🏘️ NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission
Public and social housing plays a crucial role in NSW's housing landscape, providing affordable shelter to hundreds of thousands of residents across the state. Social housing encompasses dwellings managed by Housing NSW (the state government housing authority) and registered community housing providers — organisations that deliver affordable rental housing to those on low incomes, people experiencing hardship, or those with special needs. According to the 2021 Census, NSW has over 140,000 social housing dwellings, representing around 4% of the state's total housing stock.
The distribution of social housing across NSW is far from even. Certain suburbs — particularly those developed as purpose-built public housing estates during the post-war housing boom of the 1950s to 1970s — have very high concentrations of government and community housing. Suburbs like Daceyville, Windale, Bidwill, Claymore and Airds were deliberately planned as welfare housing estates and continue to have the highest proportions in the state, with more than 60% of their dwellings classified as social housing.
This list is based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census (Table G37 — Tenure Type and Landlord Type by Dwelling Structure), which counts dwellings rented from state housing authorities and community housing providers as a percentage of all occupied private dwellings. Only suburbs with at least 100 dwellings are included to ensure statistical reliability.
Daceyville NSW 2032
Daceyville is a small, historic suburb in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, located approximately 7 kilometres south of the CBD within the former Botany Bay local government area (now Randwick City). With a population of around 1,150 (2021 Census) and a median age of 56, it is one of the oldest planned garden suburbs in Australia, established in 1912 as a model housing estate for returned soldiers. The suburb has a strong community feel with a mix of social housing and private residences, and a notably older demographic.
Windale NSW 2306
Windale is a small suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, located about 15 kilometres south of Newcastle's CBD in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. With a population of approximately 3,400 residents, it sits within the broader Greater Newcastle urban area and is neighboured by Glendale, Macquarie Hills, and Cardiff. The suburb covers just 1.8 square kilometres and is characterised by a mix of post-war housing and more recent development, with over two-thirds of residents renting their homes.
Bidwill NSW 2770
Bidwill is a residential suburb in Sydney's outer west, located approximately 45 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Blacktown local government area. With a population of 4,202 and a median age of just 30, the suburb has a notably young demographic and a median household income of around $899 per week, reflecting its working-class character. Bidwill has one of Greater Sydney's higher proportions of First Nations residents and sits within the wider Mount Druitt locality, characterised by low-density housing and a diverse community.
Claymore NSW 2559
Claymore is a residential suburb in Sydney's south-western fringe, located approximately 54 kilometres from the Sydney CBD within the City of Campbelltown local government area, part of the Macarthur region. Established in 1978 as a public housing estate, Claymore has a population of 2,579 and a strikingly young median age of 28 — one of the youngest in Greater Sydney — reflecting a significant proportion of families with children and younger residents. The median household income of approximately $1,020 per week and median rent of $209 per week place Claymore among the more affordable suburbs in the Sydney basin.
Airds NSW 2560
Airds is a residential suburb in Sydney's south-west, situated within the Campbelltown City Council area approximately 55 kilometres from the Sydney CBD in the Greater Sydney statistical area. With a population of 3,265 residents and a median age of just 29, it is a notably young community covering 2.4 square kilometres. The suburb is characterised by a high proportion of social housing — around 60 per cent of dwellings are state or community housing — reflecting its origins as a planned public housing estate developed from the 1970s onward.
Eveleigh NSW 1430
Eveleigh is an inner southern suburb of Sydney, located approximately 3 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD within the City of Sydney local government area. Historically one of Australia's most significant industrial precincts, Eveleigh was home to the Eveleigh Railway Workshops from the 1880s — a 60-acre complex that once employed over 3,000 workers and manufactured Australia's first steam locomotives. Today the suburb covers just 0.53 km² and had a population of 606 at the 2021 census, with a high proportion of social housing.
Miller NSW 2168
Miller is a residential suburb in Sydney's south-western corridor, located within the City of Liverpool approximately 40 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Covering around 1.27 square kilometres, Miller is home to 3,374 residents with a median age of 35 years and is one of Greater Sydney's most affordable rental suburbs, with a median weekly rent of $201. The suburb has a highly diverse population representing Lebanese, Vietnamese, Samoan, Pacific Islander, and many other communities, reflecting Liverpool's broader multicultural character.
Cartwright NSW 2168
Cartwright is a compact, multicultural suburb in Sydney's south-west, situated within the City of Liverpool approximately 30 kilometres from Sydney CBD. Covering less than one square kilometre, the suburb has a population of 2,616 and a relatively young median age of 35, reflecting a vibrant and diverse residential community. With a median household income of $826 per week — well below the Sydney average — Cartwright is one of Greater Sydney's more affordable residential pockets, characterised by modest detached homes and a strong sense of neighbourhood community.
Villawood NSW 2163
Villawood is a diverse suburban locality located approximately 27 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, straddling the boundaries of the City of Canterbury-Bankstown and the City of Fairfield. With a population of over 7,000 residents, it is one of the more densely settled suburbs of Sydney's south-western corridor. Villawood is well known for its multicultural character, with large communities of Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Pacific Islander backgrounds calling the suburb home.
