West Wallsend
Despite sitting in the lower education quartile nationally, West Wallsend has seen its population rise 18.2% over a decade, reaching 7,583 residents by 2025 and generating 25 development applications in the past 12 months. The suburb carries a SEIFA IEO decile of 2, placing it below average for education and occupation, yet household incomes land in the 56th percentile nationally and mortgage-to-income stays at a manageable 26.4%. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 95.3% separate houses, and owner-occupancy is strong: combined outright ownership and mortgage holders account for nearly 80% of dwellings.
Population
2,981
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,627/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
Median House
$800K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $800,000 as of 2025, a slight dip from $803,000 in 2024, a decline of 0.4% against the broader Hunter region trend. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which makes the suburb more accessible than many coastal NSW markets. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 95.3%, with three-bedroom homes the dominant type at 54.2% and four-plus bedrooms at 34.5%. Semi-detached dwellings are just 3.1% and apartments only 0.9%, so buyers looking for a traditional house block have more options here than in higher-density suburbs closer to Newcastle.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $800,000 as of 2025, a slight dip from $803,000 in 2024, a decline of 0.4% against the broader Hunter region trend. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,863, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, which makes the suburb more accessible than many coastal NSW markets. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 95.3%, with three-bedroom homes the dominant type at 54.2% and four-plus bedrooms at 34.5%. Semi-detached dwellings are just 3.1% and apartments only 0.9%, so buyers looking for a traditional house block have more options here than in higher-density suburbs closer to Newcastle.
For Investors
Rental demand is moderate: 20.3% of dwellings are rented at a median of $400 per week. Against the $800,000 median, that implies a gross yield near 2.6%, lower than regional averages but ahead of many inner-Sydney suburbs. The vacancy rate is 3.4%, slightly elevated compared to a balanced market threshold of around 3%, suggesting mild oversupply in the rental pool. Net overseas migration adds 13 residents annually and internal migration contributes 4, a balanced driver profile. Development activity ran at 25 applications over 12 months, including secondary dwelling and demolition-rebuild works, indicating modest incremental supply rather than large-scale construction. Rent growth over the measured period reached 39.3%, a substantial real gain that outpaced the suburb's stable affordability ratio.
Development Activity
Total DAs
164
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+15.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in West Wallsend iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
West Wallsend Public School
K-6 · 268 students
West Wallsend High School
7-12 · 632 students
Demographics
The median age of 36 is 4.0 years below the national figure, giving the suburb a younger profile than most of NSW. Overseas-born residents make up just 7.1% of the population, which is 14.5 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a strongly locally-born community. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic dominated: English (1,375) leads, followed by Scottish (350) and Irish (259). University qualifications reach only 16.8%, which is 13.3 points below the national rate, consistent with the suburb's SEIFA IEO decile 2 score. Average household size of 2.6 is marginally above the national 2.5. Couples with children account for 1,036 of 2,439 families, while 727 are couples without children, pointing to a mixed life-stage composition.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
95.3%
Houses
3.1%
Townhouse
0.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Owner-occupancy is strong: 30.5% own outright and 49.1% carry a mortgage, together accounting for 79.6% of all dwellings, well above the national owner-occupancy average. Renters at 20.3% are a minor share of the market. The stock is almost entirely three-bedroom houses at 54.2%, with four-plus bedrooms at 34.5%, suggesting families are the primary occupants. The median house price moved from $803,000 in 2024 to $800,000 in 2025, a CAGR of -0.4% over one year. Rent stress is absent: rent-to-income sits at 24.6% and mortgage-to-income at 26.4%, both below the 30% threshold. Outright ownership at 30.5% indicates a meaningful cohort of long-established residents who paid down debt during the lower-price era.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,863
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$763
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.4%
Unoccupied
39
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.4%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.8%
Couples, no children
2,439
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates the local workforce at 25.2% of employed residents (236 workers), a sector share well above the national average, followed by Construction at 10.6% (99), Education at 8.1% (76), Manufacturing at 7.9% (74) and Retail at 7.4% (69). By occupation, Professionals (234) and Community/Personal service workers (231) are nearly tied at the top, with Clerical/Admin (168) and Labourers (159) close behind, reflecting a blue-and-pink collar mix. Unemployment is low at 3.4% with full-time employment at 64.0% of those working. The participation rate is 58.3%, partly constrained by 792 residents not in the labour force. SEIFA IRSD sits at decile 5, near the national median for relative disadvantage, while the IEO decile 2 signals lower educational attainment relative to the rest of NSW.
