NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Jewells, 2280
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
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Jewells is a practical smaller community in Lake Macquarie, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. 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.
Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because parks and green space and safety lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in housing affordability and community and employment.
Population
- Population
- 2,452
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,732
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 25 of 942
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,160
- Employment rate
- 55.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 64 / 86 / 8
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)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 128
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)
- 203
- Against the person
- 42
- Against property
- 61
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 82.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 58 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +9.4%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions772
- Domestic Violence Related Assault124
- Fraud161
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment166
- Malicious Damage To Property135
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
- 1,026
- Jewells Primary 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
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- 120 Pacific Hwy
- Pacific Hwy After Ntaba Rd
- Pacific Hwy Before Dalrymple St
- Pacific Hwy Opp 120
- Pacific Hwy Opp Dalrymple 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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
106 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation6 MURRAY STREET JEWELLS 2280Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah13 MATHEW AVENUE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences86 PACIFIC HIGHWAY JEWELLS 2280Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool49 RINGAL CRESCENT JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 RINGAL CRESCENT JEWELLS 2280Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 SILVERDALE PARADE JEWELLS 2280Determined
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 SILVERDALE PARADE JEWELLS 2280Withdrawn
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support94 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool56 PACIFIC HIGHWAY JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool44 MURRAY STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Hot water systems; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development56 PACIFIC HIGHWAY JEWELLS 2280Withdrawn
October 2025
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure73 NTABA ROAD JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 MURRAY STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool53 RINGAL CRESCENT JEWELLS 2280Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 FINSBURY CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 SHARON AVENUE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space10 RINGAL CRESCENT JEWELLS 2280Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure36 GRADBURN PARADE JEWELLS 2280Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 GILSMERE STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation36 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 CARDINE CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 GARFORD CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool110 NTABA ROAD JEWELLS 2280Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 AINSDALE CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 MATHEW AVENUE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure7 SILVERDALE PARADE JEWELLS 2280Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool57 RINGAL CRESCENT JEWELLS 2280Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space44 MURRAY STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Swimming pool108 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure83 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool14 HALEWOOD CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure102 PACIFIC HIGHWAY JEWELLS 2280Determined
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)14 AINSDALE CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
March 2024
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Pathways and paving; Swimming pool19 MURRAY STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah14 COTEMEDE CLOSE JEWELLS 2280Determined
January 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Swimming pool215 PACIFIC HIGHWAY JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development115 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 SILVERDALE PARADE JEWELLS 2280Determined
2023· 2 proposals
December 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah61 GILSMERE STREET JEWELLS 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)106 FENCOTT DRIVE JEWELLS 2280Determined
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
37 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- ATM
- Bakery
- Bench (2)
- 120 Pacific HwyBus stop
- Bus stop
- Jewells Plaza, Ntaba RdBus stop
- Ntaba Rd after Fencott DrBus stop
- Ntaba Rd at Gilsmere StBus stop
- Ntaba Rd before Lepton PdeBus stop
- Ntaba Rd opp Dalrymple 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
- Gilsmere ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Jewells Medical Centredoctor
- Pharmacypharmacy
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)
- 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
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)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- 46.2/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2422nd in Australia
- State rank
- 757th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #43 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #499 among Metro Sydney 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
- 120 Pacific Hwyamenitiesbus_stop
- ATMamenitiesatm
- Bakeryamenitiesbakery
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Bus stopamenitiesbus_stop
- Butcheramenitiesbutcher
- Colesamenities75 Ntaba Roadsupermarket
- Convenience storeamenitiesconvenience
- Fast foodamenitiesfast_food
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.