Freshwater NSW 2096 property reports

Freshwater NSW 2096

Suburb

Suburb summary

Freshwater, NSW 2096 is a Northern Beaches suburb known for coastal living, beachfront access and a village beach culture. The population is 8,866, median age 35, with median weekly personal income of $1,097 and family income of $2,731. Housing includes 1,439 separate houses and 1,656 apartments, with many buses and average CBD commute times of 55 minutes by public transport and 35 minutes by car. Over the past 6 months, Freshwater recorded 31 apartment sales with a median price of $1.225M and 13 house sales with a median price of $3.71M, making Freshwater popular for beachside property, family homes and apartments in Sydney.

Pocket Price Distribution

See how house prices vary across different parts of the suburb, and where this pocket sits in the local market.

Suburb median

$4.1M

Derived from sales

House sales

52

In past 12 months

Sign in to view:

Pocket Price Map

Pocket price distribution map preview

Explore higher and lower-priced pockets across the suburb.

Apartment projects

View apartment projects around the suburb.

Sign in to view:

PROJECTS MAP

Apartment projects map preview

Explore apartment projects across the suburb to understand supply and density.

Demographic info

Median age

37 years

Renters

40%

Top 3 occupations

Professionals30%
Managers20%
Technicians and Trades Workers10%

Try the knest.ai app

Full property insights and property decision tools are best experienced in the knest.ai app.

5.0 rating

15k users

Download appOpen in app

Living in Freshwater NSW 2096: Suburb Profile & FAQs

Note: Data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census data and knest.ai internal statistical data.

Is Freshwater NSW 2096 a good suburb for families?

Freshwater NSW 2096 is a solid suburb for families, especially for buyers who value beachside living and a community feel over maximum house size. The family case is supported by a strong primary school rating of 10 out of 5 in the supplied data, a solid safety score of 4 out of 5, and a meaningful share of children, with 7.8% aged 0 to 4 and 13.6% aged 5 to 14. Household size sits at 2.5 people, which suggests a mix of couples, smaller families and downsizers rather than only large households. Housing is also mixed rather than dominated by big family homes, with 31% separate houses and 35% apartments, so Freshwater is not purely a classic large-block family suburb. That is the trade-off buyers should understand. Freshwater can be very good for kids, schools and lifestyle, but larger families wanting more land and easier entry pricing may find the suburb tighter and more competitive.

What is it like to live in Freshwater NSW 2096?

Living in Freshwater NSW 2096 feels beachside, village-like and easygoing, with a lifestyle that centres more on coastal routine than on inner-city intensity. The suburb sits in the Northern Beaches and the overall character reads as “village beach culture,” which fits well with its beachfront access, coastal setting and culture score of 4 out of 5. In everyday terms, that usually means a suburb where weekends, outdoor time and local community matter. Safety is also a healthy 4 out of 5, which adds to the sense of comfort for owner-occupiers. At the same time, Freshwater is not especially leafy by Sydney standards, with canopy cover at 17.87%, and its walkability and retail both sit at 3 out of 5 rather than at the very top end. So the Freshwater lifestyle is attractive and relaxed, but buyers should not expect a major shopping hub or the kind of dense convenience you get closer to big transport and retail centres.

Is Freshwater NSW 2096 well connected for commuting?

Freshwater NSW 2096 is mixed rather than highly connected for commuting, and it works best for buyers who are comfortable relying mainly on buses and driving. The suburb does not currently have train, metro or light rail service in the supplied data, and there is no ferry either, so it lacks the broader transport mix some Sydney commuters prefer. The main strength is that bus service is rated as many, which helps keep public transport options practical, especially for Northern Beaches travel patterns. Average commute time to the Sydney CBD is around 55 minutes by public transport and 35 minutes by car, so Freshwater is manageable for commuting but not especially fast. That is the key trade-off. Buyers choosing Freshwater usually do so for beach lifestyle and suburb feel rather than for the quickest CBD trip. For people who work locally, work hybrid, or prioritise coastal living, that balance can still make a lot of sense.

Who does Freshwater NSW 2096 suit best?

Freshwater NSW 2096 suits professionals, couples, smaller families and lifestyle-driven buyers who want a beachside suburb with a more local feel than a major centre. The resident profile leans strongly in that direction: 49.89% of residents are managers and professionals, the top occupations are Professionals at 31.33% and Managers at 18.56%, median weekly personal income is $1,097, median family income is $2,731, and the median age is 35. The housing mix is also broad, with 31% separate houses and 35% apartments, while 37.17% of homes are rented, suggesting an active, mixed ownership market rather than a purely tightly held family enclave. In buyer terms, Freshwater is a natural fit for people who want lifestyle, beach access and a polished but not overly formal coastal environment. It may suit large families less well if they need abundant land, and it may be less appealing for buyers who want rail-based commuting or a more budget-friendly entry point.

What are the pros and cons of living in Freshwater NSW 2096?

The main trade-off in Freshwater NSW 2096 is that you get a highly appealing beachside lifestyle, but you give up some transport convenience and some traditional large-home family stock. On the plus side, Freshwater offers beachfront access, a distinctive village beach culture, a good safety score of 4 out of 5, and a strong culture rating of 4 out of 5. That gives the suburb a lifestyle edge that many buyers actively seek. It also has many bus services, which helps day-to-day mobility. On the other hand, walkability and retail are both 3 out of 5, there is no train, metro, light rail or ferry in the current transport picture, and the housing mix includes a meaningful apartment share. Commutes to the CBD are also moderate rather than quick. Buyers who care most about direct rail access, major shopping convenience or bigger house supply will notice those compromises most. Buyers focused on coastal living often see them as acceptable.

What are property prices like in Freshwater NSW 2096?

Property prices in Freshwater NSW 2096 are expensive by normal Sydney buyer expectations, especially for houses, although apartments provide a more accessible entry point into the suburb. In the recent sales data provided, Freshwater houses had a median price of $3.71 million, with the middle market broadly sitting between $3.065 million and $4.24 million. Apartments had a median price of $1.221 million, with the middle range roughly between $990,000 and $1.365 million. That pricing tells buyers that Freshwater is a premium beachside market where houses are firmly out of reach for many family budgets, while units remain the more realistic option for buyers wanting to get into the suburb. The trade-off is straightforward: you are paying up for coastal lifestyle, strong buyer appeal and suburb reputation. Buyers with larger budgets may see value in the location quality, while more budget-conscious buyers may need to compromise on dwelling type to buy in Freshwater.