Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Sydney Council
Rushcutters Bay, 2011
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,580
Growth (1 yr)
+0.9%
Growth (5 yr)
-4.1%
Median age
38
Median income
$1,877/wk
Employment rate
66.5%
Languages at home
20.1%non-English
Most common: Spanish, French, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
- Cycling
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, Rushcutters Bay is a smaller community where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with education options woven into the neighbourhood. A large share of residents were born overseas, and languages other than English are widely spoken at home.
Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Rushcutters Bay snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$750/wk
Houses $925 · Units $750
Population (ERP)
2,580
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
17.8%
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
#289
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
96th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
65th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
96th
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
- 39.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3907th in Australia
- State rank
- 1195th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #289 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #702 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $925
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 638
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 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
2,580(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · -4.1% over 5 years · 65th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.9%
- 5-year growth
- -4.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +24
- Change in 5 years
- -110
- Growth rank in NSW
- 65th 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 (~2,600), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,335
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,877
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 288 of 1,621
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 66.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 6 / 8 / 1,315 (+ 4 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)
- 488
- Against the person
- 78
- Against property
- 113
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 189.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 96th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -19.9%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions529
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault175
- Other Theft228
- Possession And/Or Use Of Cannabis239
- Transport Regulatory Offences547
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
- 17
- Median school ICSEA (17 schools)
- 1,155
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 96th
School list
- Darlinghurst Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1156 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 33% · 210 students · Top SEA quarter 62% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- St Vincent's CollegeSecondary · Independent · ICSEA 1145 · 94th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 755 students · Top SEA quarter 59% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Glenmore Road Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1176 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 263 students · Top SEA quarter 71% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Plunkett Street Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 968 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 59% · 73 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Sydney Distance Education High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1032 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 615 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Ascham SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1217 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 1,182 students · Top SEA quarter 84% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- SCEGGS DarlinghurstCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1209 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 24% · 936 students · Top SEA quarter 83% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Double Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1135 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 31% · 237 students · Top SEA quarter 54% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Crown Street Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1114 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 49% · 288 students · Top SEA quarter 47% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Paddington Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1155 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 42% · 147 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 1.4 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- KU Rushcutters Bay PreschoolWaratah Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
6 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bayswater Rd Opp McLachlan Av
- Bayswater Rd Opp McLachlan Av
- Elizabeth Bay Rd At Holdsworth Av
- Kings Cross Rd After Ward Av
- Kings Cross Rd After Ward Av
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
160 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 4 cafes · 2 bars · 1 fast food · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 4 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 27/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.71
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.85
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.86
Food & drink(9)
- Bar
- VermuteriaBar
- AdhikaCafe
- Cafe C&MCafe
- Ken’s ContinentalCafe
- Scramble & BeanCafe
- Ghost PizzaFast food
- EnyaRestaurant
- FigoRestaurant
Community(1)
- KU Rushcutters Bay PreschoolKindergarten
7A Waratah Street
Sport & outdoors(12)
- Rushcutters HealthGym
- Park
- Waratah Street ReservePark
- Waratah Street Reserve PlaygroundPlayground
- Rushcutters Bay Tennis FacilitySports centre
- Sports centre
- Sports field
- The Reg Bartley OvalSports field
- Swimming pool (4)
Transport(3)
3 bus stops
Other(47)
- Vintage CellarsAlcohol
- Bonham Art & DesignArt
- Artwork (2)
- NothingnessArtwork
- Daffodil Nail & BeautyBeauty salon
- Bench (47)
- Bicycle Parking (5)
- The Cross Art+BooksBooks
- St Canice’s Op-ShopCharity
- Dressing Room (2)
