Newcastle
A suburb where 92.8% of dwellings are apartments and the vacancy rate sits at 23.2% tells you something important: Newcastle 2300 is the CBD core of a regional city, not a conventional residential neighbourhood. Population grew 26.3% over the decade to reach 14,632 in 2025, and annual growth of 1.89% is meaningfully above the national average. Household income sits at the 73rd percentile nationally, and the suburb scores decile 9 on both IRSAD and IEO, placing it in the top advantage tier on two of the four SEIFA indexes. University qualifications reach 50.3%, which is 20.2 percentage points above the national figure.
Population
3,852
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,943/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
71
Median House
$957K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $957,487 reflects a suburb that is almost entirely apartments: separate houses account for just 2.2% of dwellings, while apartments make up 92.8%. Prices rose 21.6% from $904,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.4% and studios or one-bedrooms at 31.5%. Only 19.1% of households carry a mortgage, while 25.8% own outright, a notable owner base given the suburb's majority-rental character.
For Buyers
The median house price of $957,487 reflects a suburb that is almost entirely apartments: separate houses account for just 2.2% of dwellings, while apartments make up 92.8%. Prices rose 21.6% from $904,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8% stays below the 30% stress threshold. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 40.4% and studios or one-bedrooms at 31.5%. Only 19.1% of households carry a mortgage, while 25.8% own outright, a notable owner base given the suburb's majority-rental character.
For Investors
Newcastle 2300 carries a 55.1% renter share with weekly rent at $490. Against the $957,487 median, that implies a gross yield near 2.7%, higher than most comparable NSW markets. The 23.2% vacancy rate is the main risk, well above healthy levels of 2-3%, signalling oversupply in the apartment segment. Overseas migration adds 238 net residents a year, the primary growth driver, with internal migration contributing a further 158 net annually. Population is forecast to reach 15,927 by 2031 under the medium scenario, supporting long-run occupancy demand despite current vacancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
382
Last 12 Months
71
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-21.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Newcastle iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Newcastle East Public School
K-6 · 260 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is slightly above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 5.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.2 points. The overseas-born share at 20.6% sits 1.0 point below the national average, making this a relatively Anglo-Celtic population. English ancestry leads at 1,651 residents, followed by Irish (608) and Scottish (552). University qualifications at 50.3% are 20.2 points above the national figure, reflecting the CBD's pull for professionals and students. Average household size is 1.7, which is 0.8 below national, consistent with compact apartments and a high 62.2% share of couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
2.2%
Houses
3.8%
Townhouse
92.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits into 55.1% renters, 19.1% mortgage holders and 25.8% outright owners. The renter majority is partly explained by the apartment-dominant stock (92.8%) combined with the high vacancy rate of 23.2%, which suggests the market holds surplus units. The median house price moved from $904,500 in 2024 to $1,100,000 in 2025, a 21.6% rise in one year, though the dataset spans only two data points so caution is warranted. Two-bedroom units are the modal dwelling at 40.4%, followed by studios or one-bedrooms at 31.5%. The rent-to-income ratio of 25.2% stays below the 30% stress threshold, and mortgage-to-income at 25.8% is similarly manageable compared to Sydney proper.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$490
HH Size
1.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,251
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
23.2%
Unoccupied
619
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
62.2%
Couples, no children
2,104
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 22.7% of workers (416 people), consistent with the suburb's role as a regional health services hub. Professional and technical services follow at 13.2% (242), then Education at 11.9% (218) and Public Administration at 8.9% (163), giving the economy a public-sector backbone. Professionals lead by occupation at 866, ahead of Managers (402) and Clerical/Admin (280). Unemployment is 5.0%, above metro benchmarks, partly because 956 residents are not in the labour force. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD, above the national median, and real incomes grew 18.5% over the decade.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
9,787
Unemployed
379
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.0%
Part-time
27.0%
Participation
64.0%
Employed
2,200
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.3%
Postgraduate
15.9%
Born Overseas
20.6%
Dwellings
2,045
Transport to Work
The compact 1.16 km2 CBD footprint produces a high active-transport share: 22.3% of residents walk or cycle to work, well above the national average, while 70.4% drive. Only 4.0% use public transport, likely because most services are within walking distance. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on adjacent areas. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it in the top advantage tier nationally. The need-assistance rate is 4.1% (150 residents) and volunteering reaches 17.5%, with household income sitting at the 73rd percentile nationally.
Drive
70.4%
Public Transport
4.0%
Walk / Cycle
22.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.89%/yr
(+276 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation reached 14,632 in 2025, up 26.3% over the decade, with annual growth of 1.89% (276 net residents per year). Overseas migration drives the gain at 238 net arrivals per year, ahead of internal migration at 158 net. Medium forecasts put the population at 15,927 by 2031. Gentrification is classed as active with a score of 57, supported by accelerating apartment conversion from 6% to 28% since 2011. Rent grew 39.1% over the period, outpacing many comparable state markets, while affordability held broadly stable between 40.6% in 2011 and 38.7% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+238
Net Internal / yr
+158
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +36% since 2011, Net internal migration +158/yr, Strong overseas inflow +238/yr, Accelerating: 6% → 28%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Newcastle compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newcastle a good suburb to live in?
Newcastle 2300 ranks in decile 9 on both IRSAD and IEO, the second-highest advantage tier nationally, with household income at the 73rd percentile. University qualifications reach 50.3%, which is 20.2 points above national. The main trade-offs are a 23.2% vacancy rate in the apartment market and no schools recorded within the 1.16 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Newcastle?
The median house price is $957,487, with 2025 data showing $1,100,000, up 21.6% from $904,500 in 2024. Weekly rent averages $490 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,167, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.8%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Newcastle?
No schools are recorded inside the 1.16 km2 Newcastle 2300 boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with 50.3% holding university qualifications, which is 20.2 points above the national average.
Is Newcastle safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Newcastle 2300 in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, above the national median, and only 4.1% of residents (150 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a relatively low-disadvantage urban area.
Is Newcastle good for property investment?
Rent of $490 a week against a $957,487 median implies a gross yield near 2.7%, higher than most comparable NSW markets. The 55.1% renter majority supports consistent tenant demand, but the 23.2% vacancy rate signals apartment oversupply. Overseas migration of 238 per year and a population forecast of 15,927 by 2031 support long-run demand.
How is Newcastle's population changing?
Population reached 14,632 in 2025, up 26.3% over the decade and growing at 1.89% annually (276 new residents per year). The primary driver is overseas migration at 238 net arrivals per year, with internal migration adding 158 net. Medium forecasts project the population at 15,927 by 2031.
How much development is happening in Newcastle?
There were 68 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, spanning office alterations, hotel and motel additions, and signage works. Activity reflects an established CBD precinct focusing on refurbishment rather than new residential supply, consistent with a suburb already at 92.8% apartment density.
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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