Rockdale
NSW 2216 · Bayside
15,475 (2021) → 17,867 est. (2025) · High Growth
Part of the Bayside local government area (est. 168,871 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Rockdale is a high growth suburb in Bayside, NSW 2216, about 11km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $1.76M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 4 schools, a transport score of 97/100, and is right by the coast. Rockdale has an overall score of 92/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 68/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2216 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: Nepal (15.84%), China (6.52%), North Macedonia (3.53%), Bangladesh (3.42%), Philippines (3.22%)
Top languages: Nepali (16.06%), Mandarin (5.54%), Macedon (5.15%), Arabic (4.57%), Cantonese (4.1%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1065 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1092
- St Dominic Savio SchoolPrimary · IndependentICSEA 1053
- Rockdale Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1053
- St Mary and St Mina's Coptic Orthodox College, Rockdale campusSecondary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- St George Girls High SchoolSecondary · Government · 0.8kmICSEA 1148
- Kogarah Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1kmICSEA 1087
- Cairnsfoot SchoolCombined · Government · 1.1kmICSEA 1036
- Kogarah High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.1kmICSEA 993
- Marist College KogarahSecondary · Catholic · 1.1kmICSEA 1076
- Bexley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.2kmICSEA 1005
- St Thomas More's Catholic Primary School Brighton Le SandsPrimary · Catholic · 1.2kmICSEA 1090
- Brighton-Le-Sands Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.3kmICSEA 1064
- Arncliffe Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1028
- James Cook Boys High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1022
- St Mary and St Mina's Coptic Orthodox CollegePrimary · Independent · 1.5kmICSEA 1123
- St George Hospital SchoolCombined · Government · 1.6km
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Some green space
Around the national average — a reasonable amount of parks and outdoor space nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Limited cultural access
Below average — fewer cultural venues nearby.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Quiet area
Pretty light on licensed venues. Good for peace and quiet; less so for spontaneous nights out.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Bayside
Compare Rockdale with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Rockdale
Is Rockdale safe?
Rockdale has a residential safety score of 68/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 5,273 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Rockdale?
In Rockdale, the median house price is $1.76M and the median unit price is $721K. Median weekly house rent is $810.
How far is Rockdale from Sydney CBD?
Rockdale is about 10.8 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 30 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Rockdale?
Rockdale has 4 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1066 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Rockdale?
Rockdale has a transport score of 97/100, including 1 train station and 53 bus stops.