NSW · Penrith Council
Emu Heights, 2750
Current weather
12.7°CClear sky
61% humidity · 11.6 km/h wind · 20.4° / 9.6° today · 2.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Dog friendly
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Emu Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Penrith, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities 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
- 3,205
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,398
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 25 of 1,121
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 68%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 68 / 20 / 5
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)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 535
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)
- 554
- Against the person
- 99
- Against property
- 203
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 172.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 32 residents
- State safety percentile
- 94.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -17.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions1010
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment507
- Malicious Damage To Property562
- Steal From Retail Store861
- Transport Regulatory Offences1440
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
Public transport
45 public transport stops in this suburb
- Emu Plains Bus Depot, Old Bathurst Rd
- Killuran Av Before Greenhaven Dr
- Old Bathurst Rd After Bromley Rd
- Old Bathurst Rd Opp Dempsey St
- Russell St At Bromley 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).
101 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
May 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)29 DARTMOOR CIRCUIT EMU HEIGHTS 2750Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 DEMPSEY STREET EMU HEIGHTS 2750Withdrawn
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 AMBLER CLOSE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure87 WEDMORE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 Greenhaven Drive Emu HeightsAdditional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation27 MATTHEWS STREET EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 SKYROS PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 GOSLING STREET EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 BALACLAVA ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces27 RIVERSIDE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision5 10 BROMLEY ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Residential Accommodation3 OUTLOOK AVENUE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Pathways and paving; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Stairway16 INKERMAN ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)1 TARPAN PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Subdivision1 TARPAN PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 Greenhaven Drive Emu HeightsDetermined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 SKYROS PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah29 WEDMORE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 RIVERBANK DRIVE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Withdrawn
2024· 14 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 DEMPSEY STREET EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation50 GREENHAVEN DRIVE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool6 SALERNO CLOSE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Pathways and paving; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Stairway16 INKERMAN ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation4 SKYROS PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space10 HESSEL PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 ALMA CRESCENT EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)45 WEDMORE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
June 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah34 INKERMAN ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation50 GREENHAVEN DRIVE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool24 INKERMAN ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces27 RIVERSIDE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 TARPAN PLACE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 AMBLER CLOSE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure65A RIVERSIDE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool32 ALMA CRESCENT EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 Dartmoor Circuit, Emu Heights, NSW, 2750Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool24 INKERMAN ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure65A RIVERSIDE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
August 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing21 GREENHAVEN DRIVE EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
- Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees55 RIVERSIDE ROAD EMU HEIGHTS 2750Determined
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
36 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (3)
- 61 Greenhaven DrBus stop
- Balaclava Rd after Trafalgar RdBus stop
- Emu Plains Bus Depot, Old Bathurst RdBus stop
- Killuran Ave before Greenhaven DrBus stop
- Old Bathurst Rd after Bromley RdBus stop
- Old Bathurst Rd opp Dempsey StBus stop
- Palomino Rd after Haflinger ClBus stop
- Palomino Rd after Wedmore RdBus stop
- Palomino Rd before Holstein ClBus 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
13 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Alma Crescent ReservePark
- Annie Spence Close & Palomino Road ReservePark
- Bromley Road ReservePark
- Clissold ParkPark
- Emu Green ParkPark
- Glen Road ReservePark
- Greenhaven Drive ReserveNature reserve
- Hart FieldPark
- Landais Place Drainage ReservePark
- Outlook Avenue ReservePark
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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Blue Emu Children's CentreWedmore Roadchildcare
- Little Emu Academychildcare
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)
- 44
- Parks (OSM)
- 12
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
- 56.6/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 18% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1192nd in Australia
- State rank
- 383rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #143 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #271 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 76%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 61 Greenhaven Dramenitiesbus_stop
- 7-Elevenamenitiesconvenience
- Balaclava Rd after Trafalgar Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Emu Heights Dog Parkamenitiesdog_park
- Emu Plains Bus Depot, Old Bathurst Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Fast foodamenitiesfast_food
- Gourmet Meat Companyamenitiesbutcher
Data sources & freshness
- 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.