Median house price
$1.13M
+19% change
NSW · Bega Valley Council
Lochiel, 2549
Est. population · Jun 2025
471
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.1%
Median age
44
Median income
$1,586/wk
Employment rate
60.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,125,000
Languages at home
2.8%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Lochiel is a quieter smaller community in Bega Valley Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because parks and green space, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Lochiel snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$660/wk
Population (ERP)
471
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.2%
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
#138
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
3rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
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
- 36.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4415th in Australia
- State rank
- 1395th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #138 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #509 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,125,000
- Median price change
- +19.1%
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
471(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +6.1% over 5 years · 69th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +6.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +27
- Growth rank in NSW
- 69th 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 (~500), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 411
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,586
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 14 of 152
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,625
- Employment rate
- 60.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 132 / 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 · 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)
- 10
- Against the person
- 2
- Against property
- 5
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 21.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 206 residents
- State safety percentile
- 2.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -22.9%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order6
- Break And Enter Dwelling6
- Fraud7
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment8
- Malicious Damage To Property14
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
37 public transport stops in this suburb
- Back Creek Rd After Mine Rd
- Back Creek Rd At Bindaree Rd
- Back Creek Rd At Blairlands Rd
- Back Creek Rd At Pipeclay Rd
- Stonecrop Property, Back Creek 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 · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- Pambula District Hospital (8.9 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)
- 13
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 27.6
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
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 209 mm · ~26 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 227 mm · ~28 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· 4 proposals
July 2026
- Subdivision235 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Hot water systems; Pathways and pavingMOUNT DARRAGH ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Under Assessment
April 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 MALLYON CLOSE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure661 MOUNT DARRAGH ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
2025· 9 proposals
December 2025
- Subdivision299 MOUNT DARRAGH ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Under Assessment
November 2025
- Subdivision155 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision491 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space44 MCCAUSLAND ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 EUCALYPTUS LANE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure258 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Stairway; Swimming pool49 OMARU LANE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
March 2025
- Subdivision491 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
February 2025
- Farm buildings; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure84 BOX RANGE ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 OMARU LANE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 BEATTIE LANE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure67 BLAIRLANDS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
August 2024
- Subdivision419 MOUNT DARRAGH ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Additional Information Requested
July 2024
- Subdivision235 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure58 MCCAUSLAND ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool51 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; 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; Dual occupancy (detached)491 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42 LOCHVIEW FARM ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1012 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
October 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Other67 BLAIRLANDS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
September 2023
- Shed491 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
- Shed246 MINE ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
July 2023
- Other283 MINE ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
June 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development156 OAKLANDS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
April 2023
- Shed100 BLAIRLANDS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
January 2023
- Dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spacesBACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL C/345064Determined
2022· 1 proposal
June 2022
- Subdivision of land235 MCGRATHS ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
2021· 4 proposals
December 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development566 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
October 2021
- Dwelling49 OMARU LANE LOCHIEL 2549Determined
- Shed42 LOCHVIEW FARM ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
September 2021
- Other999 BACK CREEK ROAD LOCHIEL 2549Determined
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
- 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 17.1 km away).
Coalition 39.0%Labor 61.0%
3.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -2.3 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- PambulaLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)9.3 km away
- WyndhamLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)11.3 km away
- WolumlaLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)12.7 km away
- Merimbula CentralLabor 60.8% · Coalition 39.2% TPP (2025)14.2 km away
- MerimbulaLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)14.6 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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 Bega Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.