Median house price
$565k
+24% change
NSW · Tenterfield Council
Drake, 2469
Est. population · Jun 2025
246
Growth (1 yr)
+0.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.0%
Median age
57
Median income
$698/wk
Employment rate
19.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$565,000
Languages at home
4.1%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Tenterfield Council, Drake keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
Reported crime has been falling recently. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer community and employment, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Drake snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
246
+0.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
17.6%
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
#477
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
55th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
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
- 28.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5880th in Australia
- State rank
- 1900th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #477 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #870 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $565,000
- Median price change
- +23.6%
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 · October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
246(June 2025)
+0.8% annual · +6.0% over 5 years · 61th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.8%
- 5-year growth
- +6.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +14
- Growth rank in NSW
- 61th 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 (~250), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 244
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $698
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 21 of 119
- Median monthly mortgage
- $604
- Employment rate
- 19.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 98 / 0 / 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)
- 18
- Against the person
- 5
- Against property
- 7
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 49 residents
- State safety percentile
- 54.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -14.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order31
- Breach Bail Conditions41
- Domestic Violence Related Assault37
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment47
- Malicious Damage To Property38
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 928
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 18th
School list
- Drake Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 928 · 18th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 14 students · Top SEA quarter 13%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
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bruxner Hwy At Mud Flat Rd
- Bruxner Hwy At Mud Flat Rd
- Fairfield St After Ruby St
- Fairfield St After West St
- Fairfield St After West St
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
1 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
Other(1)
- 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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Bonalbo Multi-Purpose Service (28.9 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)
- 6
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 24.4
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
- 25° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 356 mm · ~44 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 208 mm · ~26 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 134 mm · ~17 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 222 mm · ~28 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· 2 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure406 MUD FLAT ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
2025· 5 proposals
December 2025
- Subdivision7841-7841A BRUXNER HIGHWAY DRAKE 2469Additional Information Requested
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision395 BRUXNER ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
June 2025
- Subdivision416 LONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision1021B LONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
2024· 4 proposals
October 2024
- Subdivision395 BRUXNER ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Camping ground26 MUD FLAT ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
May 2024
- Subdivision62 MUD FLAT ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia1021B LONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
2023· 2 proposals
June 2023
- Farm buildings1040 Long Gully RoadDetermined
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development61 MUD FLAT ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing7841 Bruxner Highway Drake NSWDetermined
September 2022
- Subdivision of land197 BRUXNER ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
July 2022
- Dwelling62 LESLIE CREEK ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
- DwellingKIMS WAY DRAKE 2469Determined
May 2022
- Subdivision of land531A LONG GULLY ROAD DRAKE 2469Withdrawn
March 2022
- Subdivision of land241 BRUXNER ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
January 2022
- Subdivision of land7841 BRUXNER HIGHWAY DRAKE 2469Determined
2021· 2 proposals
December 2021
- Other7841 BRUXNER HIGHWAY DRAKE 2469Determined
July 2021
- Hotel or motel accommodation61 MUD FLAT ROAD DRAKE 2469Determined
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
- New England
- Member of Parliament
- Barnaby JOYCE (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.9 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 67.1%Labor 32.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 112.8 km away).
Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%
13.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -3.4 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- DrakeLabor 47.0% · Coalition 53.0% TPP (2025)5.5 km away
- TenterfieldLabor 29.7% · Coalition 70.3% TPP (2025)42.7 km away
- ListonLabor 31.5% · Coalition 68.5% TPP (2025)43.5 km away
- UrbenvilleLabor 24.5% · Coalition 75.5% TPP (2025)49.2 km away
- LegumeLabor 30.2% · Coalition 69.8% TPP (2025)56.4 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 Tenterfield Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.