suburb.guide

NSW · Maitland Council

Thornton, 2322

Current weather

17.5°CClear sky

65% humidity · 12.2 km/h wind · 21.9° / 12.6° today · 2.5 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

52.4/100
Average

Top 25% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Cycling
  • High desirability
What Thornton is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, Cycling, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Maitland, Thornton is a settled established suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.

The community skews younger, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.

Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.

The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker safety and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar metro suburbs, even with growth momentum and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
10,690
Median age
32
Median household income / week
$2,051
Dwelling vacancy
5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
196 of 3,893
Median monthly mortgage
$1,800
Employment rate
68.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
314 / 231 / 34

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)
$670
All types (January to March 2026)
$660
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
245

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

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
962
Against the person
279
Against property
359
Rate per 1,000 residents
90
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 38 residents
State safety percentile
63.2th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+6.5%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Domestic Violence Related Assault181
  • Fraud177
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment235
  • Malicious Damage To Property172
  • Transport Regulatory Offences284

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
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
991
  • Aspect Hunter SchoolSpecial
  • Thornton Public SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

143 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Somerset Dr After Featherwood Pl
  • Somerset Dr After Government Rd
  • Somerset Dr At Rosewood Av
  • Somerset Dr Before Edwards Av
  • Thornton Rd Opp Huntingdale Dr

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)

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Check signage. Exercise caution.Haussman Drive, Taylor Avenue09 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2027
  • Check signage. Exercise caution. Use diversions.Haussman Drive, Taylor Avenue09 Jun 2026 – 31 Dec 2027

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

549 planning-related records

2026· 35 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    29 ROTHBURY TERRACE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care
    16 PORTABELLO CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    10 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    4 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Centre-based child care
    TAYLOR AVENUE THORNTON 2322Withdrawn
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Exhibition home; Swimming pool
    12 KINGHAM CIRCUIT THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Light industry
    33 PIPECLAY AVENUE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested

  • May 2026

  • Advertising and signage; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; General industry
    5 PIPECLAY AVENUE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    12 BLAKEWELL ROAD THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    134 SOMERSET DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    6 TALLOWWOOD WAY THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    20 WELWIN CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    36 AVALON DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    28 WOOLLEY CLOSE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested

  • April 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    15 GOLDEN WATTLE CRESCENT THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    8 GIBBON CLOSE THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Swimming pool
    5 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • March 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    175 PARISH DRIVE THORNTON 2322Additional Information Requested
  • Exhibition village; Hours of operation and trading
    4 BARNSTABLE STREET THORNTON 2322Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    16 FARNSWORTH STREET THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah
    4 MACADAMIA PLACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    48 GOVERNMENT ROAD THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Subdivision
    11 GETTY STREET THORNTON 2322Determined

  • February 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    6 PARKVIEW TERRACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Automotive/truck premises; Vehicle repair station
    17 WATERLOO AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
    10 PEEL CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house
    7 WOODLANDS DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures
    21 MAYBUSH AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Specialised Retail Premises
    3 13 HARTLEY DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • January 2026

  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    12 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    43 GOVERNMENT ROAD THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)
    22 WOOLLEY CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • 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; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink
    1 13 HARTLEY DRIVE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    4 CROYDON CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading
    5/30 GLENWOOD DRIVE THORNTON NSW 2322Rejected
2025· 5 proposals

  • December 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    12 SAARINEN CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    12 AVARD CLOSE THORNTON 2322Determined

  • November 2025

  • Demolition; 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; Local distribution premise
    7 WOODFORD PLACE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Automotive/truck premises; Vehicle repair station
    56 SANDRINGHAM AVENUE THORNTON 2322Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    43 TAYLOR AVENUE THORNTON 2322Withdrawn

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

86 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • ATM
  • Thornton PiesBakery
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Arnold Cres at Kirkman ClBus stop
  • Blackwell Rd after Government RdBus stop
  • Blakewell Rd at Matai ClBus stop
  • Desalis Dr after Poynton PlBus stop
  • Edwards Av And Singleton AvBus stop
  • Edwards Av at Eurimbla StBus stop
  • Glenroy St at Railway AvBus 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

  • Alan and Don Lawernce Sports FieldPark
  • Thornton ParkPark
  • Wirraway ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
10
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Australian Clinical Labssample_collection
  • CXU Medical Imagingyes
  • Dr Peter Soaki Obstetrician & Gynaecologistdoctor
  • Physio Studiophysiotherapist
  • Pivot Podiatrypodiatrist
  • Providence Medicaldoctor
  • Thornton Dentaldentist
  • Thornton Discount Drug Storepharmacy
  • Thornton Medical Centredoctor
  • Thornton Physiotherapyphysiotherapist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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

Childcare

3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Community KidsDarlaston Avenuechildcare
  • Little Zak's AcademyAvard Closechildcare
  • childcarechildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · 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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
30
Parks (OSM)
6

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
52.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 25% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
1655th in Australia
State rank
530th in NSW
Peer rank
#144 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#369 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

  • ATMamenitiesatm
  • Anytime FitnessamenitiesUnit 2 1 Thornton Roadfitness_centre
  • Arnold Cres at Kirkman Clamenitiesbus_stop
  • Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
  • Bing LeeamenitiesUnit 1 1 Thornton Roadelectronics
  • Blackwell Rd after Government Rdamenitiesbus_stop
  • Blakewell Rd at Matai Clamenitiesbus_stop
  • Chemist Outletamenitieschemist
  • Desalis Dr after Poynton Plamenitiesbus_stop
  • Dr Peter Soaki Obstetrician & Gynaecologistamenitiesdoctors

Data sources & freshness

More in Maitland Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.