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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
The median house price in Dudley is $1.66m, with units at $778k. House values have moved 7.0% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Sales Detail
Dudley has an estimated 2,479 residents, down from 2,505 at the 2021 Census — a change of 26 people, or 1.0%. That puts 454 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of Dudley has an estimated count of around 2,479 residents, according to AreaSearch evaluations combining broader regional ABS releases with post-Census validated address counts. This represents a reduction of 26 people (1.0%) relative to the 2021 Census tally of 2,505 people. This figure builds upon an estimated resident population of 2,470 determined by AreaSearch from the June 2025 ABS ERP figures, alongside 5 validated new addresses confirmed following the Census. The suburb of Dudley maintains a density ratio of 454 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous living space and capacity for future expansion.
Natural increases served as the main engine of demographic growth in recent times, generating roughly 51.0% of all population additions. Demographic modeling by AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia projections pegged to a 2022 baseline for local SA2 zones, turning to 2022 NSW State Government SA2 figures based on 2021 where coverage is missing. Projected age cohort growth rates from these datasets are further utilized across all localities for the 2032 to 2041 period. In the suburb of Dudley, long-term projections point toward an expansion rate slightly below non-metropolitan Australian medians, with SA2 aggregations anticipating an additional 232 persons by 2041, representing an overall expansion of 9.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity across Dudley remains very restricted, registering an average of 2 new dwellings approved annually and a five-year total of 11 approvals. These constrained volumes align with typical rural dynamics where modest local requirements and limited infrastructure capacity naturally cap construction. Given these minor overall counts, individual building approvals can substantially shift yearly statistics and growth rates. Dudley records construction activity levels that fall considerably short of the wider Rest of NSW benchmark. This subdued pace of development is also notably lower than broader national patterns. According to the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch, Dudley is projected to add 223 residents through to 2041.
Should current construction trends persist, local residential supply could fail to match demographic growth, which may heighten buyer demand and reinforce upwards pressure on property prices.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Dudley
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 2 current infrastructure and development projects inside Dudley, worth an estimated $23 million. A further 45 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $15.9 billion. 11 are already under construction and 13 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, retail and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Major planning initiatives and local infrastructure works play a pivotal role in shaping regional trajectory. AreaSearch has pinpointed 4 key projects anticipated to influence the local area, headlined by Lonus Estate - Whitebridge, Redhead Business Park, Charlestown Swim Centre Expansion, and First Creek Realignment Project.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Lonus Estate - Whitebridge
Lonus Estate is a boutique 19 lot house and land subdivision on a 1.29 hectare site at 64-66 Lonus Avenue, Whitebridge. Lots ranging from around 270 sqm to 1,000 sqm back onto the Fernleigh Track and are being marketed by Altitude Real Estate as a tranquil, leafy setting close to Whitebridge shops, schools and nearby beaches. Land has been released and individual lots, including Lot 19, have been sold with construction of new homes commencing.
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Expansion
A significant $131 million redevelopment of Lake Macquarie Private Hospital by Ramsay Health Care. Approved in May 2025, the project features a nine-storey expansion (SSD-38025700) adding 114 inpatient beds, five new operating theatres, and an expanded emergency department. The development also includes a new main entrance on Casey Street, ten consulting suites, and enhanced radiology and oncology services. As of April 2026, the project is integrated into the broader Gateshead Medical Precinct Planning Proposal, which seeks to rezone surrounding land to support a regionally significant health hub.Construction is phased to maintain hospital operations, with final completion targeted for 2027.
Uniting Charlestown
A $300 million landmark seniors living and aged care development on the former TAFE campus at Tiral Street, Charlestown. Stage 1 delivers a 120-bed residential aged care home and 96 independent living units (ILUs). Stage 2 adds 107 ILUs and 133 residential apartments across four buildings ranging from 5 to 14 storeys. Amenities include a wellness centre, hairdresser, cafe, swimming pool, clubhouse, landscaped rooftop with BBQ area, walking paths, chapel and multi-faith space, and visiting rooms for GPs and allied health practitioners.The first seniors living development in NSW to receive State Significant Development Approval (SSDA) under the Housing State Environmental Planning Policy. Project management by TSA Riley, architecture by Plus Architecture.
