Median house price
$880k
+2.3% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Sunshine, 2264
Est. population · Jun 2025
505
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.7%
Median age
50
Median income
$1,575/wk
Employment rate
50.1%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$880,000
Languages at home
1.3%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Sunshine is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council with everyday amenities close at hand. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. 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
Sunshine snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$610/wk
Population (ERP)
505
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
21.0%
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
#129
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
57th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
66th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
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
- 27.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5976th in Australia
- State rank
- 1933rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #129 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #849 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
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
505(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +7.7% over 5 years · 66th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +7.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +36
- Growth rank in NSW
- 66th 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 (~550), extrapolated at +1.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 475
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,575
- Dwelling vacancy
- 21%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 47 of 224
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 50.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 173 / 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)
- 39
- Against the person
- 10
- Against property
- 15
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 77.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.1%
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 Cessnock Rd
- Silverwater Rd At Cessnock Rd
- Sunshine Pde Opp Cessnock Rd
- Sunshine Pde Opp Cessnock 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
22 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
8 places of worship · 1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 6/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 8.42
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Casuarina Point ReservePark
- Sunshine Baths ReservePark
- Sunshine ParkPark
- Waterside ReservePark
- Playground
Transport(2)
2 bus stops
Other(8)
- Bench
- Garden
- Parking
- Place of worship (8)
- Public toilets
- Slipway
- Sunshine ParkSlipway
- Waste Basket
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Casuarina Point ReservePark
- Sunshine Baths ReservePark
- Sunshine ParkPark
- Waterside ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
8 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Place of worship (8)
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Moriseset Comunity Health Centre (7.7 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)
- 18
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 35.6
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
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development143 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Under Assessment
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty; Boat launching ramp41 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Additional Information Requested
2025· 4 proposals
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah14 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation8 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
2024· 6 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty; Non-standard Housing1 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
September 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation54 CESSNOCK ROAD SUNSHINE 2264Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty101 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah20 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
January 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation14 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
2023· 9 proposals
December 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
November 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation85 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development23 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 Maitland Ave Sunshine NSW 2264Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house85 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling; Demolition; Retaining walls, protection of trees85 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
January 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing23 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Demolition16 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
2022· 11 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development97 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
October 2022
- Dwelling26 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Shed30 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
July 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Stormwater management systems; Place of public worship; Other54 CESSNOCK ROAD SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Secondary dwelling42 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Retaining walls, protection of trees32 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces23 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development42 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
June 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing93 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
May 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development7 WATERSIDE AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
February 2022
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development97 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
2021· 9 proposals
December 2021
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land20 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
November 2021
- Dwelling30 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
October 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing; Shed30 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
July 2021
- Retaining walls, protection of trees15 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
June 2021
- Dwelling18 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
May 2021
- Dwelling30 MAITLAND AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land22 CESSNOCK ROAD SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Dwelling15 NORMAN AVENUE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 SUNSHINE PARADE SUNSHINE 2264Determined
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 8.2 km away).
Coalition 40.3%Labor 59.7%
0.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Morisset PeninsulaLabor 59.7% · Coalition 40.3% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Bonnells BayLabor 56.1% · Coalition 43.9% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- Wangi WangiLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
- Wyee PointLabor 55.3% · Coalition 44.7% TPP (2025)5.4 km away
- Arcadia ValeLabor 60.2% · Coalition 39.8% TPP (2025)6.0 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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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.