Degree: 3.3% Anna Bay — Postgraduate Degree: 1.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.0%
Nelson Bay — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Anna Bay — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.9%).

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.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
England 5.0% / 5.6%
Nelson Bay — England: 5.0% Anna Bay — England: 5.6%
New Zealand 1.5% / 1.8%
Nelson Bay — New Zealand: 1.5% Anna Bay — New Zealand: 1.8%
Scotland 0.7% / 0.7%
Nelson Bay — Scotland: 0.7% Anna Bay — Scotland: 0.7%
Nepal 0.8% / 0.3%
Nelson Bay — Nepal: 0.8% Anna Bay — Nepal: 0.3%
South Africa 0.5% / 0.5%
Nelson Bay — South Africa: 0.5% Anna Bay — South Africa: 0.5%
Philippines 0.9% / —
Nelson Bay — Philippines: 0.9% Anna Bay — Philippines: not among its largest
Germany — / 0.9%
Nelson Bay — Germany: not among its largest Anna Bay — Germany: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Nelson Bay 59.1% houses
Nelson Bay — Houses: 59.1% Nelson Bay — Townhouses: 20.8% Nelson Bay — Flats / Apartments: 20.1%
Anna Bay 84.4% houses
Anna Bay — Houses: 84.4% Anna Bay — Townhouses: 13.6% Anna Bay — Flats / Apartments: 2.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Median house price $1,042,500 $999,400
Median unit price $672,500 —
Median land price $750,000 $1,321,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 36 days
from 98 sales
 35 days
from 49 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
2 bed $900K / $550K
Nelson Bay — 2 bed: $900K (11 sales) Anna Bay — 2 bed: $550K (11 sales)

11 vs 11 sales

3 bed $992K / $855K
Nelson Bay — 3 bed: $992K (64 sales) Anna Bay — 3 bed: $855K (33 sales)

64 vs 33 sales

4 bed $1.18M / $1.16M
Nelson Bay — 4 bed: $1.18M (52 sales) Anna Bay — 4 bed: $1.16M (33 sales)

52 vs 33 sales

5 bed $1.34M / $1.66M
Nelson Bay — 5 bed: $1.34M (10 sales) Anna Bay — 5 bed: $1.66M (6 sales)

10 vs 6 sales

Zoning mix

Anna Bay has more rural and farming land (45% vs 2%); Nelson Bay has more land zoned for conservation (59% vs 45%).

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Environmental 59% 45%
Rural and farming 2% 45%
Residential 19% 6%
Parks and recreation 18% 1%
Infrastructure and transport 1% 2%
Commercial 1% 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

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
New dwellings approved 495
across Port Stephens
same for both
Approvals change year on year -72%
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.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Houses 3.2%
$735/wk on $1.19M
 5.6%
$750/wk on $700K
Units 4.6%
$550/wk on $620K
 —

Ranking within NSW

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
House price Higher than 58% of NSW Higher than 54% of NSW
Income Higher than 31% of NSW Higher than 24% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 73% of NSW Higher than 64% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 27% of NSW Higher than 26% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 77% of NSW Higher than 54% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 71% of NSW
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 31% of NSW Higher than 98% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 50% of NSW —

Liveability

Nelson Bay is more walkable (26 vs 14).

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Grade D
same for both
Score 24/100 27/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
same for both

Risk profile

Nelson Bay carries more crime risk (79 vs 52).

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Bushfire High
75/100
 Moderate
66/100
Crime High
79/100
 Moderate
52/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion Low
35/100
 Low
16/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
 0
within 5 km

Schools

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Nelson Bay

  • St Michael's Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Alesco Secondary College - Tomaree Campus Independent · Secondary · Special school

Schools in Anna Bay

  • Anna Bay Public School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Supermarkets 1
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 22 3
Parks & reserves 8 7
Childcare 7 2
GPs 5 1
Pharmacies 2 1
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 2 1
Fuel stations 1 2
Waterways 0 3

Mobility

Nelson Bay sits further from the CBD (207.4 km vs 203.1 km).

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Walkability score 26/100 14/100
Distance to Sydney 207.4 km
+2% vs other
 203.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 164 min 156 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 87.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 102.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.9%
postcode 2315
 0.5%
postcode 2316
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 33
postcode 2315
 56
postcode 2316

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.

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Car (driver) 65.9% / 69.7%
Nelson Bay — Car (driver): 65.9% Anna Bay — Car (driver): 69.7%
Worked from Home 21.7% / 20.4%
Nelson Bay — Worked from Home: 21.7% Anna Bay — Worked from Home: 20.4%
Car (passenger) 5.2% / 5.2%
Nelson Bay — Car (passenger): 5.2% Anna Bay — Car (passenger): 5.2%
Walked Only 5.8% / 3.0%
Nelson Bay — Walked Only: 5.8% Anna Bay — Walked Only: 3.0%
Bus 1.0% / 1.2%
Nelson Bay — Bus: 1.0% Anna Bay — Bus: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (69.7%).

Setting

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Elevation 42 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 0 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 1.8 km
1.8 km to a named beach
 1.9 km
3.3 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Connectivity score 62/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 31%
4,940 premises
 32%
2,206 premises

Climate

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Annual rainfall 1,181 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.7°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.5°C
same for both

Council rates

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Average residential rate $1,359/yr
same for both
Council Port Stephens
same for both

Federal electorate

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Division Paterson
same for both
Member Meryl Swanson
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Nelson Bay Anna Bay
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Nelson Bay

Coastal Retirees Townhouses

Anna Bay

Coastal Retirees

More comparisons

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Other comparisons with Anna Bay

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Full data on Nelson Bay Full data on Anna Bay
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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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