Median house price
$1.86M
+4.8% change
NSW · Hornsby Council
Waitara, 2077
Est. population · Jun 2025
10,191
Growth (1 yr)
+0.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.1%
Median age
36
Median income
$2,106/wk
Employment rate
61.9%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,860,000
Languages at home
67.9%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Hindi, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Waitara hums with inner-city energy, a mid-sized suburb where there is always something happening nearby. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. A large share of residents were born overseas, and languages other than English are widely spoken at home.
School and preschool provision is plentiful within the local area. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Daily life works well on foot, with buses and trains also serving the suburb.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Community and employment push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as safety look more ordinary among similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Waitara snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $775 · Units $680
Population (ERP)
10,191
+0.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.0%
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
#177
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
48th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
42nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
94th
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
- 55.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 22% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1544th in Australia
- State rank
- 453rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #177 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #334 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $775
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 444
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,860,000
- Median price change
- +4.8%
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
- 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
10,191(June 2025)
+0.2% annual · +5.1% over 5 years · 42th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.2%
- 5-year growth
- +5.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +24
- Change in 5 years
- +492
- Growth rank in NSW
- 42th 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 (~11,400), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 7,837
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $2,106
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 233 of 3,319
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,200
- Employment rate
- 61.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 272 / 52 / 2,757 (+ 5 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 673
- Against the person
- 101
- Against property
- 169
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 66
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 78 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.4%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions190
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment129
- Malicious Damage To Property137
- Steal From Retail Store191
- Transport Regulatory Offences1266
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
- 18
- Median school ICSEA (18 schools)
- 1,143.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 94th
School list
- Marri Mittigar SchoolSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 984 · 39th percentile · LBOTE 100% · 28 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1153 · 96th percentile · LBOTE 58% · 337 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Waitara Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1148 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 91% · 972 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Hornsby Girls High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1209 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 94% · 722 students · Top SEA quarter 78% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Barker CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1166 · 97th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 2,856 students · Top SEA quarter 71% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- St Leo's Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1113 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 1,055 students · Top SEA quarter 44% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Clarke Road SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1063 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 62% · 61 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Hornsby South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1110 · 87th percentile · LBOTE 73% · 534 students · Top SEA quarter 44% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- AbbotsleighCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1217 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 67% · 1,634 students · Top SEA quarter 84% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Loreto NormanhurstCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1164 · 97th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 1,240 students · Top SEA quarter 67% · 1.4 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
- Explore and Develop WaitaraBalmoral Streetkindergarten
- Waitara Childrens Centrekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- ENT Alexandria Pde S
- PDT Car Park
- PDT To P1/2
- STR/LFT To P1/2
- Waitara Station
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
131 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 restaurants · 2 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 3 fast food · 4 places of worship · 4 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 26 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 24 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 92/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.26
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.4
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.64
Food & drink(11)
- PCYC NSW Blue Star CafeCafe
Waitara Avenue
- Waitara CafeCafe
- Sultan Turkish Pide & Kebab HouseFast food
63 Pacific Highway
- Super Nash BrothersFast food
- Waitara Kitchen Chinese TakeawayFast food
- Asquith Rugby Leagues ClubPub
- Pub
- 3 ElephantsRestaurant
- 3 ElephantsRestaurant
10 Waitara Avenue
- Balmoral PizzariaRestaurant
- Ta Wan ThaiRestaurant
Shopping(4)
- Convenience store
- Harvest & Grain CoGreengrocer
- Friendly GrocerSupermarket
Community(5)
- Hornsby Bowling Club & PCYCCommunity centre
- Explore and Develop WaitaraKindergarten
41-43 Balmoral Street, Waitara
- Waitara Childrens CentreKindergarten
- Barker College Prepatory SchoolSchool
- Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Primary SchoolSchool
Health & services(1)
- Waitara PharmacyPharmacy
12 Waitara Avenue
Sport & outdoors(29)
- Millennium Health ClubGym
9 Alexandria Parade
- Orara ParkPark
- Park (2)
- Waitara ParkPark
- Picnic area
- Orara Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (2)
- Waitara Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Mark Taylor OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Hornsby Pool CareSwimming pool
50 Edgeworth David Avenue
- Swimming pool (16)
Transport(8)
7 bus stops · 1 train stations
Other(47)
- Jims Cellars WaitaraAlcohol
65-69 Edgeworth David Avenue
- Alternative
59 Edgeworth David Avenue
- Asquith Family ChiropractorsAlternative
- Bbq
- Belle Hair and NailsBeauty salon
