Median house price
$690k
+4.5% change
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Rainbow Flat, 2430
Est. population · Jun 2025
747
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+10.8%
Median age
51
Median income
$1,299/wk
Employment rate
52.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$690,000
Languages at home
2%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Rainbow Flat is a quieter smaller community 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 multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Desirability lands around average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with housing affordability holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Rainbow Flat snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$510/wk
Houses $550 · Units $400
Population (ERP)
747
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.8%
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
#72
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
73rd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
86th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 46.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 39% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2716th in Australia
- State rank
- 820th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #72 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #182 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 71%
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
747(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +10.8% over 5 years · 86th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +10.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +14
- Change in 5 years
- +73
- Growth rank in NSW
- 86th 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 (~850), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 693
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $1,299
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 16 of 274
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,690
- Employment rate
- 52.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 252 / 0 / 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 75
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 25
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 100.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 32 residents
- State safety percentile
- 73.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.5%
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
Public transport
44 public transport stops in this suburb
- Godfrey Hill Rd After Begonia Pl
- The Lakes Way At Chelmsbrook Dr
- The Lakes Way At Tallwood Dr
- The Lakes Way Opp Blackhead Rd
- The Lakes Way Opp Chelmsbrook Dr
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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 44 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
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Other(3)
- The Big Buzz Fun ParkAttraction
- The Big TapAttraction
- 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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Manning Base Hospital (13.9 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)
- 19
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 25.4
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· 3 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation1 PINE VALLEY PLACE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision414 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 PINE VALLEY PLACE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
2025· 4 proposals
October 2025
- Subdivision414 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
April 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool3 PINE VALLEY PLACE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport365 GODFREY HILL ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
2024· 4 proposals
September 2024
- Subdivision245 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 KOORAINGHAT CLOSE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
June 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation3 SEAVIEW CLOSE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
March 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool131 SPICERS ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
2023· 5 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation139 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation139 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Withdrawn
August 2023
- Shed41 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
July 2023
- Shed28 CHELMSBROOK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
January 2023
- Subdivision of land199 GODFREY HILL ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
2022· 6 proposals
December 2022
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Garages, carports and car parking spaces3 GALLIPOLI COURT RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
October 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing50 HOLDEN ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
September 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development213 TALLWOOD DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed3 GALLIPOLI COURT RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
August 2022
- Dwelling; Shed3 SEAVIEW CLOSE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
May 2022
- Shed24 CHELMSBROOK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
2021· 15 proposals
December 2021
- Shed239 GODFREY HILL ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
October 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development1773 THE LAKES WAY RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
September 2021
- Dwelling12 KOORAINGHAT CLOSE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development7 KOORAINGHAT CLOSE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces12 TREEVIEW DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
August 2021
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces3 BLAMEY PLACE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Secondary dwelling9 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Withdrawn
- Shed20 TREEVIEW DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Dwelling24 SPICERS ROAD RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
July 2021
- Shed6 TREEVIEW DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
June 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs4 BLAMEY PLACE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
March 2021
- Dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development43 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces1 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
February 2021
- Shed23 CHELMSBROOK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 2430Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Shed11 KIWARRAK DRIVE RAINBOW FLAT 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)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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 14.7 km away).
Coalition 56.5%Labor 43.5%
3.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Diamond BeachLabor 44.4% · Coalition 55.6% TPP (2025)4.0 km away
- Hallidays PointLabor 41.6% · Coalition 58.4% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
- PurfleetLabor 52.4% · Coalition 47.6% TPP (2025)10.5 km away
- Old BarLabor 47.4% · Coalition 52.6% TPP (2025)11.0 km away
- NabiacLabor 33.3% · Coalition 66.7% TPP (2025)12.9 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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.