Median house price
$880k
+2.3% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Silverwater, 2264
Est. population · Jun 2025
289
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.4%
Median age
51
Median income
$1,387/wk
Employment rate
43.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$880,000
Languages at home
2.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Lake Macquarie Council, Silverwater keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. It sits well away from Sydney, trading metro convenience for space and a slower regional pace. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Versus similar metro suburbs, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment, plus schools and education trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Silverwater snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$610/wk
Population (ERP)
289
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
19.3%
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
#144
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
56th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
68th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
47th
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
- 23.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6420th in Australia
- State rank
- 2056th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #144 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #873 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $628
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 99
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $880,000
- Median price change
- +2.3%
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
289(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +7.4% over 5 years · 68th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +7.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- +20
- Growth rank in NSW
- 68th 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 +1.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 274
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $1,387
- Dwelling vacancy
- 19.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 26 of 135
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,625
- Employment rate
- 43.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 104 / 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)
- 22
- Against the person
- 6
- Against property
- 8
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 76.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 46 residents
- State safety percentile
- 56.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.8%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault97
- Fraud105
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment115
- Malicious Damage To Property97
- Transport Regulatory Offences251
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
- 1,001
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 47th
School list
- Brightwaters Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1001 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 106 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.8 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
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- Silverwater Rd At Beach Rd
- Silverwater Rd At Beach Rd
- Silverwater Rd Opp Beach Rd
- Silverwater Rd Opp Beach Rd
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
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 6/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Transport(2)
2 bus stops
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
- Moriseset Comunity Health Centre (7.4 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)
- 10
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.6
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
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 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· 2 proposals
July 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool68 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Under Assessment
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 TALBOT ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
2025· 18 proposals
November 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry17 VORE STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Boarding house; Erection of a new structure56 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure76 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
September 2025
- Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Light industry; Hours of operation and trading75 SILVERWATER ROAD SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)64 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure91 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure22 BLIGH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure45 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Subdivision12 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry31-33 DAY STREET NORTH SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Demolition; Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; General industry; Local distribution premise2-4 STANLEY STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care34 BARKER AVENUE SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27-29 FARIOLA STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
April 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Storage premises; Hours of operation and trading20-30 STUBBS STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Advertising and signage; 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 Australia; Resource recovery facility188 SILVERWATER ROAD SILVERWATER 2128Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty103 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
January 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure81 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
- Erection of a new structure; General industry2 BLAXLAND STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry18 BLIGH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation87 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry; Local distribution premise90 VORE STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
October 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry93 ASQUITH STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)28 VORE STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
August 2024
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry85 EGERTON STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
July 2024
- Demolition87 BEACH ROAD SILVERWATER 2264Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry26 DERBY STREET SILVERWATER 2128Determined
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
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 7.3 km away).
Coalition 40.8%Labor 59.2%
0.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Morisset PeninsulaLabor 59.7% · Coalition 40.3% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Bonnells BayLabor 56.1% · Coalition 43.9% TPP (2025)4.1 km away
- Wangi WangiLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)4.1 km away
- Arcadia ValeLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)5.1 km away
- Dora CreekLabor 51.3% · Coalition 48.7% 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.