- Drinking water (2)
- Florist
- Garden (8)
- Hairdresser
- James William HQHairdresser
- Mad Monkey BayswaterHostel
- Hotel
- Kate NixonHouseware
- Bondi to Manly WalkInformation
- Enjoy Rushcutters Bay ParkInformation
- Enjoy Waratah Street Reserve PlaygroundInformation
- History of the GrandstandInformation
- Information (2)
- Welcome to Rushcutters Bay ParkInformation
- Laundry
61 Bayswater Road
- Soap Sud CityLaundry
- Letter Box
- Keep in Touch TherapyMassage
Unit Shop 1 38 Roslyn Gardens, Rushcutters Bay
- Rushcutters Bay Tennis CentreOutdoor Seating
- St Canice’s KitchenOutdoor Seating
- Parking (5)
- St. Canice ParishParking
- Parking Entrance (4)
- Picnic Table (2)
- St. Canice ParishPlace of worship
28 Roslyn Street
- Australia PostPost Box
- Public toilets
- Shelter (5)
- Elizabeth LodgeSocial Facility
- Mission Australia Kings Cross Youth ServiceSocial Facility
- St Canice’s KitchenSocial Facility
- TelstraTelephone
- Vacant (3)
- Vending machine
- Waste Basket (14)
- Bayswater Fine WinesWine
- Neighbourhood CellarsWine
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
- Waratah Street ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- St. Canice Parish
28 Roslyn Street
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Saint Luke's Private Hospital (0.2 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)
- 25
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 9.7
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
- 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
February 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 EVANS ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
2025· 7 proposals
December 2025
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure42 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
October 2025
- Restaurant or cafe; Hours of operation and trading1 56-60A BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space68-72 ROSLYN GARDENS RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure51-57 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
June 2025
- Signage; Advertising and signage141 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters BayDetermined
May 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation100 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011Determined
April 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Withdrawn
2024· 11 proposals
September 2024
- Business premises; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia79-81 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
August 2024
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility24-28 ROSLYN STREET RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
July 2024
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 42A BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
April 2024
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
March 2024
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure51-57 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 42A BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Subdivision100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Subdivision100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
2023· 3 proposals
November 2023
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
September 2023
- Restaurant or cafe1 56-60A BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
March 2023
- Residential flat building100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
2022· 10 proposals
November 2022
- Other100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
June 2022
- Residential flat building; Mixed use development100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Other153-167 Bayswater Road Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011Determined
May 2022
- Residential flat building100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Signage100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Alterations and additions to commercial development51-57 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
March 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces68-72 ROSLYN GARDENS RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Mixed use development100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Withdrawn
- Retaining walls, protection of trees; Other24-28 ROSLYN STREET RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
January 2022
- Residential flat building; Mixed use development100 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
2021· 6 proposals
October 2021
- Signage; Recreational Uses; Change of useSHOP 1 1 MCLACHLAN AVENUE RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
April 2021
- Residential flat building61-67 ROSLYN STREET RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Residential flat buildingLot 1 50-54 Bayswater Road Rushcutters BayDetermined
- Residential flat buildingLot 2 50-54 Bayswater Road Rushcutters BayDetermined
March 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development51 ROSLYN STREET RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Other42 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
2020· 2 proposals
November 2020
- Residential flat building3 50-54 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Determined
October 2020
- Signage; Recreational Uses137 BAYSWATER ROAD RUSHCUTTERS BAY 2011Withdrawn
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)
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Oakleigh18 Ward Avenue Potts PointSHR
- Sewage Pumping Station 18Rushcutters Bay Park, Rushcutters BaySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Wentworth
- Member of Parliament
- Allegra SPENDER (Independent)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 127,463
- Turnout (2025)
- 89.1%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 49.4%Labor 50.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 1.1 km away).
Coalition 33.4%Labor 66.6%
16.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Elizabeth BayLabor 68.9% · Coalition 31.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Kings Cross CentralLabor 70.5% · Coalition 29.5% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
- Darlinghurst EastLabor 72.1% · Coalition 27.9% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Darling PointLabor 40.0% · Coalition 60.0% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Kings CrossLabor 72.0% · Coalition 28.0% TPP (2025)0.8 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)
- 9/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Sydney Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.