Wilcannia NSW 2836
Wilcannia is a small outback town located on the Darling River in far north-western New South Wales, approximately 958 kilometres west of Sydney within the Central Darling Shire. Established in 1866, Wilcannia was once one of the most significant inland ports in Australia, ranked the third-largest during the river boat era of the mid-19th century when paddle steamers navigated the Darling River carrying wool and supplies across the country. Today, the town has a population of 735, with a significant Aboriginal community and a high proportion of social housing — 38 per cent of dwellings — reflecting the economic challenges faced by many remote outback communities in far-western New South Wales.
Brewarrina NSW 2839
Brewarrina is a remote outback town in north-western New South Wales, situated on the banks of the Barwon River approximately 787 kilometres north-west of Sydney and 96 kilometres east of Bourke. Located within Brewarrina Shire along the Kamilaroi Highway, the locality has a 2021 population of 931 and encompasses a vast area of 3,983 square kilometres of pastoral and semi-arid country. The town sits at an elevation of 115 metres and occupies the traditional lands of the Ngemba, Murrawarri, Euahlayi, Weilwan, and Barranbinya peoples, who have maintained a continuous connection to this country for thousands of generations.
Fernhill NSW 2519
Fernhill is a small residential suburb approximately 5 kilometres north of Wollongong's city centre, within the City of Wollongong local government area, and around 79 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of around 987 residents in a compact area of just 0.36 square kilometres, the suburb is a densely settled pocket bordered by Balgownie, Tarrawanna, Towradgi, and Fairy Meadow. The suburb has a significant proportion of social and community housing — approximately 36 per cent of dwellings — giving it a working-class, diverse residential character.
Shalvey NSW 2770
Shalvey is a residential suburb of Sydney located 48 kilometres west of the CBD in the City of Blacktown local government area, forming part of the Greater Western Sydney region. With a population of approximately 3,455 residents recorded in the 2021 census, Shalvey is a compact suburban neighbourhood bordered by Shanes Park to the north, Marsden Park to the east, and Blackett and Lethbridge Park to the south. The suburb takes its name from Shalvey Road, the main arterial road through the area, and was developed as part of the broader Mt Druitt housing estate expansion from the 1960s onward.
Sadleir NSW 2168
Sadleir is a small residential suburb in south-western Sydney, located within the Liverpool local government area approximately 32 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. With around 3,200 residents and a median age of 33, it is a culturally diverse community with a younger demographic profile. The suburb covers less than one square kilometre and consists primarily of established Housing Commission homes alongside newer developments.
Willmot NSW 2770
Willmot is a small residential suburb in Western Sydney, located approximately 41 kilometres from the Sydney CBD within the Blacktown City Council area. With a population of around 2,380 residents, the suburb has a notably young demographic profile with a median age of 29 years. The area is predominantly Australian-born (70%) with multicultural influences including Pacific Islander, Kiwi, and British communities. Originally developed as part of the Mount Druitt housing estates, Willmot offers an affordable entry point for families and first-home buyers in Greater Sydney.
Tregear NSW 2770
Tregear is a residential suburb in Sydney's outer western suburbs, located approximately 45 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD within the City of Blacktown local government area. With a population of 3,700 and a median age of 30, it is a notably young suburb with a significant proportion of families and a diverse, multicultural community. The suburb has a lower-income profile compared to Sydney averages, with a median household income of around $1,103 per week, and around a third of its dwellings are public or community housing.
Bowenfels NSW 2790
Bowenfels is an urban locality within the City of Lithgow, situated on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales at an elevation of approximately 1,000 metres, around 140 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of 2,049, it forms part of the broader Lithgow urban area, characterised by a mix of older heritage homes and modest residential housing typical of a regional industrial town. The median age of 41 and a weekly household income of around $917 reflect an established working-class community with deep local roots; more than 11 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Bellambi NSW 2518
Bellambi is a coastal suburb in the northern Illawarra region, located 8 kilometres north of Wollongong and 77 kilometres south of Sydney. With a population of just over 4,000, this small beachside community sits on the flat coastal plain beneath the dramatic Illawarra escarpment, with views to Broker's Nose rising 440 metres to the west. The suburb has significant Aboriginal heritage, with Bellambi Point containing one of NSW's largest shell middens.
Boggabilla NSW 2409
Boggabilla is a small town on the NSW-Queensland border, situated on the southern bank of the Macintyre River approximately 115 km northeast of Moree and just 9 km from Goondiwindi. With a population of around 1,022, the town has a significant Aboriginal community, with 43.5% identifying as Indigenous Australian. The name derives from the Gamilaraay word 'bagaaybila' meaning 'full of creeks', reflecting the waterways that define the landscape.
Whalan NSW 2770
Whalan is a residential suburb in Sydney's western suburbs, located within the City of Blacktown approximately 45 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD. With a population of 5,929 and a median age of 34, the suburb forms part of the Mount Druitt urban area and is characterised by a diverse community with a significant Indigenous population. A median household income of $1,160 per week and a high proportion of social housing — nearly 30 per cent of dwellings — reflect Whalan's status as one of Greater Sydney's more affordable and socially diverse suburbs.
Lethbridge Park NSW 2770
Lethbridge Park is a suburb in Greater Western Sydney, located 47 km west of the Sydney CBD within the City of Blacktown local government area. With a population of around 4,730, the suburb covers 1.6 square kilometres and is part of the Mount Druitt area. Developed as public housing in the 1970s, the suburb has a young, diverse population with a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The area has been undergoing gradual renewal and community development.
