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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 $1.10m, with units at $946k. House values have moved 3.2% 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
Garden Suburb has an estimated 1,981 residents. That puts 1,043 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 Garden Suburb has an estimated population of around 1,981, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS population updates alongside new addresses validated since the Census. When compared against the 2021 Census tally of 1,959 people, this represents an addition of 22 people (1.1%). This updated total stems from a resident population figure of 1,976 estimated by AreaSearch using the June 2025 ABS ERP release, coupled with 4 validated new addresses post-Census. With a resulting density of 1,042 persons per square kilometer, the locality sits closely in line with typical benchmarks recorded by AreaSearch.
Furthermore, the suburb of Garden Suburb achieved a 1.1% gain since the Census, placing it within 2.2 percentage points of the SA3 area figure of 3.3% and highlighting solid demographic momentum. Natural increase served as the primary catalyst, delivering approximately 52.0% of recent population expansion, whilst overseas migration and interstate migration also provided positive inflows. For local modeling, AreaSearch applies the SA2 projections published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024 using 2022 as a base year, substituting NSW State Government SA2 projections issued in 2022 using a 2021 base year where gaps exist. Age-specific growth rates derived from these datasets are further utilized across all localities for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections and anticipated demographic trends, the suburb of Garden Suburb is expected to record above-median expansion relative to non-metropolitan Australia, gaining 306 persons by 2041 to deliver an overall increase of 15.2% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential building activity across Garden Suburb remains subdued, recording less than 1 dwelling approval on an annual basis and totaling only 2 approvals over five years. Modest building volumes of this nature commonly occur in rural settings where overall dwelling requirements remain limited and local demand along with infrastructure capacity restricts new construction. Because baseline approval counts are so minor, single development initiatives can noticeably alter comparative statistics and yearly growth metrics. Building and construction volume in Garden Suburb tracks well below the rates observed across Rest of NSW. A comparable deficit is also evident when comparing local building performance to wider national trends.
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 performance and evolution are heavily shaped by planning strategies, capital works, and infrastructure upgrades. AreaSearch has pinpointed a total of 2 projects anticipated to influence the local area. Prominent developments include Vida - 2 Turrug Street Whitebridge, Uniting Charlestown, John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct, and Kotara Transport Oriented Development Precinct, with the following summary presenting 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.
1,067 residents of Garden Suburb are employed, from a labour force of 1,104. Unemployment sits at 3.4%, with participation at 68.6%. 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 1,771, 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
Statistical area data compiled by AreaSearch indicates that Garden Suburb possesses a highly qualified labour pool with substantial participation across essential service industries, maintaining a modest unemployment rate of 3.4%. As of March 2026, employed residents total 1,067, leaving joblessness 0.8% beneath the 4.1% seen in Regional NSW, while labour force participation reaches a strong 68.6% against the regional mark of 60.6%. In addition, 29.1% of working locals reported working from home during the Census, a figure potentially influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Major industries employing local residents consist of health care & social assistance, education & training, along with retail trade.
Workforce representation in health care & social assistance is especially prominent, tracking at 1.3 times the regional standard. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing accounts for only 0.7% of resident workers, compared with 5.3% regionally. Given the disparity between Census working population counts and total resident numbers, local job opportunities within this largely residential enclave remain relatively constrained. According to AreaSearch analysis of aggregated ABS and SALM figures over the 12 months to March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.2% while employment fell by 2.4%, driving a 1.2 percentage point uptick in the jobless rate. Over the same timeframe, Regional NSW saw a 0.4% contraction in its labour pool, a 0.9% drop in employment, and a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment. Looking ahead, Mar-26 projections from Jobs and Skills Australia provide insight into potential future workforce requirements across five and ten-year intervals when mapped against Garden Suburb's industry makeup. Across Australia, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though sector trajectories diverge substantially. Translating these sector forecasts to the local occupational footprint suggests employment could expand by 7.1% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this weighted extrapolation is purely illustrative and excludes specific local 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
Aggregated ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 places taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Garden Suburb well above the national norm. In financial year 2023, median taxpayer income reached $63,372 and the average stood at $75,388, outperforming Regional NSW benchmarks of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, adjusted estimates as of March 2026 are approximately $69,912 for the median and $83,168 for the average. In the 2021 Census, individual, family, and household earnings all placed between the 72nd and 86th percentiles nationally.
