Median house price
$587k
-3.4% change
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Bulahdelah, 2423
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,601
Growth (1 yr)
+1.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.5%
Median age
54
Median income
$963/wk
Employment rate
40.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$587,000
Languages at home
3.4%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, German, Khmer
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Bulahdelah is a quieter smaller community in Mid-Coast Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Desirability sits below average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bulahdelah snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$515/wk
Population (ERP)
1,601
+1.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.2%
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
#187
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
62nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
81st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
25th
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
- 38.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4084th in Australia
- State rank
- 1263rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #187 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #420 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $515
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $587,000
- Median price change
- -3.4%
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
1,601(June 2025)
+1.6% annual · +7.5% over 5 years · 81th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.6%
- 5-year growth
- +7.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +25
- Change in 5 years
- +112
- Growth rank in NSW
- 81th 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 (~1,650), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,538
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $963
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 79 of 707
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,236
- Employment rate
- 40.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 597 / 9 / 3 (+ 14 other)
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)
- 137
- Against the person
- 41
- Against property
- 39
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 85.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 38 residents
- State safety percentile
- 61.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order25
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Fraud24
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment34
- Other Offences23
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)
- 941
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 25th
School list
- Bulahdelah Central SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 902 · 11th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 289 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 980 · 38th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 72 students · Top SEA quarter 15%View 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
63 public transport stops in this suburb
- 775 Markwell Rd
- 775 Markwell Rd
- Bulahdelah Way After Blanch St
- Markwell Back Rd After Myall Forest Rd
- Markwell Rd Opp Bulahdelah Cemetery
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
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 63 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.3
Transport(2)
2 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
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bulahdelah State Conservation AreaNature reserve
- Riverside ParkPark
- Wade ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- 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
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 5
- Nearest hospital
- Bulahelah Health Campus (3.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Bulahdelah PharmacyPharmacy
- Bulahdelah PodiatryPodiatrist
- Bulahelah Health CampusRichmond StreetHospital
- Community Health CentreClinic
- Steer PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist
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
- 28.1
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
- 28° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 372 mm · ~46 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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· 11 proposals
August 2026
- Restaurant or cafe; Commercial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink37 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423On Exhibition
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external); Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers39 BULAHDELAH WAY BULAHDELAH 2423On Exhibition
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure2-4 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Subdivision24 MARKWELL BACK ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Additional Information Requested
- Demolition29 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 RIVER STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision649 OLD INN ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space19 BOOLOOMBAYT STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure39 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Demolition; Place of public worship26A BULAHDELAH WAY BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure46 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Subdivision649 OLD INN ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space19 BOOLOOMBAYT STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space25 SUNCREST CLOSE BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Highway service centre9844 PACIFIC HIGHWAY BULAHDELAH 2423Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park9844 PACIFIC HIGHWAY BULAHDELAH 2423Under Assessment
September 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 HAROLD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Other InfrastructureBOORAL ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Withdrawn
July 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure14 CRAWFORD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Sawmill or log processing works11 MARKWELL ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure4 RIVER STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool103 SUNCREST CLOSE BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Subdivision23 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17A HAROLD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
January 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Animal boarding or training establishment12 MYALL FOREST ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
2024· 17 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space17 SCOTT STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia64 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Withdrawn
November 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34D BULAHDELAH WAY BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 ALEXANDRA STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 ALEXANDRA STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure65 MARKWELL ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)139 MARKWELL BACK ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport23 HAROLD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Subdivision15 MACKENZIE STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- 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 Australia; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink71-75 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 FRYS CREEK ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure125 KESTEVENS ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; General industry8 MARKWELL ROAD BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Camping ground57 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development57 STROUD STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
April 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Caravan park3 BULAHDELAH WAY BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 ALEXANDRA STREET BULAHDELAH 2423Determined
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 31.4 km away).
Coalition 60.0%Labor 40.0%
0.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BulahdelahLabor 39.4% · Coalition 60.6% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- CoolongolookLabor 40.1% · Coalition 59.9% TPP (2025)21.8 km away
- StroudLabor 44.0% · Coalition 56.0% TPP (2025)22.2 km away
- BungwahlLabor 51.8% · Coalition 48.2% TPP (2025)23.4 km away
- BooralLabor 43.2% · Coalition 56.8% TPP (2025)24.5 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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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
More in Mid-Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.