Median house price
$1.16M
+14% change
NSW · Hawkesbury Council
Lower Portland, 2756
Est. population · Jun 2025
685
Growth (1 yr)
-0.4%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.0%
Median age
46
Median income
$1,965/wk
Employment rate
58.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,160,000
Languages at home
1.2%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Hawkesbury Council, Lower Portland 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. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice. Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses and ferries still link the suburb further afield.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability lands below average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum, plus community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Lower Portland snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$630/wk
Houses $700 · Units $495
Population (ERP)
685
-0.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
20.0%
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
#515
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
45th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
5th
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
- 26.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6107th in Australia
- State rank
- 1973rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #515 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #925 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)
- $495
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $630
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 157
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,160,000
- Median price change
- +13.7%
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
685(June 2025)
-0.4% annual · -1.0% over 5 years · 5th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.4%
- 5-year growth
- -1.0%
- Change in 1 year
- -3
- Change in 5 years
- -7
- Growth rank in NSW
- 5th 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 (~700), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 711
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,965
- Dwelling vacancy
- 20%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 53 of 265
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,342
- Employment rate
- 58.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 201 / 5 / 0 (+ 5 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)
- 43
- Against the person
- 13
- Against property
- 15
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 62.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 55 residents
- State safety percentile
- 45.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions331
- Domestic Violence Related Assault157
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment251
- Malicious Damage To Property173
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault144
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
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- 1073 River Rd
- 1073 River Rd
- 1930 Wheelbarrow Ridge Rd
- 1930 Wheelbarrow Ridge 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
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 6/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.41
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Skeleton Rocks ReservePark
Transport(2)
2 ferry terminals
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
- Skeleton Rocks ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- 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
- Hawkesbury District Health Service (20.0 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
- 19.0
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· 4 proposals
August 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure276 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure1324 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
April 2026
- Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support315 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure677 GREENS ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Withdrawn
2025· 27 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 LAURIE STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation91 PEAT PLACE LOWER PORTLAND 2756Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure478 CLIFTONVILLE ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Withdrawn
October 2025
- Subdivision25 DRUMKEEN LANE PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure615 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1162 WEST PORTLAND ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation82 PARK VIEW AVENUE PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support38 WILLIWA STREET PORTLAND 2847Under Assessment
- Subdivision273 PORTLAND CULLEN BULLEN ROAD PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Extensive agriculture615 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure90 LIMESTONE CREEK ROAD PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure237B PORTLAND CULLEN BULLEN ROAD PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool21 BELL STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Mobile food and drink outlet; Outdoor dining - general; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise38 WILLIWA STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure1324 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 MARY AVENUE PORTLAND 2847Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 Williwa Street PORTLANDDetermined
- Subdivision495 BACK CULLEN BULLEN ROAD PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Subdivision23 LIME STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
May 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space16 DULHUNTY STREET PORTLAND 2847Additional Information Requested
- Farm buildings; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure615 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading766 RIVER ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure60 WOLGAN STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool109 HEBRON ROAD LOWER PORTLAND 2756Determined
January 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure445 BACK CULLEN BULLEN ROAD PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Subdivision6-8 WOLGAN STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
- Subdivision20 PURCHAS STREET PORTLAND 2847Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- OtherLower Portland Ferry, River Road08 Sep 2026 – 09 Sep 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
- Macquarie
- Member of Parliament
- Susan TEMPLEMAN (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,939
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 42.3%Labor 57.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 16.3 km away).
Coalition 62.5%Labor 37.5%
20.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.4 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- EbenezerLabor 36.5% · Coalition 63.5% TPP (2025)10.0 km away
- CattaiLabor 33.8% · Coalition 66.2% TPP (2025)13.0 km away
- Kurrajong EastLabor 34.8% · Coalition 65.2% TPP (2025)13.3 km away
- WilberforceLabor 36.6% · Coalition 63.4% TPP (2025)13.9 km away
- GlossodiaLabor 43.3% · Coalition 56.7% TPP (2025)15.5 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)
- 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 Hawkesbury Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.