Median house price
$1.23M
+2.5% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Fountaindale, 2258
Est. population · Jun 2025
712
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.0%
Median age
46
Median income
$2,903/wk
Employment rate
65.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,230,000
Languages at home
7.9%non-English
Most common: Russian, French, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Fountaindale is a practical smaller community in Central Coast Council, with a familiar suburban feel rather than a self-contained town centre. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out.
Open space is thinner than in many metro suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Fountaindale snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$583/wk
Population (ERP)
712
+0.1% 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
#132
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
72nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
40th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
82nd
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
- 26.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6075th in Australia
- State rank
- 1963rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #132 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #853 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $625
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,230,000
- Median price change
- +2.5%
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
712(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · -1.0% over 5 years · 40th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- -1.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +1
- Change in 5 years
- -7
- Growth rank in NSW
- 40th 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 (~700), extrapolated at -0.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 726
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $2,903
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 12 of 226
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,500
- Employment rate
- 65.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 210 / 0 / 4
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)
- 71
- Against the person
- 17
- Against property
- 30
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 99.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 43 residents
- State safety percentile
- 72.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +24.9%
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling36
- Domestic Violence Related Assault40
- Fraud68
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment41
- Transport Regulatory Offences107
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
- 1,092
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 82th
School list
- Central Coast Steiner SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1092 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 330 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.4 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Follyfoot Farmkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
29 public transport stops in this suburb
- Catamaran Rd At Ketch Cl
- Central Coast Rudolf Steiner School
- Enterprise Dr At Peach Orchard Rd
- Enterprise Dr Before Catamaran Rd
- Old Chittaway Rd Opp Ronkana Cemetery
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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 29 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
Community(2)
- Follyfoot FarmKindergarten
- Central Coast Rudolf Steiner SchoolSchool
Transport(4)
4 bus stops
Other(1)
- Mark Foster ReserveNature Reserve
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
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Mark Foster ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- 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
- Berkeley Vale Private Hospital (3.2 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)
- 29
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 40.7
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
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Carport1A LIZA CLOSE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Under Assessment
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure3 OLD CHITTAWAY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
February 2026
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)100 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Under Assessment
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure155 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21 FOUNTAIN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool44 LILLYGROVE LANE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 CATAMARAN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space53 MANNS ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool28 CHERRY LANE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Fences; Residential Accommodation153 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Withdrawn
September 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure155 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure3 OLD CHITTAWAY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support267 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure53 MANNS ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
July 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure217 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
April 2025
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 CATAMARAN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)2 CATAMARAN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
January 2025
- Temporary building, structure or use; Dual occupancy (detached)100 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; School10 CATAMARAN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
2024· 6 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure32 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 BERRYS LANE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
July 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)52 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
May 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)52 HEATHCLIFF CLOSE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Withdrawn
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)243 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 CHERRY LANE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
2023· 5 proposals
September 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure144 ENTERPRISE DRIVE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing32 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Dwelling76 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
June 2023
- Dual occupancy100 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Under Assessment
February 2023
- Group homes60 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
2022· 11 proposals
December 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees41 OLD CHITTAWAY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
November 2022
- Shed22 ORANGE ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Other24 STENNING LANE FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
October 2022
- Shed8 CATAMARAN ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
September 2022
- Change of use25 ORANGE ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Shed166 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
August 2022
- Shed16 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
May 2022
- Shed170 OLD CHITTAWAY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Shed; Other137 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
April 2022
- Dual occupancy100 BERKELEY ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
- Home business110 PEACH ORCHARD ROAD FOUNTAINDALE 2258Determined
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
- Dobell
- Member of Parliament
- Emma McBRIDE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,541
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.6%Labor 59.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.8 km away).
Coalition 38.1%Labor 61.9%
2.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Glenning ValleyLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- OurimbahLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- Berkeley Vale NorthLabor 59.3% · Coalition 40.7% TPP (2025)3.6 km away
- Berkeley ValeLabor 63.2% · Coalition 36.8% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
- Chittaway BayLabor 60.9% · Coalition 39.1% TPP (2025)4.1 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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 Central Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.