Median house price
$876k
+3.1% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Arcadia Vale, 2283
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,505
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.2%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,550/wk
Employment rate
56.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$876,000
Languages at home
2.7%non-English
Most common: Russian, Thai
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Arcadia Vale is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council with everyday amenities close at hand. It sits well away from Sydney, trading metro convenience for space and a slower regional pace. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Desirability sits below average overall, with safety, plus schools and education the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Arcadia Vale snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
1,505
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#92
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
57th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
38th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 36.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4403rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1390th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #92 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #744 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 89
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $876,000
- Median price change
- +3.1%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
1,505(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +3.2% over 5 years · 57th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +3.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +11
- Change in 5 years
- +47
- Growth rank in NSW
- 57th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,550), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,431
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,550
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 53 of 594
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,684
- Employment rate
- 56.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 534 / 3 / 6
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 122
- Against the person
- 34
- Against property
- 32
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 42 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions387
- Domestic Violence Related Assault156
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment194
- Malicious Damage To Property138
- Transport Regulatory Offences278
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 979
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 38th
School list
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 971 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 171 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Wangi Wangi Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 181 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- Alexander Pde At Brooks St
- Alexander Pde At Glen Av
- Donnelly Rd At Glade St
- Ilford Av Before Barry St
- Wangi Oval, Donnelly Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
26 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 31 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.4
Community(2)
- Wangi Wangi Men's ShedCommunity centre
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolSchool
Arcadia Vale
Sport & outdoors(4)
- Arcadia ReservePark
- Sylvan ParkPark
- Arcadia Reserve PlaygroundPlayground
- Wangi OvalSports field
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(8)
- Wangi Wangi Fire StationFire station
26 Donnelly Road, Arcadia Vale
- Nature Reserve
- Parking (2)
- Picnic Table (2)
- Post Box
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Waste Basket
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Arcadia ReservePark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
- Sylvan ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 13
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Toronto Private Hospital (5.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 48
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.9
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 9 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure105 ARCADIA STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Additional Information Requested
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty77 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space97 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 PARK STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure94 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Under Assessment
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool121 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 BROOKS STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development123 DONNELLY ROAD ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty35 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 GLEN AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Boat launching ramp39 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support13 PARK STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
September 2025
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure110 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah110 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure74 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure89 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)39 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty15 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure60 GLADE STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool40 BROOKS STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty13 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home48 MACQUARIE STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 GLADE STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty13 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Boat launching ramp39 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure60 GLADE STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure123A DONNELLY ROAD ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation15 BRIGHTON STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty13 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool75 DONNELLY ROAD ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 ARCADIA STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
March 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Carport5 BRIGHTON STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
January 2024
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)110 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Other15 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 GLADE STREET ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure72 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure87 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 GLEN AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure95 ALEXANDER PARADE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation53 DONNELLY ROAD ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
November 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation125 ILFORD AVENUE ARCADIA VALE 2283Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 6.1 km away).
Coalition 39.9%Labor 60.1%
0.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Arcadia ValeLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Wangi WangiLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- RathminesLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Coal PointLabor 54.2% · Coalition 45.8% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- Kilaben BayLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.