Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Dungog Council
Vacy, 2421
Est. population · Jun 2025
750
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.0%
Median age
42
Median income
$1,803/wk
Employment rate
63.9%
Languages at home
Most common: Afrikaans
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Dungog Council, Vacy keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Desirability lands around average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus schools and education weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum, plus community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Vacy snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
750
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.7%
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
#69
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
19th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
86th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
23rd
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
- 43.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 45% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3151st in Australia
- State rank
- 964th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #69 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #250 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
750(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +7.0% over 5 years · 86th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +7.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +14
- Change in 5 years
- +49
- Growth rank in NSW
- 86th 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 (~800), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 719
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,803
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 18 of 270
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 63.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 258 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 30
- Against the person
- 5
- Against property
- 13
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 40
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 144 residents
- State safety percentile
- 18.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +58.3%
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Non-Dwelling7
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment5
- Liquor Offences29
- Malicious Damage To Property8
- Other Theft8
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
- 946
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 23th
School list
- Vacy Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 946 · 23th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 106 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.6 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
94 public transport stops in this suburb
- Vacy General Store, Gresford Rd
- Vacy General Store, Gresford Rd
- Vacy Public School, Gresford Rd
- Vacy Public School, Gresford Rd
- View St Before Horns Crossing 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
6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 94 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
- 1.39
Shopping(1)
- Vacy general storeConvenience store
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Playground
Transport(1)
1 bus stops
Other(3)
- Vacy Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Vacy Post OfficePost office
803 Gresford Road
- Shelter
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Nearest hospital
- Dungog Hospital (22.7 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)
- 22
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 29.3
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
- 28° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 372 mm · ~46 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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· 26 proposals
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure24 HORNS CROSSING ROAD VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting DevelopmentSANCTUARY WAY VACY 2421Under Assessment
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Subdivision50 FLYING FOX LANE VACY 2421Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure15 NIRVANA CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool39 MACKELLAR DRIVE VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool59 VIEW STREET VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport30 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Subdivision598 GRESFORD ROAD VACY 2421Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure62 LAWSON STREET VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure73 LENNOXTON ROAD VACY 2421Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool; Supporting Development44 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure51 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure51 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure17 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Farm building41 CLARKES CROSSING CLOSE VACY 2421Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Rainwater tanks47 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure40 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Moveable dwelling10 GILMORE STREET VACY 2421Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cemetery783 GRESFORD ROAD VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool47 GUNDAROO ROAD VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool281 LENNOXTON ROAD VACY 2421Determined
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure48 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure44 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool66 GUNDAROO ROAD VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation36 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure36 BOTTLEBRUSH CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure48 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming poolBOWER BIRD CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure54 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure33 MACKELLAR DRIVE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure49 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 LOUISE CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 SPOTTED GUM CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
- Subdivision776 Gresford Road, Vacy, 2421Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation62 LAWSON STREET VACY 2421Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure33 BOTTLEBRUSH CLOSE VACY 2421Determined
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
- RoadworksGresford Rd, Vacy Bridge26 Jul 2026 – 22 Oct 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
1 heritage place
- Vacy Bridge over Paterson RiverMain Road 128, VacySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- Lyne
- Member of Parliament
- Alison PENFOLD (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 129,584
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.0 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 59.8%Labor 40.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 20.0 km away).
Coalition 61.6%Labor 38.4%
1.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- VacyLabor 38.1% · Coalition 61.9% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Paterson CentralLabor 49.1% · Coalition 50.9% TPP (2025)8.5 km away
- GresfordLabor 38.9% · Coalition 61.1% TPP (2025)11.6 km away
- WallarobbaLabor 35.0% · Coalition 65.0% TPP (2025)12.3 km away
- WoodvilleLabor 44.7% · Coalition 55.3% TPP (2025)14.8 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)
- 8/10
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 Dungog Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.