NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Boolaroo, 2284
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Boolaroo is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie with everyday amenities close at hand. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker transport and access and safety against similar metro suburbs, even with growth momentum and housing affordability holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 1,636
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,504
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 37 of 680
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,907
- Employment rate
- 58.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 51 / 41 / 26
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)
- $510
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $675
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $655
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 84
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)
- 153
- Against the person
- 37
- Against property
- 66
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 93.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 44 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud81
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment88
- Malicious Damage To Property89
- Steal From Motor Vehicle89
- Transport Regulatory Offences174
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 981
- Boolaroo Public 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
28 public transport stops in this suburb
- Access To Lake Rd
- Cockle Creek Station
- Cockle Creek Station, Platform 1
- Cockle Creek Station, Platform 2
- ENT Creek Res 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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
220 planning-related records
2026· 17 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool16 GUEST STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool21 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 SEVENTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support36 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2-4 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah42 FIFTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care5 LAKEVIEW STREET BOOLAROO 2284Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation48 THIRD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 SHEPPARD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation13C SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation52 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport11 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station5 EDGE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
January 2026
- Subdivision30 MACKENZIE PARADE BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Privacy screens2 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport29 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure57 FOURTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 TUSSOCK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home56 SIXTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space34 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Manufactured home; Residential Accommodation19 FOURTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Demolition; Commercial development; Office Premise56 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 MAKATEA STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure50 THIRD STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 TUSSOCK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space10 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space11 SECOND STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care65 SEVENTH STREET BOOLAROO 2284Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Carport20 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40 LAMB STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 AMSLER STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Subdivision; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Take away food and drink; Shop; Hours of operation and trading146 MUNIBUNG ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation40 LAMB STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)12 MACQUARIE STREET BOOLAROO 2284Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 MILBURN CIRCUIT BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 SHEOAK ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureC/-/19807Determined
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise2-4 MAIN ROAD BOOLAROO 2284Determined
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
29 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (2)
- Albert Reserve, Main RdBus stop
- Lake Rd before Creek Reserve RdBus stop
- Lake Rd opp Creek Reserve RdBus stop
- Main Rd after First StBus stop
- Main Rd after Fourth StBus stop
- Main Rd after Parrot StBus stop
- Main Rd at First StBus stop
- Main Rd at Fourth StBus stop
- Main Rd before Parrot StBus stop
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Albert ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Lake Macquarie Family Day Carekindergarten
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)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 40.4/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3411th in Australia
- State rank
- 1076th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #307 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #625 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Albert Reserve, Main Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Boolaroo Post Officeamenities21-37 Main Roadpost_office
- Butcheramenitiesbutcher
- Cockle Creekamenitiestrain_station
- Cockle Creek, Platform 1amenitiestrain_station
- Cockle Creek, Platform 2amenitiestrain_station
- Costcoamenitieswholesale
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.