NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Balgowlah, 2093
Current weather
17.1°CClear sky
51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- Dog friendly
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Balgowlah hums with inner-city energy, a established suburb where there is always something happening nearby. Its inner position means surrounding suburbs are never far away, whether for a meal out or a change of scene. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Coffee, casual meals and neighbourhood eateries give the suburb a lived-in social scene. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car.
Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by community and employment and schools and education, while housing affordability sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 8,068
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,681
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 216 of 3,369
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,250
- Employment rate
- 65.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 162 / 728 / 1,269
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 · 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)
- $805
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,513
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $915
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 165
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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 203
- Against the person
- 53
- Against property
- 104
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 25.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 152 residents
- State safety percentile
- 4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Reported offences are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud50
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment44
- Malicious Damage To Property54
- Steal From Motor Vehicle51
- Steal From Retail Store42
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 · 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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,157.5
- Balgowlah Heights Public SchoolPrimary
- Manly West Public SchoolPrimary
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Balgowlah Boys CampusSecondary
- St Cecilia's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
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 · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
103 public transport stops in this suburb
- Balgowlah Golf Club, Sydney Rd
- Seaview St At Upper Beach St
- Sydney Rd At Rickard St
- Sydney Rd Before Wanganella St
- Upper Beach St At Kareema 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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
306 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool241 WOODLAND STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation155 WOODLAND STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 WANGANELLA STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure297 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure307 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Home business; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia25 MARETIMO STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Pathways and paving22 WHITE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Subdivision69 WANGANELLA STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling58 SEAVIEW STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation40 BOYLE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 WEST STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Subdivision7 PARIS STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)521 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation19 WARATAH STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation7 LEARMONTH AVENUE BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure35 LODGE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Under Assessment
- Subdivision1 BRIGHTON STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling80 WEST STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Advertising and signage; 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; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading42 BALGOWLAH ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Boat shedgourlay avenue balgowlah nsw 2093Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation40 BOYLE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Subdivision286 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation60 BUNGALOE AVENUE BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure101 WEST STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces286 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 NEW STREET EAST BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces15 CLARENCE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Service station487 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)17 WARATAH STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
September 2025
- Artisan food and drink industry; Hours of operation and trading2 11 LOWER BEACH STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure307 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 WARATAH STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure109 CONDAMINE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Withdrawn
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool69 GRIFFITHS STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah149 CONDAMINE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation10 WEST STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Withdrawn
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 MARETIMO STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces286 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Subdivision219 CONDAMINE STREET BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure297 SYDNEY ROAD BALGOWLAH 2093Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
168 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Porter's LiquorAlcohol
- Antiques
- Art
- Balgowlah PiesBakery
- Harlequin'sBakery
- Bbq (2)
- Bench (12)
- Ride in WorkshopBicycle
- Bicycle Parking (9)
- Berkelouw BooksBooks
215 Condamine Street
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
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
- Brimebecon ParkPark
- Manly West ParkPark
- North Harbour ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 8
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- AudioClinicaudiologist
- Australian Skin Cancer Clinicsclinic
- Balgowlah Family Practicedoctor
- Balgowlah Pharmacypharmacy
- Douglass Hanly Moirsample_collection
- Hypoxi Balgowlahclinic
- Kids Plan-Itclinic
- Physiotherapistphysiotherapist
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Substation83 Griffiths Street BalgowlahSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Balgowlah Preschoolkindergarten
- childcarechildcare
- childcarechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 66.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 363rd in Australia
- State rank
- 139th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #57 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #99 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Aggy’s Corneramenities94 West Streetcafe
- Ajmer's Indian Restaurantamenitiesrestaurant
- Antiquesamenitiesantiques
- Artamenitiesart
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Australia Post Parcel Lockeramenitiesparcel_locker
- Australian Skin Cancer Clinicsamenitiesclinic
- Balgowlah Dry Cleanersamenitiesdry_cleaning
- Balgowlah Family Practiceamenitiesdoctors
- Balgowlah Golf Club, Sydney Rdamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Northern Beaches Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.