Median house price
$800k
+24% change
NSW · Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Wauchope, 2446
Est. population · Jun 2025
6,868
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+9.9%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,114/wk
Employment rate
46.3%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$800,000
Languages at home
2.4%non-English
Most common: French, Australian Indigenous languages, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- National parks
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Wauchope is a mid-sized suburb in Port Macquarie-Hastings Council with its own quieter rhythm. Day-to-day life leans on nearby towns and local hubs rather than the metro area. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town. 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.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum and safety. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Wauchope snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$595/wk
Houses $610 · Units $410
Population (ERP)
6,868
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.1%
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
#23
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
37th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
86th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
32nd
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
- 54.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 22% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1575th in Australia
- State rank
- 463rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #23 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #71 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $410
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $610
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 57
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $800,000
- Median price change
- +23.6%
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
6,868(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +9.9% over 5 years · 86th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +9.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +129
- Change in 5 years
- +619
- 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 (~7,550), extrapolated at +1.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 6,589
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,114
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 167 of 2,719
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 46.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 2,173 / 315 / 38 (+ 20 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)
- 388
- Against the person
- 133
- Against property
- 149
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 56.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 50 residents
- State safety percentile
- 37.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.8%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order67
- Domestic Violence Related Assault107
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment102
- Malicious Damage To Property110
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault50
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 955.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 32th
School list
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1011 · 52th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 277 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Wauchope Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 900 · 11th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 624 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.8 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
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Tallowood Preschoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
81 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bago Rd At Industry St
- Bago Rd Opp Industry St
- Campbell St At Bain St
- Ellenborough Pl At Fairmont Dr
- Wauchope 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
57 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 places of worship · 2 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 11 parks mapped in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 81 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
- 1.67
Community(4)
- Community centre
- Scout HallCommunity centre
- Tallowood PreschoolKindergarten
- St Joseph Primary School, WauchopeSchool
King Street
Health & services(2)
- The Good Shepherd Medical CentreMedical clinic
- Timbertown Vet HospitalVeterinary
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Andrews ParkPark
- Cameron Street ParkPark
115 Cameron Street, Wauchope
- Landrigan ParkPark
- Lasiandra ParkPark
- Sports field
Transport(16)
16 bus stops
Other(17)
- Wauchope Rural CentreAgrarian
218 High Street
- Bbq
- A1 Auto Parts WauchopeCar Parts
212 High Street
- Campbell's AutosCar repair
216 High Street
- Wauchope Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Mud 'n' Tar MotorcyclesMotorcycle
183 High Street
- Parking (12)
- BP WauchopePetrol station
210 High Street
- Infinity FuelsPetrol station
- Picnic Table
- Our Lady Of LourdesPlace of worship
- Public toilets
- Laverty PathologySample Collection
- Shelter (3)
- Timbertown Storage BaysStorage Rental
214 High Street
- Telephone
- BeaurepairesTyres
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
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Allan Road ReservePark
- Andrews ParkPark
- Bain ParkPark
- Cameron Street ParkPark
- James Street ReservePark
- Landrigan ParkPark
- Lasiandra ParkPark
- Montrose ParkPark
- Rocks Ferry ReservePark
- Sister City ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 25
- Parks (OSM)
- 11
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
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Our Lady Of Lourdes
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
- 8
- Nearest hospital
- Wauchope District Memorial Hospital (1.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- George & MathidaOptometrist
- Laverty PathologySample_Collection
- Laverty PathologySample_Collection
- OPSM WauchopeHigh StreetOptometrist
- TerryWhite ChemmartHigh StreetPharmacy
- The Good Shepherd Medical CentreDoctor
- Wauchope District Memorial HospitalHospital
- Wauchope PharmacyHigh StreetPharmacy
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)
- 362
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 52.7
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
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 417 mm · ~52 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 24° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 459 mm · ~57 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 256 mm · ~32 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 273 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· 34 proposals
July 2026
- Erection of a new structure; General industry4 COMMERCE STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)3 CAMPBELL STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Subdivision32 TRADE CIRCUIT WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)7 JARRAH WAY WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)7 WATTLE STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use6 BRUSHBOX CLOSE WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Subdivision1 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Demolition; Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development3 ALLAN ROAD WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Subdivision15 WHIPCRACK TERRACE WAUCHOPE 2446Additional Information Requested
June 2026
- Industrial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; General industry21 BALL CRESCENT WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home48 RANDALL STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home2410 OXLEY HIGHWAY WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Subdivision2410 OXLEY HIGHWAY WAUCHOPE 2446Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Place of public worship; Advertising and signage230A HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)133 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Driveways and hard stand spaces2410 OXLEY HIGHWAY WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure4 AVONDALE STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah2 18 JOSHUA CLOSE WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)55 ALLAN ROAD WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 SUTHERLAND STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure11 WAUGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use5 COWARRAL CIRCUIT WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation35 BAIN STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 SHORT STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)10 MAROWIN PLACE WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached)40 DROVER STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Erection of a new structure; General industry45 TRADE CIRCUIT WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Automotive/truck premises; Service station4 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use6 YARRAT PLACE WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Minor building alterations (internal)187 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 BUSHMAN DRIVE WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Residential Accommodation63 RESERVOIR PLACE WAUCHOPE 2446Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure175 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation197 HIGH STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
2025· 15 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah8 CARPENTER STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Supporting Development10 OXLEY LANE WAUCHOPE 2446Additional Information Requested
November 2025
- Shed; Temporary building, structure or use48 MAHOGANY WAY WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure196 CAMERON STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club3 YOUNG STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Subdivision49 GOWRIE ROAD WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Industrial development; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; General industry26 OAKLEY WAY WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure19 BALL CRESCENT WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Subdivision31 BAIN STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 COWARRAL CIRCUIT WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 AVONDALE STREET, WAUCHOPE NSW 2446Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 CORYMBIA LOOP WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah12 KUMBATINE CLOSE WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club24 KING STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space48 CAMERON STREET WAUCHOPE 2446Withdrawn
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
- 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 17.5 km away).
Coalition 64.1%Labor 35.9%
4.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Wauchope SouthLabor 36.4% · Coalition 63.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- King CreekLabor 30.3% · Coalition 69.7% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- WauchopeLabor 38.6% · Coalition 61.4% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- HuntingdonLabor 35.2% · Coalition 64.8% TPP (2025)6.7 km away
- BeechwoodLabor 30.7% · Coalition 69.3% TPP (2025)7.4 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)
- 1/10
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 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.