NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Koolewong, 2256
Current weather
16.1°CClear sky
58% humidity · 14.3 km/h wind · 21.8° / 13.6° today · 4.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Koolewong is a well-connected smaller community in Central Coast (NSW) with everyday amenities close at hand. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar metro suburbs, even with parks and green space and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 920
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,735
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 46 of 402
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,050
- Employment rate
- 53.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 21 / 14 / 16
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)
- $520
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $625
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $595
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 127
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)
- 114
- Against the person
- 25
- Against property
- 30
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 123.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 37 residents
- State safety percentile
- 84.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -1.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions335
- Domestic Violence Related Assault113
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment142
- Malicious Damage To Property158
- Transport Regulatory Offences375
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
Public transport
36 public transport stops in this suburb
- ENT Glenrock P1
- ENT Glenrock P2
- Koolewong Station
- Koolewong Station, Brisbane Water Dr
- LVX Glenrock
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).
51 planning-related records
2026· 5 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures63 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
- Subdivision30 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure239 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2025· 3 proposals
November 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure2 HAVENDALE CLOSE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies19 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2024· 5 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure87 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation71 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support61 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Hot water systems; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Rainwater tanks; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Stairway196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
January 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation16 NIMALA AVENUE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2023· 11 proposals
December 2023
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
November 2023
- Other; Change of use240 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure61 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Other82 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure11 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition13 MARLOO ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
June 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
March 2023
- Dwelling; Secondary dwelling14 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Under Assessment
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Retaining walls, protection of trees196 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2022· 12 proposals
November 2022
- Recreational Uses6 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
October 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces170 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development186 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2022
- Shed158 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development222 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition6 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development5 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
July 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Garages, carports and car parking spaces18 BRISBANE WATER DRIVE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
June 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development71 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs214 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
May 2022
- Retaining walls, protection of trees23 COUCHE CRESCENT KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
February 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development1 MARLOO ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
2021· 4 proposals
December 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing55 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
September 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs2 HAVENDALE CLOSE KOOLEWONG 2256Withdrawn
- Alterations and additions to residential development204 GLENROCK PARADE KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
July 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces5 JOHNS ROAD KOOLEWONG 2256Determined
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
54 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bicycle Parking
- 160 Glenrock PdeBus stop
- 236 Glenrock PdeBus stop
- 239 Glenrock PdeBus stop
- 90 Brisbane Water DrBus stop
- Brisbane Water Dr after Lara StBus stop
- Brisbane Water Dr at Couche CresBus stop
- Brisbane Water Dr before Couche CresBus stop
- Brisbane Water Dr opp Koolewong StationBus stop
- Brisbane Water Dr opp Lara 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Glenrock Johns Road ReserveNature reserve
- Koolewong ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- 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
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)
- 36
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 28.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5539th in Australia
- State rank
- 1743rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #114 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #801 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 160 Glenrock Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- 236 Glenrock Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- 239 Glenrock Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- 90 Brisbane Water Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Brisbane Water Dr after Lara Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Brisbane Water Dr at Couche Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Brisbane Water Dr before Couche Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Brisbane Water Dr opp Koolewong Stationamenitiesbus_stop
- Brisbane Water Dr opp Lara Stamenitiesbus_stop
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.