Fennell Bay, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Fennell Bay NSW is 1,780 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Fennell Bay is $700 per week ($36,400 per year). Median rent in Fennell Bay is $368 per week ($1,595 per month). Fennell Bay has a median age of 45 years, older than the national median of 38. Fennell Bay has a population density of 654 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Fennell Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (41.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fennell Bay is $1,734.

There were 15 recorded offences in Fennell Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 8 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (9 offences).

Population
1,780
Census 2021
Median income
$700/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$368/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
45years
Census 2021

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

Fennell Bay vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Fennell Bay is $700 a week, 8% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,373rd of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $368 a week, $17 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 26.8% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 45, 2 years older 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.
MeasureFennell BayTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$700/wk$765/wk −8%$766/wk
Household income$1,375/wk$1,704/wk −19%$1,637/wk
Rent$368/wk$385/wk −4%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,734/mo$1,965/mo −12%$1,733/mo
Median age4543 +2 yrs42
Rent share of household income26.8%22.6% +4.2 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 Fennell Bay, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Fennell Bay Population

1,780 residents at the 2021 Census.

Fennell Bay Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$700/wk
$36,400 per year
Ranked 5,484 of 14,663
Median Rent
$368/wk
$1,595 per month
Ranked 2,819 of 14,663
Median Age
45years
7 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,734/mo
Avg household size: 2.4 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Fennell Bay Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,375/wk
Median rent $368/wk
Rent to income 26.8%

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

Median rent in Fennell Bay against your income

About $5,958 a month
Median rent $368/wk
Left after rent $1,007/wk
Rent share 26.8%

Fennell Bay Schools

14
schools nearby
11
government
949
avg ICSEA score
4,277
total students
Charlton Christian College Independent
Combined · K-12 · 831 students
1063
ICSEA
St Paul's Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 636 students
1026
ICSEA
Speers Point Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 256 students
1000
ICSEA
Blackalls Park Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 217 students
966
ICSEA
Toronto High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 952 students
961
ICSEA
Teralba Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 111 students
959
ICSEA
Fassifern Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 59 students
947
ICSEA
Booragul Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 206 students
931
ICSEA
Lake Macquarie High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 435 students
925
ICSEA
Toronto Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 201 students
910
ICSEA
Five Islands School Government
Combined · U · 51 students
890
ICSEA
Fennell Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 159 students
889
ICSEA
Biraban Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 163 students
871
ICSEA
Booragul Primary School Catholic
Primary

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

All schools near Fennell Bay, with a map

Fennell Bay Map

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

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.9% (888) Female 50.1% (893)

Population Density

654
people per km²
1,780 people · 2.7 km²

Households

2.4
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,814
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
2.1%
New Zealand
1.3%
Scotland
0.9%
Malaysia
0.6%
Germany
0.5%
Netherlands
0.5%
Philippines
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

Mandarin
0.7%
Afrikaans
0.4%
French
0.4%
German
0.4%
Southeast Asian Austronesian languages: Other
0.4%
Thai
0.3%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
43.8%
Australian
42.5%
Scottish
12.0%
Irish
11.1%
Australian Aboriginal
7.7%
German
4.3%
Italian
1.7%
Dutch
1.2%
Welsh
1.1%
Filipino
1.0%
New Zealander
1.0%

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
41.2%
Catholic
16.1%
Anglican
15.4%
Not stated
8.1%
Uniting Church
5.3%
Baptist
2.5%
Christian (other)
2.2%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

7.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.4% 689
Separated
4.1% 62
Divorced
10.7% 162
Widowed
6.7% 101
Never married
33.2% 503

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
34.2%
Couple: children under 15
32.3%
Couple: no children under 15
16.4%
One parent: children under 15
9.4%
One parent: no children under 15
7.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
27.3%
2 persons
38.0%
3 persons
14.1%
4 persons
11.9%
5 persons
7.1%
6+ persons
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Fennell Bay

Housing Tenure

Of the 698 occupied private dwellings in Fennell Bay at the 2021 Census, 23.6% were rented, 39.5% owned outright and 34.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.7% 5 dwellings
Owned outright
39.5% 276 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
34.1% 238 dwellings
Rented
23.6% 165 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.1% 15 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.2%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.2%
2 bedrooms
18.0%
3 bedrooms
48.0%
4 bedrooms
27.0%
5 bedrooms
5.3%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.4%
$300-$449/mo
1.8%
$450-$599/mo
4.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.3%
$800-$999/mo
3.6%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
13.2%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
22.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
30.5%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
8.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
7.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.0%
1 vehicle
31.4%
2 vehicles
41.6%
3 vehicles
15.6%
4+ vehicles
6.3%