South Coogee NSW 2034
South Coogee is a compact residential suburb in Sydney's eastern suburbs, situated between Coogee and Maroubra about 8 kilometres south-east of the CBD, within the City of Randwick. With a population of approximately 5,611 residents across just 1.1 square kilometres, it is a densely settled, predominantly low-rise area characterised by a mix of federation homes, interwar brick blocks, and modern apartment buildings. The suburb sits at an elevation of around 71 metres and enjoys ocean breezes, with the coastal walk to Coogee Beach accessible within a short stroll.
Ashcroft NSW 2168
Ashcroft is a western Sydney suburb located 35 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD within the City of Liverpool local government area. Established in 1972 as part of the Housing Commission's Green Valley development, the suburb was named after the pioneering Ashcroft family who were active in the Homebush Bay meatworks industry. With a population of approximately 3,634 residents, Ashcroft is a predominantly residential suburb characterised by affordable housing and a diverse multicultural community.
Hamilton South NSW 2303
Hamilton South is a compact inner-city suburb of Newcastle, located just south of Hamilton within the City of Newcastle local government area, approximately 160 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of 4,057 spread across just 1.2 square kilometres, it is one of the denser residential pockets in the Hunter region. The suburb has a median age of 44 and a notable proportion of social housing — around 29 per cent of dwellings — reflecting its diverse socioeconomic mix alongside owner-occupied homes and rental properties.
Riverwood NSW 2210
Riverwood is a diverse suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region, where nearly 13,000 residents access good transport and improving amenities. The train station provides T3 Bankstown Line access, and recent development has added apartments to the housing mix. The demographics include significant Chinese and Vietnamese communities.
Yennora NSW 2161
Yennora is a suburb of Sydney located 29 kilometres west of the CBD in the Greater Western Sydney region. With a population of around 1,675 at the 2021 census, it straddles the City of Fairfield and Cumberland Council local government areas. The suburb has a distinct split character, with a residential area in the east and a large industrial precinct in the west, home to one of Sydney's major distribution centres.
Heckenberg NSW 2168
Heckenberg is a compact suburban locality in Sydney's south-west, located within the Liverpool City Council area approximately 35 kilometres from the Sydney CBD. Covering just under one square kilometre, the suburb has a population of 3,263 with a median age of 32 and an average household size of 3.3 persons — one of the higher densities in the Liverpool district. Around 27 per cent of dwellings are social housing, with the remainder a mix of privately owned and rented homes.
South Granville NSW 2142
South Granville is a suburb in western Sydney located 23 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, within the Cumberland City Council local government area. The suburb recorded a population of 5,829 at the 2021 census, reflecting steady growth from 5,500 in 2016. It is one of Sydney's most culturally diverse communities, with Lebanese Australians forming the largest ancestry group, followed by significant communities of Australian, English, Chinese and Filipino backgrounds. The median age is just 32, and the suburb has a notably high average household size of 3.3 persons.
Mitchell NSW 2795
Mitchell is a residential suburb of Bathurst in the Bathurst Regional Council area of central-western New South Wales, located approximately 200 kilometres west of Sydney. With around 1,179 residents, Mitchell sits to the north-east of Bathurst's city centre and forms part of the broader Bathurst urban area — one of the oldest inland European settlements in Australia. The suburb takes its name from Sir Thomas Mitchell, the Scottish-born Surveyor-General of New South Wales who explored much of south-eastern Australia in the 1830s and 1840s. Mitchell benefits from a cool-temperate climate, with cold winters and warm summers, and is set against the scenic backdrop of the central tablelands landscape.
Busby NSW 2168
Busby is a residential suburb in south-western Sydney, located 37 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Liverpool. With a population of 4,446 at the 2021 census and a median age of 32, it covers 1.2 square kilometres at 64 metres elevation. The suburb was developed primarily as public housing in the 1970s and 1980s and is one of the most culturally diverse communities in the Liverpool area, with significant Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian populations.
Bolton Point NSW 2283
Bolton Point is a quiet lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, located approximately 24 kilometres west-southwest of Newcastle. With a population of around 2,100, this small residential community sits on a peninsula extending southwards into the western shore of Lake Macquarie. The median age of 43 reflects an older demographic, with predominantly Australian-born residents of English, Australian, and Scottish heritage. The suburb has a working-to-middle class character with a median household income of around $1,217 per week.
Menindee NSW 2879
A suburb in NSW with a significant social housing presence.
Bonnyrigg NSW 2177
Bonnyrigg is a densely populated suburb located 36 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD in the City of Fairfield. Named after a town in Scotland, it has a population approaching 10,000 residents spread across just 3 square kilometres. The suburb has deep roots as one of Sydney's earliest welfare housing areas, with historic sites including the Male Orphan School residence from 1803. Today it is undergoing significant urban renewal through the Newleaf Bonnyrigg project.
Gateshead NSW 2290
Gateshead is a suburb in the Lake Macquarie City Council area of New South Wales, located approximately 14 kilometres south of Newcastle's CBD between the urban centres of Charlestown and Cardiff. With a population of 3,121 and a median age of 35, the suburb has a working-class character with a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of approximately 369 residents, representing around 12% of the population. Social housing is a prominent feature of the housing stock, with 274 state housing dwellings accounting for around 23% of total dwellings, reflecting the suburb's role in providing affordable housing in the Lake Macquarie region.
