Median house price
$1.22M
+16% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Highfields, 2289
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,036
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.5%
Median age
37
Median income
$2,198/wk
Employment rate
66.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,215,000
Languages at home
6.9%non-English
Most common: Indonesian, Macedonian, Russian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Highfields is a quieter smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, 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. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
The suburb still has an emerging character, as newer residents settle in and local identity forms.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because parks and green space, plus safety lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Highfields snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$750/wk
Houses $760 · Units $580
Population (ERP)
1,036
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.5%
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
#177
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
63rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
46th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
81st
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
- 39.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3842nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1173rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #177 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #695 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $580
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 151
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,215,000
- Median price change
- +15.7%
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
1,036(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 46th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +3.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +4
- Change in 5 years
- +35
- Growth rank in NSW
- 46th 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 (~1,050), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 936
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $2,198
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 19 of 344
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 66.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 319 / 5 / 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)
- 90
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 50
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 86.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 67 residents
- State safety percentile
- 63th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.8%
Most common offence types
- Fraud119
- Malicious Damage To Property119
- Steal From Motor Vehicle172
- Steal From Retail Store342
- Transport Regulatory Offences258
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
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,089
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 81th
School list
- Kahibah Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 291 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Belair Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1103 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 409 students · Top SEA quarter 45% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Kotara High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1066 · 74th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 1,130 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St James' Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1104 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 334 students · Top SEA quarter 40% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1102 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 361 students · Top SEA quarter 40% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Whitebridge High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1022 · 56th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 915 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- KU Kahibah Roadchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Kahibah Rd After George St
- Kahibah Rd At Collarena Cres
- Kahibah Rd At Margaret St
- Kahibah Rd Opp Highfields Pde
- Pacific Hwy Opp George 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
19 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 20 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
- 1.07
Community(1)
- KU Kahibah RoadChildcare
Sport & outdoors(3)
- The ConceptGym
- Park
- Playground
Entertainment(1)
- Leichhardts LookoutViewpoint
Transport(8)
8 bus stops
Other(5)
- Bench
- Car wash
- Parking (2)
- Petrol station
- Place of worship
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Lake Macquarie Private Hospital (3.7 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)
- 35
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.8
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· 7 proposals
July 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah375 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HIGHFIELDS 2289Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation21 GEORGE STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure49 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool356 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Withdrawn
2025· 8 proposals
November 2025
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support12A VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Withdrawn
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation51 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation21 GEORGE STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space8 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Hours of operation and trading2 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
2024· 8 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool356 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space8 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure29 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool52A KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
August 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)10A GEORGE STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
April 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation29 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Withdrawn
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation40 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
February 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
2023· 9 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation17 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 HILLCREST PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
July 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development15 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development76 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
March 2023
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces10A GEORGE STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development17 VALAUD CRESCENT HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development16 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces8 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
January 2023
- Signage; Recreational Uses16 GEORGE STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
2022· 10 proposals
November 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces16 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
October 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces35 HILLCREST PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
September 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Retaining walls, protection of trees8 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Dwelling358 PACIFIC HIGHWAY HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
July 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces39 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
June 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development31 KAHIBAH ROAD HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development15 MARGARET STREET HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
May 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development39 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Retaining walls, protection of trees56 HIGHFIELDS PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development26 HILLCREST PARADE HIGHFIELDS 2289Determined
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
- Shortland
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONROY (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,971
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 38.5%Labor 61.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.2 km away).
Coalition 32.1%Labor 67.9%
6.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KahibahLabor 69.1% · Coalition 30.9% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Adamstown Heights (Shortland)Labor 68.2% · Coalition 31.9% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Charlestown EastLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- WhitebridgeLabor 63.5% · Coalition 36.5% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
- CharlestownLabor 68.2% · Coalition 31.8% TPP (2025)2.0 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
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.