NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Smiths Lake, 2428
Current weather
15.9°CClear sky
80% humidity · 7.1 km/h wind · 22.7° / 12° today · 0.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Smiths Lake is a regional centre in Mid-Coast that balances local services with a more relaxed pace of life. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood.
Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible.
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.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar regional towns, even with transport and access and growth momentum holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 1,332
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,210
- Dwelling vacancy
- 35.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 289 of 807
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,473
- Employment rate
- 47.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 45 / 6 / 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.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- 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)
- 119
- Against the person
- 31
- Against property
- 48
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 89.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 43 residents
- State safety percentile
- 62.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order133
- Breach Bail Conditions216
- Domestic Violence Related Assault185
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment205
- Malicious Damage To Property170
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
Public transport
59 public transport stops in this suburb
- 113 Patsys Flat Rd
- Macwood Rd Before Harcourt Cres
- Patsys Flat Rd At Macwood Rd
- The Lakes Way Opp Macwood Rd
- Third Ridge Rd Before Macwood 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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
182 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 ANSETT AVENUE SMITHS LAKE 2428Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool87 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool59 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool87 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support42 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
2025· 31 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3379 THE LAKES WAY SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure102 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 SKI COVE STREET SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 GORDON CRESCENT SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development3379 THE LAKES WAY SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space7 SECOND RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Residential Accommodation31 NEW FORSTER ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool69 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces115 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure65 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure6 PALM CLOSE SMITHS LAKE 2428Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia105 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool90 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition110 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 THE JACK SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure66 FIRST RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space40 SECOND RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 THIRD RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 FIRST RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 KEITH CRESCENT SMITHS LAKE 2428Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure52 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support52 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)9 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces8 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
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
39 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Smith's Lake CellarsAlcohol
- Bbq
- Bench (7)
- Frothy Coffee BoatshedBoat Rental
- 113 Patsys Flat RdBus stop
- Amaroo Dr at Third Ridge RdBus stop
- Amaroo Dr opp Fourth Ridge RdBus stop
- Bus stop
- Casson St at Amaroo DrBus stop
- Macwood Rd at First Ridge RdBus 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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Coates ReservePark
- Debert ReservePark
- Veropa ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- 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
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)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 38.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3725th in Australia
- State rank
- 1169th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #163 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #393 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
Recent changes
- 113 Patsys Flat Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Amaroo Dr at Third Ridge Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Amaroo Dr opp Fourth Ridge Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- 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.