Caves Beach NSW

Postcode 2281 · Lake Macquarie LGA

Caves Beach is a smaller suburb in New South Wales within the Lake Macquarie local government area (postcode 2281). With a population of 4,016, the suburb has a mature demographic with a median age of 49. Households earn a median income of $85K per year, with an average household size of 2.6 people. The most common occupations are professionals, community & personal service, technicians & trades. The top ancestries reported are Australian, English, Irish.

The median house price in Caves Beach is $1.7 million, having surged 19.6% over the past year. Units have a median price of $885,000 (-55.8% YoY). The current median weekly rent is $675. This gives a gross rental yield of approximately 2.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,090.

Caves Beach is served by 2 schools, including 1 primary, 1 secondary. The average ICSEA score is 996, which is around the national average of 1,000. Public transport access includes 28 bus stops. The crime rate in the Lake Macquarie LGA is below average at 3,396 incidents per 100,000 population.

From an investment perspective, Caves Beach offers a gross rental yield of 2.1%, rated as low yield. Property prices are near the state median ($1.7M/$1.5M). The price-to-income ratio of 19.8x is considered stretched. House prices have moved +19.6% year-on-year.

INVESTMENT SIGNALS
Rental Yield2.1% Low Yield
Price vs State$1.7M/$1.5M Near Median
Affordability19.8x Stretched
Price Momentum+19.6% Rising
SEIFA INDEX (ABS)
Advantage6/10
Education6/10
Economic6/10
Disadvantage7/10
MEDIAN HOUSE
$1.7M
19.6% YoY
MEDIAN UNIT
$885K
-55.8% YoY
MEDIAN RENT /WK
$420
POPULATION
4,016
DEMOGRAPHICS
Median Age49
Household Size2.6
HH Income /wk$1,628
Personal Income /wk$711
Mortgage /mth$2,090
CRIME (Lake Macquarie LGA)
Crime Rate (per 100k)3,396
Total Incidents7,534
TRANSPORT
Bus Stops28
SCHOOLS (2)
Avg ICSEA996
Total Students1,059
Government2
Swansea High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 972
Caves Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1019
Data: 2026