NSW · Bathurst Regional Council
Kelso, 2795
Current weather
10.4°CClear sky
74% humidity · 16.1 km/h wind · 14.4° / 7.8° today · 11.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Kelso is a regional centre in Bathurst Regional that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and housing affordability, while safety and local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
Population
- Population
- 10,039
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,737
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 187 of 3,676
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,800
- Employment rate
- 59.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 325 / 219 / 24
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)
- $430
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $580
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $540
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 375
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)
- 999
- Against the person
- 288
- Against property
- 303
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 99.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 35 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.5%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions517
- Domestic Violence Related Assault321
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment512
- Malicious Damage To Property346
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault249
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 936
- Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High CampusSecondary
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School KelsoPrimary
- Kelso 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
283 public transport stops in this suburb
- 90 Sydney Rd
- Emerald Dr Before Sapphire Cres
- Lee St After White Rock Rd
- Newlands Cres Before Wheatfield Dr
- Percival Pl After Kirkland 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).
563 planning-related records
2026· 29 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development61 MCBRIEN DRIVE KELSO 2795Under Assessment
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry10 MICHIGAN ROAD KELSO 2795Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure6 MICHIGAN ROAD KELSO 2795Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)74 ILUMBA WAY KELSO 2795Under Assessment
May 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle body repair workshop3 WHYALLA CIRCUIT KELSO 2795Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 CHARLES PLACE KELSO 2795Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support60 BRENNAN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water storage facility50 WHYALLA CIRCUIT KELSO 2795Under Assessment
- SubdivisionToronto street Kelso 2795Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support151 Graham Drive, Kelso NSW 2795Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure41 NEWLANDS CRESCENT KELSO 2795Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure101 GRAHAM DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure57 SUNBRIGHT ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 JAMES BARNET DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Depot110 LEE STREET KELSO 2795Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport36 MENDEL DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station51 HAMPDEN PARK ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure34 SUNDOWN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Subdivision6 CARDIFF PLACE KELSO 2795Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support40 HUGHES STREET KELSO 2795Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support122 GRAHAM DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation5 GRAHAM DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure55 BRENNAN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support137 GRAHAM DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Storage premises6/51 Hampden Park Rd KelsoDetermined
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development4 JARRAH COURT KELSO 2795Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space37 GILMOUR STREET KELSO 2795Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support54 BRENNAN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)53 JAMES BARNET DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
2025· 11 proposals
December 2025
- Subdivision2 ASHWORTH DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support4 CONNOLLY DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure34 SUNDOWN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Moveable dwelling26A SYDNEY ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
- SubdivisionJACKS CLOSE KELSO 2795Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure33 SUNBRIGHT ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)10 HUGHES STREET KELSO 2795Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure53 BRENNAN DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool101 GRAHAM DRIVE KELSO 2795Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation82 SYDNEY ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Moveable dwelling26A SYDNEY ROAD KELSO 2795Determined
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
87 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bakehouse on the BoulevardBakery
- SnoozeBed
- 28 Sapphire CresBus stop
- 59 Sydney RdBus stop
- 90 Sydney RdBus stop
- Ashworth Dr at Amber ClBus stop
- Ashworth Dr at Diamond ClBus stop
- Ashworth Dr before Emerald DrBus stop
- Ashworth Dr before Sydney RdBus stop
- Bannerman Cres at Greville 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
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bell ParkPark
- Berry ParkPark
- Bressington ParkPark
- Bunora ParkPark
- Collins ParkPark
- Jarrah ParkPark
- Learmonth ParkPark
- River Road BMX TrackPark
- Sunbright Rd Native BufferPark
- The Brick Pit WetlandsNature reserve
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
- Gilmour Street SpecialistsGilmour Streetdoctor
- Kelso Medical Centredoctor
- TerryWhite ChemmartGilmour Streetpharmacy
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)
- 3/10
- 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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Holy Trinity Anglican Church Group71-85 Gilmour Street KelsoSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
7 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Family Day CareLee Streetkindergarten
- Goodstart Early LearningGilmour Streetkindergarten
- Great Beginnings Early Learning Centrekindergarten
- Grow Early EducationIngersole Drivekindergarten
- Nurture One Kelso Children's Centrekindergarten
- childcarechildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
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)
- 28
- Parks (OSM)
- 28
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
- 65.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 380th in Australia
- State rank
- 150th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #7 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #17 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
- 28 Sapphire Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- 4WD SupacentreamenitiesUnit 2 13-15 Ingersole Driveoutdoor
- 59 Sydney Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 90 Sydney Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Amartamenitiesfurniture
- Anacondaamenitiesoutdoor
- Ashley Furniture Homestoreamenitiesfurniture
- Ashworth Dr at Amber Clamenitiesbus_stop
- Ashworth Dr at Diamond Clamenitiesbus_stop
- Ashworth Dr before Emerald Dramenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Bathurst Regional Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.