Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 25° / 17°
- Rainfall
- 321 mm · ~40 rainy days
NSW · Waverley Council
Waverley, 2024
Population
4,216
Median age
38
Median income
$2,873/wk
Employed
62.3%
Languages at home
18.5%non-English
Top: Spanish, Italian, French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Waverley is a lively inner mid-sized suburb with dining, shopping and leisure options right on the doorstep. Sitting close to the city centre, it is easy to dip into neighbouring suburbs for work, dining and events. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas. 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 sits around average overall, mainly because housing affordability and parks and green space lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in community and employment and schools and education.
Living here
Desirability
- Desirability score
- 51.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1892nd in Australia
- State rank
- 604th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #217 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #421 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
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $1,000
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,900
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $1,100
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 115
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
- 4,216
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,873
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 168 of 1,740
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,731
- Employment rate
- 62.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 88 / 412 / 857
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
18.5% speak a language other than English at home; 38.5% born overseas
- Language at home
- 3,173 English only · 721 other
- Non-English at home
- 18.5%
- Born overseas
- 1,531 (38.5%)
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- 17 (0.4%)
- Australian citizens
- 3,329
- Languages spoken at home (other than English)
- 19
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
- Spanish54 · 20.3%
- Italian43 · 16.2%
- French36 · 13.5%
- Russian24 · 9%
- Cantonese15 · 5.6%
- Greek15 · 5.6%
- Portuguese13 · 4.9%
- Mandarin10 · 3.8%
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)
- 209
- Against the person
- 46
- Against property
- 67
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 49.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 92 residents
- State safety percentile
- 26.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -0.2%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions156
- Fraud31
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment34
- Malicious Damage To Property42
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault34
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
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,153
- Clovelly Public SchoolPrimary
- St Catherine's SchoolCombined
- St Charles' Catholic Primary School WaverleyPrimary
- St Clare's CollegeSecondary
- Waverley CollegeCombined
- Waverley 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Greenwood Bronte Child CareWallace Streetchildcare
- Waterford PreSchoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Public transport
41 public transport stops in this suburb
- Albion St Opp St Catherine's School, Gate 1
- Carrington Rd At Bronte Rd
- Carrington Rd At Pine St
- Carrington Rd Opp Queens Park
- Fern St At Albion 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
97 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 restaurants · 2 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 2 places of worship · 1 playgrounds
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Decent local green space — 2 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 41 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 11 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.47
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.9
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.47
Food & drink(8)
- Waverley BakeryBakery
- Bellagio CafeCafe
- The Cupcake PrincessCafe
48a Albion Street, Waverley
- Waverly Kebab HouseFast food
- Robin Hood HotelPub
- Bonanza ThaiRestaurant
- Vacanza PizzeriaRestaurant
261
- Zeus Street GreekRestaurant
Shopping(1)
No named venues listed.
Community(12)
- Greenwood Bronte Child CareChildcare
16 Wallace Street, Waverley
- Waterford PreSchoolKindergarten
- Airmount CourtyardSchool
- Centenary QuadrangleSchool
- Ludlow CourtyardSchool
- Saint Charles' Primary SchoolSchool
63 Carrington Road
- Saint Clare's CollegeSchool
41-51 Carrington Road
- St Catherine's SchoolSchool
- Waverley Bus ShelterSchool
- Waverley College Preparatory SchoolSchool
- Waverley College Senior CampusSchool
- Waverley Public SchoolSchool
Health & services(2)
- War Memorial Hospital - WaverleyHospital
- Pharmacy
Sport & outdoors(13)
- Dog park
- Simpson ParkPark
- Varna ParkPark
- Playground
- Cricket NetsSports field
- Kenny Basketball CourtSports field
- Preparatory School CourtsSports field
- Sports field
- The Cage Basketball CourtsSports field
- Waverley Tennis CourtsSports field
- Swimming pool (2)
- Waverley College Swim PoolSwimming pool
Transport(22)
22 bus stops
Other(17)
- Bench (24)
- Bicycle
- VinniesCharity
- Waverley Court HouseCourthouse
- Fitness Station
- Braidwood Common AreaOutdoor Seating
- Parking
- Staff Car ParkParking
- Waverley CouncilParking
- Jubilee ChurchPlace of worship
- Mary Immaculate Catholic ChurchPlace of worship
45A Victoria Street
- Waverley Police StationPolice
- Australia PostPost Box
- Waverley Post OfficePost office
256-258 Bronte Road
- Shelter
- Bupa Queens ParkSocial Facility
142-144 Carrington Road
- Queens Park Retirement VillageSocial Facility
140 Carrington Road
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Simpson ParkPark
- Varna ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 2
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Jubilee Church
- Mary Immaculate Catholic Church
45A Victoria Street
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- On site
- Pharmacypharmacy
- War Memorial Hospital - Waverleyhospital
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
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
- 22° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 17° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 242 mm · ~30 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).
226 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia27 ALBION STREET WAVERLEY 2024Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Educational establishment; Erection of a new structure; School; Infrastructure41-51 CARRINGTON ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Hours of operation and trading61-63 MACPHERSON STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling17 SEAVIEW STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
March 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure319-321 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure309 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development72-74 CARRINGTON ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 PROSPECT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 LEICHHARDT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
2025· 31 proposals
December 2025
- Commercial development; Hours of operation and trading61-63 MACPHERSON STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; School26 ALBION STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling1 SEAVIEW STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure48 VICTORIA STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation247 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading23 Albion Street, Waverley NSW 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 LEICHHARDT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Residential Accommodation17 SEAVIEW STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure20 HIGH STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Centre-based child care23 MACPHERSON STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure107 HENRIETTA STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26 CAMPBELL STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Demolition; Pub; Subdivision; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise; Non-standard Housing203-209 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Supporting Development6 WILLS AVENUE WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation126 CARRINGTON ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation23 WALLACE STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 KENT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Neighbourhood shop; Hours of operation and trading238-240 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation21 LEICHHARDT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Withdrawn
- Educational establishment; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; School44 Henrietta Street, Waverley, NSW, 2024Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 KENT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 HIGH STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure34 VARNA STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 SALISBURY STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Residential Accommodation1 9-11 SANTA MARINA AVENUE WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 VARNA STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure20 HIGH STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling1 PROSPECT STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 SEAVIEW STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure58 WILEY STREET WAVERLEY 2024Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure319-321 BRONTE ROAD WAVERLEY 2024Determined
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksCarrington Road, John Street07 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Mary Immaculate Group45 Victoria Street WaverleySHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
- 11 Leichhardt Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Airmount Courtyardamenitiesschool
- Albion St at Bronte Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Albion St opp St Catherine's School, Gate 1amenitiesbus_stop
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Bellagio Cafeamenitiescafe
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Waverley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.