Median house price
$940k
+6.8% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Kanwal, 2259
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,763
Growth (1 yr)
+0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.8%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,344/wk
Employment rate
44.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$940,000
Languages at home
7.2%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Italian, Malayalam
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Kanwal is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Central Coast Council with everyday amenities close at hand. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Everyday errands are walkable, and buses keep the wider city within easy reach.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer safety, plus community and employment relative to similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Kanwal snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$680/wk
Houses $700 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
4,763
+0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.0%
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
#21
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
72nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
48th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
24th
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
- 54.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 22% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1585th in Australia
- State rank
- 464th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #21 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #341 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 472
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $940,000
- Median price change
- +6.8%
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
4,763(June 2025)
+0.4% annual · +0.8% over 5 years · 48th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.4%
- 5-year growth
- +0.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +21
- Change in 5 years
- +38
- Growth rank in NSW
- 48th 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 (~4,900), extrapolated at +0.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,194
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,344
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 74 of 1,481
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 44.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,202 / 51 / 147 (+ 5 other)
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)
- 469
- Against the person
- 117
- Against property
- 154
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 98.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 36 residents
- State safety percentile
- 71.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +6.2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions789
- Domestic Violence Related Assault437
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment636
- Malicious Damage To Property530
- Transport Regulatory Offences1055
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 947.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 24th
School list
- Kanwal Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 942 · 22th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 500 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 0.0 km awayView on My School →
- Wadalba Community SchoolCombined · Government · ICSEA 941 · 22th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 1,414 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Tuggerawong Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 953 · 26th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 208 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Warnervale Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 979 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 442 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 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
- Little Coast Kidschildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
71 public transport stops in this suburb
- Craigie Av Before Swan St
- Kaye Av At Stanley St
- Stanley St After Kaye Av
- Stanley St Opp Phyllis Av
- Stelling Av At Springall Av
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
95 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 2 fast food · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 3 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 71 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 78/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.95
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.91
Food & drink(4)
- Not Just CakesBakery
- Kanwal Pizza & PastaFast food
- Tom & Pam's TakeawayFast food
Unit 9 259 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
- Kanwal Chinese KitchenRestaurant
Shopping(4)
- Kanwal Meat MarketButcher
- Fill & Carry fruit marketGreengrocer
- IGA KanwalSupermarket
Community(4)
- Little Coast KidsChildcare
- Lakelands Community CentreCommunity centre
- Wyong District Youth & Community CentreCommunity centre
- Kanwal Public SchoolSchool
Kanwal
Health & services(4)
- Tuggerah Lakes Private HospitalHospital
645 Pacific Highway
- Family Care GPMedical clinic
Unit 3-4 260 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
- Kanwal Village Medical CentreMedical clinic
Unit 1 258 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
- Amcal+ Pharmacy Kanwal VillagePharmacy
Unit 1 260 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
Sport & outdoors(13)
- Avondale Drive ReservePark
- Dean Avenue ReservePark
- Heritage Drive ReservePark
- Kanwal OvalPark
- Kaye Ave ReservePark
- Phyllis Avenue ReservePark
- Swan Street ReservePark
- Walker ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool
Transport(38)
38 bus stops
Other(12)
- Bench
- Oasis Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Garden (7)
- Hair D TaylorsHairdresser
- Kanwal shops parkingParking
- Parking (6)
- 7-Eleven KanwalPetrol station
207-211 Wallarah Road, Kanwal
- Lakes AnglicanPlace of worship
- Central Coast CouncilPublic toilets
- Public toilets
- Shelter (5)
- Waste Basket (3)
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
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Avondale Drive ReservePark
- Dean Avenue ReservePark
- Heritage Drive ReservePark
- Kanwal OvalPark
- Kaye Ave ReservePark
- Phyllis Avenue ReservePark
- Swan Street ReservePark
- Walker ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 14
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- Lakes Anglican
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital (0.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Family Care GPWallarah RoadDoctor
- Kanwal Village Medical CentreWallarah RoadDoctor
- Tuggerah Lakes Private HospitalPacific HighwayHospital
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)
- 218
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 45.8
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
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space160 STANLEY STREET KANWAL 2259Under Assessment
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 85 Wahroonga Road Kanwal 2259Under Assessment
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure59 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure29 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space160 STANLEY STREET KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
January 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
2025· 5 proposals
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 STAMFORD CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care651 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Manufactured home; Moveable dwelling207-209 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
2024· 10 proposals
December 2024
- Boarding house; Erection of a new structure741 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
November 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 MONASH ROAD KANWALDetermined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facility639 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Group home; Group home (permanent)43 WAHROONGA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure20 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 DALTON AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Home business; 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 Australia; Hours of operation and trading24 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 KAYE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 KATO CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
2023· 12 proposals
November 2023
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Group home (permanent)83 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Demolition; Signage; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Advertising structure; Business identification sign; Service station; Hours of operation and trading217 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure51 PEARCE ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 SURREY CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
August 2023
- Shed23 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2023
- Change of use205 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
March 2023
- Secondary dwelling17 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 HOPETOWN ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development25 DONALD AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2023
- Dual occupancy; Retaining walls, protection of trees223 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces12 HERITAGE DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
January 2023
- Other207-209 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Secondary dwelling28 DONALD AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
November 2022
- Multi-dwelling housing2 MONASH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
September 2022
- Demolition; Group homes43 WAHROONGA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land54 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing12 BUNA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
July 2022
- Shed183 STANLEY STREET KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2022
- Secondary dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces29 SWAN STREET KANWAL 2259Determined
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
- 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 · 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 3.3 km away).
Coalition 36.6%Labor 63.4%
3.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KanwalLabor 63.9% · Coalition 36.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Kanwal NorthLabor 60.3% · Coalition 39.7% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- WadalbaLabor 64.2% · Coalition 35.8% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Hamlyn TerraceLabor 63.3% · Coalition 36.7% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
- WoongarrahLabor 57.4% · Coalition 42.6% TPP (2025)2.2 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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.