Buttaba
At 43, Buttaba's median age is 3.0 years above the national comparison, while 97.0% of dwellings are separate houses. The 1,204 residents occupy 1.93 sq km at a density of 623.0 people per sq km, and household income sits at the 68.2 percentile. Ownership is the defining pattern: 45.7% own outright and 42.9% have a mortgage, compared with 11.5% renting. Only 10.4% were born overseas, 11.2 percentage points below the national comparison. Its contrast with nearby Warners Bay is visible in Buttaba's low-rise, owner-focused housing mix.
Local council: Lake Macquarie
Population
1,204
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,875/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
15
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market, with 97.0% of dwellings separate houses, compared with 1.2% apartments and 1.8% semi-detached homes. Larger stock is prominent, with 51.4% of homes containing 4 or more bedrooms. That suits families because the average household has 2.7 people, 0.2 above the national comparison. Holding costs need testing against income: the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167, equal to 26.7% of household income, while rent is $410 a week and 21.9% of income. Compared with more compact pockets around Warners Bay, Buttaba provides fewer apartment-style options, so buyers should focus on land, condition and recent comparable sales.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market, with 97.0% of dwellings separate houses, compared with 1.2% apartments and 1.8% semi-detached homes. Larger stock is prominent, with 51.4% of homes containing 4 or more bedrooms. That suits families because the average household has 2.7 people, 0.2 above the national comparison. Holding costs need testing against income: the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167, equal to 26.7% of household income, while rent is $410 a week and 21.9% of income. Compared with more compact pockets around Warners Bay, Buttaba provides fewer apartment-style options, so buyers should focus on land, condition and recent comparable sales.
For Investors
Investor demand may be narrower than in a rental-focused suburb because only 11.5% of households rent, while 45.7% own outright and 42.9% have a mortgage. Weekly rent is $410, but a 7.1% vacancy rate means leasing speed and tenant depth deserve careful testing rather than assumption. Fourteen development matters in 12 months, including dwelling, shed and subdivision work, indicate an active but small pipeline. Owner occupation is higher than renting, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.7% sits alongside household income at the 68.2 percentile. Those conditions support established owner capacity, but they do not guarantee investor returns.
Development Activity
Total DAs
75
Last 12 Months
15
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+25.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
At 43, Buttaba is older than the national comparison by 3.0 years, and its 24.8% university-educated share is 5.3 percentage points below the national comparison. The overseas-born share is 10.4%, 11.2 points below nationally, with English, Scottish and Irish ancestry counts of 583, 145 and 119. Religious identification is split between no religion at 592 and Christianity at 552. Household size is 2.7 people, 0.2 above national, while 84.9% stayed at the same address and turnover was 15.1%. That residential stability helps explain the settled character, alongside couples with children at 40.7% and couples without children at 45.5%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.0%
Houses
1.8%
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing dominates Buttaba more strongly than compact formats: 97.0% of dwellings are separate houses, versus 1.2% apartments and 1.8% semi-detached homes. Larger stock is also prominent, with 51.4% of homes having 4 or more bedrooms and 40.5% having 3 bedrooms. Tenure is split between 45.7% owned outright and 42.9% with a mortgage, while 11.5% rent. That ownership mix helps explain the low rental share and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.7%; rent-to-income is 21.9%. Compared with nearby Warners Bay's denser pockets, Buttaba is better suited to buyers seeking established houses and land than apartment-style living.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $410.
$645
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $660 · units $520
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$786
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.1%
Unoccupied
33
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.7%
Couples with children
45.5%
Couples, no children
11.4%
Single parent
376
Total families
Economy & Employment
Buttaba's employment base leans toward essential and service-linked industries. Healthcare accounts for 19.1% of workers, education 18.2%, construction 11.4%, manufacturing 9.1% and retail 7.7%; healthcare is higher than retail, while healthcare and education create a stronger base for household demand. Occupations are led by professionals at 118 and trades at 100, followed by community and personal roles at 69, managers at 67 and clerical or administrative workers at 57. The unemployment rate is 4.6%, participation is 59.0% and full-time work is 60.0%. Weekly household income of $1,875 sits at the 68.2 percentile, above the national midpoint, although commuting and housing costs still shape spending.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
587
Unemployed
27
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.0%
Part-time
33.2%
Participation
59.0%
Employed
560
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
24.8%
Postgraduate
4.9%
Born Overseas
10.4%
Dwellings
434
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented: 72.8% drive to work, compared with 0.6% using public transport and 1.7% walking or cycling. A further 21.8% work from home, which can reduce weekday commuting pressure because the suburb is compact at 1.93 sq km and has a density of 623.0 people per sq km. Volunteering reaches 13.1%, while 6.3% of residents need assistance, suggesting both community participation and a need for accessible services. School enrolment should be checked against the exact address and zone, especially for families in households averaging 2.7 people. Compared with a transit-led setting, Buttaba is more practical for drivers than car-free households.
Drive
72.8%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
21.8%
Growth Outlook
Growth looks measured rather than high-volume. Buttaba has 1,204 residents across 1.93 sq km, and 14 development matters were lodged over 12 months, with examples including a dwelling modification, shed and subdivision. Because 84.9% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover is 15.1%, change is more likely to come through incremental additions than rapid churn. The median age of 43, or 3.0 years above the national comparison, also points to an established market. Compared with a major greenfield corridor, the current local pipeline is small. A quantified annual growth rate, migration driver, gentrification stage and 10-year trajectory should be confirmed before treating Buttaba as a high-growth market.
Population trend: Lake Macquarie council area
Buttaba sits in the Lake Macquarie council area. These are the council area's residents, not Buttaba'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 Buttaba compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buttaba a good suburb to live in?
For many households, yes, if a detached and car-oriented setting suits them. Buttaba has a median age of 43, 97.0% separate houses, 72.8% car-driver commuting and 21.8% working from home. Ownership is high at 45.7% outright and 42.9% mortgage, compared with 11.5% renting.
What is the median house price in Buttaba?
A current median house price should be checked against recent Buttaba sales, because the housing figures describe dwelling type rather than sale value. Buttaba is 97.0% separate houses, 51.4% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, and median monthly mortgage repayments are $2,167. Compared with an apartment market, these figures point to a different sales mix.
What schools are in Buttaba?
School access depends on the exact address and enrolment zone. Families should confirm nearby primary and secondary options with NSW school authorities before buying, because zones can cross suburb boundaries. Travel planning matters in a suburb where 72.8% drive and only 0.6% use public transport, making school location more important than in a transit-led area.
Is Buttaba safe?
To assess safety, check current NSW Police incident information and speak with local residents before deciding. Buttaba has 72.8% car use, compared with 0.6% public transport use, and 13.1% volunteering. Those figures help describe how residents use the suburb but are not a substitute for current street-level safety checks.
Is Buttaba good for property investment?
It can suit an investor seeking detached housing, but rental depth needs scrutiny. Only 11.5% of households rent, weekly rent is $410 and vacancy is 7.1%. Owner occupation is higher than renting, while 14 development matters in 12 months indicate some activity without proving strong rental demand or future price growth.
How is Buttaba's population changing?
Buttaba has 1,204 residents today. Its population is older than the national comparison, with a median age of 43, or 3.0 years above it, and residential stability is high: 84.9% stayed at the same address while turnover was 15.1%. Fourteen development matters in 12 months suggest gradual local change rather than a large construction surge.
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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