Waratah - North Lambton

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 approximately 13,150 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 267 people, a 2.1% rise from the 2021 Census count of 12,883 residents. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,065 in June 2024 and an additional 151 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,573 persons per square kilometer, placing Waratah - North Lambton in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 2.1% growth since the census is within 3.0 percentage points of the non-metro area's 5.1%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

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, 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate an above median growth for Australia's regional areas, with Waratah - North Lambton expected to increase by 1,890 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 13.7% over the 17 years.

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 had approximately 54 dwellings granted development approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 272 homes were approved, with another 14 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 0.9 new residents have been arriving per new home annually over these five years.

This suggests that new construction is keeping pace with demand or even exceeding it, providing more options for buyers and facilitating population growth beyond current projections. The average expected construction cost of new properties has been around $263,000, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. This financial year has seen approximately $9.9 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating steady commercial investment activity in the area. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Waratah - North Lambton shows about 75% of the construction activity per person. Nationally, it ranks around the 23rd percentile for areas assessed, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties.

New development in Waratah - North Lambton consists of approximately 29.0% standalone homes and 71.0% attached dwellings. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points, appealing to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses at around 78.0%. This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses evolving lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Waratah - North Lambton has had approximately 680 people per dwelling approval, indicating a highly mature market. According to recent AreaSearch quarterly estimates, the area is projected to gain around 1,805 residents by 2041. Construction activity is maintaining a reasonable pace with this projected growth. However, as population increases, buyers may face growing competition for available properties.

Waratah - North Lambton has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Former Waratah Gasworks Redevelopment, Waratah Park Masterplan, Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC), and another Hunter Indoor Sports Centre project. The following list outlines those most relevant:.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Waratah - North Lambton has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Waratah - North Lambton has an educated workforce with significant 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.

As of that date, 7,524 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% compared to Rest of NSW's 3.6%. Workforce participation was higher at 62.4%, versus Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance is particularly specialized, employing 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.3% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Employment opportunities exist locally but many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.7%, labour force by 3.3%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.5% and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 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 Waratah - North Lambton's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended 30 June 2022 shows median income in Waratah - North Lambton SA2 was $51,562 and average income was $61,936. This is lower than the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% between financial years 2022 to 2025, estimated median income in Waratah - North Lambton as of September 2025 would be approximately $58,064 and average income $69,746. According to Census 2021 data, incomes in Waratah - North Lambton rank modestly at the 44th to 46th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. Income distribution shows that 32.9% of residents (4,326 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, similar to the surrounding region at 29.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 81.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 41st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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, had 77.6% houses and 22.4% other dwellings. Non-Metro NSW had 70.5% houses and 29.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Waratah - North Lambton was 25.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 41.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,937, below Non-Metro NSW's $1,962. Median weekly rent was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Waratah - North Lambton's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,937 and rents were $380, exceeding the Australian averages of $1,863 and $375 respectively.

Waratah - North Lambton features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 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 account for 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.

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.

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

Transport analysis indicates 110 active transport stops operating within Waratah - North Lambton. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 72 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 5,575 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 130 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 796 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 50 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Waratah - North Lambton is well below average with considerably higher than average prevalence of common health conditions and to an even higher degree among older age cohorts

Waratah - North Lambton faces significant health challenges with a higher prevalence of common health conditions compared to the average. This is particularly true for older age cohorts.

The area has approximately 51% private health cover, lower than the Rest of NSW's 55.6%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 12.3% and 8.4% of residents respectively. About 63.5% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Rest of NSW's 64.9%. The area has 15.8% seniors aged 65 and over (2,082 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to specific challenges they face.

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 cultural diversity below average, with 87.3% citizens, 84.5% born in Australia, and 88.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity dominated as the main religion, comprising 46.5%. Islam was overrepresented at 2.2%, compared to Rest of NSW's 1.7%.

Top ancestry groups were English (28.8%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (9.0%). Other ethnic groups showed notable divergences: Macedonian at 0.5% (vs regional 0.8%), Polish at 0.9% (vs 0.8%), Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.8%).

Waratah - North Lambton's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Waratah-North Lambton's median age is 35 years, significantly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 and slightly younger than Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 22%, compared to the Rest of NSW average, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 7.6%. This concentration in the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Following the Census on 9 August 2021, younger residents have shifted the median age down by 1.4 years to 35. The 25 to 34 age group grew from 18.5% to 22%, while those aged 35 to 44 increased from 12.2% to 14%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 11.1% to 9.3%, and the 85+ group dropped from 4.9% to 3.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Waratah-North Lambton's age profile will evolve significantly. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 32%, adding 924 residents to reach 3,812. Conversely, the 15-24 and 55-64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.