West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth
Statistical Area - sa2

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

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth's population was 7,254 in the 2021 Census. By Aug 2025, it is around 7,477, a 3.1% increase of 223 people. This growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 7,456 in June 2024 and 176 new addresses since the Census. The population density is 103 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, the area's compound annual growth rate was 1.4%, outperforming its SA4 region. Natural growth drove most of this increase, contributing approximately 82.2% of overall gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for uncovered areas, released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Projected demographic shifts indicate above median population growth for regional Australia; the area is expected to expand by 1,451 persons to 2041, reflecting a 19.1% total increase over 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 recorded around 47 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data from the ABS shows 236 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY-20 to FY-25, with 16 approvals so far in FY-26. On average, 1.9 new residents per year per dwelling were constructed between FY-20 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions that eased to 0.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years. The average construction value of development projects was $428,000. This financial year has seen $13.4 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to Rest of NSW, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth shows approximately 62% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 87th percentile nationally, with building activity accelerating in recent years. New development consists of 75.0% detached dwellings and 25.0% townhouses or apartments, preserving the area's low density nature while responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, which are currently 98.0% houses. With around 100 people per dwelling approval, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth shows characteristics of a low density area.

Population forecasts indicate the area will gain 1,427 residents by 2041, suggesting current development is well-matched to future needs and supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth 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 18 projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones are West Wallsend Swim Centre Expansion, BlackRock Motor Resort, Cameron Grove Estate. The following details those most relevant:.

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

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 both white and blue collar jobs. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 2.7%.

This is lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.7%, indicating strong employment opportunities in the area. The estimated employment growth over the past year is 2.2%. There are 4,115 residents currently employed, with a workforce participation rate of 64.6%, higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care and social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

The area specializes in construction, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. In contrast, agriculture, forestry, and fishing employ only 0.5% of local workers, below Rest of NSW's 5.3%. Analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that over a 12-month period ending in June 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, while the labour force grew by 2.5%. This resulted in an unemployment rate rise of 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Rest of NSW experienced an employment decline of 0.1% and a labour force growth of 0.3%, with a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. State-level data to Sep-25 shows that NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment is expected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 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

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth had a median taxpayer income of $53,303 and an average of $60,301 in financial year 2022. These figures are lower than the national averages of $49,459 (median) and $62,998 (average) for Rest of NSW. By March 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.6%, estimated incomes would be approximately $58,953 (median) and $66,693 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth ranked modestly, between the 44th and 51st percentiles. Income distribution showed that 37.0% of residents earned $1,500-$2,999 weekly, similar to the surrounding region's 29.9%. 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, 97.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 2.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Non-Metro NSW's 89.7% houses and 10.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth stood at 33.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 50.8% and rented ones at 15.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,798, lower than Non-Metro NSW's $1,900 average. Weekly rent in the area was $390, slightly higher than Non-Metro NSW's $380. Nationally, West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth had lower mortgage repayments ($1,798 vs Australia's $1,863) but higher rents ($390 vs $375).

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

Family households make up 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 account for 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 faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 11.1%, significantly below the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 47.3% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (9.2%) and certificates (38.1%).

Educational participation is high at 27.3%, including primary education (9.8%), secondary education (7.3%), and tertiary education (3.1%). The five schools in West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth have a combined enrollment of 1,262 students. Educational provision follows conventional lines, with two primary and three secondary institutions. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, at 16.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 12.3, indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth has 90 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 38 different routes that together facilitate 712 weekly passenger trips. Residential accessibility to these stops is excellent, with residents on average located 159 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 101 trips per day, equating 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

West Wallsend-Barnsley-Killingworth faces substantial health challenges, as revealed by its health data. The prevalence of common health conditions is notable across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 50% (~3,738 people) of the area's total population has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the region, affecting 11.2 and 9.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 62.3% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 60.3% across Rest of NSW. The area has 18.3% (1,371 people) of residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 21.9% in Rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with 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 had a cultural diversity index of below average, with 94.1% of its population born in Australia, 94.7% being citizens, and 97.7% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 50.6% of the population, compared to 54.0% across Rest of NSW. The top three ancestry groups were Australian (34.4%), English (32.3%), and Scottish (8.3%).

Notably, Australian Aboriginal representation was higher at 5.3%, Macedonian was 0.3%, and Welsh was 0.6%.

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

West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth had a median age of 38 as of 2021, which is lower than Rest of NSW's figure of 43 but equivalent to Australia's national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group constituted 15.1% of the population in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth, higher than Rest of NSW's percentage. Conversely, the 75-84 cohort made up 6.0%, lower than Rest of NSW's figure. According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 4.3% to 6.0% of the population between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Meanwhile, the 5-14 cohort declined from 13.3% to 11.6%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 12.3% to 11.0%. Demographic modeling projects significant changes in West Wallsend - Barnsley - Killingworth's age profile by 2041, with the 25-34 group expected to grow by 35%, reaching 1,515 people from 1,126. Conversely, the 65-74 age range is projected to decrease by approximately one-third.