Median house price
$745k
+13% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Bellbird Heights, 2325
Est. population · Jun 2025
851
Growth (1 yr)
+1.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.7%
Median age
40
Median income
$1,487/wk
Employment rate
55.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$745,000
Languages at home
3.4%non-English
Most common: Cantonese, Tamil
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Bellbird Heights sits up in the Cessnock Council hills, a smaller community where elevation and tree cover define the mood. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips.
Local shops and amenities are limited, so everyday shopping usually means a short trip to a neighbouring suburb. 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. The suburb still has an emerging character, as newer residents settle in and local identity forms.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer schools and education, plus safety relative to similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bellbird Heights snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $570 · Units $463
Population (ERP)
851
+1.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.4%
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
#250
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
70th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
84th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
10th
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
- 25.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6269th in Australia
- State rank
- 2024th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #250 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #867 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $463
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $570
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 271
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $745,000
- Median price change
- +12.5%
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
851(June 2025)
+1.8% annual · +4.7% over 5 years · 84th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.8%
- 5-year growth
- +4.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +15
- Change in 5 years
- +38
- Growth rank in NSW
- 84th 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 (~900), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 805
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,487
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 24 of 323
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,580
- Employment rate
- 55.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 290 / 6 / 3
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 82
- Against the person
- 26
- Against property
- 33
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 96.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.5%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order198
- Breach Bail Conditions379
- Domestic Violence Related Assault299
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment371
- Malicious Damage To Property332
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)
- 895.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 10th
School list
- Cessnock West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 884 · 8th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 399 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Bellbird Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 907 · 12th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 355 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.8 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
17 public transport stops in this suburb
- Mathieson St After Keelendi Rd
- Mathieson St Before Keelendi Rd
- Wollombi Rd After Keelendi Rd
- Wollombi Rd After Lochinvar St
- Wollombi Rd Opp Victoria 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
6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 17 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 26/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Transport(6)
6 bus stops
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
- Cessnock Hospital (2.8 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)
- 45
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 52.9
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° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 308 mm · ~38 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 258 mm · ~32 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 150 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 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· 1 proposal
May 2026
- Subdivision254 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Under Assessment
2025· 3 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Withdrawn
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure98 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool307 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah40 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
November 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility267 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space332 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
July 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure7 LOCHINVAR STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport326 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure81 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
- Subdivision254 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
May 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility267 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure81 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
2023· 6 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space101 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
September 2023
- Centre based childcare267 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
August 2023
- Shed67 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
May 2023
- Stormwater management systems; Shed101 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
April 2023
- Shed3 LOCHINVAR STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
February 2023
- Residential flat building; Alterations and additions to residential development99 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
2022· 5 proposals
December 2022
- Shed7 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
October 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces118 MATHIESON STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
September 2022
- Subdivision of land254 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
January 2022
- Shed337 WOLLOMBI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing40 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
2021· 4 proposals
December 2021
- Subdivision of land99 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
November 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing15 CRUICKSHANK STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
October 2021
- Change of use140 MATHIESON STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Deferred Commencement
March 2021
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces124 MATHIESON STREET BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
2020· 1 proposal
November 2020
- Shed68 KEELENDI ROAD BELLBIRD HEIGHTS 2325Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Reduced speed limit. We are undertaking essential road works in your area to improve safety and infrastructure. To ensure the safety of all road users and our workers, traffic control measures will be in place. Traffic controllers and signage will guide vehicles safely through or around the work zone.Temporary speed reductions will be enforced to protect workers and motorists.Some lanes may be closed, or detours may be in place. Please follow all signage and directions from traffic controllers.Safe paths will be maintained. Please use designated crossings and follow signage.Wollombi Road, Alexander Street01 Sep 2025 – 30 Sep 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
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 6.3 km away).
Coalition 36.6%Labor 63.4%
3.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BellbirdLabor 62.4% · Coalition 37.6% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Cessnock WestLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- AberdareLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Cessnock NorthLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)4.4 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.