Median house price
$1.95M
+6.3% change
NSW · Tweed Council
Cudgen, 2487
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,006
Growth (1 yr)
+1.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.3%
Median age
39
Median income
$1,893/wk
Employment rate
63.9%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,950,000
Languages at home
4.3%non-English
Most common: Japanese, Bengali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Cudgen is a quieter smaller community in Tweed Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Distance from Sydney is unmistakable: this is well outside the capital's everyday orbit. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Desirability lands below average here: softer schools and education, plus safety weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Cudgen snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$885/wk
Houses $1,150 · Units $780
Population (ERP)
1,006
+1.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.7%
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
#214
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
40th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
73rd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
42nd
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
- 35.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4633rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1475th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #214 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #765 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $780
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,150
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $885
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 125
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,950,000
- Median price change
- +6.3%
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
1,006(June 2025)
+1.2% annual · +5.3% over 5 years · 73th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.2%
- 5-year growth
- +5.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +12
- Change in 5 years
- +51
- 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 (~1,100), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 952
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,893
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 12 of 325
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,929
- Employment rate
- 63.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 255 / 55 / 0
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)
- 59
- Against the person
- 15
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 58.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 63 residents
- State safety percentile
- 39.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.4%
Most common offence types
- Fraud77
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment67
- Malicious Damage To Property87
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault75
- Steal From Motor Vehicle64
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)
- 987.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 42th
School list
- Cudgen Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 984 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 161 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Kingscliff High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 991 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 910 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 2.0 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
Public transport
51 public transport stops in this suburb
- 535 Cudgen Rd
- Plantation Rd After Cudgen Rd
- Plantation Rd After Reardons Rd
- Plantation Rd Before Cudgen Rd
- Reardons Rd After Plantation 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
9 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 51 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.05
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Farm & CoRestaurant
529 Cudgen Road
Community(2)
- Cudgen Public SchoolSchool
11 Collier Street, Cudgen
- School
Transport(4)
4 bus stops
Other(2)
- Cudgen Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
Tweed Coast Road, Cudgen
- Parking
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)
- 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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Tweed Valley Hospital (1.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Tweed Valley HospitalCudgen RoadHospital
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)
- 28
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 27.8
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
- 29° / 20°
- Rainfall
- 628 mm · ~78 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 552 mm · ~69 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 240 mm · ~30 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 282 mm · ~35 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
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support3 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool14 PRICHARD PLACE CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation184 TWEED COAST ROAD CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool49 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support55 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool77 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support27 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Stairway; Swimming pool15 MURRAYA WAY CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure147 TWEED COAST ROAD CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 SUGAR MILL ROAD CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool351 CUDGEN ROAD CUDGEN 2487Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development5 SUGAR MILL ROAD CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool14 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development8 SUGAR MILL ROAD CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool22 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool320 CUDGEN ROAD CUDGEN 2487Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool24 SUGAR MILL ROAD CUDGEN 2487Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development34 DENMAN DRIVE CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development44 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure77 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool64 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool43 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support34 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool; Supporting Development46 JOHN ROBB WAY CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development19 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool642 CUDGEN ROAD CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42 DENMAN DRIVE CUDGEN 2487Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support45 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation25 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Subdivision396 CUDGEN ROAD CUDGEN 2487Open
- Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool; Supporting Development20 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool99 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool93 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool9 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support26 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support50 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support18 PRICHARD PLACE CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support49 BOWEN LOOP CUDGEN 2487Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool4 SUGAR MILL ROAD CUDGEN 2487Determined
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
- Richmond
- Member of Parliament
- Justine ELLIOT (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,814
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.8 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.0%Labor 60.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 6.7 km away).
Coalition 41.6%Labor 58.4%
1.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Kingscliff SouthLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- KingscliffLabor 58.5% · Coalition 41.5% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- ChinderahLabor 61.8% · Coalition 38.2% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
- CasuarinaLabor 55.5% · Coalition 44.5% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
- Banora Point SouthLabor 58.4% · Coalition 41.6% TPP (2025)5.6 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
More in Tweed Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.