Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 31° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 72 mm · ~9 rainy days
NSW · Murray River Council
Murray Downs, 2734
Population
274
Median age
48
Median income
$2,416/wk
Employed
66%
Languages at home
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Murray River, Murray Downs keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Out in the wider region, it rewards those who value open country and a pace set by the land, not the clock. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access against similar regional towns, even with community and employment and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 30.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5274th in Australia
- State rank
- 1674th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #373 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #722 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Population
- Population
- 274
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $2,416
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 14 of 112
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,673
- Employment rate
- 66%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 3 / 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.
Community & culture
2.8% born overseas
- Language at home
- 258 English only · 0 other
- Non-English at home
- 0%
- Born overseas
- 7 (2.8%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 3 (1.1%)
- Australian citizens
- 261
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)
- 19
- Against the person
- 6
- Against property
- 7
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 69.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 46 residents
- State safety percentile
- 48th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +46.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment3
- Malicious Damage To Property3
- Motor Vehicle Theft5
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault5
- Other Theft3
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
13 public transport stops in this suburb
- 52 Swan Hill Rd
- Lot 50 Murray Downs Dr
- Murray Downs Dr At Kidman Reid Dr
- Noorong Rd At Felton Dr
- Swan Hill Rd At Tangula 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)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 51
- 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
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
- 24° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 87 mm · ~11 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 94 mm · ~12 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 91 mm · ~11 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).
52 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation11 TEMPLETON CLOSE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 GOLDFINCH COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Wharf or boating facility429 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734On Exhibition
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool516 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development25 GOLDFINCH COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
February 2026
- Subdivision51 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
2025· 11 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; FencesMURRAY DOWNS DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Mooring199 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Under Assessment
November 2025
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park; Tourist and visitor accommodationMURRAY DOWNS DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Additional Information Requested
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses550 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space11 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Temporary building, structure or use; Fences17 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 TEMPLETON CLOSE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Mooring1027 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Under Assessment
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool4 TANGULA PLACE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Withdrawn
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Rural industry; Agricultural produce industry580 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
2024· 15 proposals
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered clubMURRAY DOWNS DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Wharf or boating facility13 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Subdivision39 CYGNET LANE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 KIDMAN REID DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water reticulation system; Water Infrastructure; Water supply systemMurray River opposite Lot2 DP756095Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 SHEARERS COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Water reticulation system; Water supply systemFELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
March 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Mooring199 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Mooring199 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Rural industry; Agricultural produce industry; Hours of operation and trading580 SWAN HILL ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- SubdivisionMURRAY DOWNS DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Additional Information Requested
February 2024
- Subdivision; Manufactured home6 TANGULA PLACE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
January 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 SHEARERS COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
2023· 8 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure516 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
October 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure2 SHEARERS COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
August 2023
- Dwelling16 TEMPLETON CLOSE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Subdivision of land27 CURRAWONG COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
July 2023
- Other548 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
June 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing545 FELTON DRIVE MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs10 GOLDFINCH COURT MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
April 2023
- Farm buildingsMURRAY DOWNS ROAD MURRAY DOWNS 2734Determined
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)
Heritage
2 state heritage places
- Murray Downs HomesteadMoulamein Highway, WakoolSHR
- Swan Hill-Murray River Road BridgeMain Road 67, Swan Hill (East)SHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime3
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime3
- Motor Vehicle Theftcrime5
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime5
- Other Theftcrime3
- 52 Swan Hill Rdtransport
- Lot 50 Murray Downs Drtransport
- Murray Downs Dr At Kidman Reid Drtransport
- Noorong Rd At Felton Drtransport
- Swan Hill Rd At Tangula Pltransport
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 Murray River Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.