NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Kariong, 2250
Current weather
16.4°CClear sky
51% humidity · 15.5 km/h wind · 21.4° / 13° today · 4.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Kariong is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Central Coast (NSW), with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and transport and access holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 6,485
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $2,200
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 49 of 2,139
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,080
- Employment rate
- 66.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 164 / 150 / 12
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)
- $640
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $690
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 540
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)
- 753
- Against the person
- 161
- Against property
- 220
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 116.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 40 residents
- State safety percentile
- 80.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3.4%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions922
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment540
- Malicious Damage To Property490
- Steal From Retail Store460
- Transport Regulatory Offences1947
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)
- 968
- Central Coast Sports CollegeCombined
- Girrakool SchoolSpecial
- Kariong Mountains High SchoolSecondary
- Kariong Public SchoolPrimary
- Ngaruki GulgulSpecial
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
65 public transport stops in this suburb
- Central Coast Hwy Opp 95
- Curringa Rd After Arunta Av
- Curringa Rd Opp Sansom St
- Mitchell Dr Opp Sansom St
- Pacific Hwy At Wakefield Cl
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).
109 planning-related records
2026· 7 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 GILFORD STREET KARIONG 2250Under Assessment
May 2026
- Signage; Advertising and signage52 LANGFORD DRIVE KARIONG 2250Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5 KAROOM STREET KARIONG 2250Determined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development61 GILFORD STREET KARIONG 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 GARLICK STREET KARIONG 2250Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah16 OLIVE KARI CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
2025· 14 proposals
November 2025
- 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; Centre-based child care4 WOY WOY ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 JENIWA CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 GARLICK STREET KARIONG 2250Determined
August 2025
- Independent living units; Erection of a new structure5 CURRINGA ROAD KARIONG 2250Under Assessment
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space23 GARAFALO ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
- Commercial development; 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 Australia10 CURRINGA ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 TRUSCOTT AVENUE KARIONG 2250Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool1 BARCLAY CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
March 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 JARRAH DRIVE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool47 MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
February 2025
- 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 Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Rainwater tanks; Non-standard Housing1A CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY KARIONG 2250Under Assessment
January 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure25 BOWIE ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6-8 Jeniwa Close KARIONG NSW 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation13 MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences4 JESSINA STREET KARIONG 2250Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure97 CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY KARIONG 2250Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure234 CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY KARIONG 2250Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)48 HEMPSTALK CRESCENT KARIONG 2250Determined
August 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; School1A CENTRAL COAST HIGHWAY KARIONG 2250Determined
July 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation12 THURLING AVENUE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah11 CARMEL CRESCENT KARIONG 2250Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure18 DIBDEN AVENUE KARIONG 2250Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure228 LANGFORD DRIVE KARIONG 2250Determined
January 2024
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 PERCY JOSEPH AVENUE KARIONG 2250Determined
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space4B MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport1 JEFFS CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 JARRAH DRIVE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 CEBALO PLACE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Subdivision of land11-25 MILYERRA ROAD KARIONG 2250Withdrawn
July 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs12 BARCLAY CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces6 JAMES CLOSE KARIONG 2250Determined
June 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs26 OLD MOUNT PENANG ROAD KARIONG 2250Determined
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
26 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Langford Dr opp Portelli AvBus stop
- Camp Fire CircleFirepit
- Firepit
- Bulgandry Car ParkParking
- Picnic Table
- The Glide RidePlayground
- Kariong Regional Shooting ComplexSports field
- Swimming pool (19)
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Baden Powel ParkPark
- Bardo ParkPark
- Frog parkPark
- Jarrah ParkPark
- Nullawa ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Better Health Practicesclinic
- Kariong Medical Centredoctor
- Kariong Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centrephysiotherapist
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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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
1 state heritage place
- Mount Penang ParklandsPacific Highway, SomersbySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Great BeginningsDandaloo Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · 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)
- 12
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
- 49.1/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 28% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1855th in Australia
- State rank
- 591st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #23 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #119 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Bulgandry Car Parkamenitiesparking
- Camp Fire Circleamenitiesfirepit
- Firepitamenitiesfirepit
- Kariong Regional Shooting Complexamenitiespitch
- Langford Dr opp Portelli Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Swimming poolamenitiesswimming_pool
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Central Coast (NSW) Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.