8 Waitara Avenue
- Bench (7)
- Bike Lockers - Waitara Station, Waitara AveBicycle Parking
- Sydney TrainsBicycle Parking
- Hornsby BMWCar
- Hornsby MazdaCar
64-72 Pacific Highway
- Hornsby ToyotaCar
42-54 Pacific Highway
- Mercedes-Benz HornsbyCar
120-124 Pacific Highway
- SubaruCar
47-53 Pacific Highway
- Auto One WaitaraCar Parts
- RepcoCar Parts
73 Pacific Highway
- AvisCar Rental
126 Pacific Highway
- Car repair
5-7 Pattison Avenue
- Muxlow MotorsCar repair
- Tyres & MoreCar repair
7 Romsey Street
- Lifeline ShopCharity
63-63A Edgeworth David Avenue
- Drinking water
- Fitness Station
- Antique Rose FloristFlorist
61A Balmoral Street
- Fountain
- Beacon LightingLighting
41-45 Pacific Highway
- Palmerstone CentreMall
- Newsagent
- Parking (19)
- Waitara Station Commuter Car ParkParking
- Parking Entrance
12-14 Park Avenue, Waitara
- Parking Entrance
13 Park Avenue, Waitara
- Parking Entrance (2)
- AmpolPetrol station
59-61 Pacific Highway
- Picnic Table (2)
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
- Waitara Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Waitara Gospel ChapelPlace of worship
30 Edgeworth David Avenue
- Waitara Seventh-day Adventist ChurchPlace of worship
55A Alexandria Parade
- Kennards HirePlant Hire
- Australia PostPost Box
- Post Box
- Public toilets
- Ticket Validator
- Biga+Tiles
- BridgestoneTyres
79-81 Pacific Highway
- Vending machine (2)
- 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Orara ParkPark
- Waitara ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
4 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
- Waitara Anglican Church
- Waitara Gospel Chapel
30 Edgeworth David Avenue
- Waitara Seventh-day Adventist Church
55A Alexandria Parade
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- The San Day Surgery (0.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- AlternativeEdgeworth David AvenueAlternative
- Asquith Family ChiropractorsAlternative
- Waitara PharmacyWaitara AvenuePharmacy
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)
- 177
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 17.4
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
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 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· 3 proposals
July 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 PALMERSTON ROAD WAITARA 2077Under Assessment
June 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision27 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision27 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
2025· 4 proposals
November 2025
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure25 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Withdrawn
September 2025
- Subdivision51/DP1316198 & 52/DP1316198Determined
July 2025
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure100 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
- Independent living units; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 MCAULEY PLACE WAITARA 2077Determined
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility20 WAITARA AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care32 PALMERSTON ROAD WAITARA 2077Determined
October 2024
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure23 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
August 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure62 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
June 2024
- Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure32 PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Withdrawn
April 2024
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure23 Balmoral Street, Waitara NSW 2077Withdrawn
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care18 WENTWORTH AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility20 WAITARA AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Electric vehicle facility11-37 ALEXANDRIA PARADE WAITARA 2077Determined
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure56 EDGEWORTH DAVID AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
September 2023
- Boarding house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2A PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
August 2023
- Residential flat building22 PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Withdrawn
May 2023
- Alterations and additions to commercial development126 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
February 2023
- Residential flat building36A PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition57A BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Other24 WENTWORTH AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
September 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development59 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
August 2022
- Residential flat building36A PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Other145/2 McAuley Place Waitara 2077Determined
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Centre based childcare; Change of use49 ORARA STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
April 2022
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs9 MARILLIAN AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
February 2022
- Residential flat building23 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
2021· 13 proposals
December 2021
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Retail premises80-96 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
- Alterations and additions to commercial development11-37 ALEXANDRIA PARADE WAITARA 2077Determined
November 2021
- Alterations and additions to commercial development80-96 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
- Dwelling; Subdivision of land24 WENTWORTH AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Residential flat building36A PARK AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
September 2021
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development; Subdivision of land27 WENTWORTH AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Dwelling8 YARDLEY AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
- Other2 MCAULEY PLACE WAITARA 2077Determined
August 2021
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces28A PALMERSTON ROAD WAITARA 2077Determined
- Change of use12 WAITARA AVENUE WAITARA 2077Determined
June 2021
- Retail premises80-96 PACIFIC HIGHWAY WAITARA 2077Determined
March 2021
- Secondary dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs67 BALMORAL STREET WAITARA 2077Determined
- Dwelling8 YARDLEY AVENUE WAITARA 2077Deferred Commencement
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
- Berowra
- Member of Parliament
- Julian LEESER (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 130,869
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +5.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 51.6%Labor 48.4%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 1.8 km away).
Coalition 40.7%Labor 59.3%
11.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Waitara NorthLabor 59.5% · Coalition 40.5% TPP (2025)0.1 km away
- Hornsby CentralLabor 58.9% · Coalition 41.1% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- WaitaraLabor 55.2% · Coalition 44.8% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
- Hornsby EastLabor 63.1% · Coalition 36.9% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Hornsby WestLabor 60.1% · Coalition 39.9% TPP (2025)1.0 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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 Hornsby Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.