Blackett NSW 2770
Blackett is a small residential suburb in Sydney's Greater West, located 48 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Blacktown. With a population of around 3,600, it's a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by suburbs like Bidwill, Shalvey, and Dharruk. Named after George Forster Blackett, superintendent of the historic Government Cattle Station at Rooty Hill, the suburb features predominantly single-storey homes on generous blocks.
La Perouse NSW 2036
La Perouse is a historically significant suburb on the northern headland of Botany Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs, approximately 14 kilometres south-east of the Sydney CBD. It sits within the Randwick local government area and is named after French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, whose expedition anchored in Botany Bay in January 1788 — just days after the First Fleet's arrival. The suburb is home to one of Sydney's oldest continuous Aboriginal communities, the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, which maintains strong cultural ties to the land.
Collarenebri NSW 2833
Collarenebri is a small outback town in north-western New South Wales, situated on the Barwon River along the Gwydir Highway within the Walgett Shire local government area. Located approximately 707 kilometres north-west of Sydney and 75 kilometres north-east of Walgett, the town sits at an elevation of 146 metres on the flat, semi-arid plains of the Upper Barwon catchment. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 634, with social housing accounting for a notable 22.9 per cent of all dwellings — reflecting the town's significant Indigenous community.
Koonawarra NSW 2530
Koonawarra is a residential suburb within the City of Wollongong on the New South Wales Illawarra coast, located approximately 85 kilometres south of Sydney CBD. The suburb has a population of 3,732 with a median age of 36 and a median household income of $1,258 per week, reflecting its working-class residential character. It has a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community making up around 10 percent of the population, and housing consists predominantly of detached family homes.
Malabar NSW 2036
Malabar is a coastal eastern Sydney suburb in the City of Randwick, around 12 km south-east of the CBD. The 2021 Census population is 4,714, with a primarily residential profile and substantial open-space land uses. It sits around Long Bay and includes beaches, headlands and major institutional precincts. The suburb's character combines coastal living with established suburban streets and strong community identity.
Unanderra NSW 2526
Unanderra is an established suburb in the Illawarra region, located within the City of Wollongong approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney. Home to around 5,476 residents across 6.5 square kilometres at a low coastal elevation, the suburb has a median age of 42 — reflecting a settled, older community. Household incomes are modest, with a weekly median of around $1,211, and the population includes a notable proportion of residents with Southern and Eastern European heritage, particularly Italian, Macedonian, and Croatian ancestry.
Emerton NSW 2770
Emerton is a small residential suburb located 46 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, within the City of Blacktown local government area. With a population of approximately 2,295 (2021 Census) spread across just 0.9 square kilometres, it is a compact, close-knit community in Greater Western Sydney. Emerton borders Mount Druitt and neighbouring suburbs including Tregear, Lethbridge Park and Whalan, and forms part of the broader Mount Druitt area established during Sydney's post-war expansion.
Gormans Hill NSW 2795
Gormans Hill is a residential suburb of Bathurst, New South Wales, situated within the Bathurst Regional Council local government area approximately 200 kilometres west of Sydney. With a population of around 887, it occupies elevated ground on the outskirts of Bathurst — one of Australia's oldest inland cities — and forms part of the city's expanding residential fringe. The area offers a mix of established family homes and newer residential developments typical of Bathurst's growing suburban footprint.
Berkeley NSW 2506
Berkeley is a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, located 92 kilometres south of Sydney and 10 kilometres south of Wollongong CBD. With a population of around 7,800, it sits on the northern shore of Lake Illawarra. Originally a farming community, Berkeley was developed in the 1950s and 1960s primarily as a public housing area to address the region's post-war housing shortage. The suburb has a working-class character with an increasingly diverse community.
Waterloo NSW 2017
Waterloo is Sydney's most dramatically transforming suburb, where over 16,000 residents occupy a mix of public housing towers and gleaming new apartment blocks. The government's redevelopment plans promise further change, while new Metro stations will add connectivity to already good bus services. The median income reflects the suburb's stark contrasts.
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Woolloomooloo is one of Sydney's most distinctive inner-city suburbs, situated less than 2 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Sydney local government area. With a population of 3,792 and a median age of 39, the suburb is home to a diverse mix of young professionals, long-term residents, and a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The suburb spans just 0.37 square kilometres at low elevation along the foreshore, encompassing both the iconic Finger Wharf — home to luxury apartments and harbourside restaurants — and one of Australia's largest public housing estates.
Macquarie Fields NSW 2564
Macquarie Fields is a diverse suburb in Sydney's south-west, where over 14,000 residents live in a mix of public and private housing. The train station provides T2 Inner West & Leppington Line access, and the suburb serves the broader Macarthur region. Demographics are genuinely mixed—housing commission and owner-occupiers side by side.
Doonside NSW 2767
Doonside is a substantial Western Sydney suburb where over 13,000 residents enjoy good transport and solid amenities. The train station provides T1 Western Line access, and the suburb offers genuine affordability within reasonable commuting distance. The demographics reflect diverse, working-class families.
Glebe NSW 2037
Glebe packs bohemian character into a compact inner-city footprint about 3 kilometres from Sydney's CBD. This distinctive suburb of roughly 11,700 residents stretches from its famous markets and bookshop-lined main street down to harbour foreshore parklands. The University of Sydney's influence is palpable, adding intellectual energy to the eclectic mix.
