Bonnells Bay, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Bonnells Bay NSW is 4,066 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Bonnells Bay is $685 per week ($35,620 per year). Median rent in Bonnells Bay is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Bonnells Bay has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Bonnells Bay has a population density of 1,241 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Bonnells Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (40.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is French. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bonnells Bay is $1,820.

There were 41 recorded offences in Bonnells Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 10 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (11 offences).

Population
4,066
Census 2021
Median income
$685/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$400/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
42years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Bonnells Bay vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Bonnells Bay is $685 a week, 10% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,430th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $400 a week, $15 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 27.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 42, 1 year younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBonnells BayTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$685/wk$765/wk −10%$766/wk
Household income$1,460/wk$1,704/wk −14%$1,637/wk
Rent$400/wk$385/wk +4%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,820/mo$1,965/mo −7%$1,733/mo
Median age4243 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.4%22.6% +4.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Bonnells Bay, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Bonnells Bay Population

4,066 residents at the 2021 Census.

Bonnells Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$685/wk
$35,620 per year
Ranked 5,751 of 14,663
Median Rent
$400/wk
$1,733 per month
Ranked 1,854 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,820/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Bonnells Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $1,460/wk
Median rent $400/wk
Rent to income 27.4%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Bonnells Bay against your income

About $6,327 a month
Median rent $400/wk
Left after rent $1,060/wk
Rent share 27.4%

Bonnells Bay Schools

3
schools nearby
1
government
976
avg ICSEA score
993
total students
Heritage College Lake Macquarie Independent
Combined · K-12 · 511 students
1002
ICSEA
Brightwaters Christian College Independent
Combined · K-10 · 106 students
1001
ICSEA
Bonnells Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 376 students
925
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Bonnells Bay, with a map

Bonnells Bay Map

Bonnells Bay, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
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People in Bonnells Bay

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.9% (1,949) Female 52.1% (2,119)

Population Density

1,241
people per km²
4,066 people · 3.3 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,729
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.8%
New Zealand
2.0%
Philippines
0.5%
Scotland
0.5%
Netherlands
0.5%
South Africa
0.5%
Germany
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

French
0.5%
Mandarin
0.3%
Filipino
0.3%
Nepali
0.2%
Spanish
0.2%
Thai
0.2%
Italian
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
44.4%
English
42.6%
Scottish
11.3%
Irish
10.5%
Australian Aboriginal
6.1%
German
3.7%
Italian
1.9%
Dutch
1.5%
Chinese
1.0%
Maltese
0.8%
New Zealander
0.8%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
40.2%
Catholic
17.4%
Anglican
14.5%
Christnty Sevnth dy Advntst
5.9%
Not stated
5.8%
Christian (other)
3.5%
Uniting Church
3.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
47.8% 1,584
Separated
4.1% 135
Divorced
9.5% 314
Widowed
5.9% 194
Never married
32.8% 1,087

