Median house price
$969k
+4.7% change
NSW · Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Karabar, 2620
Est. population · Jun 2025
8,549
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.4%
Median age
38
Median income
$1,989/wk
Employment rate
62.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$969,000
Languages at home
15.4%non-English
Most common: Macedonian, Punjabi, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Karabar is a settled established suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Distance from Sydney is unmistakable: this is well outside the capital's everyday orbit. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Desirability sits around average overall, with safety, plus schools and education the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Karabar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$580/wk
Houses $690 · Units $440
Population (ERP)
8,549
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.4%
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
#248
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
43rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
6th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
22nd
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
- 47.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 35% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2471st in Australia
- State rank
- 738th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #248 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #520 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $440
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $690
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $580
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 423
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $969,000
- Median price change
- +4.7%
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
8,549(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · -1.4% over 5 years · 6th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -1.4%
- Change in 1 year
- -25
- Change in 5 years
- -125
- Growth rank in NSW
- 6th 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 (~8,300), extrapolated at -0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 8,517
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,989
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 176 of 3,255
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 62.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,472 / 518 / 85
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)
- 528
- Against the person
- 127
- Against property
- 204
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 61.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 67 residents
- State safety percentile
- 43.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions340
- Domestic Violence Related Assault191
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment272
- Malicious Damage To Property340
- Steal From Retail Store195
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 944
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 22th
School list
- Queanbeyan South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 939 · 21th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 419 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Tirriwirri SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 944 · 22th percentile · LBOTE 38% · 34 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Karabar High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 982 · 38th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 723 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 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
Public transport
82 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cooma St After Southbar Rd
- Cooma St Opp Southbar Rd
- Donald Rd At Anne St
- Karabar High School, Alanbar St
- Queanbeyan South Public School, School Grounds
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
98 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
15 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 30 parks mapped in suburb, 15 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 82 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 16 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 3.52
Community(3)
- Karabar High SchoolSchool
84 Donald Road
- Queanbeyan South Primary SchoolSchool
- Tirriwirri SchoolSchool
Alanbar Street
Sport & outdoors(43)
- Ash ParkletPark
- Banksia ParkletPark
- Barracks Flat Neighbourhood ParkPark
- Boronia ParkletPark
- Coolabah ParkletPark
- Dane Street ParkPark
- East Hayley ParkletPark
- East Murray ParkletPark
- Harper ParkletPark
- Jane Hodgson Neighbourhood ParkPark
- Lambert ParkPark
- Laura ParkletPark
- Lower Pindari ParkletPark
- Margaret Donoghoe SportsgroundPark
- Meehan ParkletPark
- Park (9)
- Steve Maugher SportsgroundPark
- West Hayley ParkletPark
- West Murray ParkletPark
- Playground (15)
- Sports field
Transport(28)
28 bus stops
Other(9)
- Fitness Station
- Information
- Parking (12)
- Parking Space
- 7-ElevenPetrol station
- Picnic Table (2)
- Karabar Post OfficePost office
- Public toilets
- Shelter (4)
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
20 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Ash ParkletPark
- Banksia ParkletPark
- Barracks Flat Neighbourhood ParkPark
- Boronia ParkletPark
- Coolabah ParkletPark
- Dane Street ParkPark
- East Hayley ParkletPark
- East Murray ParkletPark
- Harper ParkletPark
- Ingleside ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 33
- Parks (OSM)
- 30
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
- Queanbeyan Hospital and Health Service (3.1 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)
- 283
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.1
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° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 171 mm · ~21 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 169 mm · ~21 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 12° / 1°
- Rainfall
- 183 mm · ~23 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 212 mm · ~26 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· 20 proposals
August 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport13 SORRELL PLACE KARABAR 2620Under Assessment
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 ALFRED PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Secondary dwelling; 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 Australia41 ALANBAR STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation4 MORGAN PLACE KARABAR 2620Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space52 PINDARI CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport12 MURRAY STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 PALMER CLOSE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation18 LOCHIEL STREET KARABAR 2620Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah9 MONK PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space8 LAURA PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care20 WILGABAR WAY KARABAR 2620Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah28 DOEBERL PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 PINDARI CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Residential Accommodation1 Eugenia Street Karabar QueanbeyanDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah28 DOEBERL PLACE KARABAR 2620Rejected
- Erection of a new structure; Carport30 MURRAY STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space30 ANNE STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure62 RUSTEN STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
- Secondary dwelling; 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 Australia41 ALANBAR STREET KARABAR 2620Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space109 CANDLEBARK ROAD KARABAR 2620Determined
2025· 20 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure52 CHRISTOPHER CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 TEMORA PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision9 BEARD CLOSE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19A ALFRED PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation4 MORGAN PLACE KARABAR 2620Withdrawn
August 2025
- 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; Shop34 QUEENBAR ROAD KARABAR 2620Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)1 4 SOUTHBAR ROAD KARABAR 2620Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)1 4 SOUTHBAR ROAD KARABAR 2620Rejected
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space9 HAMBLY PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house7 INGLESIDE ROAD KARABAR 2620Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah3 BADEN PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19A ALFRED PLACE KARABAR 2620Rejected
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport5 WEBBER PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 BORONIA CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Withdrawn
April 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 MORGAN PLACE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Subdivision16 BARRACKS FLAT DRIVE KARABAR 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19A ALFRED PLACE KARABAR 2620Rejected
March 2025
- Subdivision2 SASSAFRAS CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care18 WILGABAR WAY KARABAR 2620Determined
February 2025
- Subdivision2 SASSAFRAS CRESCENT KARABAR 2620Rejected
2024· 2 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 Alfred Place Karabar 2620Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure71 CAMERON ROAD KARABAR 2620Determined
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
- Eden-Monaro
- Member of Parliament
- Kristy McBAIN (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,376
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.1 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 42.8%Labor 57.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.5 km away).
Coalition 29.9%Labor 70.1%
12.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Queanbeyan SouthLabor 71.3% · Coalition 28.7% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- QueanbeyanLabor 71.8% · Coalition 28.2% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Queanbeyan CentralLabor 67.3% · Coalition 32.7% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Queanbeyan City CentralLabor 75.5% · Coalition 24.5% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Queanbeyan NorthLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)2.6 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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.