Median house price
$745k
+13% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Lovedale, 2325
Est. population · Jun 2025
645
Growth (1 yr)
+6.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+34.1%
Median age
50
Median income
$2,162/wk
Employment rate
61.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$745,000
Languages at home
5.5%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Cessnock Council, Lovedale keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Desirability lands below average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with community and employment, plus growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Lovedale snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $570 · Units $463
Population (ERP)
645
+6.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
21.9%
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
#313
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
70th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
99th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
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
- 33.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4921st in Australia
- State rank
- 1576th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #313 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #632 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
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 house price (October to December 2025)
- $745,000
- Median price change
- +12.5%
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
645(June 2025)
+6.8% annual · +34.1% over 5 years · 99th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +6.8%
- 5-year growth
- +34.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +41
- Change in 5 years
- +164
- Growth rank in NSW
- 99th 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 (~800), extrapolated at +3.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 502
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $2,162
- Dwelling vacancy
- 21.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 48 of 219
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,498
- Employment rate
- 61.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 171 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 62
- Against the person
- 20
- Against property
- 25
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 96.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 25 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.9%
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 · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- 1443 Wine Country Dr
- 701 Lovedale Rd
- Lovedale Rd Opp 701
- Wilderness Rd At Lovedale Rd
- Wine Country Dr Opp Old 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 · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 31 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Sports field
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 82
- 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
- Cessnock 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)
- 22
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.1
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° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 308 mm · ~38 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 258 mm · ~32 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 150 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 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· 10 proposals
July 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation469 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Function centre; Hours of operation and trading12 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Classified road; Main road1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Information and education facility150 WILLS HILL ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Tennis courts; Shipping containers30 WILLS HILL ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Under Assessment
- Restaurant or cafe; 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 Australia540 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
March 2026
- 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; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Rural industry; Agricultural produce industry; Hours of operation and trading; Farm gate premise - Cellar door469 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 RICHARDSON ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
February 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (outdoor)12 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development701 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Additional Information Requested
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure322 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- 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; Intensive plant agriculture; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Function centre6 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision20 THE BALLABOURNEEN LOVEDALE 2325Determined
October 2025
- Farm buildings; Shed; Erection of a new structure701 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
September 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; 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 Australia540 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
August 2025
- Temporary building, structure or use; Function centre30 WILLS HILL ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Information and education facility39 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility26 LODGE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Withdrawn
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (outdoor)1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Function centre; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Swimming pool; Supporting Development482 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Subdivision20 THE BALLABOURNEEN LOVEDALE 2325Withdrawn
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Agritourism701 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Demolition; Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure84 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure430 Wine Country Drive, Lovedale, NSW 2325Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure158 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Manufactured home128 OLSEN ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Garage, carport or carparking space; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Tennis courts; Swimming pool1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Information and education facility39 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (outdoor)1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility26 LODGE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Rejected
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Classified road; Main road1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure158 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Rejected
- Erection of a new structure; Agricultural produce industry701 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Infrastructure1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Subdivision1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Subdivision1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Supporting Development471 LOVEDALE ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (outdoor)1058 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Subdivision28 THE BALLABOURNEEN LOVEDALE 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Backpackers' accommodation30 WILLS HILL ROAD LOVEDALE 2325Determined
November 2024
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Function centre; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Swimming pool; Supporting Development484 WILDERNESS ROAD LOVEDALE 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 · 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
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 9.7 km away).
Coalition 39.4%Labor 60.6%
1.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- NulkabaLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)6.6 km away
- Cessnock NorthLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)7.9 km away
- North RothburyLabor 60.6% · Coalition 39.4% TPP (2025)8.3 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)8.4 km away
- GretaLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)8.6 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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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 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.