🔍

Boolaroo

NSW 2284 • Rest of NSW

1,636
Population (2021)
$78,208
Median Household Income
2.71 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
AffordableFamily-FriendlyLakesideGrowth SuburbPost-Industrial

About Boolaroo

Boolaroo is a small suburban locality in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, situated approximately 18 kilometres southwest of Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 1,636 residents at the 2021 census, it covers 2.7 square kilometres at an elevation of 25 metres. The suburb has a working-class heritage tied to the former Pasminco lead and zinc smelter, and has undergone steady residential renewal since the smelter's closure in 2003.

Boolaroo offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle within easy reach of Lake Macquarie and the greater Newcastle region. Residents enjoy proximity to Speers Point Park, the Lake Macquarie foreshore, and local shopping at nearby Argenton and Cardiff. The suburb attracts young families and first-home buyers seeking value for money in the Hunter region, with a median age of 39 and an average household size of 2.4 persons.

Boolaroo falls under postcode 2284 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2284
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.95°, 151.63°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.71 km²
Elevation
25m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Boolaroo for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1M
68 sales · ▲ 11.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$761K
8 sales · ▲ 71.5% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,907
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
39 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Booragul Station
2 km
25 min
Cardiff Station
2.5 km
30 min
Fassifern Station
3 km
35 min

Bus Services

  • 267, 269 — Newcastle Interchange 40 min
  • 267 — Toronto via Speers Point 20 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
18 km
By Train
30-35 min (from Booragul)
By Bus
40-50 min
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Good access via the M1 Pacific Motorway for Sydney commuters

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car, though local streets are pleasant for walking and cycling. Speers Point shops are a short drive away.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Boolaroo. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
Motor vehicle theft
229.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
376.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.1%
View all 62 offence types for Lake Macquarie →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,039
Census 2021
1,636
▲ 57.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,628
Personal Income 2021
$39,936
▲ 30.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$39,936 / yr
$768/wk
Household
$78,208 / yr
$1504/wk
Family
$104,624 / yr
$2012/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,401
Born Overseas 154

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 40
  • 2. New Zealand 22
  • 3. South Africa 12
  • 4. India 9
  • 5. Scotland 7
  • 6. United States 6
  • 7. Ireland 5
  • 8. Pakistan 5
  • 9. Philippines 5
  • 10. Italy 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 715
Australian 704
Scottish 201
Irish 165
Australian Aboriginal 79
German 62
Italian 29
Welsh 29
Indian 22
Maori 15

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,172
Both parents born in Australia
186
Both parents born overseas
194
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.8%
No Religion
43.0%
Hinduism
1.1%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.5%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
98 (6.0%)
5-14 years
187 (11.4%)
15-19 years
79 (4.8%)
20-24 years
99 (6.1%)
25-34 years
246 (15.0%)
35-44 years
209 (12.8%)
45-54 years
185 (11.3%)
55-64 years
210 (12.8%)
65-74 years
168 (10.3%)
75-84 years
122 (7.5%)
85+ years
28 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boolaroo known for? +

Boolaroo offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle within easy reach of Lake Macquarie and the greater Newcastle region.

How far is Boolaroo from Sydney CBD? +

Boolaroo is approximately 18 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 25-35 min in peak hour and 20 min off-peak.

Does Boolaroo have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Booragul Station (2 km away, approximately 25 min walk) on the Hunter Line (Newcastle to Maitland). Bus services include 267, 269, running to Newcastle Interchange in approximately 40 min.

What is the population of Boolaroo? +

According to the 2021 Census, Boolaroo has a population of 1,636 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Boolaroo a good place to live? +

Boolaroo is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Residents enjoy proximity to Speers Point Park, the Lake Macquarie foreshore, and local shopping at nearby Argenton and Cardiff.

What is the postcode for Boolaroo? +

The postcode for Boolaroo is 2284. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Boolaroo? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Boolaroo is about $768 per week (around $39,900 per year). The median household income is $1,504 per week and the median family income is $2,012 per week.

What is the median house price in Boolaroo? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,000,000, up 11.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $761,250, up 71.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Boolaroo? +

The median age in Boolaroo is 39. The largest age group is 25–34 (246 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Boolaroo a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Boolaroo is part of the Lake Macquarie LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Boolaroo? +

In Boolaroo, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,907 (2021 Census).