142 Dudley Road Mixed Use Residential Development, Whitebridge
Large mixed use housing project known locally as the Fettlers Whitebridge development. The scheme delivers around 91 dwellings in a mix of small lot housing and residential flat buildings, plus a 4 to 5 storey mixed use building with ground floor retail fronting Dudley Road, new public parking, Whitebridge Square, open space and stormwater management areas that connect to the Fernleigh Track and surrounding bushland. The development was approved by the Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel with a capital investment value of about AUD 23 million and is now fully constructed and occupied.
87 Oakdale Road, Gateshead Redevelopment
Rezoning of 87 Oakdale Road, Gateshead from C3 Environmental Management to E4 General Industrial and increase minimum lot sizes and building height standards to address the need for light industrial land in the city.
14 Frederick Street Residential Development
Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a 7-storey building comprising 29 units. Apartment configurations include 1 one-bedroom apartment, 25 two-bedroom apartments and 3 three-bedroom apartments. Car parking for 31 vehicles proposed.
27 Dickinson Street Residential Development
DA approved development site for 27 apartments and one commercial space on a 1,214sqm corner block with 23 on-site car parks. The low-rise residential apartment complex is strategically positioned within walking distance of Charlestown Square and public transport links, targeting first home owners, affordable housing and investors.
The Merewether Residences
A joint venture between Third.i Group, ThirdAge Villages, and Dexus Real Estate Partnership, The Merewether Residences is a luxury over-55s retirement community set within the Merewether Golf Club grounds in Newcastle. Delivering 178 apartments including 16 exclusive penthouses across four 6-storey buildings, the development features resort-style amenities including a wellness centre, spa, pool, cinema, and a new clubhouse with restaurant, cafe and bar overlooking the 18th hole. Designed by Marchese Partners and EJE Architecture, construction by Decode Group commenced September 2025 with completion scheduled for September 2027.
1,225 residents of Dudley are employed, from a labour force of 1,272. Unemployment sits at 3.7%, with participation at 66.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Dudley is characterised by a prominent professional services contingent, high educational levels, and a low jobless rate of 3.7%, based on aggregated statistical area information from AreaSearch. In March 2026, 1,225 residents were actively employed, while unemployment sat 0.4% below the 4.1% recorded for Regional NSW, accompanied by a strong participation rate of 66.4% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census findings also revealed that 33.7% of working residents operated from home, though pandemic lockdown measures during that period are a relevant factor. Local workforce participation is primarily clustered across health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training.
Health care & social assistance represents a notable regional specialization, recording a local concentration 1.3 times the Regional NSW baseline. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.3% of local employment relative to 5.3% regionally. At the Census, the local ratio of 0.6 workers per resident pointed to stronger employment availability than standard averages. Synthesised ABS and SALM statistical area figures compiled by AreaSearch indicate that in the year to March 2026, local employment dropped 3.4% and the labour force contracted by 2.1%, causing a 1.3 percentage points rise in unemployment. Across Regional NSW over the same period, employment declined by 0.9%, the workforce reduced by 0.4%, and joblessness increased by 0.5 percentage points. Future workplace demand can be evaluated using the Mar-26 Jobs and Skills Australia projections, which model national five-year growth of 6.6% and ten-year expansion of 13.7% across various industries. When mapped to the local industry composition, Dudley's employment is projected to expand by 7.4% across five years and 15.1% across ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation for illustration that excludes localised population forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Dudley is $2,487 a week (about $129,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,075 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $68,554 a year against an average of $91,918. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO taxation statistics for financial year 2023 aggregated by AreaSearch indicate that the suburb of Dudley recorded a median taxpayer income of $68,554 and an average of $91,918, well exceeding the respective Regional NSW figures of $52,390 and $65,215. Factoring in Wage Price Index movement of 10.32% since financial year 2023, modeled estimates reach approximately $75,629 for median earnings and $101,404 for average earnings by March 2026. The 2021 Census placed personal, family, and household incomes in Dudley between the 84th and 90th national percentiles. The primary earning cohort comprises 26.3% of workers (651 residents) taking home $1,500 - 2,999 per week, mirroring the regional proportion of 29.9%.
