Hamilton South
With a median house price of $1,727,500 across a suburb that covers just 1.19 square kilometres, Hamilton South ranks as one of Newcastle's most expensive residential pockets. University qualifications reach 40.8% of residents, which is 10.7 percentage points above the national average, a gap that explains why Professionals are the dominant occupation at 588 workers. The median age of 44 sits 4.0 years above the national figure, pointing to an established, older owner base. A vacancy rate of 10.4% stands above typical rental markets and warrants attention for investors. Despite premium pricing, household income sits at the 42.1st percentile nationally, which means mortgage stress at 38.6% of income is a genuine pressure for buyers who stretched to enter.
Population
4,057
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,426/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
Median House
$1.7M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,727,500 median house price climbed 0.6% from $1,717,500 in 2024 to $1,727,500 in 2025, a modest gain compared to stronger NSW markets. Separate houses account for 60.1% of stock, with apartments at 28.0% and semi-detached at 11.9%. The three-bedroom segment is the largest at 37.9%, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 25.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 38.6%, which exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent 32.6% of households compared to 22.8% on a mortgage, suggesting the suburb holds many long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent entrants. For buyers, the combination of premium pricing and income levels in the 42.1st percentile nationally means careful financing is essential.
For Buyers
The $1,727,500 median house price climbed 0.6% from $1,717,500 in 2024 to $1,727,500 in 2025, a modest gain compared to stronger NSW markets. Separate houses account for 60.1% of stock, with apartments at 28.0% and semi-detached at 11.9%. The three-bedroom segment is the largest at 37.9%, followed by four-plus bedroom homes at 25.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 38.6%, which exceeds the standard 30% stress threshold. Outright owners represent 32.6% of households compared to 22.8% on a mortgage, suggesting the suburb holds many long-term, debt-free residents rather than recent entrants. For buyers, the combination of premium pricing and income levels in the 42.1st percentile nationally means careful financing is essential.
For Investors
Renters make up 44.6% of Hamilton South households, a strong tenant base for landlords, but the 10.4% vacancy rate signals softer absorption than the renter share suggests. Weekly rent of $162 against a $1,727,500 median implies a gross yield below 0.5%, among the weakest yield profiles for any NSW suburb. Development activity is moderate with 28 applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dwelling alterations, additions, and new structures, indicating ongoing confidence in the suburb's fabric. The resident turnover rate of 21.6% means roughly one-in-five households move in any given period, creating leasing opportunities but also churn. Price growth of 0.6% per year over the measured period is below state average, so the investment case here rests primarily on the suburb's premium positioning rather than rapid capital gains.
Development Activity
Total DAs
219
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-30.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 44 is 4.0 years above the national average, consistent with an aging, established community where 26.2% of families are couples without children. University qualifications at 40.8% run 10.7 percentage points above the national figure, which aligns with the concentration of Professionals (588 workers) and Managers (242 workers) in the local workforce. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,541 residents), Irish (515) and Scottish (446), with overseas-born residents at just 14.4%, which is 7.2 percentage points below the national figure. The average household size of 2.3 is 0.2 below national. The top non-English languages spoken are Greek (52 speakers), Mandarin (16) and Italian (15). Volunteering is above average at 17.8% of residents, reflecting the older, community-engaged demographic profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
60.1%
Houses
11.9%
Townhouse
28.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure divides into 32.6% outright owners, 22.8% mortgage holders and 44.6% renters, meaning renters are the single largest tenure group despite the suburb's premium price point. The stock favours separate houses at 60.1%, with apartments at 28.0% and semi-detached at 11.9%. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 37.9% of stock, four-plus at 25.6% and two-bedroom at 24.0%, a distribution weighted toward larger family homes than the wider Newcastle market average. Prices moved from $1,717,500 in 2024 to $1,727,500 in 2025, a 0.6% annual gain, modest compared to the broader NSW state price trend. Mortgage-to-income at 38.6% exceeds the 30% stress threshold, while rent-to-income at 11.4% stays comfortable, a divergence that makes renting financially rational at current price levels.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$162
