NSW · Hawkesbury Council
Lower Macdonald, 2775
Current weather
17.3°CClear sky
50% humidity · 14.8 km/h wind · 21.9° / 13° today · 4.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Lower Macdonald is a quieter smaller community in Hawkesbury, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Transport options are solid enough for daily errands and regular trips further afield.
Housing remains accessible compared with many parts of the state. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability score is below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker housing affordability and growth momentum relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 244
- Median age
- 53
- Median household income / week
- $1,278
- Dwelling vacancy
- 38.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 71 of 186
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,907
- Employment rate
- 46.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 0 / 0 / 0
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 22
- Against the person
- 8
- Against property
- 9
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 90.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 63.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +37.9%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault8
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment21
- Liquor Offences8
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault11
- Other Theft30
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
13 public transport stops in this suburb
- 550 Settlers Rd
- 559 Settlers Rd
- 562 Settlers Rd
- Settlers Rd At Walmsley Rd
- Settlers Rd Opp Walmsley 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).
9 planning-related records
2026· 1 proposal
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia226 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Determined
2025· 1 proposal
April 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Portable offices261 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Deferred Commencement
2024· 3 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Eco-tourist facility316 ST ALBANS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool253 Settlers Road, Lower Macdonald 2775Determined
August 2024
- 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; Carport; Manufactured home261 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Operational consent issued
2022· 3 proposals
August 2022
- Dwelling537 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Determined
July 2022
- Other236 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Determined
May 2022
- Port, wharf, boating facilities261 Settlers Road Lower MacdonaldDetermined
2020· 1 proposal
October 2020
- Dwelling192 SETTLERS ROAD LOWER MACDONALD 2775Determined
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
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
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
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
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 8.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6949th in Australia
- State rank
- 2148th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #599 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #1057 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime8
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime21
- Liquor Offencescrime8
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime11
- Other Theftcrime30
- 550 Settlers Rdtransport
- 559 Settlers Rdtransport
- 562 Settlers Rdtransport
- Settlers Rd At Walmsley Rdtransport
- Settlers Rd Opp Walmsley Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Hawkesbury Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.