NSW · Penrith Council
Castlereagh, 2749
Current weather
12.8°CClear sky
52% humidity · 9.4 km/h wind · 19.8° / 9.4° today · 8.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Penrith, Castlereagh is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in parks and green space and community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,248
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,370
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 29 of 373
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,033
- Employment rate
- 61.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 23 / 0 / 6
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
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 91
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)
- 58
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 23
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 57 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -23.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order60
- Domestic Violence Related Assault75
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment104
- Malicious Damage To Property78
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault51
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 995
- Castlereagh Public SchoolPrimary
- Penrith Lakes Environmental Education CentreCombined
- The Lakes Christian CollegeCombined
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
25 public transport stops in this suburb
- Castlereagh Rd Before McCarthys Lane
- East Wilchard Rd Opp Ellison Rd
- Sheredan Rd After Hinxman Rd
- Sheredan Rd At Hinxman Rd
- The Lakes Christian College At East Wilchard 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).
129 planning-related records
2026· 10 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support224-230 HINXMAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development42-48 ISAAC SMITH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces259 WEST WILCHARD ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation85-91 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation335-371 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Subdivision39-51 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision39-51 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Rejected
- Home business; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia336-342 HINXMAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development42-48 ISAAC SMITH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1023-1027 CASTLEREAGH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Under Assessment
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences223-227 HINXMAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Farm buildings; Shed; Erection of a new structure55 KEECH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Withdrawn
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool116 EAST WILCHARD ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Under Assessment
August 2025
- Subdivision185-197 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool132 RICKARDS ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool151-157 WEST WILCHARD ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Advertising structure231-257 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1046 CASTLEREAGH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure94-104 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool278-286 HINXMAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Carport264 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation107-111 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation201-207 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure263-271 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation107-111 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure136-137 WEST WILCHARD ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Fences; Swimming pool224-230 HINXMAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure41 JOLLY STREET CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Subdivision185-197 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Advertising and signage; Vehicle repair station; Hours of operation and trading169 CHURCH STREET CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure168 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
2024· 9 proposals
October 2024
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise101-121 Castlereagh StreetDetermined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation144 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1185-1187 Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh NSW 2749Determined
August 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure283-291 DEVLIN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure150 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Withdrawn
- Home business; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Home occupation; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia132 RICKARDS ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1048-1058 CASTLEREAGH ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Carport29-33 SHEREDAN ROAD CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool150 CHURCH LANE CASTLEREAGH 2749Determined
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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- East Wilchard Rd opp Ellison RdBus stop
- Sheredan Rd at Jolly StBus stop
- Sheredan Rd opp Jolly StBus stop
- Drinking water
- Parking
- Public toilets
- Waste Basket
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Penrith BeachPark
- Smith ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
2 state heritage places
- Hadley Park14-278 Old Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh, NSW SHR
- Upper Castlereagh Public School and residenceCastlereagh Road, CastlereaghSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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)
- 264
- 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
- 40.2/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3448th in Australia
- State rank
- 1086th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #309 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #630 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- East Wilchard Rd opp Ellison Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Public toiletsamenitiestoilets
- Sheredan Rd at Jolly Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Sheredan Rd opp Jolly Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Waste Basketamenitieswaste_basket
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime60
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime75
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime104
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Penrith Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.