NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Redhead, 2290
Current weather
18.1°CClear sky
64% humidity · 14.1 km/h wind · 21.8° / 14.1° today · 2.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Life in Redhead revolves around the coast, with the feel of a mid-sized suburb that never strays far from the water. The coast is the anchor, with regional towns nearby for markets, dining and weekend exploring. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by housing affordability and growth momentum, while parks and green space and local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 3,785
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,598
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 50 of 1,465
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,300
- Employment rate
- 52.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 112 / 83 / 11
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)
- $575
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $670
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 207
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)
- 278
- Against the person
- 67
- Against property
- 153
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault162
- Fraud206
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment188
- Malicious Damage To Property201
- Steal From Retail Store455
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,089
- Redhead 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
67 public transport stops in this suburb
- 53 Red Head Rd
- Allard St Opp Cowlishaw St
- Collier St At Shortland St
- Cowlishaw St At Allard St
- Red Head Rd Opp Redhead Gardens
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).
267 planning-related records
2026· 17 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool62 COWLISHAW STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)137A COWLISHAW STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)2 ELSDON STREET REDHEAD 2290Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)12 BOMBORA CLOSE REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 COWLISHAW STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 HIGH STREET REDHEAD 2290Additional Information Requested
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)10 EBSWORTH STREET REDHEAD 2290Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 DODDS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support13 BROWN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry30 KALAROO ROAD REDHEAD 2290Under Assessment
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 CAIN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation9 EBSWORTH STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 DODDS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50A WOODS STREET REDHEAD 2290Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space17 HUTCHINSON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 BURNS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Subdivision28 SHORTLAND STREET REDHEAD 2290Under Assessment
2025· 23 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 HUTCHINSON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure50 ELSDON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation3 BENNETT STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 ELSDON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision9 WOODS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)30 HUTCHINSON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Subdivision19 ALLARD STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure25 ALLARD STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation50 ELSDON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool10 WHITE CAP CLOSE REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 BURNS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool34 SEA SCAPE DRIVE REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space43B BROWN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation46 COLLIER STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support13 BROWN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 OCEAN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool19 STOKES STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Environmental protection works100 Oakdale Road, RedheadDetermined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)11 DODDS STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure22A BROWN STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house25 ALLARD STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support2 39 HUTCHINSON STREET REDHEAD 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure83 REDHEAD ROAD REDHEAD 2290Determined
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
121 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Redhead BakehouseBakery
- Bench (10)
- Bicycle Parking
- 31 Kalaroo RdBus stop
- Beach Rd after Steel StBus stop
- Beach Rd at Hutchinson StBus stop
- Beach Rd before Steel StBus stop
- Brown Rd at Woods StBus stop
- Brown St at Barnes LaneBus stop
- Brown St at Hutchinson 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cain Street ReservePark
- Freshwater Creek ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Redhead Family Dentaldentist
- Redhead General Practicedoctor
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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Redhead Community Preschoolkindergarten
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)
- 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
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 59.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 15% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 941st in Australia
- State rank
- 313th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #10 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #41 among Coastal & beach 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
- 31 Kalaroo Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Anglican Church Op Shopamenitiescharity
- Beach Rd after Steel Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Beach Rd at Hutchinson Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Beach Rd before Steel Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.