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

Work, income and education in Fennell Bay

Employment

Employed full-time
30.2% 414 people
Employed part-time
21.3% 292 people
Unemployed
3.4% 47 people
Not in labour force
45.1% 619 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
25.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
18.7%
Community & Personal Service
15.2%
Clerical & Administrative
11.8%
Managers
8.9%
Sales Workers
6.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.7%
Labourers
6.7%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.1%
$1-$149/wk
1.4%
$150-$299/wk
0.5%
$300-$399/wk
3.0%
$400-$499/wk
8.5%
$500-$649/wk
6.5%
$650-$799/wk
8.8%
$800-$999/wk
7.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.8%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.6%
$4,000+/wk
6.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
11.1%
$1-$149/wk
3.9%
$150-$299/wk
6.0%
$300-$399/wk
6.8%
$400-$499/wk
4.5%
$500-$649/wk
3.7%
$650-$799/wk
11.4%
$800-$999/wk
12.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.8%
$3,500+/wk
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.1%
Did not go to work
19.7%
Car (passenger)
3.3%
Train
1.1%
Walked only
1.1%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.8%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
42.1%
Year 10 or equivalent
39.1%
Year 9 or equivalent
10.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.0%

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
49.9%
Bachelor Degree
21.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.4%
Postgraduate Degree
5.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.8%
Certificate I/II
2.7%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
21.1%
Management & Commerce
20.1%
Health
13.4%
Society & Culture
12.4%
Education
8.3%
Architecture & Building
8.1%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
7.3%
Creative Arts
3.7%
Agriculture & Environment
2.4%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.2%
Information Technology
0.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
27.0%
Secondary: Government
25.2%
Vocational Education
14.2%
Pre-school
11.3%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
8.8%
Secondary: Catholic
5.8%
Primary: Catholic
4.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.6%

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
88.3%
Has need for assistance
6.1%
Need for assistance not stated
5.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
231
Arthritis
87
Asthma
80
Diabetes
71
Heart disease
66
Lung condition
66
Kidney disease
34
Cancer
30
Stroke
28
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.5% 205
Did not provide
85.5% 1,213

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.0% 185
Not a volunteer
87.0% 1,239

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 3
Previously served
3.6% 51
Never served
96.2% 1,379

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.0%
1 child
10.1%
2 children
34.3%
3 children
19.3%
4 children
6.0%
5+ children
2.3%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
6
1951: 1960
20
1961: 1970
25
1971: 1980
26
1981: 1990
25
1991: 2000
19
2001: 2010
21
2011: 2015
16
2016
13
2017
12

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

Population Mobility

12.6%
moved in the last year
36.6%
moved in the last 5 years
5.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
53.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
1,446
Moved from NSW
169
Moved: same area (SA2)
21
Moved from VIC
5
Moved from QLD
4
Moved from overseas
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.8%
5: 14 hours
28.9%
15: 29 hours
15.1%
30+ hours
9.0%
Did not do domestic work
26.2%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
82.5%
Step family: no other children
13.5%
Blended family: no other children
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Fennell Bay Crime Statistics

15 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
9
Assault
3
Other Against Property
2
Other Against Person
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 Fennell Bay

The closest suburb to Fennell Bay is Woodrising, 1.0 km away.

Woodrising
1.0 km away · income $718/wk · rent $378/wk
Booragul
1.7 km away · income $613/wk · rent $320/wk
Bolton Point
1.9 km away · income $623/wk · rent $267/wk
Blackalls Park
2.4 km away · income $683/wk · rent $350/wk
Teralba
3.5 km away · income $843/wk · rent $363/wk
Toronto
3.6 km away · income $581/wk · rent $320/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Fennell Bay

What is the population of Fennell Bay NSW?

The population of Fennell Bay NSW is 1,780 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 654 people per km². Fennell Bay is ranked #3,190 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Fennell Bay?

The median personal income in Fennell Bay NSW is $700 per week, or $36,400 per year. The median household income is $1,375 per week. Family income is $1,814 per week. Fennell Bay is ranked #5,484 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Fennell Bay?

Median rent in Fennell Bay NSW is $368 per week ($1,595 per month). Rent represents 26.8% of household income, which is considered moderate. Fennell Bay ranks #2,819 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Fennell Bay?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fennell Bay NSW is $1,734. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Fennell Bay?

The median age in Fennell Bay NSW is 45 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Fennell Bay a good suburb to live in?

Fennell Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 1,780. The median income is $700/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (26.8% 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: 11503. All dollar figures in AUD.