Heatherbrae vs Raymond Terrace

Raymond Terrace is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 47 in Heatherbrae. In both, most households own their home. In Heatherbrae, about half of homes are flats or apartments and about half of households are people living alone. In Raymond Terrace, the large majority of homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Raymond Terrace: a median of $746,000, against $549,000 in Heatherbrae. On these figures, Heatherbrae tends to suit people living alone and buyers on a tighter budget, while Raymond Terrace suits families with children.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Raymond Terrace

ahead on 6 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (12 vs 0)
  • has more childcare (10 vs 1)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (6 vs 1)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Heatherbrae has cheaper houses ($549,000 vs $746,000)
  • Raymond Terrace leaves households under less mortgage stress (27% vs 43%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Heatherbrae sits closer to the CBD (166.3 km vs 169.7 km)
  • Raymond Terrace is more walkable (70/100 vs 30/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Raymond Terrace

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (70/100 vs 30/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (88/100 vs 98/100)
  • But Heatherbrae has more units and townhouses to downsize into (59% vs 17%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Heatherbrae

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (27.7% vs 4.9%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

Heatherbrae and Raymond Terrace drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Walkability 30 / 70
Heatherbrae — Walkability: 30/100 Raymond Terrace — Walkability: 70/100
Safety 2 / 12
Heatherbrae — Safety: 2/100 Raymond Terrace — Safety: 12/100
Low fire risk 24 / 33
Heatherbrae — Low fire risk: 24/100 Raymond Terrace — Low fire risk: 33/100

Demographics

Raymond Terrace has more residents (13,453 vs 654); Heatherbrae skews older (47 vs 37).

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Population 654 13,453
+1957% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +27.7% +4.9%
Median age 47 37
Median household income $55,432/yr $67,444/yr
+22% vs other
Median weekly rent $320/wk $325/wk
+2% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
0-4 3.5% / 5.9%
Heatherbrae — 0-4: 3.5% Raymond Terrace — 0-4: 5.9%
5-14 8.7% / 14.8%
Heatherbrae — 5-14: 8.7% Raymond Terrace — 5-14: 14.8%
15-19 4.0% / 6.7%
Heatherbrae — 15-19: 4.0% Raymond Terrace — 15-19: 6.7%
20-24 7.3% / 6.1%
Heatherbrae — 20-24: 7.3% Raymond Terrace — 20-24: 6.1%
25-34 15.3% / 13.1%
Heatherbrae — 25-34: 15.3% Raymond Terrace — 25-34: 13.1%
35-44 10.2% / 12.2%
Heatherbrae — 35-44: 10.2% Raymond Terrace — 35-44: 12.2%
45-54 12.5% / 12.2%
Heatherbrae — 45-54: 12.5% Raymond Terrace — 45-54: 12.2%
55-64 17.9% / 12.1%
Heatherbrae — 55-64: 17.9% Raymond Terrace — 55-64: 12.1%
65-74 11.6% / 10.0%
Heatherbrae — 65-74: 11.6% Raymond Terrace — 65-74: 10.0%
75-84 8.4% / 5.3%
Heatherbrae — 75-84: 8.4% Raymond Terrace — 75-84: 5.3%
85+ 2.6% / 1.8%
Heatherbrae — 85+: 2.6% Raymond Terrace — 85+: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Heatherbrae 52.9% lone person
Heatherbrae — Lone Person: 52.9% Heatherbrae — Couple Families: 22.5% Heatherbrae — One Parent Families: 14.4% Heatherbrae — Group Household: 7.0% Heatherbrae — Other Families: 3.2%
Raymond Terrace 36.4% lone person
Raymond Terrace — Lone Person: 36.4% Raymond Terrace — Couple Families: 33.1% Raymond Terrace — One Parent Families: 24.8% Raymond Terrace — Group Household: 4.0% Raymond Terrace — Other Families: 1.6%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Heatherbrae 40.3% renting
Heatherbrae — Owned Outright: 45.8% Heatherbrae — Mortgage: 13.9% Heatherbrae — Renting: 40.3%
Raymond Terrace 40.5% renting
Raymond Terrace — Owned Outright: 26.7% Raymond Terrace — Mortgage: 32.7% Raymond Terrace — Renting: 40.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Certificate III & IV 15.4% / 19.0%
Heatherbrae — Certificate III & IV: 15.4% Raymond Terrace — Certificate III & IV: 19.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 4.3% / 6.0%
Heatherbrae — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.3% Raymond Terrace — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.0%
Bachelor Degree 4.7% / 4.5%
Heatherbrae — Bachelor Degree: 4.7% Raymond Terrace — Bachelor Degree: 4.5%
Postgraduate Degree 0.8% / 1.0%
Heatherbrae — Postgraduate Degree: 0.8% Raymond Terrace — Postgraduate Degree: 1.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.6% / 0.7%
Heatherbrae — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.6% Raymond Terrace — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.0%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Malaysia 4.9% / 0.3%
Heatherbrae — Malaysia: 4.9% Raymond Terrace — Malaysia: 0.3%
New Zealand 1.8% / 1.0%
Heatherbrae — New Zealand: 1.8% Raymond Terrace — New Zealand: 1.0%
England 0.9% / 1.7%
Heatherbrae — England: 0.9% Raymond Terrace — England: 1.7%
Pakistan 2.0% / —
Heatherbrae — Pakistan: 2.0% Raymond Terrace — Pakistan: not among its largest
Italy 1.2% / —
Heatherbrae — Italy: 1.2% Raymond Terrace — Italy: not among its largest
Philippines 0.6% / 0.6%
Heatherbrae — Philippines: 0.6% Raymond Terrace — Philippines: 0.6%
Germany 0.9% / 0.3%
Heatherbrae — Germany: 0.9% Raymond Terrace — Germany: 0.3%
Thailand 0.8% / 0.3%
Heatherbrae — Thailand: 0.8% Raymond Terrace — Thailand: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Heatherbrae 41.1% houses
Heatherbrae — Houses: 41.1% Heatherbrae — Flats / Apartments: 53.9% Heatherbrae — Townhouses: 5.0%
Raymond Terrace 83.2% houses
Raymond Terrace — Houses: 83.2% Raymond Terrace — Flats / Apartments: 1.2% Raymond Terrace — Townhouses: 15.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Median house price $549,000 $746,000
Median unit price $401,500 $527,500
Median land price $602,000 $486,000
Typical days to sell (houses) — 25 days
from 141 sales