Telopea NSW 2117
Telopea is a suburban locality in the City of Parramatta, located approximately 22 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD. With a population of around 5,356 residents spread across just 1.5 square kilometres, it is one of the more densely settled suburbs in western Sydney. The suburb takes its name from the Telopea speciosissima — the waratah, NSW's floral emblem — and sits between Dundas Valley and Rydalmere. Telopea has a notably multicultural character, with significant communities of Chinese, Lebanese, and European heritage.
Warrawong NSW 2502
Warrawong is an established suburb within the City of Wollongong, located approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney and around 5 kilometres south of the Wollongong CBD. Sitting at low elevation near Lake Illawarra and covering 2.6 square kilometres, it forms part of the broader Wollongong urban area. With a population of 4,659 and a median age of 41, it is a mature working-class community with a median household income of around 08 per week.
Fairfield East NSW 2165
Fairfield East is a residential suburb in Greater Western Sydney, located approximately 27 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD in the City of Fairfield local government area. With a population of 5,198 at the 2021 census, it is a densely settled and culturally diverse community with roots dating to its subdivision in the 1870s–1880s. Originally farmland belonging to the Orchardleigh and Mark Lodge estates, it was home to the Cabrogal clan of the Dharug people prior to European settlement. The suburb covers just under 2 square kilometres and sits at a low elevation of 12 metres.
Warwick Farm NSW 2170
Warwick Farm is a suburb in south-western Sydney, located 30 km west of the Sydney CBD in the City of Liverpool local government area. With a population of 6,135 at the 2021 census, it is a culturally diverse suburb with a rich history dating back to 1804 when Irish political prisoners received land grants in the area. The suburb sits at a low elevation of about 10 metres near the Georges River.
Warilla NSW 2528
Warilla is a residential suburb on the northern shores of Lake Illawarra, within the City of Shellharbour council area, approximately 85 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD on the NSW South Coast. With a population of 6,226 and a median age of 45, it has an established, older demographic profile. Median household income of $987 per week is below the state average, giving the suburb a working-class character and making it one of the more affordable options along the Illawarra coast.
Redfern NSW 2016
Redfern is Sydney's most dramatically transformed inner-city suburb, where over 13,000 residents now live in a gentrified neighbourhood with deep Aboriginal significance. The train station is one of Sydney's busiest, providing exceptional connectivity. The high median income reflects complete gentrification while the Block maintains cultural importance.
Ambarvale NSW 2560
Ambarvale is a residential suburb in south-western Sydney, located 55 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Campbelltown, within the Macarthur region. With a population of around 7,250, the suburb has a median age of 34 and a diverse multicultural community, with significant Filipino, New Zealand and English-born populations. Established in 1976, Ambarvale features a mix of public and private housing and has a strong family orientation with an average household size of 2.8 persons.
Booragul NSW 2284
Booragul is a quiet residential suburb on the western shore of Lake Macquarie, about 15 kilometres south-west of Newcastle in New South Wales. With a population of roughly 1,620 and a median age of 51, it is home to a predominantly older demographic. The compact suburb covers just 1.2 square kilometres at a low elevation of 22 metres. Booragul has a strong Australian and English heritage community with deep roots in the Hunter Valley region.
Mount Austin NSW 2650
Mount Austin is a western residential suburb of Wagga Wagga, situated approximately 4 kilometres from the city centre at an elevation of 224 metres within the City of Wagga Wagga local government area. With a population of 4,035, it is one of the more established and socioeconomically diverse suburbs in the Wagga Wagga urban area, characterised by a mix of housing types and a broad demographic spread. The suburb has a notable Indigenous Australian presence (around 9% of residents), and a significant proportion of households live in social or community housing (18.2%), reflecting its role as a key affordable-housing area within the region.
Newcastle East NSW 2300
Newcastle East is a small but historically significant inner-city suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales, situated on a narrow peninsula between the Hunter River and the Pacific Ocean. With a population of just 1,061 recorded in the 2021 Census across only 0.4 square kilometres, it is one of the most densely settled and unique locations in the Hunter Region. The suburb encompasses key Newcastle landmarks including Nobbys Head, Fort Scratchley, and Newcastle Beach, making it a focal point for both residents and visitors.
Woodberry NSW 2322
Woodberry is a residential suburb in the City of Maitland, located approximately 8 kilometres east of the Maitland CBD in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. With a population of around 3,400, it is a modest, affordable suburb situated along the banks of the Hunter River. The area offers a mix of older homes and newer developments, attracting families and first-home buyers to the region.
Eastlakes NSW 2018
Eastlakes is a compact inner-suburban locality in the City of Botany Bay, approximately 10 kilometres south of Sydney's CBD in Greater Sydney. With a population of 6,347 spread across just two square kilometres, it is a densely settled community with a median age of 40 and a culturally diverse population, with significant English, Australian, and Chinese ancestry groups. Housing is a mix of apartment buildings and older residential dwellings, reflecting the suburb's evolution as an affordable inner-city enclave.
