Median house price
$540k
+8.0% change
NSW · Tenterfield Council
Rocky River, 2372
Est. population · Jun 2025
35
Growth (1 yr)
0.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.1%
Median age
61
Median income
$1,187/wk
Employment rate
22.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$540,000
Languages at home
12%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
- River access
Suburb profile
Rocky River offers a slower smaller community life in Tenterfield Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing.
Open space is thinner than in many comparable suburbs, 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 are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Reported crime has been falling recently. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
At a glance
Rocky River snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$460/wk
Population (ERP)
35
0.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
56.7%
Census unoccupied dwellings
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Safety
62nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
32nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
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
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $480
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 35
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $540,000
- Median price change
- +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
35(June 2025)
0.0% annual · +6.1% over 5 years · 32th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- 0.0%
- 5-year growth
- +6.1%
- Change in 1 year
- 0
- Change in 5 years
- +2
- Growth rank in NSW
- 32th 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 (~50), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 35
- Median age
- 61
- Median household income / week
- $1,187
- Dwelling vacancy
- 56.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 17 of 30
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,673
- Employment rate
- 22.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 14 / 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)
- 3
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 1
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 85.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 35 residents
- State safety percentile
- 62.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -39.8%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault33
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment51
- Malicious Damage To Property59
- Motor Vehicle Theft20
- Trespass35
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
- Tenterfield Community Hospital (32.5 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)
- 1
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.6
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° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 356 mm · ~44 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 208 mm · ~26 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 134 mm · ~17 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 222 mm · ~28 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 (lodged 2020–2026).
39 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure215 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure27 WILLIAMS ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2025· 7 proposals
September 2025
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureJENKYN LANE ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development3 MCDONALDS LANE ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
June 2025
- Subdivision2708 BILLIRIMBA ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
May 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 SAWPIT GULLY LOOP ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
April 2025
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation417 Thunderbolts Way Rocky River Lot 200 DP1308142Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development13 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 ROCKY CLIFF ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2024· 6 proposals
October 2024
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation417 Thunderbolts Way Rocky River Lot 200 DP1308142Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation57 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 BULLENS ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Rainwater tanks; Water treatment facility57 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation218 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation57 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2023· 8 proposals
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure57 BULLENS ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure189 EVERTON VALE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
August 2023
- Subdivision of land206 LOWER ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
July 2023
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels841 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
June 2023
- Subdivision of land3501A ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
February 2023
- Subdivision of land963 LOWER ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
January 2023
- Dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces164 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
- Shed28 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2022· 4 proposals
December 2022
- Demolition; Shed343 ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
- Dwelling189 EVERTON VALE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
August 2022
- Other881 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
June 2022
- Dwelling; Shed413 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2021· 7 proposals
December 2021
- Other1590 UPPER ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
November 2021
- Shed201 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
- Subdivision of land3499 ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
October 2021
- Dwelling218 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
September 2021
- Farm buildings963 LOWER ROCKY RIVER ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2372Determined
August 2021
- Other24 MCDONALDS LANE ROCKY RIVER 2358Withdrawn
March 2021
- Shed115 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
2020· 5 proposals
October 2020
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces218 RIFLE RANGE ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
June 2020
- Alterations and additions to residential development178 THUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
May 2020
- Dwelling; Other56 KALINOWSKI LANE ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
April 2020
- DwellingTHUNDERBOLTS WAY ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
February 2020
- Other57 WILLIAMS ROAD ROCKY RIVER 2358Determined
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 · 2020–2026 · 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
- New England
- Member of Parliament
- Barnaby JOYCE (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 131,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.6%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.9 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 67.1%Labor 32.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 83.0 km away).
Coalition 64.7%Labor 35.3%
2.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.1 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- DrakeLabor 47.0% · Coalition 53.0% TPP (2025)29.8 km away
- TenterfieldLabor 29.7% · Coalition 70.3% TPP (2025)31.7 km away
- DeepwaterLabor 28.8% · Coalition 71.2% TPP (2025)52.4 km away
- ListonLabor 31.5% · Coalition 68.5% TPP (2025)64.0 km away
- EmmavilleLabor 25.3% · Coalition 74.7% TPP (2025)74.0 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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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 Tenterfield Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.