NSW · Blue Mountains Council
Katoomba, NSW, 2780
Desirability index
#35 among Country & regional suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Katoomba is a mid-sized suburb in the Blue Mountains area, home to around 8,268 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 1,121 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (+3%), roughly 135.6 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $560 (flats $420, houses $605), 4 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 8,268
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,171
- Dwelling vacancy
- 16.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 763 of 4,520
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,600
- Employment rate
- 49.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 282 / 214 / 412
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $420
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $605
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $560
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 72
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,121
- Against the person
- 283
- Against property
- 404
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 135.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 29 residents
- State safety percentile
- 11.9th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- +3.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions122
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment99
- Malicious Damage To Property120
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault70
- Steal From Retail Store91
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,027
- Katoomba High SchoolSecondary
- Katoomba North Public SchoolPrimary
- Katoomba Public SchoolPrimary
- St Canice's Primary SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
242 public transport stops in this suburb
- CCP Bathurst Rd
- Goldsmith Pl Opp Katoomba Station
- Katoomba Station
- Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pl
- Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pl
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksGreat Western Highway, Bathurst Street12 Jul 2026 – 14 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
553 planning-related records
2026· 43 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation42 ESSENDENE ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure81 MINNI HA HA ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure181 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)96 CAMP STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation45 HILLVIEW ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 CLARENCE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Pathways and paving6 NEALE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42 YORK STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation27 RAYMOND ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure101 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise110 BATHURST ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure55 ALBION STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Data centre41 BARTON STREET KATOOMBA 2780Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport18 FIFTH AVENUE KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure2 VICTORIA STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure143 BURRAWANG STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Self storage units35 COOPER STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation15 EDWIN LANE KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure90 RUPERT STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation197 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Temporary structure152 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW 2780Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5-7 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation63 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 VALLEY ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Rejected
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah105 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah27 COOPER STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation52 SOUTH STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure181X GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure113 MORT STREET KATOOMBA 2780Rejected
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support52 SOUTH STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 NEALE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure64 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure47 LOVEL STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 KURRAWAN ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 NARROW NECK ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 NARROW NECK ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined
2025· 91 proposals
91 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2024· 90 proposals
90 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 94 proposals
94 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 88 proposals
88 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 134 proposals
134 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 13 proposals
13 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
321 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BottlemartAlcohol
- Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
- Katoomba WinesAlcohol
- Black AntiquesAntiques
- Katoomba Antique CentreAntiques
- Katoomba Vintage EmporiumAntiques
59-61 Katoomba Street
- MacArthur's ArcadeAntiques
84 Katoomba Street
- Ausartwork PaintingsArt
1 Goldsmith Place
- The Artists' StoreArt
- John WilsonArts centre
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
23 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bonnie Doon ReserveNature reserve
- Brownie ParkNature reserve
- Bureau ParkPark
- Cahills Lookout ReserveNature reserve
- Carrington ParkPark
- Cliff Drive–Moss Street ReserveNature reserve
- Crown Reserve 148Nature reserve
- Dr Alex Allen ParkPark
- Echo ParkPark
- Former Katoomba Golf CoursePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 33
- Emergency department
- On site
- Bigland & Cowley Optometristsoptometrist
- Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial HospitalGreat Western Highwayhospital
- Blue Mountains PharmacyParke Streetpharmacy
- Blue Mountains Podiatry Katoombapodiatrist
- Douglass Hanly MoirParke Streetsample_collection
- Greenwell & Thomas Pharmacypharmacy
- Hydrotherapy Poolyes
- Katoomba Chiro CentreParke Streetalternative
- Katoomba Community Health CentreWaratah Streetyes
- Katoomba Dentaldentist
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
6 state heritage places
- Carrington HotelKatoomba Street, KatoombaSHR
- Katoomba Post Office (former)59-61 Katoomba Street KatoombaSHR
- Katoomba Railway Station and yard groupMain Western railway, KatoombaSHR
- Lilianfels10-16 Panorama Drive KatoombaSHR
- Mount St Marys College and Convent10-14 Civic Place KatoombaSHR
- The Paragon63-69 Katoomba Street, KatoombaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
6 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Greenwood KatoombaDora Streetchildcare
- KU Bilya Gulyangarri Preschoolchildcare
- Katoomba Children's Cottagechildcare
- Katoomba Leura PreschoolLett Streetkindergarten
- Katoomba Out Of School HoursStation Streetchildcare
- Mikayla Children's CentreEdwards Streetchildcare
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 225
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 95.4/100
- Cohort rank
- #35 among Country & regional suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- CCP Bathurst Rdtransport
- Goldsmith Pl Opp Katoomba Stationtransport
- Katoomba Stationtransport
- Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pltransport
- Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pltransport
- Greenwood KatoombachildcareDora Streetchildcare
- KU Bilya Gulyangarri Preschoolchildcarechildcare
- Katoomba Children's Cottagechildcarechildcare
- Katoomba Leura PreschoolchildcareLett Streetkindergarten
- Katoomba Out Of School HourschildcareStation Streetchildcare
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.