NSW 2298 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Georgetown

At 3,780.3 people per sq km, Georgetown packs 2,072 residents into just 0.55 sq km, giving it a denser inner-Newcastle feel than its detached housing mix might suggest. The median age is 36, or 4 years below the national comparison, while household income ranks at the 75.2 percentile. Compared with nearby Mayfield and Waratah, Georgetown reads as a compact, mortgage-led neighbourhood: 42.4% of homes are mortgaged, 85.5% are separate houses, and 28.6% of residents work from home. That combination supports family demand while keeping car access important.

Local council: Newcastle

Georgetown urban fabric map

Population

2,072

Median Age

36.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,005/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

23

0.55 km²· 3,780.3 people/km²· Family income $2,445/wk

Georgetown suits buyers prioritising established detached stock over apartment living. Separate houses account for 85.5% of dwellings, compared with 8.3% apartments and 5.4% semi-detached homes, while 57.1% have 3 bedrooms. The ownership profile is mortgage-led, with 42.4% of homes carrying a mortgage versus 26.6% owned outright. A typical monthly mortgage figure of $2,000 represents 23.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $423. Compared with a more apartment-oriented market, Georgetown is better aligned with buyers seeking space, a conventional house layout and a family-sized floor plan.

For Buyers

Georgetown suits buyers prioritising established detached stock over apartment living. Separate houses account for 85.5% of dwellings, compared with 8.3% apartments and 5.4% semi-detached homes, while 57.1% have 3 bedrooms. The ownership profile is mortgage-led, with 42.4% of homes carrying a mortgage versus 26.6% owned outright. A typical monthly mortgage figure of $2,000 represents 23.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $423. Compared with a more apartment-oriented market, Georgetown is better aligned with buyers seeking space, a conventional house layout and a family-sized floor plan.

For Investors

Georgetown has a practical rental profile, with 30.5% of occupied dwellings rented and a weekly rent of $423. The 5.2% vacancy rate suggests tenants have more choice than in a tightly constrained market, so property selection and presentation matter. Development activity is notable, with 23 applications lodged over 12 months, including secondary dwellings, demolition, new dwelling work and renovations. Renting is higher than outright ownership at 26.6%, which broadens the potential tenant base. Without a sale median, investors should test purchase price, holding costs and achievable rent rather than relying on a headline yield alone.

Development Activity

Total DAs

130

Last 12 Months

23

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+35.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
19
New Dwelling
5
Garage / Carport / Shed
4
Swimming Pool / Spa
3
Demolition
3
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
2
Change of Use
1
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
1

Demographics

Georgetown has a younger age profile than the national comparison, with a median age of 36, or 4 years below the national figure. University participation is comparatively strong at 41.3%, sitting 11.2 percentage points above national levels, while only 10.2% of residents were born overseas, 11.4 points below the national comparison. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 928, 308 and 252 respectively, reinforcing the suburb's established Anglo-leaning character. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 1,008 people, above Christianity at 907. A household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national levels, helping explain demand for smaller and mid-sized homes.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.7%
15-24
12.7%
25-44
32.5%
45-64
25.6%
65+
12.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
3.7%
2 bed
26.3%
3 bed
57.1%
4+ bed
12.9%

Dwelling Structure

85.5%

Houses

5.4%

Townhouse

8.3%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 26.6% Mortgage 42.4% Rent 30.5% Other 0.5%

Georgetown's housing pattern is dominated by separate houses at 85.5%, compared with 8.3% apartments and 5.4% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes account for 57.1% of the stock, followed by 2-bedroom homes at 26.3%, while 4-bedroom or larger properties make up 12.9%. Mortgage holders represent 42.4% of households, higher than outright owners at 26.6% and renters at 30.5%. Rent and mortgage payments absorb 21.1% and 23.0% of household income respectively, with neither measure flagged as stressed. Compared with nearby inner-Newcastle suburbs with more attached stock, Georgetown is more conventional and family-house oriented.

Mortgage / mo

$2,000

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $423.

$635

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $720 · units $500

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$942

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.2%

Unoccupied

47

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.1%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.0%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
928
Irish
308
Scottish
252
Other
151
German
97
Ancestry NS
79

Household Composition

39.2%

Couples with children

42.3%

Couples, no children

17.1%

Single parent

589

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is Georgetown's leading employment industry at 24.3%, representing 209 workers, followed by Education at 12.6% and 108 workers. Professional and technical services account for 9.2% and 79 workers, while Construction and Public Administration each contribute 8.5% and 73 workers. This mix is supported by 342 professionals, 153 trades workers, 153 clerical and administrative workers, 150 community and personal service workers, and 143 managers. The labour force totals 1,241 people, participation is 71.6%, and unemployment is 4.3%. Full-time employment at 56.8% is higher than the part-time share implied by 416 part-time workers, indicating a solid working-age base linked to health, education and public services.

