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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Waratah - North Lambton has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends
Waratah - North Lambton's population is 13,159 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 276 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,883. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,065 in June 2024 and an additional 150 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 2,575 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 1,890 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 13.7% over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in Waratah - North Lambton according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
Waratah - North Lambton has seen approximately 54 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totaling 272 homes. As of FY-26, 16 approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.9 people per year. New construction has kept pace with or exceeded demand, offering more housing options and enabling population growth that may surpass current expectations.
The average expected construction cost of new properties is $263,000, which is below regional norms, providing more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY-26, there have been $9.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to the rest of NSW, Waratah - North Lambton has about three-quarters the building activity per person and ranks among the 23rd percentile nationally, suggesting limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties. Recent construction comprises 29.0% standalone homes and 71.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 78.0% houses. This change indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options.
The location has approximately 680 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts estimate Waratah - North Lambton will gain 1,796 residents by 2041. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may face growing competition as the population increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Waratah - North Lambton has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones include Former Waratah Gasworks Redevelopment, Waratah Park Masterplan, Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC), and another Hunter Indoor Sports Centre project. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
The $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is a major redevelopment of the John Hunter and John Hunter Children's Hospitals. The centerpiece is a new seven-storey Acute Services Building (ASB) providing an expanded Emergency Department, 22 operating theatres, and 60% increased ICU capacity. Key features include four link bridges to the existing hospital and research centers, a rooftop helipad, 2,600 square meters of elevated gardens, and over 900 additional parking spaces. As of early 2026, the building facade is complete, with works focusing on internal fit-out and landscaping ahead of its anticipated completion later this year.
Hunter Indoor Sports Centre
A state-of-the-art 12-court multi-purpose indoor sports complex designed to replace the ageing Newcastle Basketball Stadium. The facility includes a 2,500-seat show court, allied health suites, gym, cafe, and social spaces. It is a key component of the Broadmeadow Place Strategy and will cater to basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, pickleball, and badminton.
Newcastle Future Transit Corridor
Transport for NSW has confirmed the preferred route for the Newcastle Future Transit Corridor, a 3.2-kilometre link between the Newcastle Interchange and the Broadmeadow precinct via Tudor Street. The corridor is being officially safeguarded and gazetted to support future high-capacity transport modes, including light rail extensions or rapid bus services. This initiative aligns with the Broadmeadow precinct's projected growth of 40,000 residents and 15,000 jobs. While the route is now 'locked in' as of March 2025, formal infrastructure construction is pending long-term funding, with planning controls currently being implemented to prevent incompatible development along the path.
Callaghan Campus Heart
A $10 million multi-phase redevelopment focused on the Shortland Building and Auchmuty Library to create a vibrant central hub. The project consolidates student services, including new UNSA facilities, a commercial kitchen, student lounge, and the ASKUoN hub. Phase 1 works for the Auchmuty Library and Language Centre are scheduled for completion in February 2025, with Shortland Building works following from May to October 2025. Future phases will continue over a three-year period to enhance campus engagement and accessibility.
Newcastle Port Logistics Hub
A major distribution hub on 14.3 hectares at 51-71 Industrial Drive, Mayfield, providing purpose-built facilities for logistics, manufacturing, and agribusiness with excellent transport links. Construction has started on the $130 million first stage of the $225 million project.
Mayfield Concept Plan
The Mayfield Concept Plan involves developing a 90-hectare port-side site for port-related activities, initially focusing on bulk liquids, with future opportunities for multi-purpose cargo facilities including a proposed $1.8 billion Multi-purpose Deepwater Terminal. Current operations include the Stolthaven Mayfield Terminal for bulk fuel storage, the Mayfield Cargo Storage Facility for various cargoes, and infrastructure upgrades such as the 2021-commissioned electrical substation. The plan aims to diversify the Hunter and NSW economies and improve supply chain efficiency. Adjacent state-owned Intertrade site is being developed by EnergyCo into a logistics precinct for renewable energy components storage and transport.
Lambton Park Master Plan
A comprehensive master plan approved by Newcastle Council in May 2025 to guide the future development of Lambton Park. The plan focuses on enhancing facilities, community engagement, heritage preservation, and recreational opportunities while maintaining the park as an open green space. Key developments include Lambton Pool upgrades, heritage rotunda preservation, improved accessibility, tennis courts, bowling club facilities, children's playgrounds, walking tracks, and the transformation of the former Baby Health Centre into a modern cafe.
