NSW · Willoughby Council
North Willoughby, 2068
Current weather
17.1°CClear sky
51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, North Willoughby is a mid-sized suburb where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Sitting close to the city centre, it is easy to dip into neighbouring suburbs for work, dining and events. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street.
Neighbourhood food and coffee spots add warmth to the local routine. Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by safety and growth momentum, while housing affordability and parks and green space sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 4,161
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,488
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 114 of 1,607
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,275
- Employment rate
- 61%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 95 / 253 / 439
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)
- $730
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,500
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $920
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 115
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)
- 59
- Against the person
- 12
- Against property
- 41
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 14.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 347 residents
- State safety percentile
- 0.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -26%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling20
- Fraud79
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment18
- Other Theft18
- Steal From Motor Vehicle15
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)
- 1,152
- St Thomas' Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Willoughby Girls High SchoolSecondary
- Willoughby 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
39 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fry St At Sydney St
- High St Opp McClelland St
- High St Opp Robert St
- Victoria Av After Penshurst St
- Victoria Av At High St
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).
347 planning-related records
2026· 24 proposals
June 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 WALTER STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah1A GLOVER STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development7A GORMAN STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure69 ARTARMON ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care443 WILLOUGHBY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 HOLLYWOOD CRESCENT NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport24 FORSYTH STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure330 PENSHURST STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia53 HIGH STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation10 WYALONG STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 SALISBURY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15A CAMBRIDGE STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport53 MCCLELLAND STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 HORSLEY AVENUE NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation16 MACMAHON STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure; Community facility259 PENSHURST STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Centre-based child care443 WILLOUGHBY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 SYDNEY STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure193 MOWBRAY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9A SAILORS BAY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation25 COBAR STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Garage, carport or carparking space8 HARRIS STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 SYDNEY STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure452 WILLOUGHBY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling25 OAKVILLE ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp211 MOWBRAY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure90 SYDNEY STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Withdrawn
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure315 PENSHURST STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation178 SYDNEY STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces25 CHILTERN ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hardware and building supply501 WILLOUGHBY ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 SYDNEY STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 SYDNEY STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage186 HIGH STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure126A PENSHURST STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation26 HOLLYWOOD CRESCENT NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure69 ARTARMON ROAD WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Swimming pool1 JULIAN STREET WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and tradingSHOP 6 283 PENSHURST STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport4 CAMBRIDGE STREET NORTH WILLOUGHBY 2068Determined
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
72 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Find So ArtArt
- High Street BakeryBakery
- The Cheesecake ShopBakery
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- Eastern Valley Way at Victoria AvBus stop
- Fry St at Sydney StBus stop
- McClelland St opp First AvBus stop
- McClelland St opp Willoughby Park CentreBus stop
- Penshurst St after Macmahon StBus stop
- Penshurst St at Church 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
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cambridge ParkPark
- Carlson ParkPark
- St Aloysius OvalPark
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
- High Street Night and Day Pharmacypharmacy
- HyeCareclinic
- The Special Needs Dentistry Practicedentist
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)
- 10/10
- 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner Schoolkindergarten
- kindergartenSydney Streetkindergarten
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)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
- 63.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 577th in Australia
- State rank
- 216th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #87 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #155 among Metro Sydney 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
- Anto's Pizza & Pastaamenitiesrestaurant
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Australian Piano Centreamenitiesmusic
- Australian Piano Warehouseamenitiesmusic
- BP North Willoughbyamenitiesfuel
- Baby Savingsamenities285-289 Penshurst Streetyes
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Braciamenitiesrestaurant
- Charcoal Charliesamenitiesfast_food
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Willoughby Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.