Median house price
$766k
+2.2% change
NSW · Port Stephens Council
Mallabula, 2319
Est. population · Jun 2025
982
Growth (1 yr)
+0.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+2.6%
Median age
49
Median income
$1,170/wk
Employment rate
47.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$766,000
Languages at home
2.3%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Mallabula is a smaller community in Port Stephens Council with its own quieter rhythm. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability sits below average overall, with schools and education the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Mallabula snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$585/wk
Population (ERP)
982
+0.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.8%
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
#451
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
39th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
61st
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
11th
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
- 29.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5699th in Australia
- State rank
- 1843rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #451 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #827 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $620
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 40
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $766,000
- Median price change
- +2.2%
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
982(June 2025)
+0.8% annual · +2.6% over 5 years · 61th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.8%
- 5-year growth
- +2.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +8
- Change in 5 years
- +25
- Growth rank in NSW
- 61th 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 (~1,000), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 963
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,170
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 42 of 428
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,500
- Employment rate
- 47.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 368 / 20 / 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)
- 57
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 18
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 58
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 51 residents
- State safety percentile
- 39th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +21.6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order43
- Domestic Violence Related Assault50
- Fraud41
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment65
- Other Offences46
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 901
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 11th
School list
- Tanilba Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 901 · 11th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 354 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.8 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
22 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fairlands Rd At Hartford St
- Fairlands Rd Opp Strathmore Rd
- Wychewood Av At Tanilba Rd
- Wychewood Av Opp Essendene Gdns
- Wychewood Av Opp Wren Lane
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
33 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 22 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.04
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.04
Food & drink(1)
- CanteenRestaurant
Sport & outdoors(8)
- Hartree ParkPark
- Playground (2)
- Mallabula Sports ComplexSports centre
Mallabula
- Mallabula Skate ParkSports field
- Sports field
- Vince Goodman OvalSports field
- Tilligery Aquatic CentreSwimming pool
Entertainment(1)
- Panorama LookoutViewpoint
Transport(11)
11 bus stops
Other(8)
- Mallabula Parkway ReserveNature Reserve
- Nature Reserve
- Rookes Point ReserveNature Reserve
- Parking (2)
- Picnic Table (3)
- Our Lady Help of Christians Mallabula ChurchPlace of worship
- Stadium
- Track (2)
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Hartree ParkPark
- Mallabula Parkway ReserveNature reserve
- Park or reserveNature reserve
- Rookes Point ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- 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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Our Lady Help of Christians Mallabula Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Hospital (12.2 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)
- 38
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 38.7
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· 9 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces32 THE PARKWAY MALLABULA 2319Rejected
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure5 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1C FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 Mallabula Road Mallabula NSW 2319Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses15 ALFRED AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport26 STRATHMORE ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses15 ALFRED AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)55 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure32 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
2025· 7 proposals
October 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure57 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; 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 Australia5 ESSENDENE GARDENS MALLABULA 2319Determined
June 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure49 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 STRATHMORE ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool6 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
January 2025
- Demolition5 ESSENDENE GARDENS MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure28 STRATHMORE ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
2024· 13 proposals
November 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure55 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure57 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Advertising and signage; Home occupation; Hours of operation and trading43 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support36 WATERSLEIGH AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool36 WATERSLEIGH AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36 WATERSLEIGH AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure65 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 STRATHMORE ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
April 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 WATERSLEIGH AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport55 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
March 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool37 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure65 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool11 ESSENDENE GARDENS MALLABULA 2319Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure63 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
November 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures61 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure63 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
August 2023
- Shed21 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
April 2023
- Subdivision of land43 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development15 ALFRED AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces9 THE PARKWAY MALLABULA 2319Determined
2022· 8 proposals
November 2022
- Shed4 IBIS LANE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Subdivision of land43 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
October 2022
- Dwelling20 BAY STREET MALLABULA 2319Determined
September 2022
- Dwelling67 FAIRLANDS ROAD MALLABULA 2319Determined
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development30 WATERSLEIGH AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
July 2022
- Shed26 HARTFORD STREET MALLABULA 2319Determined
April 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Home business6 WYCHEWOOD AVENUE MALLABULA 2319Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces18 HARTFORD STREET MALLABULA 2319Determined
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
- 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 9.3 km away).
Coalition 48.3%Labor 51.8%
5.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Tanilba BayLabor 51.0% · Coalition 49.0% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Lemon Tree PassageLabor 54.8% · Coalition 45.2% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Bobs FarmLabor 48.4% · Coalition 51.6% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
- Soldiers PointLabor 53.5% · Coalition 46.5% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
- Salamander BayLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)6.2 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Port Stephens Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.