Waratah - North Lambton
Statistical Area - sa2

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 represents an increase of 267 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,883. The increase was inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 13,065 in June 2024 and the addition of 151 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,573 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area's growth rate of 2.1% since the census is within 3.0 percentage points of the non-metro area's growth rate of 5.1%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers, the area is projected to increase by 1,890 persons to 2041, representing a total increase of 13.7% over the 17-year period.

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 received around 54 dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25272 homes were approved, with a further 13 approved in FY26 so far. On average, about 0.9 new residents arrived annually for each new home built between FY21 and FY25.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and potentially driving population growth beyond current expectations. The average construction cost of new properties was $263,000 during this period, below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options. In FY26, commercial approvals totaled $9.9 million, demonstrating steady commercial investment activity in the area. Compared to the Rest of NSW, Waratah - North Lambton shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person, placing it among the 24th percentile nationally. This suggests somewhat limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established properties.

New development in Waratah - North Lambton consists of 29.0% standalone homes and 71.0% attached dwellings, reflecting a shift towards higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses (78.0%). The area reflects a highly mature market with around 680 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate that Waratah - North Lambton will gain approximately 1,805 residents by 2041. Construction activity is maintaining pace with projected growth, although buyers may face growing competition for properties as the population increases.

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

Local infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely impacting the region. Key initiatives include Former Waratah Gasworks Redevelopment, Newcastle Inner City Bypass - Rankin Park to Jesmond, Waratah Park Masterplan, and Hunter Indoor Sports Centre (HISC). The following details 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.

Employment performance in Waratah - North Lambton has been broadly consistent with national averages

Waratah-North Lambton has a well-educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.4% over the past year as of June 2025.

In this period, 7,610 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate aligns with Rest of NSW's rate at 3.7%. Workforce participation stands at 62.4%, exceeding Rest of NSW's figure of 56.4%. Key industries of employment include health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade. The area specializes in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.3% of local workers compared to Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Employment increased by 2.4% over the 12 months to June 2025, with labour force growth at 2.5%, leading to a slight rise in unemployment (0.1 percentage points). In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1%, labour force growth of 0.3%, and an unemployment increase of 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Waratah-North Lambton's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 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 June 2022 shows that median income in Waratah - North Lambton is $51,562 and average income is $61,936. This is lower than national averages of $54,784 (median) and $65,584 (average). In comparison, Rest of NSW has a median income of $49,459 and an average income of $62,998. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2022 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $58,064 (median) and $69,746 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, Waratah - North Lambton ranks modestly for household, family and personal incomes, between the 44th and 47th percentiles. Income distribution shows that the majority of residents, 32.9% or 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 after housing costs, 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 dwellings were 77.6% houses and 22.4% other types at the latest Census. 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 average of $1,962. Median weekly rent in the area was $380, compared to Non-Metro NSW's $400. Nationally, Waratah - North Lambton's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,937 and rents exceeded the national figure of $375 by $5.

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

Family households account for 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.

Waratah - North Lambton shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 29.9% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region average of 26.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 33.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 24.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 11.4% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 5.7% pursuing secondary education. There are approximately 10 schools operating within Waratah - North Lambton, educating around 3,260 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 993) and balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes 4 primary, 3 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. The area serves as an education hub, offering 24.8 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 15.6, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Waratah - North Lambton has 110 active public transport stops. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 72 individual routes operating in the area.

Collectively, these routes provide 5,575 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 130 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 796 trips per day across all routes, which equates 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 average, particularly among older age groups. Approximately 51% (~6,653 people) have private health cover, lower than 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. Around 63.5% declare no medical ailments, compared to 64.9% across Rest of NSW. The area has 15.8% (2,082 people) aged 65 and over, with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than the broader population.

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 was below average in cultural diversity, with 87.3% of its population being Australian citizens, born here on 84.5%, and speaking English only at home on 88.5%. Christianity dominated the religion landscape, accounting for 46.5%. Islam's representation stood out at 2.2%, compared to the Rest of NSW's 1.7%.

Top ancestry groups were English (28.8%), Australian (27.7%), and Irish (9.0%). Notable differences existed in Macedonian (0.5% vs regional 0.8%), Welsh (0.7% vs 0.8%), and Polish (0.9% vs 0.8%) groups.

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

Waratah - North Lambton's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below the Rest of NSW average of 43 and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 22.0% locally compared to the Rest of NSW average, while the 65-74 age group is under-represented at 7.6%. This concentration of residents aged 25-34 is well above the national average of 14.5%. Following the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, younger residents have shifted the median age down by 1.4 years to 35. The 25 to 34 age group has grown from 18.5% to 22.0%, while the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 12.2% to 14.0%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 11.1% to 9.3%, and the 85+ group dropped from 4.9% to 3.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Waratah - North Lambton's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 32%, adding 924 residents to reach 3,812. Conversely, the 15 to 24 and 55 to 64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.