Argenton
Density is the first surprise in Argenton: 1,352 residents occupy 1.52 square kilometres, or 887.5 people per square kilometre. The suburb is still strongly detached-home oriented, with 84.8% separate houses, while the median age of 40 matches the national age profile. Household income sits at the 32.8th percentile, pointing to a more budget-conscious market than higher-income parts of Lake Macquarie. Compared with nearby Glendale and Cardiff, Argenton has a compact residential feel and a more modest education profile, with university attainment 14.8 percentage points below the national level. Its 79.3% resident-stability rate also suggests that many households remain rooted locally.
Local council: Lake Macquarie
Population
1,352
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,318/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Argenton suits buyers prioritising a conventional house over apartment living. Separate houses account for 84.8% of dwellings, compared with 3.0% apartments and 12.1% semi-detached homes. The 48.1% share of three-bedroom stock is higher than the 32.2% share of two-bedroom dwellings, supporting family and shared-household demand. Mortgage repayments average $1,517 a month, while mortgage costs equal 26.6% of household income and the mortgage-stress flag is false. The 30.2% mortgaged share and 28.4% outright-owned share indicate a mixed market, while 39.9% renting creates a visible tenant segment. Buyers should compare Argenton with Glendale or Cardiff for price, lot size and school-zone trade-offs.
For Buyers
Argenton suits buyers prioritising a conventional house over apartment living. Separate houses account for 84.8% of dwellings, compared with 3.0% apartments and 12.1% semi-detached homes. The 48.1% share of three-bedroom stock is higher than the 32.2% share of two-bedroom dwellings, supporting family and shared-household demand. Mortgage repayments average $1,517 a month, while mortgage costs equal 26.6% of household income and the mortgage-stress flag is false. The 30.2% mortgaged share and 28.4% outright-owned share indicate a mixed market, while 39.9% renting creates a visible tenant segment. Buyers should compare Argenton with Glendale or Cardiff for price, lot size and school-zone trade-offs.
For Investors
For investors, Argenton combines a sizeable rental base with a vacancy rate that deserves close checking. Renters represent 39.9% of occupied dwellings, weekly rent is $350 and vacancy is 7.7%, so tenant demand may be less tight than in lower-vacancy markets. The 26.6% rent-to-income measure and 17 development matters in 12 months point to a market where affordability and small-scale additions matter. A secondary dwelling appears among recent applications, which can support flexible housing supply but may also increase competing stock. Compared with outright ownership at 28.4%, renting is the larger tenure group. Assess gross yield only after confirming a current sale price, insurance, maintenance and likely vacancy, because rent alone cannot establish an investment return.
Development Activity
Total DAs
88
Last 12 Months
17
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+21.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Argenton
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Argenton's demographic profile is mature rather than youthful: median age is 40, matching the national comparison, and average household size is 2.3, or 0.2 below the national figure. English ancestry is most common at 512 people, followed by Irish at 143 and Scottish at 139. Christianity counts 671 residents, while 561 report no religion, reinforcing an Anglo-leaning pattern compared with highly migrant parts of the region. Overseas-born residents comprise 11.0%, 10.6 percentage points below national, and university attainment is 15.3%, 14.8 points below national. With 79.3% staying at the same address and 20.7% turnover, household change is measured rather than rapid.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.8%
Houses
12.1%
Townhouse
3.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Argenton's housing stock is predominantly low-rise and family-suited. Separate houses make up 84.8% of dwellings, well above the 3.0% apartment share and higher than the 12.1% semi-detached share. Three-bedroom homes account for 48.1%, compared with 32.2% two-bedroom and 15.7% four-bedroom-or-larger stock, so the market is weighted toward moderate-size houses rather than large properties. Tenure is split across 28.4% outright ownership, 30.2% mortgages and 39.9% renting. Rent is $350 per week and mortgage repayments are $1,517 monthly; both housing-cost ratios are 26.6%, with neither stress flag active. Compared with denser unit markets, Argenton's form may appeal to households wanting yards and established housing.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$680
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $530
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$616
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.7%
Unoccupied
47
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.7%
Couples with children
36.4%
Couples, no children
29.0%
Single parent
365
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Argenton's standout employment industry, accounting for 22.6% of jobs and 72 workers, above construction at 12.9% and 41 workers. Education contributes 8.8% and 28 workers, followed by Other Services at 7.2% and manufacturing at 6.9%, giving the labour base a service and practical-skills tilt. Occupations reinforce that pattern: trades lead with 109 people, ahead of labourers at 81, community and personal service at 80, professionals at 71 and sales at 67. Unemployment is 4.7%, participation is 54.2% and full-time employment is 57.5%. Household income is $1,318 weekly, at the 32.8th percentile. Compared with higher-income areas, this supports a price-sensitive consumer economy.
