Median house price
$1.95M
+18% change
NSW · Sutherland Shire Council
Barden Ridge, 2234
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,062
Growth (1 yr)
-0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.7%
Median age
41
Median income
$3,134/wk
Employment rate
68.9%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,945,000
Languages at home
12.5%non-English
Most common: Greek, Arabic, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Set among the hills of Sutherland Shire Council, Barden Ridge is a mid-sized suburb with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Barden Ridge snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$1,145/wk
Population (ERP)
4,062
-0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
2.0%
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
#60
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
2nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
8th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
76th
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
- 52.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 25% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1854th in Australia
- State rank
- 536th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #60 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #395 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,300
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 42
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,945,000
- Median price change
- +17.9%
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
4,062(June 2025)
-0.1% annual · -1.7% over 5 years · 8th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.1%
- 5-year growth
- -1.7%
- Change in 1 year
- -4
- Change in 5 years
- -69
- Growth rank in NSW
- 8th 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 (~4,000), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,129
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $3,134
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 25 of 1,252
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,641
- Employment rate
- 68.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,124 / 95 / 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)
- 84
- Against the person
- 28
- Against property
- 32
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 20.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 147 residents
- State safety percentile
- 2.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -12.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions33
- Domestic Violence Related Assault60
- Fraud72
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment86
- Malicious Damage To Property62
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)
- 1,077
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 76th
School list
- Lucas Heights Community SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 796 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
- Shire Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1116 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 926 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 0.5 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
54 public transport stops in this suburb
- Australia Rd At Barden Rd
- Australia Rd Opp Marsden Rd
- Marsden Rd At Bella Pl
- Marsden Rd At Caley Pl
- Shire Christian School, School Grounds, Allies 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
113 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 1 dog parks · 1 sports centres · 5 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 54 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 20 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.97
Community(4)
- Childcare
- Menai Men's ShedCommunity centre
- Lucas Heights Community SchoolSchool
132 Old Illawarra Road, Barden Ridge
- Shire Christian SchoolSchool
16a Allies Road
Sport & outdoors(24)
- The Ridge Dog Off Leash Bush ParkDog park
- The Ridge Golf Course & Driving RangeGolf course
Recreation Drive, Barden Ridge
- Australia Road ReservePark
- Len Waters ParkPark
- Park (2)
- Playground (2)
- Unaipon Street PlaygroundPlayground
- The Ridge Athletics TrackSports centre
- Mini FieldSports field
- Playing Field 1Sports field
- Playing Field 10Sports field
- Playing Field 2Sports field
- Playing Field 3Sports field
- Playing Field 4Sports field
- Playing Field 5Sports field
- Playing Field 9Sports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (5)
Entertainment(4)
- Viewpoint (4)
Transport(20)
20 bus stops
Other(19)
- Bbq
- Bench (14)
- Clubhouse
- Drinking water (3)
- Menai Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Ridgeway Community GardenGarden
- Information
- Outdoor Seating
- Christian Reformed Church of SutherlandParking
- Parking (13)
- Shire Christian SchoolParking
- Christian Reformed Church of SutherlandPlace of worship
- Menai Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Shelter (2)
- Social Facility
- Barden Ridge BMX Pump TrackTrack
- The Ridge Off Road Bike ParkTrack
- Track (15)
- 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Australia Road ReservePark
- Len Waters ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 11
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Christian Reformed Church of Sutherland
- Menai Anglican Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- President Private Hospital (6.9 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)
- 113
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 27.8
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
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 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· 11 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving25 FAWKNER PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 ENDERBY PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure67A BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure51 BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure72 AUSTRALIA ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Under Assessment
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development10 BAIN PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool1 BARRETT STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation3 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure29 UNAIPON STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50-68 DAVID ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
2025· 12 proposals
December 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage1 LAWSON PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool5 ORTON STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool17 UNAIPON STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 WARDELL DRIVE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool10 GURRUMUL STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 GURRUMUL STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure71 BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Subdivision18 BROUGHTON PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure71A BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 GURRUMUL STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 FAWKNER PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool10 GURRUMUL STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
2024· 16 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure71A BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 DYNEVOR STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
October 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 SUTCLIFFE PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 UNAIPON STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure71 BARDEN ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool42 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 KELSALL PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation25 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 RANOLD STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Withdrawn
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah13 LANDOR ROAD BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 MULLAGH STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 SUTCLIFFE PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 JOE CLOSE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
2023· 3 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool24 NAMATJIRA STREET BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation35 WARDELL DRIVE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Withdrawn
- Centre-based child care; Hours of operation and trading1 LAWSON PLACE BARDEN RIDGE 2234Determined
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)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Lucas Watermills Archaeological SitesCreekwood Reserve, Voyager Point and Woronora Reserve, EngadineSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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
- Hughes
- Member of Parliament
- David MONCRIEFF (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 114,887
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +6.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 46.9%Labor 53.1%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.8 km away).
Coalition 62.1%Labor 37.9%
15.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Barden RidgeLabor 37.5% · Coalition 62.5% TPP (2025)0.2 km away
- Woronora HeightsLabor 46.5% · Coalition 53.5% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- Engadine NorthLabor 52.5% · Coalition 47.5% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- Menai CentralLabor 46.6% · Coalition 53.4% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- MenaiLabor 48.8% · Coalition 51.2% TPP (2025)2.6 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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 Sutherland Shire Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.