Median house price
$690k
+4.5% change
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Old Bar, 2430
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,533
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+10.7%
Median age
50
Median income
$1,170/wk
Employment rate
44.9%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$690,000
Languages at home
3.1%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, German, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- Education hub
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Old Bar is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Mid-Coast Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. 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. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
Desirability sits around average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Old Bar snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$510/wk
Houses $550 · Units $400
Population (ERP)
5,533
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.6%
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
#86
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
74th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
44th
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
- 45.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2875th in Australia
- State rank
- 879th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #86 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #208 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $400
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $550
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $510
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 263
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $690,000
- Median price change
- +4.5%
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
5,533(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +10.7% over 5 years · 85th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +10.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +101
- Change in 5 years
- +536
- Growth rank in NSW
- 85th 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 (~6,200), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 5,126
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,170
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 198 of 2,310
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,690
- Employment rate
- 44.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,734 / 304 / 66 (+ 8 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)
- 558
- Against the person
- 163
- Against property
- 185
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 100.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 73.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order246
- Breach Bail Conditions547
- Domestic Violence Related Assault317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment396
- Malicious Damage To Property367
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
- 994
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 44th
School list
- Old Bar Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 994 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 480 students · Top SEA quarter 15%View 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
227 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bluehaven Dr At Yellowfin Av
- Bluehaven Dr Opp Rosier Pl
- David St At Tirriki St
- Old Bar Rd At Harrogate Lane
- Old Bar Rd At Sheppard St
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
5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 bars · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 227 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.2
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.37
Food & drink(1)
- Old Bar TavernBar
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Sports field
Transport(1)
1 bus stops
Other(2)
- Parking
- Metro PetroleumPetrol station
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
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Badger's ParkPark
- Blue Ocean Estate ParkPark
- Cable ParkPark
- Charles Boyce ParkPark
- Molong ReservePark
- Old Bar ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- Manning Base Hospital (11.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public 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)
- 138
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 24.9
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
- 28° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 372 mm · ~46 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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· 46 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure62 MARRA DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)102 WATERMAN STREET OLD BAR 2430On Exhibition
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 FREYA COURT OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)158 HERON ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing34 KOLINDA DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Subdivision1 SUNSET CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 SPOTTED GUM DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 TIRRIKI STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)106 FOREST LANE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 CARRABEEN DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club1 BELFORD STREET OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 MYLES CLOSE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure39 HALL STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure91 MANNING POINT ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)24 Hawkins Close, Old Bar, 2430Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)106 FOREST LANE OLD BAR 2430Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 BULAR CLOSE OLD BAR 2430Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support19 Ondaroo Crest Old Bar 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation7 CRESTVIEW AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 CUBBAROO STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision9 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Supporting Development23 WYDEN STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation2 SUNSET CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)11 BELFORD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah1 CORKWOOD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 PEONY AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies11 CRESTVIEW AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation21 AUVERGNE WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 CORKWOOD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision20 AUVERGNE WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 PACIFIC PARADE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Agriculture90 BOHNOCK ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation22 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation64 MARRA DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation1 MAITA WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation9 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure20 WARWIBA ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Food and drink premise31 OLD BAR ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal)13 OLD BAR ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
2025· 1 proposal
December 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation4 SUNSET CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Determined
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
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Check signage. Allow extra travel time. Use an alternative route. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists. Local residents' access to residential properties will be maintained wherever possible, however, residents may have restricted access to properties during earthworks cut and pavement construction activities.Waterman Street, Belford Street24 Jul 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
- Check signage. Allow extra travel time. Use an alternative route. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists. Local residents' access to residential properties will be maintained wherever possible, however, residents may have restricted access to properties during earthworks cut and pavement construction activities.Cross St, Connell Street08 Jul 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Old Bar Airfield0 5km off Old Bar Road Old BarSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.8 km away).
Coalition 54.3%Labor 45.7%
5.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Old BarLabor 47.4% · Coalition 52.6% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- CundletownLabor 37.8% · Coalition 62.2% TPP (2025)7.8 km away
- Mitchells IslandLabor 39.2% · Coalition 60.8% TPP (2025)8.4 km away
- PurfleetLabor 52.4% · Coalition 47.6% TPP (2025)9.0 km away
- Diamond BeachLabor 44.4% · Coalition 55.6% TPP (2025)9.1 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 Mid-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.