Median house price
$1.17M
+8.8% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Caves Beach, 2281
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,233
Growth (1 yr)
+1.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.1%
Median age
49
Median income
$1,628/wk
Employment rate
51.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,170,000
Languages at home
4.1%non-English
Most common: Filipino, Japanese, Serbian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Life in Caves Beach revolves around the coast at a genuine remove from Sydney. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer parks and green space, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities compared with similar coastal suburbs, though schools and education, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Caves Beach snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$725/wk
Houses $750 · Units $550
Population (ERP)
4,233
+1.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
13.7%
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
#18
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
37th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
73rd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
55th
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
- 50.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2036th in Australia
- State rank
- 602nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #18 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #61 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $725
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 90
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,170,000
- Median price change
- +8.8%
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
4,233(June 2025)
+1.2% annual · +6.1% over 5 years · 73th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.2%
- 5-year growth
- +6.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +51
- Change in 5 years
- +244
- Growth rank in NSW
- 73th 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 (~4,500), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,016
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,628
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 238 of 1,739
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,090
- Employment rate
- 51.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,279 / 155 / 60
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)
- 237
- Against the person
- 61
- Against property
- 87
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 56
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 66 residents
- State safety percentile
- 36.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.9%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order78
- Domestic Violence Related Assault78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment96
- Malicious Damage To Property83
- Other Offences210
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)
- 1,019
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 55th
School list
- Swansea High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 972 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 710 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Caves Beach Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1019 · 55th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 349 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1041 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 165 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 1.0 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
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Caves Beach Long Day Care and Pre-Schoolkindergarten
- Caves Beach Uniting Pre-Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
59 public transport stops in this suburb
- Caves Beach OOSH, Park Av
- Caves Beach OOSH, Park Av
- Northcote Av At Dolphin Ct
- Swansea High School, Park Av
- Swansea High School, Park Av
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
93 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 2 cafes · 1 pubs · 2 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 59 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 80/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.5
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.25
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.5
Food & drink(5)
- Mylo's CafeCafe
- Ocean Soul EpressoCafe
- Fast food
- Caves Beach Bar & BungalowsPub
- Mawson Caves RestaurantRestaurant
Shopping(4)
- Butcher
- IGASupermarket
- Spar ExpressSupermarket
Community(4)
- Caves Beach Long Day Care and Pre-SchoolKindergarten
- Caves Beach Uniting Pre-SchoolKindergarten
- Caves Beach Primary SchoolSchool
Caves Beach
- Swansea High SchoolSchool
Caves Beach
Health & services(1)
- Caves Beach PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(4)
- Park (2)
- Playground
- Sports field
Entertainment(1)
- Viewpoint
Transport(30)
30 bus stops
Other(21)
- NorfolkArtwork
- Bench (2)
- Bicycle Parking (4)
- Lake Macquarie CouncilDressing Room
- Drinking water
- PorscheEV charging
- Hairdresser
- Ice Cream
- Caves Beach Surf Life Saving ClubLicenced Club
- Parking (4)
- Physiotherapy Cawes BeachPhysiotherapist
- Picnic Table (14)
- Caves Beach Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Public toilets
- Recycling
- Caves Beach Bar & BungalowsResort
- Shelter
- Shower (2)
- TelstraTelephone
- Waste Basket (4)
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)
- 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
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Caves Beach Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Belmont Hospital (9.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Caves Beach PharmacyPharmacy
- Physiotherapy Cawes BeachPhysiotherapist
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)
- 127
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 30.0
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· 18 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Swimming pool14 SAPPHIRE CLOSE CAVES BEACH 2281Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure2 STRATHMORE ROAD CAVES BEACH 2281Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 ALEXANDER AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 BRIGANTINE PLACE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14A CALDWELL STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation65 CAVES BEACH ROAD CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5 OCEAN VIEW PARADE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 BRIGANTINE PLACE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators126 CAVES BEACH ROAD CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space16 SEACLIFF PLACE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences8 CIVIC AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation12 VILLAGE GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 VILLAGE GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50 OCEAN VIEW PARADE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36 SCENIC DRIVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
January 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure47 PACIFIC STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 ALEXANDER AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 PHILLIP STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures52 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external); Residential Accommodation8 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool23 PACIFIC STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 SAPPHIRE CLOSE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Home business; Hours of operation and trading15 GALLEON GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators126 CAVES BEACH ROAD CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 BLIGH AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 SCENIC DRIVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool143 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah151 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 OCEAN VIEW PARADE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation13 ALEXANDER AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 SEA EAGLE CRESCENT CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 MARTHA STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure154 MACQUARIE GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 GALLEON GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)14 CALDWELL STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses7 PARK AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 MACQUARIE GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
April 2025
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Privacy screens; Supporting Development4 PACIFIC STREET CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 BRIGANTINE PLACE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool37 CAVES BEACH ROAD CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 CIVIC AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
January 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces74 MACQUARIE GROVE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 DRIFTWOOD CLOSE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
2024· 1 proposal
December 2024
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)13 ALEXANDER AVENUE CAVES BEACH 2281Determined
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 8.1 km away).
Coalition 41.0%Labor 59.0%
2.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Caves BeachLabor 58.7% · Coalition 41.3% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Swansea CentralLabor 60.3% · Coalition 39.7% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- SwanseaLabor 61.8% · Coalition 38.2% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- BlacksmithsLabor 62.2% · Coalition 37.8% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
- Nords WharfLabor 55.3% · Coalition 44.7% TPP (2025)4.7 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)
- 7/10
- 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.