High-income households taking in weekly earnings above $3,000 make up 42.0% of the total, while residents retain 88.3% of income following housing expenditures, placing the community in the 8th decile for SEIFA income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Dudley had 871 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 0% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 43% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $420 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,324 a month. Rent absorbs 16.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.6%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, separate houses made up 92.4% of residential properties in Dudley, while apartments, semi-detached properties, and other formats comprised 7.6%, compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other dwellings throughout Regional NSW. Fully owned properties accounted for 42.6% of tenures, surpassing the regional level, alongside 43.3% under a mortgage and 14.2% rented. Typical housing costs were elevated, with median monthly mortgage payments reaching $2,324 and weekly rents averaging $420, significantly outstripping Regional NSW benchmarks of $1,733 and $330 as well as national medians of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for rent.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Dudley counted 871 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 41% are couples with children, more than in 81% of areas nationally, against 29% couples without children. 19% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family arrangements constitute 81.3% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 40.9%, couples without children at 29.2%, and single parent households at 10.0%. Non-family dwellings make up the remaining 18.7%, primarily comprising lone person residences at 18.7% and group households at 0.6%. The typical household size stands at 2.7 people, exceeding the 2.4 average recorded for Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
39.8% of adults in Dudley hold a university qualification, including 27.2% with a bachelor degree and 9.7% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 92% of areas nationally. A further 22.1% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 248 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,104 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Educational qualifications among Dudley residents aged 15+ substantially outpace wider figures, with 39.8% holding higher education degrees compared to 21.3% across Rest of NSW and 23.5% across the SA3 area. Among university credentials, bachelor degrees represent 27.2%, postgraduate awards account for 9.7%, and graduate diplomas stand at 2.9%. Technical qualifications are also prominent, with vocational credentials held by 33.5% of the population aged 15+, consisting of certificates (22.1%) and advanced diplomas (11.4%). A significant 30.9% of the local population is enrolled in formal study. This student cohort includes 11.7% attending primary schools, 7.5% in secondary education, and 4.0% enrolled in tertiary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Dudley reaches 26 stops on 10 routes, timetabled for about 180 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Dudley is facilitated by 26 operating bus stops covering 10 distinct routes that provide 182 scheduled weekly trips. Access is rated as excellent, with typical walk distances to the closest boarding point averaging 160 meters. Commuter travel leans heavily on private vehicles, with cars accounting for 97% of transit and household vehicle ownership averaging 1.8. Additionally, 33.7% of employed residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which coincided with pandemic conditions. Scheduled public transport delivers an overall average of 26 daily trips across the network, translating to roughly 7 trips each week per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
71.2% of residents in Dudley report no long-term health condition. 3.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 63.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.1 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch reveal strong overall wellbeing in Dudley, marked by low chronic disease rates and favourable mortality figures across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance participation is notably high at approximately 63% of the community (1,566 people), comparing favourably against the Regional NSW benchmark of 51.9% and the Australian figure of 55.7%. Asthma and arthritis represent the leading diagnosed conditions, each recorded among 7.7% of the population, whereas 71.2% of residents reported having no medical conditions, outperforming the Regional NSW rate of 63.3%. Health outcomes for individuals under 65 are particularly positive.
Residents aged 65 and over comprise 17.8% of the community (441 people), below the Regional NSW share of 23.3%, and display strong health profiles consistent with broader nationwide standings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Dudley is largely Australian-born, at 90.6% of residents, with 3.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.6%) and English (31.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Demographic indicators reflect a relatively homogeneous population in Dudley, where 90.6% of residents were Australian-born, 94.7% hold citizenship, and 96.5% speak exclusively English in the home. Christianity represents the leading faith, accounting for 44.5% of residents. The most pronounced local overrepresentation occurs within Judaism, which encompasses 0.3% of the population relative to 0.1% across Regional NSW. The primary reported ancestries in Dudley are Australian at 31.6%, English at 31.1%, and Scottish at 9.6%. Distinct local concentrations are also observed for several other backgrounds, including Welsh at 1.1% (compared to 0.5% regionally), Polish at 1.0% (versus 0.5% regionally), and Macedonian at 0.5% (against 0.4% across the region).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Dudley is 38. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 20.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Dudley trends younger than the wider Regional NSW profile. Based on updates to August 2026, youth and children aged 0 - 24 represent 33.5% of the local population against 29.3% across Regional NSW, while seniors aged 65+ make up 17.8% compared to 23.3% regionally. The estimated median age sits at 38, down from 39 at the 2021 Census and 5 years lower than the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census. Young to middle aged adults aged 25 - 44 expanded from 22.8% at the Census to an estimated 24.9%, and this bracket is projected to see the largest increase by 2041, growing by 129 residents (21%) to reach 746.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Dudley
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Oct 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Nov 2025 11 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Nov 2025. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 7 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,505 at the 2021 Census → 2,479 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11303). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.