Unemployment
3.3%
Labour Force
4,215
Unemployed
140
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.0%
Part-time
32.6%
Participation
58.3%
Employed
1,339
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.8%
Postgraduate
2.9%
Born Overseas
7.1%
Dwellings
1,112
Transport to Work
West Wallsend is almost entirely car-dependent: 92.6% of residents drive to work, compared to lower car-reliance rates in suburban Sydney, and only 1.1% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 1.2% of commutes. The suburb scores decile 5 on IRSD, placing it near the national median for relative disadvantage, and decile 3 on IRSAD, indicating below-average advantage overall. About 8.1% of residents (231 people) need daily assistance, and 11.1% volunteer, a moderate civic engagement rate. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset. Housing stress indicators are benign: rent-to-income at 24.6% and mortgage-to-income at 26.4% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, suggesting residents are not overburdened relative to their incomes despite the $800,000 median price.
Drive
92.6%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.96%/yr
(+73 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 18.2% over the decade, above the national average for established suburbs, and the trend has continued: from 7,383 in 2023 to 7,583 in 2025 at 0.96% per year. Medium forecasts project expansion to 7,943 residents by 2031. The gentrification score of 21 sits at the early-signs stage, driven by the 19% population gain and the university-graduate share rising from 4% to 15%. The senior share rose 7.9 points while the working-age share fell 2.9 points, an aging trajectory. Net overseas migration adds 13 residents annually and internal migration contributes 4, a balanced driver typical of established Hunter suburbs.
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 West Wallsend compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Wallsend a good suburb to live in?
West Wallsend suits owner-occupier families looking for detached houses at a manageable price. With 95.3% separate houses, a median age of 36 and mortgage-to-income at 26.4%, below the 30% stress threshold, it offers accessible homeownership. The trade-off is a SEIFA IEO decile 2 score, indicating lower educational attainment than most NSW suburbs, and near-total car dependence at 92.6%.
What is the median house price in West Wallsend?
The median house price is $800,000 as of 2025, down slightly from $803,000 in 2024, a 0.4% decline. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,863, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.4%.
What schools are in West Wallsend?
No schools are recorded inside the West Wallsend boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Wallsend and Edgeworth. The local university qualification rate is 16.8%, which is 13.3 points below the national figure, suggesting most residents access education services outside the suburb.
Is West Wallsend safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for West Wallsend in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, placing it near the national median. About 8.1% of residents (231 people) need daily assistance, consistent with an established suburban area rather than a high-disadvantage precinct.
Is West Wallsend good for property investment?
Rental yield is modest: $400 per week against an $800,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.6%. The vacancy rate of 3.4% is slightly above the balanced-market threshold, indicating mild rental oversupply. Rent growth of 39.3% over the measured period is a positive signal, and population is forecast to grow from 7,583 today to 7,943 by 2031, supporting steady demand.
How is West Wallsend's population changing?
Population grew 18.2% over the decade to 2021 and continues rising, reaching 7,583 residents in 2025 at an annual rate of 0.96%. Medium forecasts project 7,943 residents by 2031. The suburb shows early gentrification signals, with the university-educated share accelerating from 4% to 15%, though the senior share also rose 7.9 points, pointing to a concurrent aging trajectory.
How much development is happening in West Wallsend?
There were 25 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including secondary dwelling approvals, demolition-rebuild works and deck or balcony additions. This level is consistent with incremental residential infill rather than large-scale new construction, matching the suburb's established, low-density character with 95.3% separate houses.
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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