Backwater vs Wards Mistake
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Wards Mistake (926) sits above Backwater (921). Backwater skews owner-occupied (50%), Wards Mistake runs more rental-dense (20% owner).
Buying in Backwater or Wards Mistake?
Selling in Backwater? The free selling guide
Backwater and Wards Mistake side by side
| Measure | Backwater | Wards Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $420/wk | $523/wk |
| Unit rent | – | $370/wk |
| Owner occupied | 50.0% | 20.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 10 | 5 |
| Average ICSEA | 921 | 926 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 0 | 0 |
| Population | 19 | 27 |
| Median age | 64 | 51 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 923 mm | 851 mm |
| Mean max, January | 24.3°C | 25.3°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
- For buyers
- We don't yet have verified suburb-level medians for one or both of these suburbs. Check the individual profiles for the data we do publish, and the methodology page for how we source it.
- For investors
- Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.
- For families
- Wards Mistake edges out on average school ICSEA (926 vs 921). Backwater also has a higher family-household share (70% vs 60%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Backwater vs Wards Mistake: common questions
Does Backwater or Wards Mistake have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Wards Mistake scores 926 vs 921 in Backwater. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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Choosing between Backwater and Wards Mistake?
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