Waratah Park Masterplan
A 10-year masterplan endorsed in April 2025 to maximize year-round use of sporting fields at Waratah Park. The plan includes upgraded field layouts for 5 rugby union/league grounds, 4 cricket ovals (3 turf and 1 synthetic), and 8 oztag fields. Proposed improvements feature upgraded LED floodlights, irrigation and drainage systems, a formalised car park with accessible spaces, upgraded amenities, a 3-metre wide shared pathway around the park, fitness stations, multi-sport court, and informal seating. Stage 1 works (pending budget adoption) include a new toilet near the playground, a half-court for batball and basketball, and upgraded LED lighting at Waratah Park No.1 Sportsground. The masterplan was developed with key sporting stakeholders including Rugby Union, Rugby League, Cricket, Oztag, and Callaghan College, with community consultation completed in September 2024.
Employment
Waratah - North Lambton has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks
Waratah - North Lambton has an educated workforce with high representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 4.0% as of September 2025, with estimated employment growth of 2.7% over the past year. There were 7,524 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 0.2% higher than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%.
Workforce participation was 70.1%, compared to Rest of NSW's 61.5%. Census data showed 25.2% of residents worked from home, possibly influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance (strongly specialized), education & training, and retail trade. Agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence with 0.3% employment compared to the regional level of 5.3%.
Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.7%, labour force by 3.3%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. Rest of NSW saw employment decline of 0.5% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Waratah - North Lambton's employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to local employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
The Waratah - North Lambton SA2 had a median income of $57,030 and an average income of $65,553 in financial year 2023, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is slightly below the national averages for Rest of NSW, which were $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. By September 2025, with an estimated Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, median income would be approximately $62,083 and average income would be around $71,361. Census data shows that incomes in Waratah - North Lambton rank modestly, between the 44th and 46th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 32.9% of the community (4,329 individuals), similar to the broader metropolitan region at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Waratah - North Lambton is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Waratah - North Lambton's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.6% houses and 22.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Non-Metro NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waratah - North Lambton stood at 25.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 41.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,937, higher than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in the area was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $330. Nationally, Waratah - North Lambton's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,937 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Waratah - North Lambton features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households compose 60.7% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 12.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.3%, with lone person households at 30.2% and group households comprising 9.1%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Waratah - North Lambton shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist
The area's university qualification rate is 29.9%, higher than the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region's 26.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are held by 33.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 24.6%.
Educational participation is high, with 32.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 5.7% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
The Waratah - North Lambton area has 129 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 72 individual routes, collectively providing 5643 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 127 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with car being the dominant mode at 89%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high 25.2% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
Service frequency averages 806 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 43 weekly trips per stop. The map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Waratah - North Lambton is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts
Waratah - North Lambton faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.
A variety of health conditions affect both younger and older age groups in the area. Private health cover stands at approximately 52% of the total population (~6,829 people), slightly lower than the average SA2 area. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 12.3 and 8.4% of residents respectively. Conversely, 63.5% of residents report having no medical ailments, similar to the 63.3% reported across Rest of NSW. Working-age residents exhibit a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (2,018 people), lower than the 23.4% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, generally aligning with national rankings for the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Waratah - North Lambton ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics
Waratah-North Lambton showed lower cultural diversity, with 87.3% being Australian citizens, 84.5% born in Australia, and 88.5% speaking English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 46.5%. Islam was overrepresented at 2.2%, compared to 0.8% regionally.
Top ancestry groups were English (28.8%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (9.0%). Notable divergences included Macedonian (0.5% vs 0.4%), Polish (0.9% vs 0.5%), and Welsh (0.7% vs 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Waratah - North Lambton's population is slightly younger than the national pattern
Waratah - North Lambton has a median age of 34, which is significantly lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 and Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 cohort is over-represented locally at 22.7%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 7.5%. This concentration of young adults is well above the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, the median age has decreased by 1.7 years to 34 due to an increase in younger residents. Specifically, the 25-34 age group grew from 18.5% to 22.7%, while the 35-44 cohort increased from 12.2% to 14.5%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort declined from 11.1% to 8.8%, and the 85+ group dropped from 4.9% to 2.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Waratah - North Lambton. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 28% (823 people), reaching 3,812 from 2,988. Conversely, both the 15-24 and 55-64 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.