Median house price
$1.03M
+4.8% change
NSW · Central Coast Council
Matcham, 2250
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,014
Growth (1 yr)
-0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-1.4%
Median age
44
Median income
$3,360/wk
Employment rate
60.3%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,030,000
Languages at home
5.1%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Matcham is a quieter residential smaller community in Central Coast Council, more about homes and street life than a busy local strip. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with family life visible on every street.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because safety lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Matcham snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$650/wk
Houses $690 · Units $640
Population (ERP)
1,014
-0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
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
#312
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
82nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
6th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
67th
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
- 29.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5619th in Australia
- State rank
- 1817th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #312 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #832 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $640
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $690
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 540
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,030,000
- Median price change
- +4.8%
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
1,014(June 2025)
-0.3% annual · -1.4% over 5 years · 6th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -1.4%
- Change in 1 year
- -3
- Change in 5 years
- -14
- Growth rank in NSW
- 6th 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 (~1,050), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,038
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $3,360
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 24 of 339
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,517
- Employment rate
- 60.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 309 / 5 / 4
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)
- 115
- Against the person
- 25
- Against property
- 34
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 113.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 42 residents
- State safety percentile
- 81.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions922
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment540
- Malicious Damage To Property490
- Steal From Retail Store460
- Transport Regulatory Offences1947
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
- 1,047
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 67th
School list
- Holgate Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1047 · 67th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 95 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.8 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
- 393 Oak Rd
- Coachwood Rd At Oak Rd
- Matcham Rd At Elaine Rd
- Matcham Rd At Wambina Rd
- Oak Rd After Coachwood 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
6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 22 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
Transport(6)
6 bus stops
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
- Wambina Nature ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- 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
- Central Coast Day Hospital (5.4 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)
- 32
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.6
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
- 26° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 386 mm · ~48 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 394 mm · ~49 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 266 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 253 mm · ~32 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
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation229 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation69 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support163 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 89 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool63 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water reticulation system; Water supply system181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 238 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure21 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure110 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 Oak Rd, MatchamDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)387 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah88 MILINA ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 236 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 SARAH ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision14 COLLINGWOOD DRIVE MATCHAM 2250Determined
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development280 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure309 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
July 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure24 ELAINE ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure279 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure181 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure229 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation308 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure105 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Withdrawn
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah35 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool72 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
2024· 15 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure144 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 SARAH ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation181 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
October 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure46 MCGARRITY AVENUE MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure69 KOORIN ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
September 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure75 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 217 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Subdivision203 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 COLLINGWOOD DRIVE MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 360 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool356 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation308 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 BIDJIWONG ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
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
- Dobell
- Member of Parliament
- Emma McBRIDE (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,541
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.6%Labor 59.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.8 km away).
Coalition 44.4%Labor 55.6%
3.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- HolgateLabor 55.5% · Coalition 44.5% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Wamberal NorthLabor 57.5% · Coalition 42.5% TPP (2025)2.0 km away
- Forresters BeachLabor 51.6% · Coalition 48.4% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Wamberal (Dobell)Labor 54.6% · Coalition 45.4% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Erina Heights (Dobell)Labor 51.8% · Coalition 48.2% TPP (2025)3.0 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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 Central Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.