Median house price
$1.86M
-8.2% change
NSW · Newcastle Council
Bar Beach, 2300
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,484
Growth (1 yr)
+2.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+15.2%
Median age
41
Median income
$2,300/wk
Employment rate
63.9%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,863,000
Languages at home
6.9%non-English
Most common: Serbian, Italian, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Bar Beach is a coastal smaller community a long way from Sydney, where beach life and a quieter rhythm set the tone. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Schooling is a clear local strength compared with many peer areas.
Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar coastal suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bar Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$690/wk
Houses $750 · Units $680
Population (ERP)
1,484
+2.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
17.4%
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
#22
among Coastal & beach · Emerging
Safety
98th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
91st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
88th
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
- 40.3/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3693rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1122nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #22 among Coastal & beach · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #109 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $690
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 335
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,863,000
- Median price change
- -8.2%
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
1,484(June 2025)
+2.4% annual · +15.2% over 5 years · 91th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.4%
- 5-year growth
- +15.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +35
- Change in 5 years
- +196
- Growth rank in NSW
- 91th 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 (~1,650), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,292
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,300
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 109 of 626
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,700
- Employment rate
- 63.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 210 / 108 / 199
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)
- 323
- Against the person
- 59
- Against property
- 129
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 217.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 22 residents
- State safety percentile
- 97.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -4.2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions756
- Malicious Damage To Property206
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault197
- Other Theft189
- Steal From Motor Vehicle173
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
- 9
- Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
- 1,115
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 88th
School list
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1141 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 387 students · Top SEA quarter 57% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- The Junction Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1115 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 450 students · Top SEA quarter 52% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Newcastle East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1112 · 87th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 260 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- NovoschoolSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 1077 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 79 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Newcastle High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1027 · 59th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 1,072 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Hamilton South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1139 · 93th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 362 students · Top SEA quarter 58% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Newcastle Grammar SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1181 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 1,049 students · Top SEA quarter 73% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Holy Family Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1132 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 198 students · Top SEA quarter 52% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- St Francis Xavier's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1096 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 959 students · Top SEA quarter 38% · 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
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fenton Av At Light St
- Fenton Av Opp Nickson St
- Parkway Av After Darby St
- Parkway Av Before Brooks St
- Parkway Av Before Light St
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
77 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 cafes · 1 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 17 swimming pools
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 — 20 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 20 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 34/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.55
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.55
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.55
Food & drink(2)
- HuBroCafe
- SwellCafe
Sport & outdoors(23)
- Empire ParkPark
- Park
- Picnic area
- Playground
- Bar Beach Bowling & Sporting ClubSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (17)
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(9)
9 bus stops
Other(14)
- Bench (4)
- Bicycle Parking (3)
- Lone Clothing CoClothes
- The Consignment CollectiveClothes
- Drinking water (2)
- IKON HairHairdresser
- Newcastle City CouncilMotorcycle Parking
- Bar Beach Car ParkParking
- Parking (4)
- Picnic Table (11)
- Public toilets
- Shelter (7)
- Shower (4)
- 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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Empire ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- 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
- Lingard Private Hospital (1.2 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)
- 31
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 20.9
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· 3 proposals
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)1 PARKWAY AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Under Assessment
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15A WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
2025· 7 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool35 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure210 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences8 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences8 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Rejected
June 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation28 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
2024· 17 proposals
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 FENTON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
September 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation3 NICKSON STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Fences169 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
June 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces169 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure20 LIGHT STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure80 MEMORIAL DRIVE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport38 PARKWAY AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 FENTON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Pathways and paving; Privacy screens; Swimming pool11 NICKSON STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 PARKWAY AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
February 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation28 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
January 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Fences16 LIGHT STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
2023· 14 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Carport204 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure149 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 FENTON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure165 BROOKS STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool14 LIGHT STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Garages, carports and car parking spaces15 PARKWAY AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling; Secondary dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Demolition; Retaining walls, protection of trees12 LIGHT STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Retaining walls, protection of trees; Other7 WRIGHTSON AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
June 2023
- Dwelling; Demolition8 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development26 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development14 TOOKE STREET BAR BEACH 2300Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development24 BAR BEACH AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
March 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Garages, carports and car parking spaces15 PARKWAY AVENUE BAR BEACH 2300Determined
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
- Newcastle
- Member of Parliament
- Sharon CLAYDON (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,226
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 29.2%Labor 70.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.5 km away).
Coalition 29.0%Labor 71.0%
0.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Cooks Hill SouthLabor 73.6% · Coalition 26.4% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
- The JunctionLabor 68.5% · Coalition 31.5% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Cooks HillLabor 72.4% · Coalition 27.6% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Newcastle CityLabor 72.4% · Coalition 27.6% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- MerewetherLabor 65.6% · Coalition 34.4% TPP (2025)1.5 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)
- 9/10
- 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 Newcastle Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.