Wallsend
Healthcare is Wallsend's standout employment base, accounting for 26.1% of jobs, while 77.8% of homes are separate houses. The suburb has 13,244 residents across 11.21 square kilometres, or 1,181.4 people per square kilometre, giving it an established urban feel. At 39, the median age is 1 year below the national figure, yet the trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 7.9 percentage points. Compared with nearby Elermore Vale, Wallsend functions as a larger local service centre, with 37.3% renting and a household income percentile of 40.3, below the midpoint.
Population
13,244
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,401/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
104
Wallsend suits buyers seeking a conventional family layout because 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, with 49.0% containing 3 bedrooms and 19.9% containing 4 or more. Semi-detached homes account for 17.0%, while apartments represent only 4.8%, so the market is less suited to buyers specifically seeking high-density housing. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733 and mortgage costs equal 28.6% of household income, with mortgage stress flagged false. Household income sits at the 40.3 percentile, below the midpoint, so deposit capacity still matters. A verified current median price should be checked against recent comparable sales.
For Buyers
Wallsend suits buyers seeking a conventional family layout because 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, with 49.0% containing 3 bedrooms and 19.9% containing 4 or more. Semi-detached homes account for 17.0%, while apartments represent only 4.8%, so the market is less suited to buyers specifically seeking high-density housing. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733 and mortgage costs equal 28.6% of household income, with mortgage stress flagged false. Household income sits at the 40.3 percentile, below the midpoint, so deposit capacity still matters. A verified current median price should be checked against recent comparable sales.
For Investors
Wallsend has a substantial rental base, with 37.3% of households renting and weekly rent at $375. Vacancy is 5.4%, which is higher than a tightly constrained rental market and may give tenants more choice than in lower-vacancy locations. Development activity is notable, with 110 applications recorded across 12 months, including dwelling houses, secondary dwellings and parking works. This can support neighbourhood renewal because infill adds housing, although new supply may also increase competition between properties. The migration driver is Balanced, while the annual growth trend is 0.96%, pointing to a steadier investment setting than a rapid-growth corridor. Gross yield cannot be calculated without a current median sale price.
Development Activity
Total DAs
575
Last 12 Months
104
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+19.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wallsend
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Wallsend has 13,244 residents and a median age of 39, which is 1 year below the national median. Its aging trajectory is clear: the senior share has increased by 7.9 percentage points while the young share has fallen by 2.8. University attainment is 29.6%, or 0.5 percentage points below the national comparison, and 15.7% of residents were born overseas, 5.9 points below the national figure. English ancestry is most common at 5,168 people, followed by Scottish at 1,421 and Irish at 1,287. Christianity accounts for 6,354 residents and no religion for 5,289. Compared with nearby Elermore Vale, the profile is established and family-oriented, with 37.2% of couples having children and 21.0% of families being one-parent households.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.8%
Houses
17.0%
Townhouse
4.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Wallsend is dominated by detached housing, with 77.8% of dwellings separate houses, 17.0% semi-detached and 4.8% apartments. The largest bedroom category is 3 bedrooms at 49.0%, followed by 2 bedrooms at 25.6% and 4 or more at 19.9%. Tenure is relatively mixed: 29.8% own outright, 30.5% have a mortgage and 37.3% rent. Mortgage costs equal 28.6% of household income and rent equals 26.8%, with neither measure flagged as housing stress. Compared with higher-density suburbs, the housing form gives Wallsend more family-sized stock, although the household income percentile of 40.3 is below the midpoint. Affordability was broadly stable, moving from 50.9 in 2011 to 50.4 in 2021, despite rent growth of 39.3%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $375.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $700 · units $493
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$700
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
302
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.2%
Couples with children
39.5%
Couples, no children
21.0%
Single parent
3,397
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 26.1%, employing 1,036 people, followed by Education at 12.2% and 486 people, Construction at 8.5% and 337, Professional and Technical services at 6.9% and 273, and Retail at 6.3% and 252. The occupational mix is led by Professionals at 1,333, Trades at 883 and Community or Personal services at 876, with Clerical and Administrative workers at 744 and Labourers at 600. Unemployment is 6.0% and participation is 57.3%, while 4,092 people are outside the labour force. SEIFA results are mixed: IEO is decile 5, IER decile 3, IRSD decile 4 and IRSAD decile 4. Compared with top-decile areas, the lower economic-resource deciles point to more constrained household finances despite a substantial professional and healthcare base.
