Median house price
$852k
+15% change
NSW · Maitland Council
Lochinvar, 2321
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,607
Growth (1 yr)
+3.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+14.0%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,287/wk
Employment rate
62.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$852,000
Languages at home
3.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Lochinvar is a regional smaller community in Maitland Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Sydney. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses and trains make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer safety compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum, plus community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Lochinvar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Houses $680 · Units $520
Population (ERP)
1,607
+3.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
12.7%
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
#30
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
27th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
95th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
45th
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
- 48.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 33% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2322nd in Australia
- State rank
- 693rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #30 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #129 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
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)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 293
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $852,000
- Median price change
- +15.1%
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
1,607(June 2025)
+3.3% annual · +14.0% over 5 years · 95th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +3.3%
- 5-year growth
- +14.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +52
- Change in 5 years
- +197
- Growth rank in NSW
- 95th 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 (~1,900), extrapolated at +3.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,095
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,287
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 53 of 417
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 62.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 358 / 3 / 10
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)
- 75
- Against the person
- 31
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 35 residents
- State safety percentile
- 27th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +9%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order76
- Domestic Violence Related Assault132
- Fraud62
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment151
- Malicious Damage To Property99
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)
- 996
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 45th
School list
- Lochinvar Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 965 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 194 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1009 · 51th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 577 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 996 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 973 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 1.7 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
57 public transport stops in this suburb
- Lochinvar Public School, New England Hwy
- New England Hwy After Robert Rd (Temp Stop)
- New England Hwy At Windermere Rd
- New England Hwy Opp Lochinvar Public School
- New England Hwy Opp Windermere 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
40 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 3 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 swimming pools · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 2 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 57 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.91
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.83
Food & drink(1)
- Pub
Community(3)
- Lochinvar School of ArtsCommunity centre
- Lochinvar Public SchoolSchool
Lochinvar
- Saint Patrick's Primary SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(10)
- Park
- Porter PlacePark
- Playground (3)
- Lochinvar Sports ComplexSports centre
- Jack Lane FieldsSports field
- Sports field
- Ted Coffey FieldSports field
- Swimming pool
Transport(17)
14 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(9)
- Lochinvar Hotel MotelMotel
- Lochinvar Commuter CarparkParking
- Parking
- Picnic Table
- Lochinvar Police StationPolice
24 Station Lane
- Lochinvar Post OfficePost office
119 New England Highway, Lochinvar
- Public toilets
- Telephone
- Ticket Validator
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Porter PlacePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 25
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- Kurri Kurri District Hospital (12.6 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)
- 66
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 41.1
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° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 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· 69 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences20 ELOURA STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 LOQUAT STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care127 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport41 JOHANNES STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool51 DROUGHTMASTER AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 Longwool Road LOCHINVARAdditional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 HUNTER CLOSE LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Pathways and paving; Building identification sign; School; Supporting Development52 WYNDELLA ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
July 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure25 LIVISTONA DRIVE LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling43 LILAC AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling41 LILAC AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure100 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 MARIKA STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure72 SPRINGFIELD DRIVE LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Demolition13 STATION LANE LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 SHORTHORN ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 DEXTER ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 LEYLAND CIRCUIT, LOCHINVAR LOT 901 DP1316320Determined
- Subdivision310 ROBERT ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 SHORTHORN ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 CHARLOTTE STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Portable offices51 STATION LANE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 LIVISTONA DRIVE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 MEADOW STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 CHARLOTTE STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation40 MAHONEY STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 HERDSMEN ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 STABLES PLACE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support50 JOHANNES STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Subdivision898 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool53 DROUGHTMASTER AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)56 LILAC AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Landscaping structures51 STATION LANE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support50 JOHANNES STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Rejected
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 CLYDESDALE STREET LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Carport28 LILAC AVENUE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support3 CHRISTOPHER ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support6 DEXTER ROAD LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure62 STATION LANE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 BORDEAUX TERRACE LOCHINVAR 2321Determined
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)
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Nowlands Lochinvar Coach House7 Cantwell Road, LochinvarSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Paterson
- Member of Parliament
- Meryl SWANSON (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 127,926
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.3 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 43.1%Labor 56.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 10.3 km away).
Coalition 41.2%Labor 58.8%
1.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- LochinvarLabor 57.6% · Coalition 42.4% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
- Rutherford WestLabor 62.7% · Coalition 37.3% TPP (2025)5.7 km away
- Rutherford NorthLabor 67.1% · Coalition 32.9% TPP (2025)6.8 km away
- RutherfordLabor 61.4% · Coalition 38.6% TPP (2025)7.1 km away
- TelarahLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)7.4 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Maitland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.