Fern Bay, NSW: suburb profile
The population of Fern Bay NSW is 4,046 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Fern Bay is $735 per week ($38,220 per year). Median rent in Fern Bay is $510 per week ($2,210 per month). Fern Bay has a median age of 43 years, older than the national median of 38. Fern Bay has a population density of 488 people per km².
The most common overseas birthplace in Fern Bay is England. The most common religion is No religion (38.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Afrikaans. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fern Bay is $2,299.
There were 22 recorded offences in Fern Bay in 2025-26, a rate of 5 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (6 offences).
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.
Fern Bay vs the typical NSW suburb
The median personal income in Fern Bay is $735 a week, 4% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,223rd of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $510 a week, $125 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 35.5% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 43, the same age as in the typical NSW suburb.
| Measure | Fern Bay | Typical NSW | Difference | Typical Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal income | $735/wk | $765/wk | −4% | $766/wk |
| Household income | $1,435/wk | $1,704/wk | −16% | $1,637/wk |
| Rent | $510/wk | $385/wk | +32% | $330/wk |
| Mortgage repayment | $2,299/mo | $1,965/mo | +17% | $1,733/mo |
| Median age | 43 | 43 | 0 yrs | 42 |
| Rent share of household income | 35.5% | 22.6% | +13.0 pts | 20.3% |
Fern Bay Population
4,046 residents at the 2021 Census.
Fern Bay Median Income & Rent
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.
Fern Bay Rent Prices & Affordability
36% of median household income goes on median rent
Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: stressed.
Rent is more than 35% of household income, a level often described as housing stress.
Median rent in Fern Bay against your income
Fern Bay Schools
Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).
All schools near Fern Bay, with a mapFern Bay Map
People in Fern Bay
Demographics
Gender Split
Population Density
Households
Age Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Most common overseas birthplaces
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL
Most common languages at home other than English
Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL
Ancestry
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
Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL
Indigenous Population
Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL
Marital Status
Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL
Family Structure
Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL
Household Size
Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL
Homes in Fern Bay
Housing Tenure
Of the 1,641 occupied private dwellings in Fern Bay at the 2021 Census, 23.8% were rented, 46.4% owned outright and 26.0% owned with a mortgage.
Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)
Dwelling Types
Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL
Number of Bedrooms
Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL
Monthly Mortgage Repayments
Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL
Car Ownership
Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL
Work, income and education in Fern Bay
Employment
Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL
Occupation
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation
Weekly Household Income
Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL
Personal Weekly Income Distribution
Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL
How People Get to Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL
Education Level
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
Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL
Field of Study
Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL
School & University Attendance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL
More from the 2021 Census
Need for Assistance
Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL
Long-term Health Conditions
Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL
Unpaid Carers
Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL
Volunteering
Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL
Military Service
Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL
Children Ever Born
Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL
When Migrants Arrived
Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL
Population Mobility
Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL
Where Residents Moved From
Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL
Unpaid Domestic Work
Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL
Family Blending
Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL
Fern Bay Crime Statistics
22 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.
Total offences by year
Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).
Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes
Suburbs near Fern Bay
The closest suburb to Fern Bay is Stockton (NSW), 4.4 km away.
Compare Fern Bay
Frequently Asked Questions About Fern Bay
What is the population of Fern Bay NSW?
The population of Fern Bay NSW is 4,046 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 488 people per km². Fern Bay is ranked #1,901 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.
What is the median income in Fern Bay?
The median personal income in Fern Bay NSW is $735 per week, or $38,220 per year. The median household income is $1,435 per week. Family income is $2,104 per week. Fern Bay is ranked #4,828 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.
How much is rent in Fern Bay?
Median rent in Fern Bay NSW is $510 per week ($2,210 per month). Rent represents 35.5% of household income, which is considered stressed. Fern Bay ranks #547 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.
What are mortgage repayments in Fern Bay?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fern Bay NSW is $2,299. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.
What is the median age in Fern Bay?
The median age in Fern Bay NSW is 43 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.
Is Fern Bay a good suburb to live in?
Fern Bay is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 4,046. The median income is $735/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as stressed (35.5% 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: 11504. All dollar figures in AUD.