Gateshead
A 3,121-person suburb spread across 5.47 sq km, Gateshead has a distinctly detached housing base, with density of 571.1 people per sq km and 90.6% of dwellings being separate houses. Its median age of 35 is 5 years below the national benchmark, while household income sits at the 27.1 percentile. Healthcare accounts for 27.6% of employment, giving the local economy a strong service focus. Compared with nearby Charlestown, Gateshead reads as smaller and more residential, with a housing profile shaped around established family homes rather than a denser centre.
Local council: Lake Macquarie
Population
3,121
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,232/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
Gateshead suits buyers seeking conventional family housing, as 90.6% of dwellings are separate houses, 55.7% have 3 bedrooms and 23.5% have 4 or more bedrooms. The cost profile still requires careful budgeting: the typical mortgage commitment is $1,705 per month and mortgage payments absorb 32.0% of household income, above the 24.4% rent-to-income measure. Buyers should compare recent settled prices and renovation needs closely because the detached housing mix can conceal substantial variation between streets. Compared with a unit-led search around nearby Charlestown, Gateshead is more oriented to land-based homes and larger floor plans.
For Buyers
Gateshead suits buyers seeking conventional family housing, as 90.6% of dwellings are separate houses, 55.7% have 3 bedrooms and 23.5% have 4 or more bedrooms. The cost profile still requires careful budgeting: the typical mortgage commitment is $1,705 per month and mortgage payments absorb 32.0% of household income, above the 24.4% rent-to-income measure. Buyers should compare recent settled prices and renovation needs closely because the detached housing mix can conceal substantial variation between streets. Compared with a unit-led search around nearby Charlestown, Gateshead is more oriented to land-based homes and larger floor plans.
For Investors
Gateshead has a substantial tenant base, with 44.8% of households renting, higher than the 31.3% holding a mortgage and the 22.9% owning outright. Weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 6.4%, so investors should test achievable rent against holding costs rather than relying on headline yield alone. Thirty-six development applications in 12 months included subdivision, demolition, new structures, a group home and health infrastructure, which may support ongoing renewal but could also add competing stock. The 90.6% separate-house share favours detached rental demand, while the 6.4% vacancy rate warrants a conservative leasing assumption.
Development Activity
Total DAs
178
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+19.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Gateshead
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Gateshead has a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national comparison point, but its cultural profile is less internationally diverse than the national average. Overseas-born residents account for 7.5%, or 14.1 percentage points below the national figure, while university attainment is 16.3%, 13.8 points below the national comparison. English ancestry is recorded for 1,226 residents, followed by Scottish at 323 and Irish at 274. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 1,510, compared with 1,313 identifying with Christianity. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national benchmark.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
90.6%
Houses
5.1%
Townhouse
4.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Gateshead is strongly detached, with 90.6% separate houses compared with 4.3% apartments and 5.1% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes account for 55.7% of stock and 4 or more bedrooms for 23.5%, supporting a family-oriented housing pattern. Renting is more common than other tenure types at 44.8%, higher than mortgage ownership at 31.3% and outright ownership at 22.9%. Mortgage stress is flagged at a 32.0% mortgage-to-income ratio, while rent takes 24.4% of income. Compared with nearby Charlestown, Gateshead retains a more conventional suburban form and a larger concentration of separate houses.
Mortgage / mo
$1,705
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $300.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $728 · units $520
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$611
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
81
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
32.0% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.1%
Couples with children
29.8%
Couples, no children
31.4%
Single parent
818
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Gateshead's leading employment industry at 27.6%, ahead of Construction at 13.8%, Education at 7.8%, Retail at 7.6% and Other Services at 5.4%. That concentration aligns with the occupation mix, led by Labourers at 219 people, Community and Personal Service workers at 208, Trades workers at 207, Professionals at 156 and Clerical and Administrative workers at 137. Healthcare's 27.6% share is higher than every other listed industry, creating a clear local economic anchor. Unemployment is 8.0%, participation is 54.3% and the full-time employment rate is 54.4%, indicating a mixed labour market rather than a predominantly professional one.
Unemployment
8.0%
Labour Force
1,355
Unemployed
109
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.4%
Part-time
36.8%
Participation
54.3%
Employed
1,246
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.3%
Postgraduate
2.9%
Born Overseas
7.5%
Dwellings
1,191
Transport to Work
Gateshead is practical for households with cars, with 76.3% travelling as car drivers compared with 1.3% using public transport and 1.8% walking or cycling. A further 12.9% work from home, which may reduce some weekday travel needs. Three nearby government schools cover primary, secondary and specific-purpose education, giving families a spread of school types while making exact enrolment-zone checks important. At 571.1 people per sq km across 5.47 sq km, the suburb is compact but not highly dense. A current suburb-level crime rate is not available for a firm safety comparison, so residents should check recent incident patterns around the exact address.
Drive
76.3%
Public Transport
1.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
12.9%
Growth Outlook
Gateshead's near-term change is centred on renewal and small-scale development rather than a wholesale shift in its established housing pattern. Thirty-six applications were lodged over 12 months, including subdivision, demolition, a new structure, a permanent group home and health infrastructure. That mix could gradually diversify housing and services because it combines residential change with community-related investment. Population stability is higher than turnover, with 81.9% of residents staying at the same address compared with an 18.1% turnover rate. With 3,121 current residents, the suburb's growth outlook is best suited to incremental change around existing streets and facilities.
Population trend: Lake Macquarie council area
Gateshead sits in the Lake Macquarie council area. These are the council area's residents, not Gateshead'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 Gateshead compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gateshead a good suburb to live in?
Gateshead can suit households seeking established detached housing and access to 3 nearby government schools. Separate houses make up 90.6% of dwellings, but car dependence is high at 76.3%, compared with 1.3% using public transport, so transport needs should be considered.
What is the median house price in Gateshead?
A current median house price should be verified before buying because sale conditions change. Gateshead has 90.6% separate houses, with 55.7% containing 3 bedrooms and 23.5% containing 4 or more. Typical mortgage costs are $1,705 per month, making affordability checks important.
What schools are in Gateshead?
Gateshead has 3 nearby government schools covering primary, secondary and specific-purpose education. Families should check the exact enrolment zone for each address, as boundaries can differ by street. The local mix supports several education needs without implying that every school has the same intake or program.
Is Gateshead safe?
A firm safety comparison requires current incident checks because a suburb-level crime rate is not available here. Gateshead has 3,121 residents, so conditions can vary between streets and activity centres. Review recent NSW Police patterns, visit the address at different times and assess lighting, traffic and access before deciding.
Is Gateshead good for property investment?
Gateshead may appeal to investors targeting detached rental housing, with 44.8% of households renting and weekly rent of $300. The 6.4% vacancy rate calls for conservative assumptions, while 36 development applications in 12 months could improve amenity but also add future competition.
How is Gateshead's population changing?
Gateshead has 3,121 current residents and relatively high residential stability, with 81.9% staying at the same address compared with 18.1% turnover. Thirty-six development applications in 12 months point to incremental renewal, while the existing housing base remains strongly detached at 90.6%.
What development is happening in Gateshead?
There were 36 development applications over 12 months, including subdivision, demolition, new structures, a permanent group home and health infrastructure. This mix suggests gradual residential and community change rather than a single large project. Buyers and investors should check project timing, approvals and possible impacts on nearby streets.
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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