Median house price
$828k
+14% change
NSW · Clarence Valley Council
Townsend, 2463
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,050
Growth (1 yr)
+1.4%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.1%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,044/wk
Employment rate
47%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$828,000
Languages at home
3.2%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Townsend is a quieter smaller community in Clarence Valley Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.
Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum, plus schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Townsend snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$580/wk
Population (ERP)
1,050
+1.4% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.0%
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
#51
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
34th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
76th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
34th
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
- 45.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2834th in Australia
- State rank
- 864th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #51 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #200 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 86%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $580
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $828,000
- Median price change
- +14.4%
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
1,050(June 2025)
+1.4% annual · +7.1% over 5 years · 76th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.4%
- 5-year growth
- +7.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +14
- Change in 5 years
- +70
- Growth rank in NSW
- 76th 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 (~1,100), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 991
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,044
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 21 of 419
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,419
- Employment rate
- 47%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 370 / 27 / 0 (+ 3 other)
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)
- 56
- Against the person
- 19
- Against property
- 21
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 53.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 52 residents
- State safety percentile
- 33.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.5%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order30
- Domestic Violence Related Assault32
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment63
- Malicious Damage To Property41
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault38
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 972
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 34th
School list
- Pacific Valley Christian SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 985 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 277 students · Top SEA quarter 10% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Valley Hope Christian SchoolSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 51 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Maclean High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 959 · 28th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 689 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1019 · 55th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 135 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 1.9 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Maclean Community Preschoolkindergarten
- Pacific Valley Christian Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
16 public transport stops in this suburb
- Brooms Head Rd At Armstrong Rd
- Brooms Head Rd Opp Cedar Dr
- Diamond St Opp Sapphire Cl
- Jubilee St At Koala Dr
- Jubilee St At Scullin 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
9 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 bars · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Decent local green space — 0 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 16 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 26/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.01
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Sanctus Brewing Co.Bar
Shopping(1)
- Townsend General StoreConvenience store
Community(2)
- Maclean Community PreschoolKindergarten
- Pacific Valley Christian SchoolKindergarten
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Playground
Other(4)
- MI Organics TownsendGarden Centre
Paperbark Drive, Townsend
- LibertyPetrol station
- Lower Clarence Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Public toilets
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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Lower Clarence Baptist Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Maclean District Hospital (2.3 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)
- 33
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.4
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
- 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
- 26° / 19°
- Rainfall
- 504 mm · ~63 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 522 mm · ~65 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 199 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 270 mm · ~34 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· 13 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 DUNKELD PLACE TOWNSEND 2463Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Under Assessment
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure46 EDINBURGH DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; General industry117 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 RE ROAD TOWNSEND 2463Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure32 EDINBURGH DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
May 2026
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry6C IRONBARK DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool8 KINTYRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 KINTYRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Artisan food and drink industry5 RE ROAD TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport7 AMBER CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah22 CYPRESS STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Industrial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure107 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Under Assessment
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool24 CELTIC CIRCUIT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 CELTIC CIRCUIT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation14 SAPPHIRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
August 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)12 KINTYRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise; Light industry7 IRONBARK DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry7 IRONBARK DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport4 SKYE PLACE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
April 2025
- Subdivision7 PINE AVENUE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industryRE ROAD TOWNSEND 2463Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation3 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport7 AMBER CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool19 SAPPHIRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 BROCKAGH COURT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development8 EDINBURGH DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Subdivision107 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Storage premises; Light industry10 THINK ROAD TOWNSEND 2463Determined
2024· 9 proposals
November 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 ARMSTRONG ROAD TOWNSEND 2463Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; CarportJUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
August 2024
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School8 EDINBURGH DRIVE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structureJUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
March 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 DUNKELD PLACE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station107 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
February 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility114 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 DUNKELD PLACE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
January 2024
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; Light industry107 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
2023· 4 proposals
November 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry119 JUBILEE STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 KINTYRE CLOSE TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Subdivision19A CELTIC CIRCUIT TOWNSEND 2463Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Highway service centre2 SCHWONBERG STREET TOWNSEND 2463Determined
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
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Page
- Member of Parliament
- Kevin HOGAN (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,373
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.8%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.3%Labor 40.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 13.0 km away).
Coalition 60.1%Labor 39.9%
0.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- MacleanLabor 44.7% · Coalition 55.3% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- GulmarradLabor 36.5% · Coalition 63.5% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Harwood IslandLabor 32.7% · Coalition 67.3% TPP (2025)4.6 km away
- Palmers IslandLabor 31.9% · Coalition 68.1% TPP (2025)8.0 km away
- Chatsworth IslandLabor 26.0% · Coalition 74.0% TPP (2025)8.4 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)
- 1/10
- 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 Clarence Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.