Median house price
$563k
+4.2% change
NSW · Lithgow Council
South Bowenfels, 2790
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,335
Growth (1 yr)
-1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
-3.8%
Median age
48
Median income
$1,608/wk
Employment rate
51.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$563,000
Languages at home
3.8%non-English
Most common: German, Urdu
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Lithgow Council, South Bowenfels keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. 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. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer safety compared with similar regional towns, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
South Bowenfels snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$450/wk
Houses $450 · Units $335
Population (ERP)
1,335
-1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.1%
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
#82
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
77th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
2nd
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
- 45.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2833rd in Australia
- State rank
- 863rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #82 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #199 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $335
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $450
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $450
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 114
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $563,000
- Median price change
- +4.2%
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
1,335(June 2025)
-1.0% annual · -3.8% over 5 years · 2th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -1.0%
- 5-year growth
- -3.8%
- Change in 1 year
- -13
- Change in 5 years
- -52
- Growth rank in NSW
- 2th 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 (~1,300), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,326
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,608
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 58 of 574
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 51.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 363 / 152 / 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)
- 142
- Against the person
- 41
- Against property
- 51
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 106.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 32 residents
- State safety percentile
- 77.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.1%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order115
- Breach Bail Conditions121
- Domestic Violence Related Assault131
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment178
- Malicious Damage To Property160
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
43 public transport stops in this suburb
- Great Western Hwy Before Kirkley St
- Great Western Hwy Opp Magpie Hollow Rd
- Kirkley St At Tom Lesslie Pl
- Robina Dr At Kirkley St
- Robina Dr At Lilac Pl
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
5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 43 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
- 3.77
Sport & outdoors(4)
- Swimming pool (4)
Other(1)
- Blunder Street ReserveNature Reserve
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Blunder Street ReserveNature reserve
- Robina ParkPark
- South Bowenfels Gun EmplacementsPark
- Strathlone Estate ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 60
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Lithgow Hospital (2.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Bowenfels Medical PracticeDoctor
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)
- 53
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 39.7
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
- 24° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 282 mm · ~35 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 241 mm · ~30 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 11° / 3°
- Rainfall
- 179 mm · ~22 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 201 mm · ~25 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· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 KIRKLEY STREET SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Under Assessment
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure18 SURVEYORS WAY SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Subdivision33 MAGPIE HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure125 MCKANES FALLS ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Subdivision71 MCKANES FALLS ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
January 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation33 MAGPIE HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1A COL DREWE DRIVE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)LOT 102 OLD BATHURST ROAD, SOUTH BOWENFELSDetermined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 HERITAGE CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
August 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure111 OLD BATHURST ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures2 LILAC PLACE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 SETTLERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 STOCKADE CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
April 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure24 ROBINIA DRIVE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support14 BOWEN CHASE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 WOODLANDS DRIVE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah31 ROBINIA DRIVE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Subdivision33 MAGPIE HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
2024· 16 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 SETTLERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support28 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
November 2024
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)27 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Withdrawn
- Subdivision44 KIRKLEY STREET SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 STOCKADE CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
September 2024
- Subdivision14 CLARET ASH AVENUE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool340 MAGPIE HOLLOW ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 HERITAGE CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support28 GUNNERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure125 MCKANES FALLS ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 SETTLERS CLOSE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
April 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise3584 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
March 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation13 TOM LESSLIE PLACE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
February 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 BURSARIA PLACE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support14 BOWEN CHASE SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
2023· 2 proposals
November 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 MCKANES FALLS ROAD SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3372 GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY SOUTH BOWENFELS 2790Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Exercise caution. Expect delays. Road resurfacing works scheduled on Magpie Hollow Road between Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive and Lake Lyell Dam WallMagpie Hollow Road, Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive09 Aug 2026 – 06 Nov 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
2 heritage places
- Bowenfels National School Site70 Mudgee Street Old BowenfelsSHR
- Mckanes Falls BridgeJenolan Caves Road LithgowSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Calare
- Member of Parliament
- Andrew GEE (Independent)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 124,664
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +3.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 62.3%Labor 37.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 11.7 km away).
Coalition 66.3%Labor 33.7%
4.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Lithgow BowenfelsLabor 30.4% · Coalition 69.7% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
- Lithgow Tweed MillsLabor 40.5% · Coalition 59.5% TPP (2025)4.4 km away
- Lithgow CooerwullLabor 48.1% · Coalition 51.9% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
- Lithgow HermitageLabor 45.6% · Coalition 54.4% TPP (2025)5.7 km away
- Lithgow CentralLabor 51.7% · Coalition 48.3% TPP (2025)6.1 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)
- 7/10
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 Lithgow Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.