suburb.guide

NSW · Blue Mountains Council

Katoomba, 2780

Current weather

11.5°CClear sky

58% humidity · 20.7 km/h wind · 15.5° / 9.8° today · 6.5 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

56.3/100
Good

Top 19% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Café precinct
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Cycling
What Katoomba is known for: Café precinct, Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Cycling

Suburb profile

Katoomba sits up in the Blue Mountains hills, a established suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.

Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Cafés, dining and leisure activities are easy to find, with neighbouring suburbs adding even more choice. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.

Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.

On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while housing affordability and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.

Population

Population
8,268
Median age
48
Median household income / week
$1,171
Dwelling vacancy
16.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
763 of 4,520
Median monthly mortgage
$1,600
Employment rate
49.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
282 / 214 / 412

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)
$420
Houses (January to March 2026)
$605
All types (January to March 2026)
$560
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
72

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

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
695
Against the person
175
Against property
250
Rate per 1,000 residents
84.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 47 residents
State safety percentile
59.5th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+3.4%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Bail Conditions122
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment99
  • Malicious Damage To Property120
  • Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault70
  • Steal From Retail Store91

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
4
Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
1,027
  • Katoomba High SchoolSecondary
  • Katoomba North Public SchoolPrimary
  • Katoomba Public SchoolPrimary
  • St Canice's Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

242 public transport stops in this suburb

  • CCP Bathurst Rd
  • Goldsmith Pl Opp Katoomba Station
  • Katoomba Station
  • Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pl
  • Katoomba Station, Goldsmith Pl

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

  • RoadworksGreat Western Highway, Bathurst Street12 Jul 2026 – 14 Jul 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).

553 planning-related records

2026· 40 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    42 ESSENDENE ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    81 MINNI HA HA ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure
    181 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)
    96 CAMP STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    45 HILLVIEW ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    14 CLARENCE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Pathways and paving
    6 NEALE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    42 YORK STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment

  • May 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    27 RAYMOND ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    101 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise
    110 BATHURST ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    55 ALBION STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Data centre
    41 BARTON STREET KATOOMBA 2780Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Carport
    18 FIFTH AVENUE KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    2 VICTORIA STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    143 BURRAWANG STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Self storage units
    35 COOPER STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation
    15 EDWIN LANE KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    90 RUPERT STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation
    197 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Temporary structure
    152 Katoomba St, Katoomba, NSW 2780Determined

  • March 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    5-7 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    63 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    10 VALLEY ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    42 GLENVIEW STREET KATOOMBA 2780Rejected
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    105 CASCADE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    27 COOPER STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    52 SOUTH STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    181X GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY KATOOMBA 2780Under Assessment

  • February 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    113 MORT STREET KATOOMBA 2780Rejected
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    52 SOUTH STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    5 NEALE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    64 LURLINE STREET KATOOMBA 2780Additional Information Requested
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    47 LOVEL STREET KATOOMBA 2780Determined

  • January 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    2 KURRAWAN ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 NARROW NECK ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 NARROW NECK ROAD KATOOMBA 2780Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

337 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • BottlemartAlcohol
  • Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
  • Katoomba WinesAlcohol
  • Black AntiquesAntiques
  • Katoomba Antique CentreAntiques
  • Katoomba Vintage EmporiumAntiques

    59-61 Katoomba Street

  • MacArthur's ArcadeAntiques

    84 Katoomba Street

  • Ausartwork PaintingsArt

    1 Goldsmith Place

  • The Artists' StoreArt
  • John WilsonArts centre

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

23 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bonnie Doon ReserveNature reserve
  • Brownie ParkNature reserve
  • Bureau ParkPark
  • Cahills Lookout ReserveNature reserve
  • Carrington ParkPark
  • Cliff Drive–Moss Street ReserveNature reserve
  • Crown Reserve 148Nature reserve
  • Dr Alex Allen ParkPark
  • Echo ParkPark
  • Former Katoomba Golf CoursePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
33
Emergency department
On site
  • Bigland & Cowley Optometristsoptometrist
  • Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial HospitalGreat Western Highwayhospital
  • Blue Mountains PharmacyParke Streetpharmacy
  • Blue Mountains Podiatry Katoombapodiatrist
  • Douglass Hanly MoirParke Streetsample_collection
  • Greenwell & Thomas Pharmacypharmacy
  • Hydrotherapy Poolyes
  • Katoomba Chiro CentreParke Streetalternative
  • Katoomba Community Health CentreWaratah Streetyes
  • Katoomba Dentaldentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
4/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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

Heritage

6 state heritage places

  • Carrington HotelKatoomba Street, KatoombaSHR
  • Katoomba Post Office (former)59-61 Katoomba Street KatoombaSHR
  • Katoomba Railway Station and yard groupMain Western railway, KatoombaSHR
  • Lilianfels10-16 Panorama Drive KatoombaSHR
  • Mount St Marys College and Convent10-14 Civic Place KatoombaSHR
  • The Paragon63-69 Katoomba Street, KatoombaSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

6 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Greenwood KatoombaDora Streetchildcare
  • KU Bilya Gulyangarri Preschoolchildcare
  • Katoomba Children's Cottagechildcare
  • Katoomba Leura PreschoolLett Streetkindergarten
  • Katoomba Out Of School HoursStation Streetchildcare
  • Mikayla Children's CentreEdwards 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)
225
Parks (OSM)
10

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
56.3/100 — Good
State standing
Top 19% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
1224th in Australia
State rank
397th in NSW
Peer rank
#18 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#280 among Metro Sydney 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

  • 8 Thingsamenitiescafe
  • ANZamenitiesbank
  • AVALON Restaurant & Cocktail Baramenitiesrestaurant
  • Adam's Fresh Fadeamenitieshairdresser
  • Albion St at Twynam Stamenitiesbus_stop
  • Anglicare Op Shopsamenities103 Katoomba Streetcharity
  • Anki's Indian Restaurantamenities97 Katoomba Streetrestaurant
  • Archers Auctioneers & Valuersamenitiesyes
  • Arjuna Indian Restaurantamenities16 Valley Roadrestaurant
  • Armaguardamenitiesatm

Data sources & freshness

More in Blue Mountains Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.