Nowra NSW 2541
Nowra is the commercial heart of the Shoalhaven region, located 160 kilometres south of Sydney on the banks of the Shoalhaven River. With a population of around 10,000 in the town centre (and over 22,000 in the broader urban area), it serves as the major service and retail hub for the South Coast. The name derives from an Aboriginal word for the black cockatoo. Nowra combines the relaxed pace of regional living with good amenities, making it increasingly popular with retirees, families, and those seeking coastal lifestyle without big-city prices.
Ashmont NSW 2650
Ashmont is a south-western suburb of Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of New South Wales, located approximately 5 kilometres from the Wagga Wagga CBD. Originally known as J.J. Salmon's Estate, the suburb was first urbanised in the late 1950s and takes its name from the Salmon family homestead that once occupied the land. With a population of around 3,747 residents, Ashmont has a notably high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, who account for approximately 20% of the community.
Welby NSW 2575
Welby is a small residential locality in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, situated approximately 100 kilometres south-west of Sydney and adjoining the township of Mittagong within the Wingecarribee Shire Council area. The locality spans just under 2 square kilometres and is home to around 764 residents, offering a tranquil semi-rural setting on the escarpment fringe. With a median household income of approximately $46,600, Welby attracts a mix of long-term locals and tree-changers drawn to the cooler climate and relaxed pace of Southern Highlands living.
Lalor Park NSW 2147
Lalor Park is a residential suburb in Sydney's Greater Western suburbs, located approximately 38 kilometres west of the CBD within the City of Blacktown. The suburb recorded a population of 7,834 at the 2021 census, with a median age of 37 and an average household size of 2.6. Lalor Park is a notably diverse community, with roughly equal numbers of residents from Australian-born and overseas-born families, reflecting its multicultural character across Anglo-Celtic, Filipino, Indian, Chinese, and Lebanese communities.
South Windsor NSW 2756
South Windsor is a residential suburb within the City of Hawkesbury, located approximately 60 kilometres north-west of Sydney's CBD in New South Wales. Part of the Hawkesbury–Windsor urban corridor, the suburb sits on low-lying land near the Hawkesbury River and covers an area of around 8.9 square kilometres. With a population of 5,948 and a median age of 34, South Windsor has a relatively young demographic, with median household incomes below the Greater Sydney average reflecting its outer metropolitan character.
Hebersham NSW 2770
Hebersham is a suburban locality in the City of Blacktown, situated in western Sydney approximately 43 kilometres from the CBD. With a population of around 5,643 residents as of the 2021 Census, it is a compact yet densely populated suburb covering just 1.68 square kilometres. The area is characterised by a diverse, multicultural community with strong Filipino, Indian, Samoan, and Indigenous Australian populations. Hebersham sits within the rapidly growing Greater Western Sydney corridor, benefiting from ongoing investment in local infrastructure.
North St Marys NSW 2760
North St Marys is a small residential suburb in the City of Penrith in Western Sydney, with a population of around 4,123. Originally developed as post-war housing commission area, the suburb has a strong community identity and significant Indigenous population (over 10%). The median age of 35 and young family demographic give it an energetic, working-class character.
Narwee NSW 2209
Narwee is a compact, densely settled suburb in Sydney's south-west, located approximately 16 kilometres from the CBD within the Canterbury-Bankstown Council area. With a population of 5,411 concentrated into just 1.3 square kilometres, Narwee is one of the more densely populated suburbs in its region. The suburb's median age of 40 and high proportion of overseas-born residents — with more than half the population born outside Australia — speak to its strongly multicultural character.
Lurnea NSW 2170
Lurnea offers affordable housing in Liverpool's eastern reaches about 30 kilometres southwest of Sydney's CBD. This multicultural suburb of roughly 10,100 residents features modest housing on suburban streets, with good transport connections to Liverpool's facilities. The character is working-class suburban.
Chester Hill NSW 2162
Chester Hill is a working-class suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region, where over 14,000 residents from diverse backgrounds have built community. The train station provides T3 Bankstown Line access, though the suburb remains more affordable than many train-connected alternatives. Middle Eastern and Asian communities have strong presence.
Chifley NSW 2036
Chifley is a residential suburb in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, located 13 km south-east of the CBD within the City of Randwick. Named after former Prime Minister Ben Chifley, the suburb had a population of 3,490 at the 2021 census. It is surrounded by Matraville, Malabar, Little Bay and Phillip Bay, offering a quiet suburban character with easy access to nearby coastal areas.
Narraweena NSW 2099
Narraweena is a compact residential suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches, located approximately 16 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD within the Northern Beaches Council area. With a population of 6,971 spread across just 1.776 square kilometres, the suburb has a dense but characterful feel, defined by established housing stock and mature street trees at an elevation of around 83 metres. The median age of 43 and elevated median mortgage repayments of over ,000 per month reflect an affluent, settled community, with a strong Italian heritage presence — one of the more notable ancestry groups in the area — adding cultural depth to this Northern Beaches neighbourhood.
Lake Illawarra NSW 2528
Lake Illawarra is a coastal suburb situated on the southern shores of its namesake lake, approximately 100 kilometres south of Sydney and 14 kilometres south of Wollongong, within the City of Shellharbour council area. With a population of 3,288 and a median age of 43, the suburb has a well-established, working-class character with a mix of families and older residents. The median household income of around $1,069 per week sits below the national average, and housing is predominantly low-density residential with affordable entry points.
