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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
Clarence Town lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends
The estimated population of Clarence Town is around 2,350 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 85 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 2,265 people. The current resident population estimate of 2,342 by AreaSearch, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and validated new addresses, indicates this growth. This results in a density ratio of 25 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade ending May 2026, Clarence Town has shown resilient growth with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%, outperforming the Rest of NSW. Interstate migration contributed approximately 78.0% to overall population gains during this period.
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, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. These projections forecast significant population growth nationally for the top quartile of regional areas like Clarence Town. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase its population by 647 persons, reflecting an overall increase of 27.2% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Clarence Town when compared nationally
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Clarence Town approved around 7 new homes annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 35 homes. As of FY-26, 4 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.2 new residents arrive per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. The average construction value of new homes is $467,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments.
This financial year has seen $581,000 in commercial development approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Clarence Town shows substantially reduced construction, 70.0% below regional average per person, which usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. However, recent periods have seen increased development activity. This activity is also below national average, indicating possible planning constraints. All new construction in the area has been detached dwellings, maintaining Clarence Town's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space, reflected by around 243 people per approval.
Looking ahead, AreaSearch estimates Clarence Town will grow by 639 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Clarence Town
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Clarence Town has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project likely affecting this region: Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct, Port Stephens Housing Delivery Program, Nelson Bay Road Duplication - Williamtown to Bobs Farm, and Port Stephens Local Environmental Plan (LEP) & Development Control Plan (DCP).
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone
The Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is a critical network infrastructure project upgrading approximately 85km of existing 132kV sub-transmission lines between Kurri Kurri and Muswellbrook, and constructing two new substations at Sandy Creek (Muswellbrook) and Antiene (Singleton). The project delivers an additional 1GW of network transfer capacity, enabling connection of approximately 1.8GW of new renewable generation and storage. Ausgrid, as appointed network operator, is responsible for design, financing, construction and operation. The Project Deed with EnergyCo was signed in December 2025 following Australian Energy Regulator determination, and construction officially commenced on 27 February 2026. The REZ is the first in Australia to upgrade existing distribution poles and wires rather than build new transmission infrastructure. It will create 590 jobs during construction and 220 ongoing local positions, with full capacity expected by 2028.
Maitland Local Housing Strategy 2041
The Maitland Local Housing Strategy 2041 is a comprehensive framework adopted by Council in June 2023 and endorsed by the NSW Government in September 2024. It manages residential growth to accommodate a projected population increase of 54,800 residents by 2041, requiring approximately 25,200 additional dwellings. The strategy prioritises housing diversity, infill development, and the 15-minute neighbourhood concept, seeking to shift from a 90:10 greenfield-to-infill ratio toward the Hunter Regional Plan target of 20:80 by 2041. Implementation milestones include the Residential Density Guide placed on public exhibition in March 2025, and the East Maitland Catalyst Area Structure Plan endorsed for public exhibition in October 2025, estimating 4,000 new homes for that precinct alone.
Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct
A 220-hectare industrial hub on Kooragang Island dedicated to the production, storage, and export of green hydrogen and green ammonia. The precinct features common-user infrastructure, including a 1.6 GW electrical grid connection and a 22 ML recycled water plant. As of March 2026, the project was endorsed by the NSW Government Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track approvals. It is currently in the final stages of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2027 with operations starting by 2030.
Hunter Transmission Project
A critical 110 km overhead 500 kV transmission line project connecting Bayswater Power Station to a new switching station in Olney State Forest near Eraring. As of May 2026, the project is under assessment following the February 2026 lodgement of the Submissions and Amendment Reports. It serves as the northern section of the Sydney Ring, designed to transfer renewable energy from the Central-West Orana and New England REZs. Infrastructure includes new switching stations at Bayswater South and Olney, plus upgrades to existing substations. Environmental surveys are ongoing through May 2026, with a final government determination expected later this year.
Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy
Comprehensive NSW state planning reforms designed to increase housing density in well-located areas. The policy mandates mid-rise apartment buildings (3-6 storeys) and low-rise multi-dwelling housing (terraces, townhouses, and dual occupancies) within 800m of 171 high-frequency transport hubs and town centres. As of May 2026, the policy is fully operational following the phased rollout of dual occupancy provisions in July 2024 and mid-rise apartment provisions in early 2025. Recent updates include refined floor space ratios (FSR) and non-refusal standards to streamline local council assessments.
Mariyung Fleet (New Intercity Fleet)
The Mariyung Fleet is a 610-carriage double-deck electric train fleet (D sets) replacing the ageing V-set and Oscar fleets across the NSW intercity network. Delivered by the RailConnect NSW consortium (UGL, Hyundai Rotem, Mitsubishi Electric Australia), the trains feature wider 2x2 seating with arm rests, tray tables and cup holders, charging ports, dedicated luggage, pram and bicycle spaces, accessible toilets, dedicated wheelchair spaces, CCTV, digital information screens and Automatic Selective Door Operation. The fleet operates in 4, 6, 8 or 10-car formations. Passenger services commenced on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line on 3 December 2024, on the Blue Mountains Line on 13 October 2025, and on the South Coast Line on 14 April 2026. The South Coast Line rollout begins with seven 4 and 6-car sets, scaling to 16 trains by 2027 with 8-car sets later in 2026 and 10-car configurations in 2027. The project includes the Kangy Angy Maintenance Facility (operated by UGL on a 15-year contract) and extensive corridor upgrades including platform extensions, signalling modifications, balise installation and overhead wiring works.
