Median house price
$987k
+7.9% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Booragul, 2284
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,660
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.4%
Median age
51
Median income
$1,114/wk
Employment rate
39%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$987,000
Languages at home
4%non-English
Most common: Italian, Mandarin, Hindi
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Booragul is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council with everyday amenities close at hand. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with family-friendly schooling within easy reach.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Getting around is straightforward, with buses and trains tying neighbouring communities together.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment compared with similar metro suburbs, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Booragul snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$655/wk
Houses $675 · Units $510
Population (ERP)
1,660
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.0%
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
#79
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
67th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
53rd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
18th
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
- 40.2/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3718th in Australia
- State rank
- 1129th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #79 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #681 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)
- $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
1,660(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +8.4% over 5 years · 53th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +8.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +10
- Change in 5 years
- +128
- Growth rank in NSW
- 53th 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 (~1,750), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,623
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $1,114
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 31 of 614
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,636
- Employment rate
- 39%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 496 / 73 / 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 · 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)
- 151
- Against the person
- 36
- Against property
- 65
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 91
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 45 residents
- State safety percentile
- 66.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8.2%
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 931
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 18th
School list
- Booragul Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 931 · 18th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 206 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
- Five Islands SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 890 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 51 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
- St Paul's Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1026 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 636 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Lake Macquarie High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 925 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 435 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Teralba Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 959 · 29th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 111 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 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
Public transport
49 public transport stops in this suburb
- Booragul Station
- Booragul Station, Toronto Rd
- FTB Station St
- RMP Station St
- STR To P1/2
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
40 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 49 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.62
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.62
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.62
Food & drink(1)
- 3 BearsCafe
First Street, Booragul
Community(3)
- Booragul Public SchoolSchool
Booragul
- Five Islands SchoolSchool
14 Marmong Street, Booragul
- Saint Paul's High SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(4)
- Park
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
Transport(18)
16 bus stops · 2 train stations
Other(7)
- Lake Macquarie Art GalleryArt
- Bench
- Drinking water
- Parking (8)
- Place of worship
- Shelter
- Ticket Validator
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 17
- 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
- Toronto Private Hospital (4.8 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)
- 77
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 46.4
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· 6 proposals
August 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 WELLARD PARADE BOORAGUL 2284Additional Information Requested
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool11 GAINFORD STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 WELLARD PARADE BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation11 FOURTH STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
2025· 15 proposals
December 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2B FIRST STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 FIRST STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 WELLARD PARADE BOORAGUL 2284Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia15 Third Street, Booragul, NSW 2284Determined
October 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Function centre; Hours of operation and trading18 Marmong Street BooragulDetermined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool60 PRIMROSE STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 FOURTH STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 BELL STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Dual occupancy; Temporary building, structure or use; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
July 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Manufactured home15 ELLESMERE STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care37 RANCLAUD STREET BOORAGUL 2284Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Manufactured home15 ELLESMERE STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7A MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 GRETEL CRESCENT BOORAGUL 2284Determined
2024· 7 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
August 2024
- Restaurant or cafe; Function centre; Hours of operation and trading18 Marmong Street BooragulDetermined
July 2024
- Restaurant or cafe; Function centre; Hours of operation and trading18 Marmong Street BooragulDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures6 MERRIWA STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure48 HAYDEN BROOK ROAD BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah9 BELL STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
2023· 14 proposals
December 2023
- Advertising and signage; School16 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
November 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 ELLESMERE STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 WELLARD PARADE BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure79 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 FIRST STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
September 2023
- Signage14 MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling; Demolition2 THIRD STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Dwelling; Earthworks / change in levels7B MARMONG STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Dual occupancy3 BELL STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development7 ASPINALL STREET BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Dual occupancy7 LOYOLA CLOSE BOORAGUL 2284Determined
- Group homes4 LOYOLA CLOSE BOORAGUL 2284Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling37 MUSWELLBROOK CRESCENT BOORAGUL 2284Withdrawn
April 2023
- Dwelling37 MUSWELLBROOK CRESCENT BOORAGUL 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
- 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 4.9 km away).
Coalition 36.2%Labor 63.8%
4.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BooragulLabor 63.7% · Coalition 36.3% TPP (2025)0.1 km away
- WoodrisingLabor 69.2% · Coalition 30.8% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- TeralbaLabor 65.8% · Coalition 34.2% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Fennell BayLabor 64.4% · Coalition 35.6% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- FassifernLabor 64.3% · Coalition 35.7% TPP (2025)2.8 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 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.