Constitution Hill NSW 2145
Constitution Hill is a quiet, established residential suburb in the City of Parramatta, located approximately 25 kilometres west of Sydney CBD, between Wentworthville and Old Toongabbie. With a population of 4,030, the suburb has a diverse, multicultural demographic profile — with significant Lebanese, Chinese, Indian, and Eastern European communities — and a median age of 38. Social housing accounts for 15% of the dwelling stock, reflecting its role as an affordable residential option in the broader Western Sydney housing market.
Walgett NSW 2832
Walgett is a remote town in northern New South Wales, located 691 kilometres northwest of Sydney at the junction of the Barwon and Namoi Rivers. With a population of around 1,400 in town (2,100 in the broader area), it serves as the administrative centre of Walgett Shire. The town has a significant Aboriginal population and is on the traditional lands of the Gamilaroi people. Walgett's name derives from an Aboriginal word meaning "the meeting place of two rivers."
Belmont South NSW 2280
Belmont South is a quiet coastal enclave on the Lake Macquarie peninsula, home to around 1,000 residents enjoying a privileged position between Lake Macquarie's calm waters and Nine Mile Beach on the Tasman Sea. Located 20 kilometres south of Newcastle in the Lake Macquarie LGA, this small suburb offers a relaxed waterfront lifestyle with easy access to the larger Belmont commercial centre. The community is predominantly Australian-born with a slightly older demographic enjoying the area's natural beauty.
Tarrawanna NSW 2518
Tarrawanna is a quiet residential suburb nestled at the base of the Illawarra Escarpment, 7 kilometres north of the Wollongong CBD in the City of Wollongong. With a population of 2,184 (2021 census) and a median age of 48, this is a settled, family-oriented community on the traditional lands of the Dharawal people. The name is believed to derive from an Aboriginal word meaning "place of many trees."
East Hills NSW 2213
East Hills is a quiet residential suburb in South-western Sydney, located approximately 26 kilometres from the Sydney CBD on the northern bank of the Georges River. Part of the City of Canterbury-Bankstown local government area, it recorded a population of 3,370 in the 2021 Census. The suburb is characterised by low-density housing, leafy streets, and a strong sense of neighbourhood identity. Its position on the Georges River gives it a scenic, semi-bushland feel that distinguishes it from the more densely built suburbs nearby.
South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW) NSW 2449
A suburb in NSW with a significant social housing presence.
Cooks Hill NSW 2300
Cooks Hill is a vibrant inner suburb of Newcastle, located approximately 1.5 kilometres south-west of the Newcastle city centre within the City of Newcastle local government area. Covering just 0.72 square kilometres at low elevation, the suburb had a 2021 population of 3,774 with a notably young demographic — a median age of 35 and a strong concentration of residents aged 20–34. The suburb's character is shaped by its density, affordability relative to Sydney, and a significant social housing component of around 14% of dwellings, reflecting Newcastle's diverse inner-city mix.
Greenhill NSW 2440
Greenhill is a small rural locality in the mid-North Coast region of New South Wales, within postcode 2440 in the broader Port Macquarie–Hastings area. The locality covers approximately 7.7 square kilometres and recorded a population of 757 at the 2021 Census, with a below-average median income reflecting its predominantly rural character. Greenhill falls within the federal electorate of Cowper and state electorate of Oxley, a region known for its hinterland landscapes, river valleys, and relaxed coastal–rural lifestyle.
Gulargambone NSW 2828
A suburb in NSW with a significant social housing presence.
Clemton Park NSW 2206
Clemton Park is a small, quiet residential suburb in Sydney's inner south-west, approximately 12 kilometres from the CBD within the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area. With a population of around 1,700, it is one of the smaller suburbs in the region, characterised by a mix of post-war brick homes and newer developments. The suburb has a multicultural community with a strong family orientation.
Minto NSW 2566
Minto is a suburb in the Macarthur region where nearly 14,000 residents access good transport and improving amenities. The train station provides T2 Inner West & Leppington Line access, and the suburb includes both established areas and newer development. The community has worked to overcome past challenges.
Mount Lewis NSW 2190
Mount Lewis is a compact, quiet suburb in South-western Sydney, located 18 kilometres south-west of the Sydney CBD within the City of Canterbury-Bankstown. Covering just 0.33 square kilometres, it is one of the smallest suburbs in the region with a population of 1,234 (2021 Census). The suburb takes its name from the highest point in the district at Mount Lewis Reserve on Wattle Street, which provides views west towards Bankstown CBD and east towards the Sydney skyline. Nestled between Bankstown, Greenacre, and Punchbowl, it is a mostly residential area with a mix of older homes and newer developments.
Prairiewood NSW 2176
Prairiewood is a residential suburb in western Sydney, approximately 28 kilometres from the city centre within the Fairfield City Council area. With a population of 3,457 and a median age of 43, it is an established, compact neighbourhood of just over 2 square kilometres with a rich multicultural character — home to significant Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Iraqi communities. The suburb features predominantly detached homes and some medium-density dwellings at price points that remain accessible relative to greater Sydney.
Ermington NSW 2115
Ermington is a residential suburb between Ryde and Parramatta, where nearly 13,000 residents enjoy quiet streets and proximity to major centres. While lacking direct train access, buses serve the community and ferry options exist at nearby wharves. The median income reflects comfortable working families.
