Median house price
$1.11M
+2.2% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Koolewong, 2256
Est. population · Jun 2025
936
Growth (1 yr)
+0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.4%
Median age
48
Median income
$1,735/wk
Employment rate
53.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,107,000
Languages at home
9.6%non-English
Most common: Cantonese, Afrikaans, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Koolewong is a well-connected smaller community in Central Coast Council with everyday amenities close at hand. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses and trains 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. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Desirability lands below average here: softer safety weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Koolewong snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$595/wk
Houses $625 · Units $520
Population (ERP)
936
+0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.4%
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
#108
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
80th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 33.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5028th in Australia
- State rank
- 1612th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #108 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #798 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $625
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 127
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,107,000
- Median price change
- +2.2%
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
936(June 2025)
+0.3% annual · +1.4% over 5 years · 44th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.3%
- 5-year growth
- +1.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- +13
- Growth rank in NSW
- 44th 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 (~950), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 920
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,735
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 46 of 402
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,050
- Employment rate
- 53.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 325 / 14 / 16 (+ 3 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 104
- Against the person
- 23
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 111.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 40 residents
- State safety percentile
- 79.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -2.5%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions335
- Domestic Violence Related Assault113
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment142
- Malicious Damage To Property158
- Transport Regulatory Offences375
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
Public transport
36 public transport stops in this suburb
- ENT Glenrock P1
- ENT Glenrock P2
- Koolewong Station
- Koolewong Station, Brisbane Water Dr
- LVX Glenrock
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
64 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 1 playgrounds · 13 swimming pools
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 — 36 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 14 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 34/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.09
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.17
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.09
Food & drink(2)
- Blend and RoastCafe
38 Brisbane Water Drive, Koolewong
- KefiRestaurant
19 Brisbane Water Drive
Sport & outdoors(15)
- Koolewong ReservePark
- Couch Park PlayPlayground
- Swimming pool (13)
Transport(20)
17 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(20)
- Bicycle Parking
- https://www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/Drinking water
- Glenrock Johns Road ReserveNature Reserve
52 Glenrock Parade, Koolewong
- Koolewong MarinaParking
- Parking (2)
- RailCorpParking
- Picnic Table (4)
- Public Toilet Couche Park, KoolewongPublic toilets
- Koolewong Bus ShelterShelter
- Shelter (3)
- Koolewong Boat RampSlipway
- Koolewong Oyster Farm SlipwaySlipway
- Koolewong sailing rampSlipway
- Koolewong Waterfront Reserve Boat Ramp 1Slipway
Brisbane Water Drive, Koolewong
- Koolewong Waterfront Reserve Boat Ramp 2Slipway
Brisbane Water Drive, Koolewong
- Slipway
- TelstraTelephone
- Ticket Validator (2)
- Central Coast CouncilWaste Basket
- Waste Basket
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Glenrock Johns Road ReserveNature reserve
- Koolewong ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 36
- 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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Think Well Hypnotherapy (4.7 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)
- 34
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 36.3
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
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 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· 6 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Emergency work and repairs; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space71 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
June 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures63 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
- Subdivision30 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure239 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2025· 3 proposals
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure2 HAVENDALE CLOSE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies19 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2024· 5 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure87 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation71 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support61 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Hot water systems; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Rainwater tanks; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Stairway196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
January 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation16 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2023· 11 proposals
December 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
November 2023
- Other; Change of use240 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure61 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Other82 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure11 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition13 MARLOO ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
June 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
March 2023
- Dwelling; Secondary dwelling14 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Retaining walls, protection of trees196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2022· 12 proposals
November 2022
- Recreational Uses6 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
October 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces170 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development186 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2022
- Shed158 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development222 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition6 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development5 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
July 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces18 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
June 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development71 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs214 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
May 2022
- Retaining walls, protection of trees23 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
February 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development1 MARLOO ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2021· 4 proposals
December 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs2 HAVENDALE CLOSE KOOLEWONG 2256Withdrawn
- Alterations and additions to residential development204 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
July 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces5 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
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
- Robertson
- Member of Parliament
- Gordon REID (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 114,922
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +7.1 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 3.8 km away).
Coalition 36.1%Labor 63.9%
4.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +8.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Woy WoyLabor 72.0% · Coalition 28.0% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Point ClareLabor 66.0% · Coalition 34.0% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- SaratogaLabor 55.0% · Coalition 45.0% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Woy Woy WestLabor 64.9% · Coalition 35.1% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Umina CentralLabor 65.8% · Coalition 34.2% TPP (2025)3.4 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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.