Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 26° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 386 mm · ~48 rainy days
NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Matcham, 2250
Population
1,038
Median age
44
Median income
$3,360/wk
Employed
60.3%
Languages at home
5.1%non-English
Top: Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Matcham is a practical smaller community in Central Coast (NSW), well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. You get space and calm here, while the city and neighbouring suburbs are still close enough for regular outings. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with family life visible on every street.
Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 26.6/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5864th in Australia
- State rank
- 1836th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #394 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #824 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
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
Population
- Population
- 1,038
- Median age
- 44
- Median household income / week
- $3,360
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 24 of 339
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,517
- Employment rate
- 60.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 28 / 5 / 4
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.
Community & culture
5.1% speak a language other than English at home; 19.6% born overseas
- Language at home
- 959 English only · 52 other
- Non-English at home
- 5.1%
- Born overseas
- 198 (19.6%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 16 (1.5%)
- Australian citizens
- 963
- Languages spoken at home (other than English)
- 5
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Mandarin7 · 31.8%
- Hindi5 · 22.7%
- Arabic4 · 18.2%
- Afrikaans3 · 13.6%
- Vietnamese3 · 13.6%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, and Indigenous status (usual residence).
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)
- 120
- Against the person
- 26
- Against property
- 35
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 115.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 40 residents
- State safety percentile
- 80.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3.7%
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
Family & Lifestyle
Public transport
22 public transport stops in this suburb
- 393 Oak Rd
- Coachwood Rd At Oak Rd
- Matcham Rd At Elaine Rd
- Matcham Rd At Wambina Rd
- Oak Rd After Coachwood 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)
Amenities
6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 22 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Transport(6)
6 bus stops
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived from OpenStreetMap & Census) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Wambina Nature ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 394 mm · ~49 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 266 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 253 mm · ~32 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Period: seasonal · Updated on site · Static grid from WorldClim monthly averages
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
153 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation69 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support163 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 89 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool63 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water reticulation system; Water supply system181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Additional Information Requested
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 238 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure21 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure110 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
2025· 17 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure50 Oak Rd, MatchamDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)387 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah88 MILINA ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 236 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 SARAH ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision14 COLLINGWOOD DRIVE MATCHAM 2250Determined
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development280 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure309 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
July 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure24 ELAINE ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure279 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure181 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure229 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation308 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure105 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Withdrawn
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah35 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool72 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
2024· 15 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure144 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 SARAH ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation181 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
October 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure46 MCGARRITY AVENUE MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses181 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure69 KOORIN ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
September 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure75 COACHWOOD ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 217 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Subdivision203 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Under Assessment
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 COLLINGWOOD DRIVE MATCHAM 2250Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure7 360 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
July 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool356 OAK ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation308 MATCHAM ROAD MATCHAM 2250Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 BIDJIWONG ROAD MATCHAM 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)
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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
Recent changes
- Coachwood Rd at Matcham Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Matcham Rd after Elaine Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Matcham Rd at Elaine Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Matcham Rd at Wambina Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Oak Rd after Blue Gum Clamenitiesbus_stop
- Oak Rd opp Blue Gum Clamenitiesbus_stop
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime922
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime540
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime490
- Steal From Retail Storecrime460
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- 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.