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$770
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.4%
Unoccupied
184
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
11.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
38.6% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.2%
Couples, no children
2,726
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local industry mix at 23.6% of employed residents (283 workers), followed by Education at 14.4% (173 workers) and Professional/Technical services at 12.8% (154 workers). These three sectors alone account for over 50% of employment, reflecting a knowledge-service economy. By occupation, Professionals lead with 588 workers and Managers follow with 242, consistent with the 40.8% university qualification rate that sits above the state average. The unemployment rate of 7.6% is elevated relative to national norms, with 127 unemployed residents and a participation rate of 49.5%. A significant 1,226 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the older median age of 44. Full-time employment runs at 58.4%, with 900 full-time and 641 part-time workers.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.4%
Part-time
34.0%
Participation
49.5%
Employed
1,541
Occupations
Top Industries
University
40.8%
Postgraduate
10.4%
Born Overseas
14.4%
Dwellings
1,582
Transport to Work
Active transport options are well used: 7.8% of residents walk or cycle to work, above the national average for established inner suburbs. However, only 2.1% use public transport, while 84.2% rely on cars as drivers, indicating public transport frequency or proximity falls short of walking convenience. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the dataset. The 7.1% assistance need rate (259 residents) is modest and consistent with the older resident profile. Volunteering at 17.8% reflects an engaged community. No schools are recorded within Hamilton South's 1.19 square kilometre boundary, so families rely on nearby institutions in Hamilton, Merewether and surrounding Newcastle suburbs. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 38.6% is above the national stress threshold, which is a practical livability constraint for owner-occupiers.
Drive
84.2%
Public Transport
2.1%
Walk / Cycle
7.8%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Hamilton South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamilton South a good suburb to live in?
Hamilton South has a well-qualified, professionally employed population with 40.8% holding university degrees, which is 10.7 points above the national average. The suburb has a high walkability rate of 7.8% and median age of 44. The main trade-off is a mortgage-to-income ratio of 38.6%, above the 30% stress threshold, alongside a 10.4% vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Hamilton South?
The median house price is $1,727,500, up 0.6% from $1,717,500 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383. Renters pay $162 per week, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 11.4% compared to a mortgage-to-income ratio of 38.6%, making renting financially attractive relative to buying.
What schools are in Hamilton South?
No schools are recorded inside Hamilton South's 1.19 square kilometre boundary in this dataset. Families draw on schools in adjoining Newcastle suburbs including Hamilton and Merewether. The suburb's own population is highly educated, with 40.8% holding university qualifications, which is 10.7 percentage points above the national average.
Is Hamilton South safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Hamilton South in this dataset. As a proxy indicator, only 7.1% of the 4,057 residents (259 people) need daily assistance, and the volunteering rate of 17.8% reflects a stable, community-engaged population, both consistent with a low-disadvantage residential area.
Is Hamilton South good for property investment?
The suburb has a 44.6% renter share, providing a large tenant pool, but a 10.4% vacancy rate signals softer rental demand. Weekly rent of $162 against a $1,727,500 median implies a gross yield well below 1%. Price growth of 0.6% over the measured period is modest. The 28 development applications in 12 months show steady activity but not rapid supply expansion.
How is Hamilton South's population changing?
Hamilton South has a population of 4,057 across 1.19 square kilometres, giving a density of 3,421 people per square kilometre. The resident turnover rate of 21.6% indicates steady household movement, while 78.4% of residents stayed in the same address over the measured period. The median age of 44 is 4.0 years above the national average, suggesting a gradually aging profile.
How much development is happening in Hamilton South?
There were 28 development applications lodged in the past 12 months across Hamilton South's 1.19 square kilometre area. Recent applications include dwelling alterations, new structure additions, balconies, and garage works. This level of activity reflects renovation of existing housing stock rather than significant new supply, consistent with a premium established suburb.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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