Unemployment
6.0%
Labour Force
6,410
Unemployed
387
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.8%
Part-time
36.3%
Participation
57.3%
Employed
6,023
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.6%
Postgraduate
7.4%
Born Overseas
15.7%
Dwellings
5,246
Transport to Work
Wallsend is strongly car-oriented, with 69.4% travelling as a car driver, compared with only 1.6% using public transport and 2.3% walking or cycling. Working from home accounts for 21.8%, which may reduce some commuting pressure. Families have access to 5 government schools, comprising 4 primary schools and 1 secondary campus, but enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. IRSAD is in decile 4, volunteering is 11.1% and 10.3% of residents need assistance, so household circumstances vary. A current suburb crime rate is not stated, meaning safety should be assessed through recent incident maps and visits at different times. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, Wallsend trades lower public transport use for easier car-based access and established local services.
Drive
69.4%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
2.3%
Work from Home
21.8%
Population Forecast
+0.96%/yr
(+73 people/yr)
EstablishedWallsend is classified as an established area, with an annual growth trend of 0.96% and a Balanced migration driver. Population change across the wider area is 18.2% over 10 years, higher than a static market, but the trajectory is Aging rather than youthful expansion. That shift reflects a 7.9 percentage point increase in the senior share and a 2.8 point decline in the young share. Gentrification is still at the Early signs stage, with a score of 21, while the longer shift measure records a score of 35 and the same stage. The pattern suggests gradual renewal because demand is supported by established services, infill development and balanced migration rather than one dominant growth source.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+13
Net Internal / yr
+4
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Accelerating: 4% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wallsend compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wallsend a good suburb to live in?
Wallsend can suit households wanting established services and family-sized housing. It has 13,244 residents, 77.8% separate houses, 5 government schools and a median age of 39, which is 1 year below the national median. Car dependence is high at 69.4%, so the suburb is less suitable for households relying heavily on public transport.
What is the median house price in Wallsend?
No verified current median house price is stated for Wallsend. The housing mix is 77.8% separate houses and 49.0% three-bedroom homes, while the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733. Buyers should confirm recent comparable sales and current listings before setting a purchase budget.
What schools are in Wallsend?
Wallsend has 5 government schools in the local area, comprising 4 primary schools and 1 secondary campus. They include Wallsend Public School, Wallsend South Public School, Plattsburg Public School, Elermore Vale Public School and Callaghan College Wallsend Campus. Enrolment zones should be checked for the exact address.
Is Wallsend safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not stated for Wallsend, so safety should not be inferred from population or housing figures. The suburb has 13,244 residents and a 5.4% vacancy rate. Check recent police incident maps, speak with nearby residents and visit the specific street during both daytime and evening.
Is Wallsend good for property investment?
Wallsend has a meaningful tenant base, with 37.3% of households renting and weekly rent at $375. Vacancy is 5.4% and 110 development applications were recorded across 12 months. The annual growth trend is 0.96% with Balanced migration, so the area may suit steady rather than speculative investment. A current sale price is needed to calculate yield.
How is Wallsend's population changing?
Wallsend has 13,244 residents today, while population change across the wider area is 18.2% over 10 years and the annual growth trend is 0.96%. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 7.9 percentage points and the young share down 2.8. Migration is Balanced and gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 21.
What development is occurring in Wallsend?
Wallsend recorded 110 development applications across 12 months. Recent examples include 1 dwelling house and secondary dwelling works, along with earthworks, retaining walls and parking-related changes. This level of infill activity may gradually add housing choice, although buyers should check individual approvals, construction timing and the likely effect 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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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