NSW · Murray River Council
Barham, 2732
Current weather
12°CModerate drizzle
89% humidity · 19.6 km/h wind · 16.2° / 9.3° today · 3.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Barham offers a slower smaller community life in Murray River, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Out in the wider region, it rewards those who value open country and a pace set by the land, not the clock. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice, and that is part of the charm. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and housing affordability lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in growth momentum and transport and access. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,569
- Median age
- 58
- Median household income / week
- $995
- Dwelling vacancy
- 20.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 178 of 853
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,148
- Employment rate
- 47.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 67 / 72 / 16
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 118
- Against the person
- 24
- Against property
- 61
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 75.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 65 residents
- State safety percentile
- 53.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +84.9%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions9
- Domestic Violence Related Assault8
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment13
- Malicious Damage To Property15
- Other Theft14
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 966.5
- Barham High SchoolSecondary
- Barham Public SchoolPrimary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
93 public transport stops in this suburb
- Barham High School, Gonn St
- Barham Public School, Wakool St
- Gonn Rd Opp 609
- Moulamein Rd Before Barham Rd
- Moulamein Rd Opp Barham 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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
249 planning-related records
2026· 30 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty; Mooring31 JAMIESON AVENUE BARHAM 2732On Exhibition
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure; Supporting DevelopmentGONN ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty19 TEDDYS LANE BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
May 2026
- Subdivision19 PUNT ROAD BARHAM 2732On Exhibition
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty5 TEDDYS LANE BARHAM 2732On Exhibition
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty70 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty44-46 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty48 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty74 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development42 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision118 PUNT ROAD BARHAM 2732Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure64 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732On Exhibition
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure8 ERWOOD PLACE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development51 TEDDYS LANE BARHAM 2732On Exhibition
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space51 JAMIESON AVENUE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 PUNT ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space99 ARMSTRONG DRIVE BARHAM NSW 2732Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool51 JAMIESON AVENUE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)20 BRIGGS COURT BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure91 ARMSTRONG DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 MURRAY STREET BARHAM 2732Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation28 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care41 NOORONG STREET BARHAM 2732Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35-37 CHESTER STREET BARHAM 2732Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development6788 MOULAMEIN ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 LITTLE FOREST LANE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure106 COBWELL STREET BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)59 FOREST STREET BARHAM 2732Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure136 GLENVIEW ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
2025· 10 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure31 VINECOMBE LANE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 LAWSON ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 FOREST STREET BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Rural industry; Agricultural produce industryMOULAMEIN ROAD BARHAM 2732Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 RIVERVIEW DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure43 PUNT ROAD BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 ARMSTRONG DRIVE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 JAMIESON AVENUE BARHAM 2732Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development26 VINECOMBE LANE BARHAM 2732Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Barham Lakes Complex (Closed)Park
- Federation Botanic ReserveNature reserve
- Pioneer ParkPark
- Riverside ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- On site
- Barham Health ServicePunt Roadhospital
- Murray Haven HomePunt Roadnursing_home
- Ochre Health Barham and District Medical Centrecentre
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Barham Bridge over Murray RiverMain Road 319, BarhamSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 31.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5138th in Australia
- State rank
- 1627th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #350 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #691 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime9
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime8
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime13
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime15
- Other Theftcrime14
- Barham High School, Gonn Sttransport
- Barham Public School, Wakool Sttransport
- Gonn Rd Opp 609transport
- Moulamein Rd Before Barham Rdtransport
- Moulamein Rd Opp Barham Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Murray River Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.