Median house price
$987k
+7.9% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Boolaroo, 2284
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,695
Growth (1 yr)
+2.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.9%
Median age
39
Median income
$1,504/wk
Employment rate
58.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$987,000
Languages at home
5.1%non-English
Most common: German, Arabic, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Boolaroo is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council with everyday amenities close at hand. It sits well away from Sydney, trading metro convenience for space and a slower regional pace. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses and trains linking the suburb to surrounding areas.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because safety, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum.
At a glance
Boolaroo snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$655/wk
Houses $675 · Units $510
Population (ERP)
1,695
+2.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.4%
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
#178
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
66th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
91st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
38th
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
- 39.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3869th in Australia
- State rank
- 1179th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #178 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #697 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $510
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $675
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $655
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 84
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $987,000
- Median price change
- +7.9%
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
1,695(June 2025)
+2.4% annual · +8.9% over 5 years · 91th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.4%
- 5-year growth
- +8.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +40
- Change in 5 years
- +138
- 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 (~1,800), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,636
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,504
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 37 of 680
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,907
- Employment rate
- 58.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 578 / 41 / 26
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)
- 154
- Against the person
- 37
- Against property
- 66
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 90.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 44 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8%
Most common offence types
- Fraud81
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment88
- Malicious Damage To Property89
- Steal From Motor Vehicle89
- Transport Regulatory Offences174
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 981
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 38th
School list
- Boolaroo Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 981 · 38th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 99 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Argenton Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 46 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Speers Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1000 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 256 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.4 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
- Lake Macquarie Family Day Carekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
28 public transport stops in this suburb
- Access To Lake Rd
- Cockle Creek Station
- Cockle Creek Station, Platform 1
- Cockle Creek Station, Platform 2
- ENT Creek Res 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
55 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 2 fast food · 2 places of worship · 3 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Well connected by public transport — 28 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.83
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.22
Food & drink(3)
- Boolaroo Fish & ChipsFast food
- OportoFast food
- Pub
Shopping(3)
- Butcher
- ShellConvenience store
- IGASupermarket
Community(2)
- Lake Macquarie Family Day CareKindergarten
- Boolaroo Public SchoolSchool
Boolaroo
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Albert ReservePark
- Park
Entertainment(1)
- Lake CinemaCinema
Transport(14)
11 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(18)
- Bench (2)
- Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
- Drinking water
- Parking (4)
- Parking Space (6)
- Costco FuelPetrol station
- Petrol station
- ShellPetrol station
106 Munibung Road, Boolaroo
- Boolaroo Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Boolaroo Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Post Box
- Boolaroo Post OfficePost office
21-37 Main Road
- Public toilets
- Scout Hall
- Shelter (3)
- Ticket Validator (2)
- Waste Basket
- CostcoWholesale
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
- Albert ReservePark
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Boolaroo Baptist Church
- Boolaroo Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Pendlebury Clinc Private Hospital (2.5 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)
- 53
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.3
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· 23 proposals
August 2026
- Subdivision30 MACKENZIE PARADE BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
July 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Self storage units6 CONCORD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 SHEPPARD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Carport37 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure42 SECOND STREET BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair stationUNIT 11 7 CONCORD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool16 GUEST STREET BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool21 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 SEVENTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support36 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2-4 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah42 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care5 LAKEVIEW STREET BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation48 THIRD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 SHEPPARD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation13C SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation52 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport11 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station5 EDGE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
January 2026
- Subdivision30 MACKENZIE PARADE BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Privacy screens2 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport29 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 FOURTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 TUSSOCK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home56 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space34 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation19 FOURTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Demolition; Commercial development; Office Premise56 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 MAKATEA STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure50 THIRD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 TUSSOCK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space10 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space11 SECOND STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care65 SEVENTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Carport20 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40 LAMB STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Subdivision; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Take away food and drink; Shop; Hours of operation and trading146 MUNIBUNG ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40 LAMB STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)12 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 SHEOAK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureC/-/19807Determined
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2-4 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
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
- Shortland
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONROY (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,971
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 38.5%Labor 61.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.7 km away).
Coalition 33.8%Labor 66.2%
4.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- ArgentonLabor 70.8% · Coalition 29.2% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Speers PointLabor 61.6% · Coalition 38.4% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- CardiffLabor 65.5% · Coalition 34.5% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- Warners Bay NorthLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- GlendaleLabor 70.5% · Coalition 29.5% TPP (2025)3.3 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.