NSW · Tenterfield Council

Tenterfield, 2372

Est. population · Jun 2025

4,104

Growth (1 yr)

+1.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+6.0%

Median age

55

Median income

$933/wk

Employment rate

43.5%

Median house price · October to December 2025

$540,000

Languages at home

2.8%non-English

Most common: Italian, Japanese, Arabic

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

46.8/100
Average

Top 37% of New South Wales' suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Tenterfield is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

In Tenterfield Council, Tenterfield keeps a rural calm, a mid-sized suburb with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Tenterfield snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$540k

+8.0% change

Median rent

$460/wk

Population (ERP)

4,104

+1.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

14.3%

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

#63

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

64th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

65th

percentile in NSW

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

14th

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
46.8/100 — Average
State standing
Top 37% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
2604th in Australia
State rank
792nd in NSW
Peer rank
#63 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#165 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

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

Population

Estimated resident population

4,104(June 2025)

+1.0% annual · +6.0% over 5 years · 65th percentile in NSW

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.0%
5-year growth
+6.0%
Change in 1 year
+39
Change in 5 years
+234
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 (~4,150), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,067
Median age
55
Median household income / week
$933
Dwelling vacancy
14.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
293 of 2,049
Median monthly mortgage
$1,192
Employment rate
43.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,645 / 24 / 62 (+ 18 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident PopulationAustralian 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 ProfileAustralian 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)
362
Against the person
98
Against property
162
Rate per 1,000 residents
88.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 42 residents
State safety percentile
64.1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-32.8%

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 statisticsNSW 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
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
914
Median ICSEA percentile
14th
School list
  • St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1006 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 137 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
  • Tenterfield High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 914 · 14th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 267 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
  • The Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 865 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 199 students · Top SEA quarter 2%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Tenterfield Preschool Kindergarten Inc.kindergarten
  • childcarechildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare servicesOpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

311 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Drummond St After Duncan St
  • Drummond St At Polworth St
  • Logan St At Petre St
  • Logan St Before Naas St
  • Logan St Before Petre St

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

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 insightsSuburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

16 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Apex ParkPark
  • Bluff Rock ReserveNature reserve
  • Bruxner ParkPark
  • Federation ParkPark
  • Jubilee ParkPark
  • Kiely ParkPark
  • Market Square ParkPark
  • MazePark
  • Millbrook ParkPark
  • Mount MacKenzieNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
15
Parks (OSM)
13

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

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
11
Nearest hospital
Tenterfield Community Hospital (4.4 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • AmcalRouse StreetPharmacy
  • AmcalRouse StreetPharmacy
  • Armajun Aboriginal Health ServiceHigh StreetYes
  • Brennan & Smith OptometristsRouse StreetOptometrist
  • Rouse Street Meical CentreClinic
  • Rouse Street Meical CentreRouse StreetDoctor
  • Sullivan Nicolaides PathologyRouse StreetSample_Collection
  • Tenterfield Community HospitalNaas StreetHospital
  • Tenterfield Medical CentreDoctor
  • Tenterfield Medical CentreClinic

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
92
Participants per 1,000 residents
22.4

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

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 normalsWorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.

2026· 70 proposals
  • August 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    89 Geyers Road TenterfieldUnder Assessment
  • July 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home
    648 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY TENTERFIELD 2372Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    66 LOGAN STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing
    271 EAST STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    29 Platypus Lane,Under Assessment
  • Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    964B BRUXNER WAY TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    441-443 ROUSE STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    332B MOUNT LINDESAY ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • June 2026

  • Shed; Temporary building, structure or use
    68 WOOD STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    SCRUB ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    NEAGLES LANE TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    52 COMMON ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    27 HIGH STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    199 SCHRODERS ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    34 POLWORTH STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Service station; Hours of operation and trading
    1 BANKSIA DRIVE TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    11 ALDERSHOT ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • May 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    LOGAN STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Additional Information Requested
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    232 SCHRODERS ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    PELHAM STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Additional Information Requested
  • Subdivision
    PELHAM STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    37 NEAGLES LANE TENTERFIELD 2372Additional Information Requested
  • Subdivision
    145 EAST STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    2310 BILLIRIMBA ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    8 MOUNT MCKENZIE LOOKOUT ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Attached dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    101 SUNNYSIDE HALL ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    31B LEECHS GULLY ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    17 NAAS STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    28 POLWORTH STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    290 KILDARE ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Subdivision
    66 SUNNYSIDE PLATFORM ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372On Exhibition
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    130A SUNNYSIDE LOOP ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    51A MOLESWORTH STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    20A SMITHS LANE TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing
    4 ERINDEE AVENUE TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • April 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Storage premises
    32 RILEY STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Temporary building, structure or use; Garage, carport or carparking space
    118 MOUNT MCKENZIE ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    157-163 NAAS STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    101 SUNNYSIDE HALL ROAD TENTERFIELD 2372Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport
    62 DUNCAN STREET TENTERFIELD 2372Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Avoid the area. Stay away. Tenterfield Shire Council advises that Molesworth Street will close between Duncan Street and Scott Street from Wednesday, 19 August 2026 to allow for the replacement of the Molesworth Street Bridge over Tenterfield Creek.The closure is expected to remain in place until approximately mid-2027 while works are completed.Civil Mining and Construction (CMC) has been engaged as the Principal Contractor, with removal of the existing bridge scheduled to commence in late August. LOCAL ACCESS AND DETOUR INFORMATION • Road closure: Molesworth Street between Duncan Street and Scott Street will be closed to all motorists and pedestrians. • Vehicle detour: A signed detour will be in place via Duncan Street, High Street and Scott Street (see map) • Pedestrian access and detour: The creek-side footpath near the bridge will also be closed for the duration of the works. An alternative pedestrian route will be in place via Scott St and Hight St (see map) • Local access: Access to nearby properties, including the Tenterfield Bowling Club, will be maintained throughout construction. Works including demolition, site preparation and construction of the new bridge and pathways, are expected to take approximately 10 months, subject to weather and site conditions.Duncan St, Scott St07 Aug 2026 – 30 Jun 2027
  • Stay away. Use an alternative route.Rouse Street, Drummond Street11 May 2026 – 31 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closuresState road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

4 heritage places

  • Sunnyside rail bridge over Tenterfield CreekMain Northern Railway 784 233 km, SunnysideSHR
  • Tenterfield Post Office & Quarters225 Rouse Street TenterfieldSHR
  • Tenterfield Railway Station groupRailway Avenue, TenterfieldSHR
  • Tenterfield School of ArtsManners Street, TenterfieldSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage registerState 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 overlaysState 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 79.0 km away).

Coalition 70.2%Labor 29.8%

3.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.8 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • TenterfieldLabor 29.7% · Coalition 70.3% TPP (2025)3.6 km away
  • DrakeLabor 47.0% · Coalition 53.0% TPP (2025)37.2 km away
  • DeepwaterLabor 28.8% · Coalition 71.2% TPP (2025)44.0 km away
  • ListonLabor 31.5% · Coalition 68.5% TPP (2025)48.4 km away
  • EmmavilleLabor 25.3% · Coalition 74.7% TPP (2025)58.6 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

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

More in Tenterfield Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.