NSW · Cessnock Council
Laguna, 2325
Current weather
16.4°CClear sky
52% humidity · 13.7 km/h wind · 21.5° / 13.8° today · 8.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
In Cessnock, Laguna keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
The desirability score is below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker housing affordability and growth momentum relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 310
- Median age
- 57
- Median household income / week
- $1,348
- Dwelling vacancy
- 32.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 73 of 224
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 46%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 11 / 0 / 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 · 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)
- $463
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $570
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 271
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 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)
- 33
- Against the person
- 10
- Against property
- 13
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 106.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 75.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Reported offences are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order198
- Breach Bail Conditions379
- Domestic Violence Related Assault299
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment371
- Malicious Damage To Property332
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 · 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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 969
- Laguna Public SchoolPrimary
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 · 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
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- 3648 Great North Rd
- Great North Rd At Blaxlands Arm Rd
- Great North Rd At Glenloona Rd
- Great North Rd At Yango Creek Rd
- Laguna Trading Post, Great North Rd
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
44 planning-related records
2026· 1 proposal
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure93 STAPLETON ROAD LAGUNA 2325Under Assessment
2025· 4 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool1971 BOREE VALLEY ROAD LAGUNA 2325Rejected
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support30 SULLIVAN ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation460 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3868 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
2024· 7 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support30 SULLIVAN ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
July 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development12 BLACKWATTLE TRACK LAGUNA 2325Determined
April 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure104 YALLAMBIE ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 SULLIVAN ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation4063 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure234 UPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure215 UPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
2023· 5 proposals
October 2023
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Kiosk3718 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
August 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs104 YALLAMBIE ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
June 2023
- Dwelling85 KNIGHTS ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling30 SULLIVAN ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
March 2023
- Shed234 UPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
2022· 8 proposals
December 2022
- Other281 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use3868 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
November 2022
- Dwelling; Dual occupancy; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Garages, carports and car parking spaces211 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Dwelling30 SULLIVAN ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
October 2022
- Other460 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
July 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Other3779 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation85 KNIGHTS ROAD LAGUNA 2325Withdrawn
February 2022
- Shed4383 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
2021· 9 proposals
October 2021
- Dwelling3966 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
September 2021
- Shed460 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
July 2021
- Dwelling82 STAPLETON ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
June 2021
- Dwelling374 BOREE VALLEY ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spacesUPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development5 BLAXLANDS ARM ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Other460 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Additional Information Requested
March 2021
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs3774 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
February 2021
- Dual occupancy; Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Change of use213 WATAGAN CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
2020· 6 proposals
October 2020
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs299 UPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
September 2020
- Dwelling314 WALLABADAH VALLEY ROAD LAGUNA 2325Withdrawn
August 2020
- Dwelling478 UPPER YANGO CREEK ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Dual occupancy; Shed; Other3718 GREAT NORTH ROAD LAGUNA 2325Determined
- Other260A TILLEY LANE LAGUNA 2325Determined
July 2020
- Dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Other85 KNIGHTS ROAD LAGUNA 2325Withdrawn
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 15.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6831st in Australia
- State rank
- 2120th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #581 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #1036 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 68%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime198
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime379
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime299
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime371
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime332
- 3648 Great North Rdtransport
- Great North Rd At Blaxlands Arm Rdtransport
- Great North Rd At Glenloona Rdtransport
- Great North Rd At Yango Creek Rdtransport
- Laguna Trading Post, Great North Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.