NSW · Clarence Valley Council
Grafton, 2460
Current weather
18.6°CClear sky
77% humidity · 10.8 km/h wind · 21.7° / 14.4° today · 0.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Grafton anchors everyday life in Clarence Valley, a regional established suburb with its own identity and rhythm. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while community and employment and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
Population
- Population
- 10,563
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $1,179
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 309 of 4,613
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,348
- Employment rate
- 48.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 367 / 458 / 534
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)
- $450
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $530
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $486
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 170
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)
- 1,488
- Against the person
- 356
- Against property
- 598
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 140.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 88.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +6.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order298
- Breach Bail Conditions527
- Domestic Violence Related Assault274
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment387
- Malicious Damage To Property339
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 941
- Grafton High SchoolSecondary
- Grafton Public SchoolPrimary
- St Andrew's Christian SchoolCombined
- St Mary's Primary SchoolPrimary
- Westlawn 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
148 public transport stops in this suburb
- Clarence Valley Anglican Junior School
- Fitzroy St Opp Grafton Shoppingworld
- Fitzroy St Opp TAFE NSW Grafton
- Grafton Post Office, Victoria St
- Grafton Public School, Queen 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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Avoid the area. Check signage. Use an alternative route. Limited Access at the Intersection of Duke St and North St due to ongoing works.North St, Duke St22 Jun 2026 – 01 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
603 planning-related records
2026· 31 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation facility (indoor)103 POUND STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; 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 Australia47 QUEEN STREET GRAFTON 2460Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah326 OLIVER STREET GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure74 MCHUGH STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Swimming pool10 BREIMBA STREET GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool215 ARTHUR STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool11 CROWN STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Business premises; Erection of a new structure54-74 FITZROY STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45A ALICE STREET GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure1 PARK LANE GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing14 KENSEI CLOSE GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia54-74 FITZROY STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support232-236 NORTH STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal)148 HOOF STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia55 FITZROY STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision229 BACON STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool49 TURF STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 HOWE STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of AustraliaShop 6, 70 prince street, Grafton nsw 2460Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space213 HOOF STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure11 WAGHORN WAY GRAFTON 2460Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport2 MARK CLOSE GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure146 POWELL STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure350 DOBIE STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Group home; Group home (transitional); Residential Accommodation46 MARY STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure6 CEDAR STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport340 NORTH STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences312/-/DP1314410Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp; Minor building alterations (external)72 TURF STREET GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool341 NORTH STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation193 FITZROY STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
2025· 9 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facility; Other Infrastructure6-8 VILLIERS STREET GRAFTON 2460Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport6 FORD STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure144 QUEEN STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah340 OLIVER STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Swimming pool53 KENT STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Shade structures of canvas, fabric, mesh or the like1 JORDAN CLOSE GRAFTON 2460Determined
November 2025
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation37 FITZROY STREET GRAFTON 2460Determined
- Small bar; Erection of a new structure; Food and drink premise56 DUKE STREET GRAFTON 2460Rejected
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation149 TURF STREET GRAFTON 2460Additional Information Requested
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
62 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Hank’s KitchenBakery
29 Prince Street
- NABBank
37 Prince Street, Grafton
- See Park BBQBbq
- Bench (2)
- Cyclesports GraftonBicycle
- Grafton City CyclesBicycle
- Mulga Bills Bicycle ShopBicycle
- Bacon St at Bruce StBus stop
- Bus stop
- Clarence Village, Arthur 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
14 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bishop Druitt ParkPark
- Corcoran ParkPark
- courtyardPark
- Gordon Wingfield ParkPark
- Grafton Girl Guides ParkPark
- Jaccaranda ParkPark
- Market SquarePark
- McKenzie ParkPark
- Memorial ParkPark
- North ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 6
- Emergency department
- On site
- Clarence Valley Imagingclinic
- Grafton Base HospitalArthur Streethospital
- Grafton Chiropractic CentreFitzroy Streetalternative
- Grafton Dental Centredentist
- Grafton GP Super Clinicclinic
- Queen Street ClinicQueen Streetdoctor
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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
5 state heritage places
- Arcola - house, stables, garden, fence150 Victoria Street GraftonSHR
- Cathedral Church of Christ the King (inc hall and cottages)Duke Street, GraftonSHR
- Grafton Correctional Centre170 Hoof Street GraftonSHR
- Grafton rail and road bridge over Clarence RiverGraftonSHR
- Saraton Theatre95 Prince Street GraftonSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 16
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
- 62.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 588th in Australia
- State rank
- 218th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #15 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #32 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- BPamenitiesfuel
- Bacon St at Bruce Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Big Wamenitiesdepartment_store
- Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
- Cetnajamenitieselectrical
- Clarence Village, Arthur Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Clock Toweramenitiesclock
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Clarence Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.