Median house price
$876k
+3.1% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Balmoral, 2283
Est. population · Jun 2025
766
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.2%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,931/wk
Employment rate
59.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$876,000
Languages at home
3.6%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Balmoral is a quieter smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer safety compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Balmoral snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
766
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.9%
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
#115
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
55th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
40th
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
- 32.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5145th in Australia
- State rank
- 1653rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #115 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #809 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
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
766(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +3.2% over 5 years · 55th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +3.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +24
- Growth rank in NSW
- 55th 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 (~800), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 730
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,931
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 20 of 290
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 59.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 268 / 3 / 0
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)
- 62
- Against the person
- 17
- Against property
- 16
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 80.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 43 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.3th (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)
- 983.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 40th
School list
- Rathmines Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 996 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 311 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 971 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 171 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.6 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
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Clydebank Rd Opp Letchworth Pde
- Letchworth Pde At Clydebank Rd
- Letchworth Pde At Hampstead Way
- Oakwood Rd At Clydebank Rd
- Woodlands Av At Clydebank 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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 19 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 29/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Transport(6)
6 bus stops
Other(1)
- Parking
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Toronto Private Hospital (3.6 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)
- 24
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.3
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· 3 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6A NEWHAVEN CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 WOODLANDS AVENUE BALMORAL 2283Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 EVESHAM CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Determined
2025· 6 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 HASTINGS ROAD BALMORAL 2283Determined
August 2025
- Subdivision61 RAILWAY PARADE BALMORAL 2571Determined
June 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)60 HAMPSTEAD WAY BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 CHELSEA CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)24 FRED AVERY DRIVE BALMORAL 2283Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty10 LETCHWORTH PARADE BALMORAL 2283Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support74 HAMPSTEAD WAY BALMORAL 2283Withdrawn
November 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 BOLANS ROAD BALMORAL 2571Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah24 FRED AVERY DRIVE BALMORAL 2283Determined
September 2024
- Subdivision7 NEWHAVEN CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation101 LETCHWORTH PARADE BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 WOODLANDS AVENUE BALMORAL 2283Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 FRED AVERY DRIVE BALMORAL 2283Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space5 HENDON CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure68 CLYDEBANK ROAD BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 Chelsea Close BalmoralDetermined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 NEWHAVEN CLOSE BALMORAL 2283Determined
2023· 17 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation20 FRED AVERY DRIVE BALMORAL 2283Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure400 WILSON DRIVE BALMORAL 2571Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling7 TRURO PLACE BALMORAL 2571Determined
July 2023
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land15 WOODLANDS AVENUE BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Shed9 STATION STREET BALMORAL 2571Determined
June 2023
- Dwelling; Retaining walls, protection of trees32 FRED AVERY DRIVE BALMORAL 2283Withdrawn
- Dwelling; Shed2 TRURO PLACE BALMORAL 2571Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed2 LETCHWORTH PARADE BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Dwelling7 TRURO PLACE BALMORAL 2571Withdrawn
May 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed9 HASTINGS ROAD BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs5 HADLEIGH ROAD BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs18 HASTINGS ROAD BALMORAL 2283Determined
March 2023
- Shed13 WILLIAM STREET BALMORAL 2571Determined
- Dwelling412 WILSON DRIVE BALMORAL 2571Withdrawn
February 2023
- Other1 BALMORAL PLACE BALMORAL 2283Determined
January 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Shed1 VICTORIA STREET BALMORAL 2571Determined
- Shed3 TRURO PLACE BALMORAL 2571Determined
2022· 4 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees74 HAMPSTEAD WAY BALMORAL 2283Determined
- Subdivision of land61 RAILWAY PARADE BALMORAL 2571Determined
October 2022
- Dwelling21 RAILWAY PARADE BALMORAL 2571Determined
- Dwelling; Shed3 EMILY STREET BALMORAL 2571Determined
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 5.3 km away).
Coalition 40.4%Labor 59.6%
0.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- RathminesLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Arcadia ValeLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Kilaben BayLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- Coal PointLabor 54.2% · Coalition 45.8% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Wangi WangiLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)2.9 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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.