West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth

Population growth drivers in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth's population is around 7471 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 217 people (3.0%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7254 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7455 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 174 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 103 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Over the past decade, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%, outpacing the SA4 region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth that contributed approximately 82.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth of Australia's regional areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 1451 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 19.2% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth has granted around 40 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 201 homes. As of FY26, 31 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY21 and FY25. Recently, this figure has eased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value for development projects is $428,000.

In FY26, there have been $13.4 million in commercial approvals. Compared to the rest of NSW, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth shows approximately 61% of the construction activity per person and places among the 87th percentile nationally, with building activity accelerating recently. New development consists of 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% townhouses or apartments, differing from existing housing patterns which are currently 98.0% houses. With around 100 people per dwelling approval, it shows characteristics of a low density area.

Population forecasts indicate West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth will gain 1,433 residents by 2041. Development is keeping pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are West Wallsend Swim Centre Expansion, BlackRock Motor Resort, Cameron Grove Estate, and West Wallsend and Holmesville Heritage Conservation Area Amendment. The following list details those most relevant.

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Employment conditions in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Its unemployment rate was 2.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2%.

As of June 2025, 4115 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Rest of NSW's 3.7%. Workforce participation is high at 64.6%, compared to Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction employment is particularly high, at 1.4 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employs only 0.5% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.5%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Rest of NSW saw employment decline by 0.1% and labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth's employment mix, local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

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

The median taxpayer income in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth SA2 was $53,303 and the average was $60,301 according to AreaSearch's postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. This is below the national average of $49,459 median income and $62,998 average income in Rest of NSW. By September 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $60,025 and average income $67,905 based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. In West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth, household incomes ranked between the 43rd and 51st percentiles according to 2021 Census figures. The largest segment of income distribution comprised 37.0% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (2,764 residents). High housing costs consumed 15.4% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 53rd percentile.

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

In West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth, as per the latest Census evaluation, 97.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 2.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is in contrast to Non-Metro NSW's figures of 89.7% houses and 10.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth stood at 33.4%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 50.8% and rented ones making up 15.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,798, lower than Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,900. The median weekly rent in the area was $390, compared to Non-Metro NSW's figure of $380. Nationally, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 79.3% of all households, including 35.9% couples with children, 29.1% couples without children, and 13.1% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 20.7%, with lone person households at 17.9% and group households comprising 2.9%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Rest of NSW average of 2.5.

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common among qualified residents at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 47.3% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (38.1%). Educational participation is high, with 27.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.8% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in the area encompassing West Wallsend, Barnsley, and Killingworth shows that there are 90 active transport stops currently operating. These stops offer a variety of bus services, with a total of 38 individual routes running through them. The combined weekly passenger trips across all these routes amount to 712.

Residents in this area enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of just 159 meters to the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 101 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 7 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data shows significant issues in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth, with high prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~3,735 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 11.2% of residents, while asthma impacts 9.7%. 62.3% report no medical ailments, compared to 60.3% in Rest of NSW. The area has 18.3% (1,370 people) aged 65 and over, lower than the 21.9% in Rest of NSW. Senior health outcomes present challenges, broadly reflecting the general population's health profile.

The latest Census data sees West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth, surveyed in 2016, had low cultural diversity: 94.1% were Australian-born, 94.7% were citizens, and 97.7% spoke English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, at 50.6%, compared to 54.0% regionally. Ancestry showed Australians (34.4%), English (32.3%), and Scottish (8.3%) as top groups.

Notable differences included Australian Aboriginal (5.3% vs regional 4.5%), Macedonian (0.3% vs 0.2%), and Welsh (0.6% vs 0.7%).

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age of West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth is 38, which is lower than the Rest of NSW figure of 43 but equivalent to the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group constitutes 15.1%, higher than the Rest of NSW figure, while the 75-84 cohort makes up 6.0%. Post the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group increased from 4.3% to 6.0%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group decreased from 13.3% to 11.6%, and the 45-54 group fell from 12.3% to 11.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth's age profile. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 35%, adding 389 people and reaching 1,515 from the current 1,125. Meanwhile, the 65-74 age range is expected to decrease by 33%.