suburb.guide

NSW · Maitland Council

Thornton (NSW), NSW, 2322

Desirability index

85.5/100

#129 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Thornton (NSW) is a mid-sized suburb in the Maitland area, home to around 10,690 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 2,192 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with rising year-on-year trends (+6%), roughly 205.1 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $660 (flats $575, houses $670), 2 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 2 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
10,690
Median age
32
Median household income / week
$2,051
Dwelling vacancy
5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
196 of 3,893
Median monthly mortgage
$1,800
Employment rate
68.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
314 / 231 / 34

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

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

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$575
Houses (January to March 2026)
$670
All types (January to March 2026)
$660
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
245

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
2,192
Against the person
637
Against property
819
Rate per 1,000 residents
205.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 17 residents
State safety percentile
16th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
+6.2%

Most common offence types

  • Domestic Violence Related Assault181
  • Fraud177
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment235
  • Malicious Damage To Property172
  • Transport Regulatory Offences284

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
991
  • Aspect Hunter SchoolSpecial
  • Thornton Public SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

143 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Somerset Dr After Featherwood Pl
  • Somerset Dr After Government Rd
  • Somerset Dr At Rosewood Av
  • Somerset Dr Before Edwards Av
  • Thornton Rd Opp Huntingdale Dr

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Check signage. Exercise caution.Haussman Drive, Taylor Avenue09 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2027
  • Check signage. Exercise caution. Use diversions.Haussman Drive, Taylor Avenue09 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2027

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

549 planning-related records

2026· 35 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    29 ROTHBURY TERRACE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care
    16 PORTABELLO CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    10 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    4 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Centre-based child care
    TAYLOR AVENUE THORNTON 2322Withdrawn
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Exhibition home; Swimming pool
    12 KINGHAM CIRCUIT THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry
    33 PIPECLAY AVENUE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested

  • May 2026

  • Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry
    5 PIPECLAY AVENUE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    12 BLAKEWELL ROAD THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    134 SOMERSET DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    6 TALLOWWOOD WAY THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    20 WELWIN CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    36 AVALON DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    28 WOOLLEY CLOSE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested

  • April 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    15 GOLDEN WATTLE CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    8 GIBBON CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Swimming pool
    5 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • March 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    175 PARISH DRIVE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested
  • Exhibition village; Hours of operation and trading
    4 BARNSTABLE STREET THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    16 FARNSWORTH STREET THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    4 MACADAMIA PLACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    48 GOVERNMENT ROAD THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Subdivision
    11 GETTY STREET THORNTON 2322Determined

  • February 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    6 PARKVIEW TERRACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Automotive/truck premises; Vehicle repair station
    17 WATERLOO AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    10 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house
    7 WOODLANDS DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures
    21 MAYBUSH AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Specialised Retail Premises
    3 13 HARTLEY DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • January 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    12 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    43 GOVERNMENT ROAD THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)
    22 WOOLLEY CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • 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; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink
    1 13 HARTLEY DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    4 CROYDON CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading
    5/30 GLENWOOD DRIVE THORNTON NSW 2322Rejected
2025· 53 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 SAARINEN CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    12 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • November 2025

  • Demolition; 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; Local distribution premise
    7 WOODFORD PLACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Automotive/truck premises; Vehicle repair station
    56 SANDRINGHAM AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    43 TAYLOR AVENUE THORNTON 2322Withdrawn
2024· 62 proposals

62 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2023· 102 proposals

102 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 103 proposals

103 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 183 proposals

183 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2020· 11 proposals

11 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

77 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • ATM
  • Thornton PiesBakery
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Arnold Cres at Kirkman ClBus stop
  • Blackwell Rd after Government RdBus stop
  • Blakewell Rd at Matai ClBus stop
  • Desalis Dr after Poynton PlBus stop
  • Edwards Av And Singleton AvBus stop
  • Edwards Av at Eurimbla StBus stop
  • Glenroy St at Railway AvBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Alan and Don Lawernce Sports FieldPark
  • Thornton ParkPark
  • Wirraway ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
10
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Australian Clinical Labssample_collection
  • CXU Medical Imagingyes
  • Dr Peter Soaki Obstetrician & Gynaecologistdoctor
  • Physio Studiophysiotherapist
  • Pivot Podiatrypodiatrist
  • Providence Medicaldoctor
  • Thornton Dentaldentist
  • Thornton Discount Drug Storepharmacy
  • Thornton Medical Centredoctor
  • Thornton Physiotherapyphysiotherapist

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Community KidsDarlaston Avenuechildcare
  • Little Zak's AcademyAvard Closechildcare
  • childcarechildcare

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
30
Parks (OSM)
6

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
85.5/100
Cohort rank
#129 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Somerset Dr After Featherwood Pltransport
  • Somerset Dr After Government Rdtransport
  • Somerset Dr At Rosewood Avtransport
  • Somerset Dr Before Edwards Avtransport
  • Thornton Rd Opp Huntingdale Drtransport
  • Community KidschildcareDarlaston Avenuechildcare
  • Little Zak's AcademychildcareAvard Closechildcare
  • childcarechildcarechildcare
  • Australian Clinical Labshealthsample_collection
  • CXU Medical Imaginghealthyes

Data sources & freshness

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