Waitara
NSW 2077 · Hornsby
7,837 (2021) → 8,266 est. (2025) · Moderate Growth
Part of the Hornsby local government area (est. 144,237 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Waitara is a moderate growth suburb in Hornsby, NSW 2077, about 20km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $2.45M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 2 schools, a transport score of 94/100, and is about 16km inland. Waitara has an overall score of 96/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 97/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2077 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: India (16.17%), China (14.66%), South Korea (3.56%), Philippines (3.47%), Iran (3.42%)
Top languages: Mandarin (15.53%), Hindi (6.97%), Cantonese (6.16%), Korean (4.26%), Persian ED (3.76%)
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 1125 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1153
- Barker College Junior SchoolPrimary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Waitara Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 0.5kmICSEA 1148
- Marri Mittigar SchoolCombined · Independent · 0.5kmICSEA 984
- Hornsby Girls High SchoolSecondary · Government · 0.6kmICSEA 1209
- St Leo's Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 0.7kmICSEA 1113
- Barker CollegeSecondary · Independent · 0.7kmICSEA 1166
- Broken Bay Cross Campus Course CentreSecondary · Catholic · 0.7km
- Clarke Road SchoolCombined · Government · 1kmICSEA 1063
- Abbotsleigh Junior SchoolPrimary · Independent · 1km
- Hornsby South Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.1kmICSEA 1110
- Knox Grammar School - Wahroonga Preparatory CampusPrimary · Independent · 1.1km
- AbbotsleighCombined · Independent · 1.3kmICSEA 1217
- Normanhurst Boys High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1207
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
Fitness paradise
Top 20% nationally — gyms, leisure centres, pools and sports fields all close by. Easy to stay active without travelling far.
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
Rich cultural scene
Well above average — a strong mix of 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
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
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
Moderate GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Hornsby
Compare Waitara with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Waitara
Is Waitara safe?
Waitara has a residential safety score of 97/100, 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 2,284 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Waitara?
In Waitara, the median house price is $2.45M and the median unit price is $784K. Median weekly house rent is $775.
How far is Waitara from Sydney CBD?
Waitara is about 20.5 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 49 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Waitara?
Waitara has 2 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1153 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Waitara?
Waitara has a transport score of 94/100, including 1 train station and 9 bus stops.