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.1%
Couple: no children
31.7%
Couple: no children under 15
12.4%
One parent: children under 15
10.6%
One parent: no children under 15
8.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
22.0%
2 persons
39.0%
3 persons
16.1%
4 persons
14.0%
5 persons
6.1%
6+ persons
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Bonnells Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,543 occupied private dwellings in Bonnells Bay at the 2021 Census, 25.9% were rented, 39.7% owned outright and 32.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 13 dwellings
Owned outright
39.7% 613 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
32.0% 494 dwellings
Rented
25.9% 399 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.7% 27 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
95.2%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
4.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.0%
2 bedrooms
7.7%
3 bedrooms
39.3%
4 bedrooms
44.8%
5 bedrooms
5.6%
6+ bedrooms
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.3%
$300-$449/mo
1.8%
$450-$599/mo
1.3%
$600-$799/mo
2.7%
$800-$999/mo
3.1%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
16.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
18.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
7.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
3.0%
1 vehicle
32.9%
2 vehicles
43.4%
3 vehicles
14.0%
4+ vehicles
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Bonnells Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
30.1% 903 people
Employed part-time
20.0% 599 people
Unemployed
3.4% 103 people
Not in labour force
46.4% 1,391 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
22.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
17.1%
Community & Personal Service
15.8%
Clerical & Administrative
15.0%
Managers
11.6%
Sales Workers
6.2%
Labourers
6.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.4%
$1-$149/wk
1.0%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
2.5%
$400-$499/wk
6.3%
$500-$649/wk
4.9%
$650-$799/wk
8.7%
$800-$999/wk
7.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
13.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.2%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.7%
$4,000+/wk
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.5%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
7.6%
$300-$399/wk
6.3%
$400-$499/wk
4.5%
$500-$649/wk
3.9%
$650-$799/wk
10.4%
$800-$999/wk
11.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.7%
$3,500+/wk
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.1%
Did not go to work
22.1%
Car (passenger)
3.1%
Truck
1.7%
Train
0.9%
Walked only
0.7%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Bicycle
0.4%
Bus
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
45.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
37.3%
Year 9 or equivalent
9.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.3%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
47.0%
Bachelor Degree
20.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.0%
Postgraduate Degree
6.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.2%
Certificate I/II
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
21.3%
Engineering
15.1%
Health
14.7%
Society & Culture
14.0%
Education
9.3%
Architecture & Building
9.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.0%
Creative Arts
3.4%
Information Technology
2.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.1%
Agriculture & Environment
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
23.9%
Secondary: Government
17.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
13.5%
Vocational Education
13.0%
Pre-school
12.4%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
10.4%
Secondary: Catholic
4.6%
Primary: Catholic
4.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
89.5%
Has need for assistance
6.6%
Need for assistance not stated
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
496
Arthritis
191
Asthma
187
Diabetes
156
Heart disease
152
Lung condition
97
Cancer
89
Kidney disease
64
Stroke
38
Dementia
14

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.4% 422
Did not provide
86.6% 2,731

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.1% 476
Not a volunteer
84.9% 2,677

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
2.7% 87
Never served
97.1% 3,079

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
26.8%
1 child
13.2%
2 children
33.0%
3 children
19.0%
4 children
6.3%
5+ children
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
20
1951: 1960
48
1961: 1970
93
1971: 1980
71
1981: 1990
70
1991: 2000
42
2001: 2010
68
2011: 2015
51
2016
15
2017
10
2018
11
2019
7
2020
4
2021
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

16.0%
moved in the last year
45.7%
moved in the last 5 years
5.4%
unemployment rate (Census)
54.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
3,254
Moved from NSW
449
Moved: same area (SA2)
119
Moved from overseas
19
Moved from QLD
7
Moved from ACT
5
Moved from VIC
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.9%
5: 14 hours
27.5%
15: 29 hours
15.0%
30+ hours
11.4%
Did not do domestic work
25.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
80.4%
Step family: no other children
13.7%
Blended family: no other children
5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Bonnells Bay Crime Statistics

41 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
11
Other Against Property
10
Assault
7
Property Damage
5
Other Against Person
4
Sexual Offences
3
Weapons
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Bonnells Bay

The closest suburb to Bonnells Bay is Morisset Park, 1.5 km away.

Morisset Park
1.5 km away · income $794/wk · rent $480/wk
Morisset
2.7 km away · income $564/wk · rent $380/wk
Balcolyn
3.1 km away · income $704/wk · rent $390/wk
Dora Creek
4.3 km away · income $726/wk · rent $380/wk
Wyee Point
4.3 km away · income $739/wk · rent $445/wk
Summerland Point
5.3 km away · income $646/wk · rent $400/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Bonnells Bay

What is the population of Bonnells Bay NSW?

The population of Bonnells Bay NSW is 4,066 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,241 people per km². Bonnells Bay is ranked #1,891 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Bonnells Bay?

The median personal income in Bonnells Bay NSW is $685 per week, or $35,620 per year. The median household income is $1,460 per week. Family income is $1,729 per week. Bonnells Bay is ranked #5,751 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Bonnells Bay?

Median rent in Bonnells Bay NSW is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Rent represents 27.4% of household income, which is considered moderate. Bonnells Bay ranks #1,854 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Bonnells Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bonnells Bay NSW is $1,820. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Bonnells Bay?

The median age in Bonnells Bay NSW is 42 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Bonnells Bay a good suburb to live in?

Bonnells Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 4,066. The median income is $685/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10466. All dollar figures in AUD.