Unemployment
4.7%
Labour Force
613
Unemployed
29
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.5%
Part-time
35.8%
Participation
54.2%
Employed
584
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
15.3%
Postgraduate
2.3%
Born Overseas
11.0%
Dwellings
560
Transport to Work
Argenton is practical for households that rely on cars: 76.8% of residents drive to work, compared with 2.6% who walk or cycle, while 13.7% work from home. That transport pattern matters because local trips, school runs and regional commuting are likely to shape daily costs more than walkability. The local primary option is Argenton Public School, a government school; families should check enrolment zones and secondary-school options against the exact address. The suburb's density is 887.5 people per square kilometre across 1.52 square kilometres, creating a compact setting despite its detached housing. With 12.6% needing assistance and volunteering at 6.8%, households should also consider accessibility and support networks. Compared with transit-oriented suburbs, car dependence is higher, so buyers should inspect parking, road access and peak travel times.
Drive
76.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
13.7%
Growth Outlook
Argenton's near-term change is best understood through small-scale property activity rather than a large release of new housing. There were 17 development matters in the past 12 months, including applications for a secondary dwelling, a pool and alterations to an existing home. That pattern points to household upgrades and infill activity, while 79.3% of residents staying at the same address is higher than the 20.7% turnover rate. The suburb contains 1,352 residents across 1.52 square kilometres, so additional small projects can affect the streetscape without requiring broad greenfield expansion. A forecast annual growth rate, migration driver, gentrification score and population-shift trajectory are not stated for Argenton, so buyers should treat the local development pipeline as the clearest current signal and verify council approvals before assuming stronger growth.
Population trend: Lake Macquarie council area
Argenton sits in the Lake Macquarie council area. These are the council area's residents, not Argenton's.
Residents 2025
224,540
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Argenton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Argenton a good suburb to live in?
Argenton can suit households wanting detached homes and a compact Lake Macquarie setting. It has 1,352 residents, 84.8% separate houses and a median age of 40. Car use is high at 76.8%, so it is a better fit for buyers comfortable with driving than for those seeking a transit-led lifestyle.
What is the median house price in Argenton?
A current median house price needs to be checked against recent sales. Argenton has 84.8% separate houses and 48.1% three-bedroom homes, so compare like-for-like properties by land size, condition and bedroom count. Weekly rent is $350, but rent should not be used as a substitute for a sale-price median.
What schools are in Argenton?
Argenton Public School is the local government primary school. Families should confirm the catchment for an exact address and investigate secondary options, because school access can differ across nearby Glendale and Cardiff. The suburb's median age is 40, so both current family needs and future schooling requirements deserve checking.
Is Argenton safe?
A categorical safety rating would be premature because no current crime total or rate is stated. Argenton has 1,352 residents and 76.8% car-driver commuting. Check NSW Police or BOCSAR figures for the exact street and compare recent trends with nearby suburbs before deciding.
Is Argenton good for property investment?
It may suit investors seeking an established rental base, but the numbers call for disciplined pricing. Renters account for 39.9% of dwellings, weekly rent is $350 and vacancy is 7.7%, while 17 development matters occurred over 12 months. Confirm the purchase price, insurance, maintenance and vacancy assumptions before calculating yield.
How is Argenton's population changing?
Argenton's current population is 1,352, and residential change appears steady rather than highly mobile: 79.3% stayed at the same address while 20.7% moved. Seventeen development matters in 12 months, including a secondary dwelling and home alterations, suggest incremental infill. Check future council approvals before assuming a faster growth rate.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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