Median house price
$915k
+5.2% change
NSW · Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Riverside, 2444
Est. population · Jun 2025
295
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.1%
Median age
53
Median income
$1,461/wk
Employment rate
46.4%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$915,000
Languages at home
5%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- River access
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Riverside is a quieter smaller community in Port Macquarie-Hastings 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. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Desirability sits below average overall, with safety the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Riverside snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$600/wk
Houses $660 · Units $490
Population (ERP)
295
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
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
#320
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
64th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
55th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
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
- 33.4/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4973rd in Australia
- State rank
- 1593rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #320 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #644 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 63%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $490
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $660
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 551
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $915,000
- Median price change
- +5.2%
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
295(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +3.1% over 5 years · 55th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +3.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +9
- Growth rank in NSW
- 55th 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 (~300), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 298
- Median age
- 53
- Median household income / week
- $1,461
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 6 of 118
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,647
- Employment rate
- 46.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 106 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 26
- Against the person
- 7
- Against property
- 10
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 88.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 43 residents
- State safety percentile
- 64th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +4.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions379
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment422
- Malicious Damage To Property387
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault342
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
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
- Port Macquarie Private Hospital (6.2 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)
- 12
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 40.7
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
- 27° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 439 mm · ~55 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 494 mm · ~62 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 252 mm · ~32 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 279 mm · ~35 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· 6 proposals
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure45 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Under Assessment
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development149 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah138 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool75 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool45 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool157 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
2025· 8 proposals
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool126 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty7 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation59 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah135 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool139 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty17 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool2 27 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
2024· 6 proposals
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool2 27 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Withdrawn
May 2024
- 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 greenhouses69 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
April 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty17 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool91 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Withdrawn
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool92 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Withdrawn
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure73 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling428 SHORELINE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
August 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development39 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
July 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development149 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
May 2023
- OtherSandfly Alley, Riverside, Port MacquarieDetermined
January 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development149 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
2022· 8 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling102 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
October 2022
- Dwelling45 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing37 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
September 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development67 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
July 2022
- Other21 MARIA RIVER ROAD RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Dwelling; Shed71 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
May 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Shed165 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
January 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs143 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
2021· 6 proposals
December 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development; Port, wharf, boating facilities2 27 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
November 2021
- Dwelling428 SHORELINE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
October 2021
- Dwelling139 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces17 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
September 2021
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces103 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
August 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development148 RIVERSIDE DRIVE RIVERSIDE 2444Determined
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
- Cowper
- Member of Parliament
- Pat CONAGHAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,639
- Turnout (2025)
- 90.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.5 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.1%Labor 40.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.1 km away).
Coalition 54.8%Labor 45.2%
4.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +8.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- RiversideLabor 46.5% · Coalition 53.5% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- HibbardLabor 38.3% · Coalition 61.7% TPP (2025)3.6 km away
- Port Macquarie WestLabor 42.4% · Coalition 57.6% TPP (2025)5.1 km away
- Settlement ShoresLabor 43.9% · Coalition 56.1% TPP (2025)5.1 km away
- Port Macquarie Town BeachLabor 46.0% · Coalition 54.0% TPP (2025)5.7 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.