Unemployment

4.3%

Labour Force

1,241

Unemployed

53

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

56.8%

Part-time

35.0%

Participation

71.6%

Employed

1,188

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 342
Trades 153
Clerical/Admin 153
Community/Personal 150
Managers 143
Labourers 92
Sales 79
Machinery/Drivers 54

Top Industries

Healthcare 24.3%
Education 12.6%
Professional/Tech 9.2%
Construction 8.5%
Public Admin 8.5%

University

41.3%

Postgraduate

7.6%

Born Overseas

10.2%

Dwellings

869

Transport to Work

Georgetown's compact 0.55 sq km footprint and 3,780.3 people per sq km density make local access important, although daily travel is strongly car based. Drivers account for 62.1% of commuting, far above public transport use at 1.7%, while only 3.0% walk or cycle and 28.6% work from home. The median age of 36 and average household size of 2.3 suit a mix of working households, couples and smaller families. Families should check nearby school choices, sector, transport arrangements and exact enrolment zones before buying, since catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Review current local incident information when assessing safety because a suburb-level crime rate is not available here.

Drive

62.1%

Public Transport

1.7%

Walk / Cycle

3.0%

Work from Home

28.6%

Growth Outlook

Georgetown's current growth signals are concentrated in infill and renovation activity. There were 23 development applications in 12 months, including proposals for secondary dwellings, dwelling houses, demolitions, garages, balconies and alterations. That activity sits alongside a 25.0% turnover rate and a 75.0% stayed rate: turnover is lower than the stayed share, indicating a relatively settled base with room for incremental change. With 2,072 residents concentrated at 3,780.3 people per sq km, redevelopment is more likely to reshape existing housing than expand the suburb's footprint. Compared with a greenfield release area, this points to gradual, lot-by-lot change rather than broad new land supply.

Population trend: Newcastle council area

Georgetown sits in the Newcastle council area. These are the council area's residents, not Georgetown's.

Residents 2025

178,935

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 Georgetown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 21%
Household Income
Top 25%
Rent Level
Top 12%
Apartments
Top 9%
Renters
Top 20%
Uni Educated
Top 17%
Public Transport
Bottom 36%
Born Overseas
Bottom 30%
Density
Top 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgetown a good suburb to live in?

Georgetown can suit households wanting established houses close to Newcastle services. It has 2,072 residents, 85.5% separate houses and 28.6% working from home. Car use is high at 62.1%, so buyers should consider parking, commuting routes and access to nearby amenities.

What is the median house price in Georgetown?

Use a current property source to confirm the median house price before making an offer. Georgetown's weekly rent is $423 and vacancy rate is 5.2%, but those figures do not establish a sale median. The 85.5% separate-house share and 57.1% three-bedroom share help frame the local housing market.

What schools are in Georgetown?

School choices depend on the exact address and enrolment zone. Check nearby primary and secondary options, sector, intake rules and travel arrangements before committing. Georgetown has 2,072 residents and 28.6% of residents work from home, so household routines and school transport needs may vary.

Is Georgetown safe?

Assess safety using current incident information, street-level conditions and local advice before deciding. A suburb-level crime rate should not be assumed from housing or demographic figures. Georgetown has 2,072 residents across 0.55 sq km, so conditions can vary between streets and around busier routes.

Is Georgetown good for property investment?

Georgetown may suit investors seeking established houses and a meaningful rental base. Renters account for 30.5% of households, weekly rent is $423 and vacancy is 5.2%. However, 23 development applications in 12 months may add competing supply, so confirm the purchase price, costs and achievable rent.

How is Georgetown's population changing?

The local population profile appears settled but not static: 75.0% of residents stayed at the same address while turnover was 25.0%. There were also 23 development applications in 12 months. These figures point to gradual household change and infill activity rather than a basis for claiming a specific future population.

What development is happening in Georgetown?

Development activity includes 23 applications over 12 months, with examples involving secondary dwellings, new dwelling work, demolitions, garages, balconies and alterations. This pattern is more consistent with incremental infill and renewal than a large estate release. Buyers should check the immediate street for approved or pending works.

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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