Median house price
$876k
+3.1% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Buttaba, 2283
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,263
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.2%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,875/wk
Employment rate
55.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$876,000
Languages at home
1.4%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Buttaba offers a slower smaller community life in Lake Macquarie Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. It sits well away from Sydney, trading metro convenience for space and a slower regional pace. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Desirability sits below average overall, with safety the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Buttaba snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
1,263
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
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
#313
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
57th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
40th
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
- 28.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5744th in Australia
- State rank
- 1858th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #313 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #837 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 89
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $876,000
- Median price change
- +3.1%
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
1,263(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +3.2% over 5 years · 57th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +3.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +9
- Change in 5 years
- +39
- Growth rank in NSW
- 57th 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 (~1,300), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,204
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,875
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 33 of 464
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 55.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 421 / 8 / 5
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)
- 102
- Against the person
- 29
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 80.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 42 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.7%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions387
- Domestic Violence Related Assault156
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment194
- Malicious Damage To Property138
- Transport Regulatory Offences278
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)
- 983.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 40th
School list
- Arcadia Vale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 971 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 171 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Rathmines Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 996 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 311 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.6 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
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Clydebank Rd At Buttaba Hills Rd
- Ilford Av After Clydebank Rd
- Ilford Av At Canowie Cres
- Ilford Av At Newark St
- Wangi Rd At Buttaba Hills 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
4 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 19 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 29/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Transport(4)
4 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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- Nearest hospital
- Toronto Private Hospital (4.3 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)
- 40
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.7
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· 8 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space17 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure10 WELWYN CLOSE BUTTABA 2283Under Assessment
May 2026
- Subdivision11 NEWARK STREET BUTTABA 2283Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27A EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool39A EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty49 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Subdivision25 EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure49 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space7 SOUTHAMPTON AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport3 MANCHESTER CLOSE BUTTABA 2283Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 WREXHAM CIRCLET BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 RHUBINA WAY BUTTABA 2283Determined
April 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space36 WREXHAM CIRCLET BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 GLEN GORY AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty1 SHANNON VALE PLACE BUTTABA 2283Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space17 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 DARLINGTON DRIVE BUTTABA 2283Determined
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure15 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
November 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 DARLINGTON DRIVE BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLOT 384, DP 11287, 32 FRED AVERY DRIVE BUTTABADetermined
September 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure32 WREXHAM CIRCLET BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies5 HASLEMERE CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
July 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah13 NEWARK STREET BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space9 WELWYN CLOSE BUTTABA 2283Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 CANOWIE CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house15 CANOWIE CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Subdivision3 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
April 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 SOUTHAMPTON AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 EARSWICK CRESCENT BUTTABA 2283Determined
2023· 7 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure130 BUTTABA HILLS ROAD BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure130 BUTTABA HILLS ROAD BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support39 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
June 2023
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs128 BUTTABA HILLS ROAD BUTTABA 2283Determined
- Dwelling; Retaining walls, protection of trees127 BUTTABA HILLS ROAD BUTTABA 2283Determined
May 2023
- Secondary dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces39 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development21 ILFORD AVENUE BUTTABA 2283Determined
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
- 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 5.8 km away).
Coalition 40.1%Labor 59.9%
0.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Arcadia ValeLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- RathminesLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- Wangi WangiLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Kilaben BayLabor 57.3% · Coalition 42.7% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Coal PointLabor 54.2% · Coalition 45.8% 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.