Median house price
$816k
+10% change
NSW · Maitland Council
Bolwarra, 2320
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,415
Growth (1 yr)
+0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.8%
Median age
41
Median income
$2,217/wk
Employment rate
63.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$816,000
Languages at home
4.1%non-English
Most common: Afrikaans, Japanese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Maitland Council, Bolwarra is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
Desirability lands below average here: softer safety weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment, plus growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bolwarra snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$600/wk
Houses $620 · Units $485
Population (ERP)
1,415
+0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
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
#200
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
69th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
43rd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
61st
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
- 36.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4346th in Australia
- State rank
- 1370th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #200 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #737 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $485
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $620
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 357
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $816,000
- Median price change
- +10%
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
1,415(June 2025)
+0.3% annual · +7.8% over 5 years · 43th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.3%
- 5-year growth
- +7.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +4
- Change in 5 years
- +102
- Growth rank in NSW
- 43th 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 (~1,600), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,350
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,217
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 19 of 489
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 63.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 450 / 14 / 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)
- 135
- Against the person
- 37
- Against property
- 49
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 95.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 36 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions609
- Domestic Violence Related Assault329
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment381
- Malicious Damage To Property307
- Steal From Motor Vehicle237
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,032
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 61th
School list
- Bolwarra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1032 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 390 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 0.6 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
32 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bolwarra Lookout, Paterson Rd
- Bolwarra Rd Opp Bolwarra Public School
- Bolwarra Uniting Church, Paterson Rd
- Kensington Rd After Bayswater Rd
- Kensington Rd At Denison 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
44 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship · 4 playgrounds · 8 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 1 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 32 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 14 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
- 0.74
Community(1)
- Bolwarra Public SchoolSchool
Bolwarra
Sport & outdoors(15)
- Bolwarra Heights LookoutPark
- Bolwarra Heights Lookout PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (3)
- Bolwarra OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (8)
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(17)
17 bus stops
Other(3)
- Fountain
- Garden (8)
- Place of worship
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
- Bolwarra Heights LookoutPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- New Maitland Hospital (6.0 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)
- 48
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.9
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· 13 proposals
May 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure22 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure120 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah39 PANDANUS CIRCUIT BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation8 ADDISON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation35 HUNTERGLEN DRIVE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers7 COTTONWOOD CLOSE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure63 BOLWARRA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development40 BOLWARRA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Demolition86 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Withdrawn
- Subdivision31 HUNTERGLEN DRIVE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure70 BOLWARRA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation17 ADDISON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 ADDISON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)108 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 VANTAGE COURT BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport5 VICTORIA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure22 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)5A LAGOON AVENUE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Subdivision23 HUNTERGLEN DRIVE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers; Swimming pool10 RIVERSIDE STREET BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)5 LAGOON AVENUE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 BAYSWATER ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Operational consent issued
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support34 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development108 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure61 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Withdrawn
- Subdivision29 BAYSWATER ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Horticulture18 BAYSWATER ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Subdivision5 HUNTERGLEN DRIVE BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool42 BOLWARRA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure69A BOLWARRA ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development7 RIVERSIDE STREET BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure123 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 PANDANUS CIRCUIT BOLWARRA 2320Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Landscaping structures16 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences140 PATERSON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure20 VANTAGE COURT BOLWARRA 2320Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development27 FLAT ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22 VANTAGE COURT BOLWARRA 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 KENSINGTON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
2024· 1 proposal
December 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space27 ADDISON ROAD BOLWARRA 2320Determined
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
- 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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 18.7 km away).
Coalition 47.5%Labor 52.5%
12.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BolwarraLabor 52.4% · Coalition 47.6% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- LornLabor 61.5% · Coalition 38.5% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- LargsLabor 48.3% · Coalition 51.7% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- WoodvilleLabor 44.7% · Coalition 55.3% TPP (2025)5.8 km away
- HintonLabor 36.4% · Coalition 63.6% TPP (2025)7.1 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)
- 9/10
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 Maitland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.