NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Swansea Heads, 2281
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Coastal
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Life in Swansea Heads revolves around the coast, with the feel of a smaller community that never strays far from the water. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. Sea breezes and coastal air are part of everyday life, especially on warmer evenings.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 609
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $2,083
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 33 of 249
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,992
- Employment rate
- 57.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 19 / 13 / 3
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)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $725
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 90
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)
- 40
- Against the person
- 10
- Against property
- 15
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 65.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 61 residents
- State safety percentile
- 44.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order78
- Domestic Violence Related Assault78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment96
- Malicious Damage To Property83
- Other Offences210
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
9 public transport stops in this suburb
- Lambton Pde At Hamilton St
- Northcote Av At Lambton Pde
- Northcote Av Before Francis St
- Northcote Av Before Pacific Dr
- Northcote Av Opp Francis 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).
58 planning-related records
2026· 4 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool35 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
March 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space12 DIAMOND CLOSE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
2025· 7 proposals
December 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool4 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure66 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation24 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool81 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 PACIFIC DRIVE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
February 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
2024· 10 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support6 WARATAH STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 PACIFIC DRIVE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
October 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
August 2024
- Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure20 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
July 2024
- Demolition59 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
June 2024
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool5 HAMILTON STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Withdrawn
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool5 HAMILTON STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure49 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
2023· 14 proposals
December 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)59 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 DIAMOND CLOSE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
October 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool29 PACIFIC DRIVE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 PACIFIC DRIVE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 WALLSEND STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
August 2023
- Demolition89 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition16 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Withdrawn
July 2023
- Dual occupancy5 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development5 DIAMOND CLOSE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development11 PACIFIC DRIVE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling; Demolition16 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
February 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Garages, carports and car parking spaces81 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
2022· 5 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development94 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
November 2022
- Dual occupancy66 NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
September 2022
- Subdivision of land53A NORTHCOTE AVENUE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition16 LAMBTON PARADE SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
June 2022
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs35 FRANCIS STREET SWANSEA HEADS 2281Determined
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
22 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq
- Lambton Pde at Hamilton StBus stop
- Northcote Av at Lambton PdeBus stop
- Northcote Av before Francis StBus stop
- Northcote Av before Pacific DrBus stop
- Northcote Av opp Francis StBus stop
- Picnic Table (13)
- Playground
- Public toilets
- Shower
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Illawong ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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
- 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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- 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
- 25.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5972nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1866th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #106 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #179 among Coastal & beach 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
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Lambton Pde at Hamilton Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Northcote Av at Lambton Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- Northcote Av before Francis Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Northcote Av before Pacific Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Northcote Av opp Francis Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
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.