Median house price
$876k
+3.1% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Fennell Bay, 2283
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,864
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+8.3%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,375/wk
Employment rate
50.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$876,000
Languages at home
4.7%non-English
Most common: Afrikaans, French, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Fennell Bay offers a slower smaller community life in Lake Macquarie Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix.
There is a dense cluster of schools and early-learning options nearby. Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Versus similar metro suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because safety trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Fennell Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Population (ERP)
1,864
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.3%
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
#99
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
59th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
54th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
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
- 34.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4866th in Australia
- State rank
- 1552nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #99 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #781 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 89
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $876,000
- Median price change
- +3.1%
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
1,864(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +8.3% over 5 years · 54th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +8.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +12
- Change in 5 years
- +143
- Growth rank in NSW
- 54th 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 (~2,000), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,780
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,375
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 39 of 737
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,734
- Employment rate
- 50.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 615 / 42 / 41
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)
- 151
- Against the person
- 43
- Against property
- 39
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 41 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions387
- Domestic Violence Related Assault156
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment194
- Malicious Damage To Property138
- Transport Regulatory Offences278
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
- 7
- Median school ICSEA (7 schools)
- 931
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 18th
School list
- Fennell Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 889 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Fassifern Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 947 · 23th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 59 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- St Paul's Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1026 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 636 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Charlton Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1063 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 831 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Booragul Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 931 · 18th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 206 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Five Islands SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 890 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 51 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- Lake Macquarie High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 925 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 435 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.9 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
28 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fennell Bay Public School, Bay Rd
- Macquarie Rd At Brougham Av
- Macquarie Rd At Prince St
- Macquarie Rd Opp Brighton St
- Main Rd Before Bay 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
19 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 28 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
- 0.56
Community(1)
- Fennell Bay Public SchoolSchool
Fennell Bay
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Park
- Sports field
Transport(12)
12 bus stops
Other(3)
- Drinking water
- Parking (2)
- Public toilets
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)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Toronto Private Hospital (3.5 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)
- 86
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 46.1
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· 5 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 MARGARET STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Boat launching ramp28 EDWARD STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure6 ELIZABETH STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space34 ELIZABETH STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development16 PRINCE STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Under Assessment
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 SANDRA STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space16 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation321 MAIN ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 BAY ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Fences; Swimming pool34 PRINCE STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space4 MAHOGANY PLACE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 BLANDFORD STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers36 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure22 LAKE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space4 MARGARET STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support19 PRINCE STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
January 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure10 BROUGHAM AVENUE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space4 MARGARET STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia20 HARRINGTON STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Withdrawn
2024· 14 proposals
November 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 MARGARET STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation36 ELIZABETH STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space13 PRINCE STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 BELLEVUE LANE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure293 MAIN ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah54 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Subdivision12 TURNBULL STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)22 BLANDFORD STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
April 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool50 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure33 BROUGHAM AVENUE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
March 2024
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dual occupancy (detached)89 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation6 BELLEVUE LANE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool15 ELIZABETH STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure6 EDWARD STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 TURNBULL STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 BROUGHAM AVENUE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures1 MAHOGANY PLACE FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
October 2023
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)87 MACQUARIE ROAD FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 BLANDFORD STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
August 2023
- Subdivision of land12 TURNBULL STREET FENNELL BAY 2283Determined
July 2023
- Retaining walls, protection of trees1 MAHOGANY PLACE FENNELL BAY 2283Withdrawn
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
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.3 km away).
Coalition 33.8%Labor 66.2%
6.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Fennell BayLabor 64.4% · Coalition 35.6% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- WoodrisingLabor 69.2% · Coalition 30.8% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- FassifernLabor 64.3% · Coalition 35.7% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- BooragulLabor 63.7% · Coalition 36.3% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- BlackallsLabor 68.3% · Coalition 31.7% TPP (2025)2.4 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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.