Coffs Harbour · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Over 6,800 businesses operate in Coffs Harbour, making it a major commercial hub for the region. The area is moderately well-off compared to similar regions and has seen steady growth in both its population and housing.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Coffs Harbour — higher than 57% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area's overall advantage score is 954, which is slightly lower than the national average. Residents generally have a fair level of access to money and job skills, scoring 6 out of 10 across both measures.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
954
Higher than 51% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Coffs Harbour has a population of 82,109, which is larger than about 82% of similar areas. Since 2021, the population grew by 4.2%, a rate a little below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
82,109
Higher than 79% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.2%
Higher than 56% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The local economy is supported by 6,827 businesses, a total that is larger than about 81% of similar areas. There is also significant building activity, with 348 new dwellings approved.
6,827
Higher than 77% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
348
Higher than 76% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Coffs Harbour [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA11800/coffs-harbour/topic/economy-advantage
