NSW · Penrith Council
Emu Plains, 2750
Current weather
12.7°CClear sky
61% humidity · 11.6 km/h wind · 20.4° / 9.6° today · 2.6 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Emu Plains is a mid-sized suburb in the Penrith area, home to around 8,126 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 1,405 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-18%), roughly 172.9 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $600 (flats $550, houses $650), 6 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, many local shops, services and recreation venues, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 8,126
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,877
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 100 of 3,083
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,200
- Employment rate
- 57.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 227 / 372 / 66
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 · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 535
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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,405
- Against the person
- 252
- Against property
- 515
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 172.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 32 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -17.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions1010
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment507
- Malicious Damage To Property562
- Steal From Retail Store861
- Transport Regulatory Offences1440
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,015
- Emu Heights Public SchoolPrimary
- Emu Plains Public SchoolPrimary
- Leonay Public SchoolPrimary
- Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolSecondary
- Our Lady of The Way Primary SchoolPrimary
- Penola Catholic College Emu PlainsSecondary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
190 public transport stops in this suburb
- Great Western Hwy Opp Nepean High School
- Great Western Hwy Opp Nepean High School
- Great Western Hwy Opp York St
- Great Western Hwy Opp York St
- Penola Catholic College
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
283 planning-related records
2026· 16 proposals
June 2026
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure1-3 EMERALD STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 MCLEAN STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space16 EMERALD STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Under Assessment
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 RAILWAY STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation63 YODALLA AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation91 FORBES STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry134-140 OLD BATHURST ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure80 NEPEAN STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
April 2026
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Shop71 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure1-3 EMERALD STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Subdivision158-164 OLD BATHURST ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development36 TROY STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure2 WESTBANK AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 PARK STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 WESTBANK AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 BELLBROOK AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
2025· 24 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care293 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia1-3 EMERALD STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Car park1-9 LAMROCK STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support170 RUSSELL STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation83 SHEPPARD ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29 GOUGH STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 MCLEAN STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 EMILY AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 CARY STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation83 SHEPPARD ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure7 152 OLD BATHURST ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
September 2025
- Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Funeral home61 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 ROSEMONT AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure7 GWANDALAN STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 WATT PLACE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 AVOCA AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure2 WESTBANK AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 MORTIMER STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Community facility7037/1066209Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; General industry162-168 RUSSELL STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure77 SHEPPARD ROAD EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool11 BRECHIN CLOSE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure44 NEPEAN STREET EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation46 GARDENIA AVENUE EMU PLAINS 2750Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
156 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Chambers Cellars Emu PlainsAlcohol
234
- Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
14 Water Street
- Bakers DelightBakery
- Health and Power BakeryBakery
- Bbq (5)
- Little Divas Spa BoutiqueBeauty salon
Unit 1 65-67 Great Western Highway
- Ruby Nails & BeautyBeauty salon
- Spa De VieBeauty salon
- Tranquility Skin & Body CareBeauty salon
Unit 2 71 Billington Place, Emu Plains
- Bench (16)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
18 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Ausburn ReservePark
- Avoca Avenue ReservePark
- Barina Crescent ReserveNature reserve
- Bunyarra Drive ReservePark
- Clouta Place ReserveNature reserve
- Dewdney Road ReservePark
- Emu ParkPark
- Gough & Lucas Street ReservePark
- Hollier ReservePark
- Huntington ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 7
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Absolute Eyecareoptometrist
- Amcalpharmacy
- Back in Shape ChiropracticBillington Placealternative
- Emu Plains Dentist Caredentist
- Emu Plains Doctordoctor
- Emu Plains Medical Practiceclinic
- Emu Plains Podiatrypodiatrist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
3 state heritage places
- Emu Plains (Nepean River) UnderbridgeGreat Western Highway, Emu PlainsSHR
- Emu Plains Railway Station groupMain Western railway, Emu PlainsSHR
- Victoria BridgeGreat Western Highway PenrithSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Mud Puddles Cottagechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 93
- Parks (OSM)
- 18
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 68.7/100
- National rank
- 219th in Australia
- State rank
- 75th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #28 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #50 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 87%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime1010
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime507
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime562
- Steal From Retail Storecrime861
- Transport Regulatory Offencescrime1440
- Great Western Hwy Opp Nepean High Schooltransport
- Great Western Hwy Opp Nepean High Schooltransport
- Great Western Hwy Opp York Sttransport
- Great Western Hwy Opp York Sttransport
- Penola Catholic Collegetransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.