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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 Garden Suburb is $1.00m, with units at $946k. House values have moved 1.4% 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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Garden Suburb has an estimated 1,978 residents. That puts 1,041 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
According to ABS demographic updates for the wider region and new addresses verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the population of the suburb of Garden Suburb is approximately 1,978 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 19 people (1.0%) from the 2021 Census, when the count stood at 1,959 people. This shift is calculated from a resident population of 1,977, which was calculated by AreaSearch using the latest ABS ERP data release (June 2025) plus an additional 4 validated new addresses since the Census date. Such a population size results in a density of 1,041 persons per square kilometer, matching typical averages across locations monitored by AreaSearch.
The suburb of Garden Suburb's 1.0% post-census growth trails the SA3 area (3.2%) by 2.2 percentage points, showing solid underlying expansion. Growth in the suburb of Garden Suburb was mostly fueled by natural increase, which generated roughly 52.0% of the population rise over recent periods, though other elements such as interstate and overseas migration also contributed positively. AreaSearch employs ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, which were published in 2024 with 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 areas lacking this data, AreaSearch implements the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, published in 2022 with 2021 as the baseline year. Age cohort growth rates from these datasets are applied to all locations for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these demographic shifts, the suburb of Garden Suburb is projected to experience population growth above the median for national non-metropolitan areas, with a projected rise of 299 persons to 2041 under aggregated SA2-level projections, which represents a total gain of 15.1% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Construction activity remains very low in Garden Suburb, averaging 1 new dwellings approved annually (reaching a total of 8 across the past five years). These minimal development volumes reflect the rural character of the locality, where building is generally prompted by specific local housing requirements rather than broad market dynamics. Because approval counts are so small, yearly growth percentages and relative comparisons can fluctuate significantly depending on individual projects. Garden Suburb experiences much lower levels of building activity than the Rest of NSW, with construction volume also falling below national benchmarks.
Furthermore, all recent building activity has been concentrated in detached dwellings, focusing on family residences designed for residents looking for a rural lifestyle and extra space. With a ratio of approximately 1977 people per approval, Garden Suburb presents as a mature and established community. Future projections indicate Garden Suburb will add 298 residents by 2041 according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current building rates persist, the supply of housing may lag behind population growth, which could increase buyer competition and support stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Garden Suburb
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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 29 current infrastructure and development projects close to Garden Suburb, worth an estimated $6.74 billion. 5 are already under construction and 9 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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
Local infrastructure projects, major planning decisions, and new developments can greatly influence property market performance. In total, 2 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the locality. Key initiatives include Vida - 2 Turrug Street Whitebridge, Uniting Charlestown, John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, and Kotara Transport Oriented Development Precinct, with the following list outlining those of highest relevance.
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
John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
The $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct is a major redevelopment of the John Hunter and John Hunter Children's Hospitals. The centerpiece is a new seven-storey Acute Services Building delivering an expanded Emergency Department, 22 operating theatres, increased ICU capacity, and specialized care units. Construction is advancing rapidly toward completion in 2026, followed by operational commissioning and subsequent refurbishment works.
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.
Westfield Kotara Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Scentre Group is progressing plans for a significant mixed-use redevelopment of the Westfield Kotara site to create a 'town centre of the future.' The project involves integrating high-density residential housing with the established retail hub, utilizing approximately 60% of existing land currently used for car parks. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to deliver over 16,000 dwellings across several Westfield destinations by leveraging strategic masterplanning. The redevelopment aims to enhance community connectivity by adding a substantial residential component near transport and shopping infrastructure.
Lake Macquarie Bridge Replacement Program
Comprehensive program by Lake Macquarie City Council to replace and upgrade aging timber bridges and culvert structures across the LGA to ensure safe and efficient transport connectivity.
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.
25 Marshall Street Residential Development
Application for demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of four two-storey dwellings on a 1,492 my site in a residential suburb.
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.
Kotara Transport Oriented Development Precinct
The Kotara Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Precinct is a state-led rezoning initiative aimed at increasing housing supply within 400m of Kotara station. The planning controls, which became effective in May 2024, facilitate mid-rise residential flat buildings and shop-top housing with heights up to 22m. The precinct development is integrated with the Safe Accessible Transport (SAT) program, which is delivering a major accessibility upgrade to Kotara Station including new lifts, a new kiss and ride zone, and improved pedestrian connections to support the projected increase in local residents.
1,065 residents of Garden Suburb are employed, from a labour force of 1,101. Unemployment sits at 3.3%, with participation at 68.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.1% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,769, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Garden Suburb has a highly qualified workforce with strong representation in essential services fields, and an unemployment rate of only 3.3% according to AreaSearch's compiled statistical area data. As of March 2026, 1,065 residents are employed, which places the local unemployment rate 0.8% below the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%. Workforce participation is also exceptionally high at 68.2% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census data indicates that a high proportion of residents (29.1%) worked from home, although this figure should be interpreted in light of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The primary employment sectors for residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and retail trade.