Nelson Bay Road Duplication - Williamtown to Bobs Farm
NSW Government $275 million investment to improve safety and travel times on Nelson Bay Road including duplicating the road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm. Major connection between Newcastle Airport, RAAF base and Nelson Bay used by 25,000 motorists daily.
Port Stephens Housing Delivery Program
A comprehensive Council-led housing delivery program targeting 11,100 new homes across Port Stephens by 2041. The program focuses on increasing housing diversity and affordability, guided by the Raymond Terrace and Heatherbrae Strategy. Key components include a Master Plan for the Raymond Terrace Sub-Precincts, developed in collaboration with Homes NSW, and a Public Domain Plan for the town centre to support new communities.
Employment
Employment conditions in Clarence Town demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally
Clarence Town has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 2.5% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation in December 2025. There are 1,123 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.4% below Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.
Workforce participation is at 60.5%, matching Regional NSW's figure. Census responses indicate that 22.2% of residents work from home. Dominant employment sectors are construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. Construction has a notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.
However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, with only 12.3% of Clarence Town's workforce compared to Regional NSW's 16.9%. The area may have limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the Census working population count versus resident population. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.0%, and employment decreased by 1.1%, leaving unemployment broadly unchanged. In comparison, Regional NSW saw an employment decline of 1.2% and a labour force decline of 0.8%, with unemployment rising by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide further insight into potential future demand in Clarence Town. These projections suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Clarence Town's employment mix indicates that local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
Clarence Town suburb shows median taxpayer income of $52,787 and average income of $69,349 according to latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is slightly above national averages, contrasting with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average income of $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $58,235 (median) and $76,506 (average). According to 2021 Census figures, incomes in Clarence Town cluster around the 54th percentile nationally. Income brackets indicate that 37.0% of residents earn between $1,500 - 2,999 annually (869 individuals), similar to broader trends across regional levels showing 29.9% in the same category. After housing expenses, 85.2% of income remains for other expenses. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Clarence Town is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
Clarence Town's dwellings were 97.5% houses and 2.6% other types at the latest Census, compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% others. Home ownership in Clarence Town was 36.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 55.0% and rented at 9.0%. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $1,993, higher than Regional NSW's $1,733 and the national average of $1,863. The median weekly rent was $365, lower than Regional NSW's $330 and the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Clarence Town features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households account for 82.3% of all households, including 39.3% that are couples with children, 34.4% that are couples without children, and 7.6% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 17.7%, with lone person households at 16.4% and group households comprising 1.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Clarence Town fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area has university qualification rates at 15.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 48.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas at 11.7% and certificates at 36.8%.
Educational participation is notably high, with 26.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is low compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Clarence Town has 76 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 16 different routes that collectively offer 120 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as good, with residents typically living 231 meters away from the nearest stop. Most residents in this primarily residential area commute outward. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 97% of residents. On average, there are 2.1 vehicles per dwelling, which is higher than the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, 22.2% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The frequency of service averages 17 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately one weekly trip per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Clarence Town is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts
Clarence Town faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups show high prevalence of common health conditions.
Approximately 54% (~1,277 people) have private health cover, compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 10.3% and 9.9% of residents respectively. 64.0% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age population health challenges include elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 17.6% (413 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Regional NSW's 23.4%. Health outcomes among seniors are generally aligned with national rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The latest Census data sees Clarence Town placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Clarence Town, as per the findings, exhibited lower cultural diversity levels. Its population composition showed that 94.0% were born in Australia, with 95.7% being citizens, and 98.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Clarence Town, accounting for 51.6% of its population, compared to the Regional NSW average of 55.9%.
In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (36.6%), English (31.0%), and Scottish (9.0%). Notably, certain ethnic groups showed significant differences: Australian Aboriginal was overrepresented at 4.9% in Clarence Town versus the regional average of 4.6%, Samoan at 0.2% compared to 0.1%, and Polish at 0.7% against the regional figure of 0.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Clarence Town's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms
The median age in Clarence Town is 39 years, which is significantly lower than Regional NSW's average of 43 years but essentially aligned with Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Regional NSW, Clarence Town has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64, at 14.6%, but fewer residents aged 75-84, at 5.1%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 8.9% to 10.7%, while the population aged 45-54 has declined from 13.5% to 12.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Clarence Town's age structure, with the 45-54 age group expected to grow by 37%, increasing from 296 to 407 people.