Median house price
$1.42M
+4.8% change
NSW · Wollongong Council
Otford, 2508
Est. population · Jun 2025
394
Growth (1 yr)
+0.5%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.3%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,750/wk
Employment rate
66.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,415,000
Languages at home
8.9%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Otford is a coastal smaller community where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. City outings and nearby suburbs add variety without undoing the coastal pace of everyday life. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix.
There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting without the inner-city crush. Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses and trains covering longer trips across the wider area.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because growth momentum lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Otford snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$765/wk
Population (ERP)
394
+0.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.0%
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
#31
among Coastal & beach · Established
Safety
4th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
50th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
85th
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
- 40.3/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3698th in Australia
- State rank
- 1127th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #31 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #110 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $795
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,415,000
- 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
394(June 2025)
+0.5% annual · -0.3% over 5 years · 50th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.5%
- 5-year growth
- -0.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- -1
- Growth rank in NSW
- 50th 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 (~400), extrapolated at +0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 396
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,750
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 10 of 142
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,739
- Employment rate
- 66.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 124 / 5 / 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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 9
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 3
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 22.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 132 residents
- State safety percentile
- 4.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order28
- Domestic Violence Related Assault19
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment40
- Malicious Damage To Property27
- Steal From Motor Vehicle19
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
- 1,104
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 85th
School list
- Otford Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1104 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 19% · 48 students · Top SEA quarter 47% · 0.6 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
13 public transport stops in this suburb
- FTB To P1
- Otford Station
- Otford Station, Lady Carrington Rd
- Otford Station, Platform 1
- Otford Station, Platform 2
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
39 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 13 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 22/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 2.53
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.53
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 7.58
Food & drink(1)
- Otford PantryCafe
22 Lady Wakehurst Drive
Community(2)
- Otford Community HallCommunity centre
Otford Road
- Otford Public SchoolSchool
Otford
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Otford ParkPark
- Park (2)
- Playground
- Sports field
- Bulgo Beach Ocean PoolSwimming pool
Entertainment(2)
- Otford LookoutViewpoint
- Viewpoint
Transport(4)
1 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(10)
- Bench (7)
- Blue BenchBench
- Drinking water
- Otford Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Information (4)
- Werrong Beach TrackInformation
- Parking (5)
- Public toilets
- Telephone
- Ticket Validator (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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Otford ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
- Coledale Hospital (9.8 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)
- 8
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 20.3
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· 1 proposal
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 GEORGES ROAD OTFORD 2508Under Assessment
2025· 3 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 LADY WAKEHURST DRIVE OTFORD 2508Withdrawn
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 GEORGES ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure129 OTFORD ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
2024· 3 proposals
October 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Community facility121 OTFORD ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 GEORGES ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
January 2024
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia35 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Withdrawn
2023· 2 proposals
July 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development21 DOMVILLE ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
January 2023
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development33 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
2022· 2 proposals
October 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development36 DOMVILLE ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
July 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development33 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Withdrawn
2021· 4 proposals
November 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development21 DOMVILLE ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
September 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development33 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
- Bed and breakfast accommodation; Home business18 GEORGES ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
January 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development36 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
2020· 3 proposals
November 2020
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces1 LADY CARRINGTON ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
September 2020
- Alterations and additions to residential development36 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces54 STATION ROAD OTFORD 2508Determined
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
- Cunningham
- Member of Parliament
- Alison BYRNES (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,139
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.4%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 32.5%Labor 67.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 14.5 km away).
Coalition 34.0%Labor 66.0%
1.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- HelensburghLabor 61.9% · Coalition 38.1% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- Helensburgh NorthLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Stanwell ParkLabor 67.9% · Coalition 32.1% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- WombarraLabor 73.0% · Coalition 27.0% TPP (2025)8.6 km away
- ColedaleLabor 69.9% · Coalition 30.1% TPP (2025)10.5 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)
- 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 Wollongong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.