The community is highly specialized in health care & social assistance, showing an employment share 1.3 times the regional rate. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is under-represented, employing just 0.7% of the Garden Suburb workforce compared to 5.3% in Regional NSW. The highly residential character of the area seems to provide few local employment opportunities, as shown by comparing the count of Census working population against resident population. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS figures aggregated from wider statistical areas, during the twelve months to March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.1% and employment fell by 2.3%, resulting in a 1.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. Over the same period, Regional NSW saw employment decline by 0.9% and the labour force shrink by 0.4%, with unemployment rising 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment projections from May-25 offer additional perspective on potential future demand in Garden Suburb. These forecasts, which span five and ten-year intervals, have been applied to the local workforce profile to estimate potential growth patterns. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary greatly across different industries. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the employment mix in Garden Suburb suggests local employment will rise by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years (note that this represents a basic weighted extrapolation for illustration and does not incorporate localized population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Garden Suburb is $2,361 a week (about $123,000 a year), with median personal income at $942 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,372 a year against an average of $75,388. 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
Garden Suburb has a median taxpayer income of $63,372 and an average of $75,388, based on the latest postcode level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures are highly elevated on a national scale, contrasting with Regional NSW's median income of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates stand at approximately $69,912 for the median and $83,168 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics show household, family, and personal incomes in Garden Suburb all place in high brackets, ranking between the 72nd and 86th percentiles nationally.
The largest income group consists of 32.0% of earners making $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (632 residents), which corresponds closely with the wider region where this segment comprises 29.9%. Garden Suburb shows high affluence, with 35.7% of residents earning over $3,000 per week, which helps support premium retail and service businesses. After paying for housing, residents keep 89.0% of their income, indicating substantial purchasing power, and the area's SEIFA income ranking falls in the 8th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Garden Suburb had 634 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 100% detached houses and 1% apartments. 43% are owned with a mortgage, 11% rented and 45% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $465 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,066 a month. Rent absorbs 19.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 20.2%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, residential dwelling types in Garden Suburb consisted of 99.5% houses and 0.5% other dwellings (including semi-detached, apartments, and miscellaneous structures), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels in Garden Suburb were also much higher than the Regional NSW average, standing at 45.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgagors (43.3%) or tenants (11.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $2,066, well above the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $465, compared to Regional NSW's average of $330.
Nationally, mortgage repayments in Garden Suburb exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also significantly above the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Garden Suburb counted 634 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 45% are couples with children, more than in 88% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 16% 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 households make up the vast majority of households at 81.7%, consisting of 44.5% couples with children, 27.0% couples without children, and 9.0% single parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 18.3%, with single person households representing 16.1% and group households making up 1.6%. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
31.8% of adults in Garden Suburb hold a university qualification, including 22.9% with a bachelor degree and 6.6% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 23.9% hold a vocational qualification. 1 school serves the area, with 223 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,047 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 attainment in Garden Suburb is significantly higher than broader reference levels, with 31.8% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 21.3% in the Rest of NSW and 23.5% in the SA3 area. This educational profile positions the locality well for knowledge-based jobs. Bachelor degrees represent the largest category at 22.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (6.6%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational skills are also highly represented, with 34.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (23.9%). Educational enrollment rates are very high, with 29.9% of residents currently undertaking formal study.
This includes 10.0% attending primary school, 8.6% in secondary school, and 5.3% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Garden Suburb reaches 14 stops on 10 routes, timetabled for about 490 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 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 data shows 14 active stops operating in Garden Suburb, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 10 separate routes, which collectively support 490 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is classified as outstanding, with residents living an average of 179 meters from their closest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with cars remaining the main transport mode for 96% of trips. Car ownership averages 1.8 vehicles per household, which is higher than the regional average. A high 29.1% of residents work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions).
Service frequency averages 70 trips daily across all transport routes, which translates to approximately 35 weekly trips for each stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
64.1% of residents in Garden Suburb report no long-term health condition. 7.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.7% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Garden Suburb faces notable health challenges, based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic illness rates, with typical medical issues relatively common, especially within older age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is high, with approximately 57% of the total population (~1,121 people) covered, compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW. The most common medical diagnoses in the area are mental health conditions and arthritis, affecting 10.2 and 9.9% of residents, respectively. Meanwhile, 64.1% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Health statistics for the working-age population are generally standard.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 17.3% of the population (342 people), which is lower than the 23.4% seen in Regional NSW. Health outcomes for seniors show some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Garden Suburb is largely Australian-born, at 87.2% of residents, with 9.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (30.6%) and Australian (27.5%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Garden Suburb is less culturally diverse than the average area, with 87.2% of residents born in Australia, 94.6% holding citizenship, and 91.0% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 53.1% of residents, compared to 55.9% in Regional NSW. Regarding parent countries of birth, the three most common ancestries in Garden Suburb are English (30.6% of the population), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (10.5%). There are also notable differences in the concentration of other ethnic backgrounds, with French overrepresented at 0.7% of the population (compared to 0.4% regionally), Macedonian at 0.6% (compared to 0.4%), and Polish at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Garden Suburb is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 25.8% 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 median age of 40 years in Garden Suburb is slightly below the Regional NSW average of 43, though just above the Australian median of 38. Compared to Regional NSW, the 35 - 44 age cohort is highly represented locally (14.6%), while the 65 - 74 bracket is under-represented (8.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age segment has grown from 9.2% to 12.3% of the population, and the 35 to 44 age bracket increased from 13.1% to 14.6%. In contrast, the 85+ cohort fell from 4.2% to 2.3%, and the 65 to 74 group declined from 10.2% to 8.5%.
Population projections for 2041 show notable demographic changes. The 25 to 34 cohort is expected to grow significantly, increasing by 87 people (36%) from 243 to 331. The 65 to 74 age bracket is projected to experience very flat growth of 1%, adding no new residents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Garden Suburb
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 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) | May 2026 3 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 May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| 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 Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 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 May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 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) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,959 at the 2021 Census → 1,978 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 May 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 (SAL11591). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.