Cessnock Surrounds
Statistical Area - sa2

Cessnock Surrounds lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Cessnock Surrounds' population, as of August 2025, is approximately 10,007 people. This figure represents an increase of 862 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,145 people. The growth from June 2024's estimated resident population of 9,783, combined with validated new addresses, accounts for this change. This results in a population density ratio of 6.4 persons per square kilometer. Cessnock Surrounds' 9.4% growth since the 2021 Census exceeds the non-metro area's (4.8%) and the state's rate, positioning it as a leading growth region. Interstate migration contributed approximately 70.8% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using a base year of 2021 are adopted. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, an above median population growth is projected for Australia's regional areas, with Cessnock Surrounds expected to expand by 2,385 persons, resulting in a total gain of 21.5% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Cessnock Surrounds among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Cessnock Surrounds averaged approximately 66 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, totalling 330 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.3 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period. This indicates a significant demand outpacing supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers.

The average construction cost value of new homes in the area is $459,000. In FY-26, $4.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Rest of NSW, Cessnock Surrounds exhibits approximately 69% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 80th percentile nationally. New building activity comprises 82.0% standalone homes and 18.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's low density character and attracting space-seeking buyers.

This shift from the existing 100.0% houses reflects decreasing developable sites and evolving lifestyles seeking diverse, affordable housing options. The location has approximately 141 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market with future projections indicating an addition of 2,154 residents by 2041. Construction is keeping pace with projected growth, though increasing population may intensify competition among buyers.

Cessnock Surrounds has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 43rdth percentile nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by modifications to its local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified 116 projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable initiatives include Cessnock Bypass Planning, Cessnock Council Infrastructure Program from 2024-25, Hunter Water Renewable Energy Projects, and Vineyard Grove Estate. The following list details those projects deemed most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.4%, Cessnock Surrounds has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Cessnock Surrounds has a skilled workforce with the construction sector prominently represented. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 3.4%.

In this month, 4,517 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of NSW at 59.2%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Mining shows strong specialization with an employment share 2.6 times the regional level.

However, health care & social assistance is under-represented at 13.9% compared to Rest of NSW's 16.9%. Labour force levels decreased by 4.3% over the year to June 2025, with a 4.5% employment decline causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment contract by 0.1%, labour force grow by 0.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between sectors. Applying these projections to Cessnock Surrounds's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.8% over ten years.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

Cessnock Surrounds had a median taxpayer income of $48,340 and an average income of $60,282 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national average of $50,541 for median income and $70,519 for average income during the same period. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $53,464 (median) and $66,672 (average), based on a 10.6% growth in wages since financial year 2022. From the 2021 Census data, household income ranked at the 54th percentile ($1,814 weekly), while personal income was at the 34th percentile. The $1,500 - $2,999 earnings band captured 33.7% of Cessnock Surrounds' community (3,372 individuals). This pattern is similar to regional levels where 29.9% occupied this income range. After housing costs, residents retained 86.9% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 4th decile.

Cessnock Surrounds is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Cessnock Surrounds, as per the latest Census, 99.6% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 0.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro NSW's dwelling composition of 90.9% houses and 9.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cessnock Surrounds stood at 42.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.5% and rented ones at 10.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,829, exceeding Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent in Cessnock Surrounds was $360, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $340. Nationally, Cessnock Surrounds' mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Cessnock Surrounds features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.6% of all households, including 34.3% couples with children, 31.6% couples without children, and 12.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.4%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households comprising 2.2%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.6.

Cessnock Surrounds faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 17.8%, significantly lower than NSW's average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 12.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 44.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 34.7%. Educational participation is high, with 28.2% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.0% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 2.8% in tertiary education.

Nine schools operate within Cessnock Surrounds, educating approximately 600 students, all focused on primary education with secondary options available nearby. Local school capacity is limited at 6.0 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.0, leading many families to travel for schooling.

Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis indicates 145 active transport stops operating within Cessnock Surrounds. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 46 individual routes. Together, they facilitate 349 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 221 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency across all routes averages 49 trips per day, equating to approximately two weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Cessnock Surrounds is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Cessnock Surrounds faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts. Approximately 50% (~4,953 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.9% across Rest of NSW and the national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis (10.0%) and asthma (9.1%), with 64.4% reporting no medical ailments, compared to 62.6% in Rest of NSW.

The area has 19.6% (1,958 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 16.9% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, better than those of the general population.

The latest Census data sees Cessnock Surrounds placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Cessnock Surrounds, as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2016 data, exhibited below-average cultural diversity with a majority Australian-born population of 91.3%, 92.2% citizens and English-only speakers comprising 97.9%. Christianity was identified as the primary religion in Cessnock Surrounds, accounting for 52.7%, compared to 55.7% across Rest of NSW. Key ancestry groups included Australian at 33.7%, English at 31.9%, and Scottish at 8.9%.

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher than regional averages at 5.0% versus 6.3%, while Welsh stood at 0.6% compared to the region's 0.5%, and Maltese at 0.4% against a regional average of 0.3%.

Cessnock Surrounds hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Cessnock Surrounds has a median age of 42 years, similar to Rest of NSW's average of 43 but considerably older than Australia's average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 55-64 make up 14.6% of the population, while those aged 75-84 constitute 5.8%. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of those aged 75-84 has increased from 4.5% to 5.8%, while the 45-54 age group has decreased from 14.4% to 12.8%. The 5-14 age group has also declined from 14.0% to 12.9%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest significant demographic changes in Cessnock Surrounds. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 27%, adding 348 residents to reach a total of 1,633. Conversely, the numbers in the 5-14 age range are expected to fall by 7%.