NSW · Maitland Council
Morpeth, NSW, 2321
Desirability index
#400 among Country & regional suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Morpeth is a small locality in the Maitland area, home to around 1,686 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 1,048 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with rising year-on-year trends (+9%), roughly 621.6 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $650 (flats $520, houses $680), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 1,686
- Median age
- 55
- Median household income / week
- $1,122
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 60 of 809
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,788
- Employment rate
- 43.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 55 / 246 / 13
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
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 weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,048
- Against the person
- 440
- Against property
- 380
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 621.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 4 residents
- State safety percentile
- 27th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- +8.6%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order76
- Domestic Violence Related Assault132
- Fraud62
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment151
- Malicious Damage To Property99
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,023
- Morpeth Public SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
37 public transport stops in this suburb
- Canterbury Dr Before London Av
- Edward Close Bvd After St Johns Dr
- Morpeth Public School, High St
- Tank St At High St
- Tank St Opp High St
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Exercise caution. Use diversions. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists.Swan Street, Northumberland Street26 Oct 2025 – 29 Oct 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
140 planning-related records
2026· 10 proposals
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 CARLISLE PLACE MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia68 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 James Street, Morpeth. 2321Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport6 DUCKENFIELD ROAD MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural supportBUTCHERS LANE MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport75 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Horticulture37 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 JOHN STREET MORPETH 2321Under Assessment
- Demolition; Swimming pool42 CLOSE STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 CARLISLE PLACE MORPETH 2321Determined
2025· 20 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET MORPETH 2321Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Horticulture121 PRINCESS STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like; Food and drink premise; Artisan food and drink industry; Hours of operation and trading130 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport62 JAMES STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Horticulture; Agriculture80 PRINCESS STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 MATILDA CIRCLE MORPETH 2321Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space46 JAMES STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Demolition; Horticulture; Agriculture108 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise123 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 ALBUERA CLOSE MORPETH 2321Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool24 CARLISLE PLACE MORPETH 2321Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural supportBUTCHERS LANE MORPETH 2321Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 DUCKENFIELD ROAD MORPETH 2321Determined
May 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation107 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures160 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development6 Albuera Close, Morpeth, NSW, 2321Determined
- Subdivision123 PRINCESS STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 JAMES STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation40 CLOSE STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
2024· 21 proposals
December 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure5A NORTHUMBERLAND STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
November 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure125 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Demolition7 GEORGE STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure125 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Rejected
- Demolition; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support74 PRINCESS STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Landscaping structures118 PRINCESS STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space95 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
August 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 JAMES STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 HIGH STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise123 SWAN STREET MORPETH 2321Determined
2023· 29 proposals
29 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 23 proposals
23 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 34 proposals
34 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 3 proposals
3 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
33 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Morpeth LiquorAlcohol
- Antiques
- Bench
- Canterbury Dr before London AvBus stop
- Edward Close Bvd after St Johns DrBus stop
- High St at Green StBus stop
- High St at Northumberland StBus stop
- James St after George StBus stop
- James St after Northumberland StBus stop
- James St after Robert StBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Illalaung ParkPark
- James Street ReservePark
- Morpeth CommonPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
2 state heritage places
- Morpeth House, Closebourne House, Adjoining Chapels and Diocesan Registry GroupMorpeth Road, MorpethSHR
- St James' Anglican Church Group, Morpeth17 Tank Street, MorpethSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 57.1/100
- Cohort rank
- #400 among Country & regional suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Canterbury Dr Before London Avtransport
- Edward Close Bvd After St Johns Drtransport
- Morpeth Public School, High Sttransport
- Tank St At High Sttransport
- Tank St Opp High Sttransport
- Morpeth House, Closebourne House, Adjoining Chapels and Diocesan Registry GroupheritageMorpeth Road, MorpethSHR
- St James' Anglican Church Group, Morpethheritage17 Tank Street, MorpethSHR
- Illalaung Parkgovernmentpark
- James Street Reservegovernmentpark
- Morpeth Commongovernmentpark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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