Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Dudley, 2290
Population
2,505
Median age
39
Median income
$2,487/wk
Employed
63.4%
Languages at home
3.5%non-English
Top: Macedonian, French, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Dudley is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. The coast is the anchor, with regional towns nearby for markets, dining and weekend exploring. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix. Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because safety and parks and green space lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 49.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 32% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2099th in Australia
- State rank
- 669th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #42 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #79 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $575
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $670
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 207
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
Population
- Population
- 2,505
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $2,487
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 48 of 922
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,324
- Employment rate
- 63.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 48 / 66 / 0
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.
Community & culture
3.5% speak a language other than English at home; 9.4% born overseas
- Language at home
- 2,350 English only · 85 other
- Non-English at home
- 3.5%
- Born overseas
- 229 (9.4%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 82 (3.3%)
- Australian citizens
- 2,371
- Languages spoken at home (other than English)
- 5
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Macedonian8 · 27.6%
- French7 · 24.1%
- Italian6 · 20.7%
- Spanish5 · 17.2%
- German3 · 10.3%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, and Indigenous status (usual residence).
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 184
- Against the person
- 45
- Against property
- 101
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.4%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault162
- Fraud206
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment188
- Malicious Damage To Property201
- Steal From Retail Store455
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
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,095
- Dudley 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
48 public transport stops in this suburb
- Burwood Rd Opp Cindi Cl
- Ocean St After Tumut Street
- Ocean St Before John St
- Seacourt Av At Banksia Av
- Seacourt Av Opp Ashby 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)
Amenities
62 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 pubs · 2 playgrounds · 14 swimming pools
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 48 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 20 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 34/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.8
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.4
Food & drink(2)
- Ocean View HotelPub
- Royal Crown HotelPub
Community(1)
- Awabakal Environmental Education Centre - Dudley CampusSchool
Dudley
Sport & outdoors(21)
- Frank Watkins ParkPark
- Playground (2)
- Half court tennis, basketball, netballSports field
- John Balcom FieldSports field
- Lydon FieldSports field
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (14)
Entertainment(4)
- Viewpoint (4)
Transport(23)
23 bus stops
Other(10)
- Bbq
- Bench
- Drinking water
- Parking (2)
- Picnic Table
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Dudley Pensioners HallSocial Facility
- Waste Basket
- Watering Place
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 from OpenStreetMap & Census) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Frank Watkins ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
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.
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Period: seasonal · Updated on site · Static grid from WorldClim monthly averages
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
205 planning-related records
2026· 7 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7 BICKTON CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 IVY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Fences16 BICKTON CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 FREDERICK ST DUDLEY 2290Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah139 OCEAN STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah9 KNOLL AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure32 TUMUT STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
2025· 33 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)1 COOPER STREET DUDLEY 2290Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 ASHBY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development31 CALDWELL AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure143 OCEAN STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 CHORLEY CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Pub; Advertising and signage; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Food and drink premise94 OCEAN STREET DUDLEY 2290Under Assessment
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support24 GOULBURN STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 THOMAS STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 OCEAN STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 FOXDALE AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah8 ELIZABETH STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool7 GEORGE STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool61 SEACOURT AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Rainwater tanks; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Swimming pool13 BATHURST STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 OCEAN STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 CALDWELL AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 ELIZABETH STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 BOMBALA STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 IVY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support11A ALBURY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 WINSLEY CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 ASHBY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation17 THOMAS STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 ELIZABETH STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 BIMBAE CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 SHERRIAN CLOSE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 ELIZABETH STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 ELIZABETH STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 TUMUT STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 ALBURY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool61 SEACOURT AVENUE DUDLEY 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 IVY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 ALBURY STREET DUDLEY 2290Determined
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)
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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
Recent changes
- Awabakal Environmental Education Centre - Dudley CampusamenitiesDudleyschool
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Dudley Pensioners Hallamenitiessocial_facility
- Elizabeth St Near Seacourt Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Elizabeth St Opp Foxdale Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Frank Watkins Memorial Park, Ocean Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Frank Watkins Parkamenitiespark
- Half court tennis, basketball, netballamenitiespitch
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.