Zoning mix

Heatherbrae has more rural and farming land (60% vs 16%); Raymond Terrace has more land zoned for conservation (35% vs 8%).

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Rural and farming 60% 16%
Environmental 8% 35%
Residential 2% 23%
Infrastructure and transport 12% 21%
Industrial 15% 0%
Parks and recreation 2% 4%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
New dwellings approved 495
across Port Stephens
same for both
Approvals change year on year -72%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Houses — 4.5%
$650/wk on $750K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
House price Higher than 82% of NSW Higher than 26% of NSW
Income Higher than 15% of NSW Higher than 30% of NSW
Schools — Higher than 33% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 75% of NSW Higher than 88% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 5% of NSW Higher than 62% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 51% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 80% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 91% of NSW

Liveability

Raymond Terrace is more walkable (70 vs 30); Raymond Terrace scores higher overall (21 vs 13).

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Grade D
same for both
Score 13/100 21/100
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
same for both

Risk profile

Heatherbrae carries more crime risk (98 vs 88).

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Bushfire High
76/100
 Moderate
67/100
Crime High
98/100
 High
88/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
 High
100/100
Industrial facilities nearby 7
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Inside the suburb 1 6
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0 4

Schools in Heatherbrae

  • Hunter River High School Government · Secondary at peers

Schools in Raymond Terrace

  • St Brigid's Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Grahamstown Public School Government · Primary below peers
  • Irrawang High School Government · Secondary below peers
  • Irrawang Public School Government · Primary below peers
  • Raymond Terrace Public School Government · Primary below peers
  • Alesco Secondary College - Raymond Terrace Campus Independent · Secondary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Supermarkets 0 4
Cafes & restaurants 1
same for both
Parks & reserves 0 12
Childcare 1 10
GPs 0 3
Pharmacies 0 4
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 9
Fuel stations 6 3
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 1 8

Mobility

Raymond Terrace sits further from the CBD (169.7 km vs 166.3 km).

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Walkability score 30/100 70/100
Distance to Sydney 166.3 km 169.7 km
+2% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 125 min 127 min
Public transport score 77/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 28.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 370.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.5%
postcode 2324
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 54
postcode 2324
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Car (driver) 62.6% / 77.5%
Heatherbrae — Car (driver): 62.6% Raymond Terrace — Car (driver): 77.5%
Worked from Home 16.2% / 14.3%
Heatherbrae — Worked from Home: 16.2% Raymond Terrace — Worked from Home: 14.3%
Car (passenger) 11.1% / 5.4%
Heatherbrae — Car (passenger): 11.1% Raymond Terrace — Car (passenger): 5.4%
Walked Only 7.6% / 1.5%
Heatherbrae — Walked Only: 7.6% Raymond Terrace — Walked Only: 1.5%
Bus 2.5% / 0.9%
Heatherbrae — Bus: 2.5% Raymond Terrace — Bus: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (77.5%).

Setting

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Elevation 5 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 30 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.0 km 7.5 km

NBN connectivity

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Connectivity score 71/100 73/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 48%
598 premises
 51%
6,517 premises

Climate

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Annual rainfall 1,181 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.7°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.72 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Average residential rate $1,359/yr
same for both
Council Port Stephens
same for both

Federal electorate

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Division Paterson
same for both
Member Meryl Swanson
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Heatherbrae Raymond Terrace
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Heatherbrae

Affordable Quiet Rural

Raymond Terrace

Regional Centre

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Heatherbrae

Heatherbrae vs Woodberry Heatherbrae vs Millers Forest Heatherbrae vs Tomago

Other comparisons with Raymond Terrace

Raymond Terrace vs Williamtown Raymond Terrace vs Millers Forest Raymond Terrace vs Nelsons Plains Raymond Terrace vs Tomago Raymond Terrace vs Eagleton Raymond Terrace vs Ferodale
Full data on Heatherbrae Full data on Raymond Terrace
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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