Median house price
$852k
+15% change
NSW · Port Stephens Council
Duns Creek, 2321
Est. population · Jun 2025
612
Growth (1 yr)
+0.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.1%
Median age
42
Median income
$2,236/wk
Employment rate
63.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$852,000
Languages at home
3.2%non-English
Most common: Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Duns Creek offers a slower smaller community life in Port Stephens Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. The suburb still has an emerging character, as newer residents settle in and local identity forms.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus parks and green space compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum, plus community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Duns Creek snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Houses $680 · Units $520
Population (ERP)
612
+0.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.6%
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
#114
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
26th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 38.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4101st in Australia
- State rank
- 1273rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #114 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #427 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 293
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $852,000
- Median price change
- +15.1%
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
612(June 2025)
+0.8% annual · +4.1% over 5 years · 61th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.8%
- 5-year growth
- +4.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +24
- 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 (~650), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 582
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,236
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 7 of 195
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 63.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 187 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 28
- Against the person
- 12
- Against property
- 10
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 45.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order76
- Domestic Violence Related Assault132
- Fraud62
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment151
- Malicious Damage To Property99
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
Public transport
37 public transport stops in this suburb
- Butterwick Rd At Duns Creek Rd
- Duns Creek Rd After Forest Rd
- Duns Creek Rd At Wallaby Cl
- Paterson Rd At Duns Creek Rd
- Paterson Rd Opp Orange Grove 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
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 37 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
- 0
Transport(1)
1 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)
- 3
- 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
- New Maitland Hospital (16.6 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)
- 17
- 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
- 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· 6 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1494 PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Withdrawn
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation124A DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1245 PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Hot water systems; Rainwater tanks660 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool163 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development494 BUTTERWICK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
2025· 10 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Letterboxes; Swimming pool8 WOODVILLE STREET DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 FOREST ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureUFFINGTON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Additional Information Requested
October 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure550 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
July 2025
- Farm buildings; Shed; Erection of a new structure20 WALLABY CLOSE DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure9 WALLABY CLOSE DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool673 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool641 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 FOREST ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure20 WALLABY CLOSE DUNS CREEK 2321Withdrawn
2024· 10 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure373 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)118 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 UFFINGTON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1245 Paterson Road Duns Creek NSW 2321Determined
- Subdivision25A FOREST ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Withdrawn
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool647 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
August 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure611 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1245 Paterson Road Duns Creek NSW 2321Determined
March 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)25 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure538 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure588 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)1368 PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool1356 PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
September 2023
- Dual occupancy; Pools / decks / fencing; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed525 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
August 2023
- Farm buildings1245A PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
April 2023
- Shed118 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
March 2023
- Dwelling6A FOREST ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
February 2023
- Shed91 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
2022· 7 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling653 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
September 2022
- Dwelling6A FOREST ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Withdrawn
- Dwelling1359 PATERSON ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development143 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
June 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing9 REYNOLDS CLOSE DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing44 DUNS CREEK ROAD DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
May 2022
- Dwelling10 WIVELISCOMBE CLOSE DUNS CREEK 2321Determined
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 13.0 km away).
Coalition 54.7%Labor 45.3%
5.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Paterson CentralLabor 49.1% · Coalition 50.9% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
- WoodvilleLabor 44.7% · Coalition 55.3% TPP (2025)8.1 km away
- SeahamLabor 47.4% · Coalition 52.6% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
- VacyLabor 38.1% · Coalition 61.9% TPP (2025)10.8 km away
- Clarence TownLabor 40.6% · Coalition 59.4% TPP (2025)11.1 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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 Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.