Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Yamba

Yamba is a relaxed coastal town at the mouth of the Clarence River where everyday life centres on the water: boating and fishing from the marina and breakwall, beachside surf and coastal walks. The compact riverfront centre has cafes, seafood eateries and small shops near the river, and housing ranges from weatherboard cottages and renovated beach houses to low-rise apartments and holiday homes. The suburb appeals to longtime locals, sea-changers, retirees and families seeking a laid-back coastal lifestyle within reach of larger regional centres.

The community numbers 6,405 people with a median age of 57 and a median household weekly income of $1,106. Couples without children dominate the family mix (59.2%), couples with children are 25.0% and one-parent families 14.6%, while just over seven in ten homes are owner-occupied (53.1% owned outright and 18.7% with a mortgage) and 28.2% are rented. Council projects are improving Yamba Road, flood resilience and the CBD streetscape with public art and wayfinding, and regionally the Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment and infrastructure works at Ngaru Village are progressing. Whether Yamba suits you will depend on how much you value a water-centred, settled coastal town and an older, largely owner-occupied community.

On these figures, buying a house in Yamba works out to about 18.3 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which sits well above local incomes. Renting also takes a large share of income: the average house rent of $650 a week is about 58.8% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, and the average unit rent of $550 a week is about 49.7%. If you are deciding between renting and buying, the rent share is the immediate measure that matters and will speak most directly to your situation.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Rents have been the clearest movement in Yamba over the last 12 months: unit rents jumped 10.0% and house rents rose 8.3%. By contrast, median values moved lower — house values edged down 1.0% and unit values fell a modest 2.4%.

If rental income is what matters to you, the rent figures are the most relevant, with units showing the largest rise. If capital growth is your focus, the value figures show slight to modest declines over the year. Whether that balance suits your goals and circumstances is for you to weigh up.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.