Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 28° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 372 mm · ~46 rainy days
NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Old Bar, 2430
Population
5,126
Median age
50
Median income
$1,170/wk
Employed
44.9%
Languages at home
3.1%non-English
Top: Australian Indigenous languages, German, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- National parks
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Old Bar is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Mid-Coast, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. 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. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment against similar regional towns, even with growth momentum and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 47.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 35% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2379th in Australia
- State rank
- 744th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #61 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #164 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
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)
- $400
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $550
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $510
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 263
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
- 5,126
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,170
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 198 of 2,310
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,690
- Employment rate
- 44.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 176 / 304 / 66
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
3.1% speak a language other than English at home; 10.4% born overseas
- Language at home
- 4,676 English only · 150 other
- Non-English at home
- 3.1%
- Born overseas
- 499 (10.4%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 365 (7.1%)
- Australian citizens
- 4,714
- Languages spoken at home (other than English)
- 11
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Australian Indigenous languages11 · 18%
- German9 · 14.8%
- Italian8 · 13.1%
- Afrikaans6 · 9.8%
- Korean5 · 8.2%
- Spanish5 · 8.2%
- Croatian4 · 6.6%
- Japanese4 · 6.6%
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)
- 539
- Against the person
- 157
- Against property
- 178
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 105.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 33 residents
- State safety percentile
- 73.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order246
- Breach Bail Conditions547
- Domestic Violence Related Assault317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment396
- Malicious Damage To Property367
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
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 994
- Old Bar 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
227 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bluehaven Dr At Yellowfin Av
- Bluehaven Dr Opp Rosier Pl
- David St At Tirriki St
- Old Bar Rd At Harrogate Lane
- Old Bar Rd At Sheppard 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)
Amenities
5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 bars · 1 petrol stations
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb
- Well connected by public transport — 227 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.2
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.37
Food & drink(1)
- Old Bar TavernBar
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Sports field
Transport(1)
1 bus stops
Other(2)
- Parking
- Metro PetroleumPetrol station
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
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Badger's ParkPark
- Blue Ocean Estate ParkPark
- Cable ParkPark
- Charles Boyce ParkPark
- Molong ReservePark
- Old Bar ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 23° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 329 mm · ~41 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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).
437 planning-related records
2026· 39 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation13 TIRRIKI STREET OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)106 FOREST LANE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure28 CARRABEEN DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club1 BELFORD STREET OLD BAR 2430Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 MYLES CLOSE OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure39 HALL STREET OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure91 MANNING POINT ROAD OLD BAR 2430Under Assessment
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)24 Hawkins Close, Old Bar, 2430Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (indoor)106 FOREST LANE OLD BAR 2430Determined
May 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 BULAR CLOSE OLD BAR 2430Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support19 Ondaroo Crest Old Bar 2430Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation7 CRESTVIEW AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)2 CUBBAROO STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
March 2026
- Subdivision9 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Supporting Development23 WYDEN STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation2 SUNSET CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)11 BELFORD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah1 CORKWOOD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 PEONY AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies11 CRESTVIEW AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation21 AUVERGNE WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 CORKWOOD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision20 AUVERGNE WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool3 PACIFIC PARADE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Agriculture90 BOHNOCK ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation22 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation64 MARRA DRIVE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation1 MAITA WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation9 DRIFTWOOD BOULEVARD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure20 WARWIBA ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Food and drink premise31 OLD BAR ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal)13 OLD BAR ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation23 AUVERGNE WAY OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool21 BERBER ROAD OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space4 FLEETWOOD STREET OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport25 MARINER AVENUE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 PARADISE CLOSE OLD BAR 2430Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure6 MOONAGEE CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Determined
2025· 1 proposal
December 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation4 SUNSET CRESCENT OLD BAR 2430Determined
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
1 state heritage place
- Old Bar Airfield0 5km off Old Bar Road Old BarSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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
- Manning Point Rd opp 19amenitiesbus_stop
- Metro Petroleumamenitiesfuel
- Old Bar Tavernamenitiesbar
- Parkingamenitiesparking
- Sports fieldamenitiespitch
- Breach Apprehended Violence Ordercrime246
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime547
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime317
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime396
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime367
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 Mid-Coast Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.