Guildford NSW 2161
Guildford is a working-class suburb in Sydney's heartland, where over 24,000 residents from Middle Eastern, Asian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds have built diverse communities. The train station on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line provides CBD connectivity, though many residents work locally in trades and services. The suburb has a genuine, unpretentious character.
Watanobbi NSW 2259
Watanobbi is a Central Coast suburb near Wyong, about 3 km north of Wyong town centre and station. The dataset records a 2021 population of 3,980, reflecting a compact suburban community within a wider growth precinct. The suburb is largely residential and bordered by wetland landscapes associated with the Tuggerah Lakes catchment. Its character is practical and family-oriented, with comparatively affordable housing for the region.
Bellbrook NSW 2440
A suburb in NSW with a significant social housing presence.
Rydalmere NSW 2116
Rydalmere is an established suburb within the City of Parramatta, located approximately 22 kilometres west of Sydney's CBD along the Victoria Road corridor. With a population of 7,274 across 3.8 square kilometres, the suburb offers moderate-density living with a mix of older housing stock, units, and newer developments. A notably diverse community, Rydalmere has significant Chinese, Korean, and Lebanese populations, with over 40% of residents born overseas.
Dundas Valley NSW 2117
Dundas Valley is a leafy residential suburb in Sydney's northwest, nestled in a natural valley within the Parramatta local government area, approximately 18 kilometres from the CBD. With around 5,900 residents and a median income of $46,000, the suburb offers a quieter, more affordable alternative to surrounding areas while maintaining good access to Parramatta's employment hub.
Bourke NSW 2840
Bourke is a remote outback town in far western New South Wales, located on the Darling River approximately 800 kilometres northwest of Sydney. With a population of around 1,700 and a median age of 35, it has a significantly younger demographic than the national average. Aboriginal Australians make up over a third of the population, giving Bourke a strong Indigenous cultural identity. The town is an important service centre for the surrounding pastoral district and has a rich colonial history with numerous State Heritage-listed buildings.
Jesmond NSW 2299
Jesmond is a residential suburb in the City of Newcastle, located approximately 9 kilometres west-northwest of the Newcastle CBD in the Hunter Region of New South Wales. With a population of around 3,210 (2021 Census), it is a compact suburb spanning just 1.3 square kilometres. The area is popular with students due to its proximity to the University of Newcastle and offers a mix of modest housing at relatively affordable prices for the Newcastle market.
Tenambit NSW 2323
Tenambit is a residential suburb in the City of Maitland, located approximately 4 kilometres south-west of the Maitland CBD in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Established in the mid-19th century, it has a population of around 2,900 and covers 2 square kilometres. The suburb offers a diverse range of housing including detached homes and modern townhouses, with an accessible, community-focused atmosphere.
Kirribilli NSW 2061
Kirribilli is a prestigious harbourside suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, situated just 3 kilometres from the CBD in the North Sydney local government area. With a population of 3,629 (2021 Census) spread across just 0.44 square kilometres, it is one of Sydney's most densely populated and sought-after locations. The suburb is renowned for its iconic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, its tree-lined streets of Federation and Victorian terrace homes, and its exclusive address as the Sydney residence of the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House. The median age of 44 and high median personal income of $1,598 per week reflect its affluent, established demographic.
Mount Saint Thomas NSW 2500
Mount Saint Thomas is a small residential suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, located just 3 kilometres south-west of the Wollongong CBD. With a population of approximately 1,450, it sits at an elevation of 29 metres between Figtree and Mangerton. The suburb has a quiet, established character within the broader Wollongong urban area.
North Gosford NSW 2250
North Gosford is a suburban locality on the New South Wales Central Coast, situated approximately 2 kilometres north of Gosford's central business district and around 77 kilometres north of Sydney, within the Central Coast Council local government area. With a population of 3,986 and a median age of 36, the suburb attracts a diverse mix of families, professionals, and long-term residents drawn by its proximity to Gosford's services and relatively affordable housing compared to Sydney. The compact suburb covers under 2 square kilometres and is characterised by a mix of freestanding homes and medium-density residential properties.
Phillip Bay NSW 2036
Phillip Bay is one of Sydney's smallest Eastern Suburbs, situated approximately 13 kilometres south-east of the Sydney CBD within the City of Randwick local government area. With a population of 721 at the 2021 Census, it is among the least densely populated localities in Randwick Municipality, covering a compact area that includes Yarra Bay and the adjacent Bicentennial Park reserve. Median household income sits at around $54,000, somewhat modest relative to surrounding eastern suburbs, reflecting the quiet residential and partly industrial fringe character of the area near Port Botany.
Argenton NSW 2284
Argenton is a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in Greater Newcastle, New South Wales, situated approximately 16 kilometres west of the Newcastle CBD. The suburb sits on the western shores of Lake Macquarie, Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake, and has a population of around 1,350 people. Its history is tied to the Lake Macquarie region's industrial past - lead smelting once operated in the area - though today Argenton is a quiet, established residential community. The Awabakal people are the traditional custodians of this land.
📊 Methodology
Rankings are based on the proportion of dwellings classified as social housing (state housing authority + community housing provider) in the ABS Census 2021, Table G37 — Tenure Type by Dwelling Structure. Only suburbs in NSW with at least 100 occupied private dwellings were included to ensure statistical reliability.