Approximately 32.0% of residents (633 individuals) generate weekly earnings between $1,500 - 2,999, comparable to the 29.9% recorded regionally. Substantial wealth is evident, with 35.7% of individuals earning over $3,000 weekly, fostering demand for high-end services and retail. Furthermore, households keep 89.0% of their earnings once housing expenses are met, underscoring solid discretionary capacity and aligning with an 8th decile SEIFA income position.
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
At the most recent Census, standalone houses represented 99.5% of residential stock in Garden Suburb, with alternate formats (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings) comprising just 0.5%, in contrast to Regional NSW proportions of 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Outright home ownership is particularly pronounced at 45.2%, significantly higher than regional figures, while properties held under a mortgage accounted for 43.3% and rental dwellings comprised 11.4%. Housing costs remain elevated: median monthly mortgage commitments stood at $2,066 and weekly median rent was $465, both well above the respective Regional NSW averages of $1,733 and $330.
On a broader scale, local mortgage payments clearly exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and typical rent remains considerably above the nationwide level 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
The local household structure is predominantly family-oriented, accounting for 81.7% of residences, split between couples with children (44.5%), couples without children (27.0%), and single parent families (9.0%). The remaining 18.3% consists of non-family living arrangements, encompassing single-person homes at 16.1% and group households at 1.6%. In terms of occupancy, the typical household contains a median of 2.9 people, exceeding the Regional NSW benchmark 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
Academic qualifications throughout Garden Suburb comfortably outpace regional standards, as 31.8% of individuals aged 15+ hold tertiary credentials compared to 21.3% across Rest of NSW and 23.5% within the SA3 area, providing a solid platform for knowledge-sector engagement. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees represent 22.9%, postgraduate degrees account for 6.6%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.3%. Vocational and technical training is likewise prevalent, with 34.7% of residents aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 23.9%. Student enrollment levels are robust, with 29.9% of the population actively engaged in formal study.
Within this learning cohort, 10.0% attend primary schools, 8.6% are in secondary schooling, and 5.3% are enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Garden Suburb reaches 15 stops on 10 routes, timetabled for about 470 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 transit infrastructure in Garden Suburb comprises 15 active bus stops across the suburb. A network of 10 routes operates across these stops, generating a combined total of 474 weekly passenger trips. Transit connectivity is rated as excellent, with typical resident proximity measuring 179 meters to the closest stop. Given the area's predominantly residential character, most working residents commute to external employment hubs, with private vehicles serving as the primary transport mode at 96%. Household vehicle ownership stands at an above-average 1.8 per dwelling. Additionally, 29.1% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, a figure likely influenced by COVID-19 conditions.
Across the local transit network, scheduled services average 67 trips per day, delivering approximately 31 weekly trips for each transport 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
Analysis of chronic illness rates and mortality figures by AreaSearch highlights notable health considerations in Garden Suburb, where medical conditions are widespread generally and markedly elevated among senior residents. Simultaneously, private health insurance uptake is extensive, covering approximately 57% of the population (~1,123 people), higher than the 51.9% proportion registered across Regional NSW. Mental health conditions and arthritis represent the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 10.2 and 9.9% of residents respectively, whereas 64.1% of community members reported no long-term illnesses, slightly above the 63.3% recorded for Regional NSW. Working-age residents generally reflect standard health profiles.
Persons aged 65 and over constitute 17.7% of the community (350 people), below the Regional NSW proportion of 23.3%, and while older demographics encounter specific health difficulties, their national impact rankings sit below those seen for the population as a whole.
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
Cultural diversity metrics place Garden Suburb below broader averages, with Australian-born residents accounting for 87.2% of the community, 94.6% holding Australian citizenship, and 91.0% speaking exclusively English at home. Christianity forms the predominant religious affiliation, encompassing 53.1% of local residents compared with 55.9% across Regional NSW. Regarding ancestral heritage based on parental birthplace, the leading lineages in Garden Suburb are English (30.6%), Australian (27.5%), and Scottish (10.5%). Distinct variations also emerge among specific backgrounds, with French heritage registering at 0.7% locally (compared to 0.4% regionally), Macedonian ancestry at 0.6% (against 0.4%), and Polish background at 0.7% (versus 0.5%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Garden Suburb is 40. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 25.3% 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 structure of Garden Suburb aligns closely with Regional NSW across major cohorts, showing a maximum variance across the four broad bands of 5.6 percentage points. As at August 2026, AreaSearch calculates the median age to be 40, decreasing from 41 recorded at the 2021 Census and sitting 3 years younger than the Regional NSW median of 43 at that Census. Young to middle aged adults (25 - 44) have expanded their demographic share from 22.3% at the Census to an estimated 26.2%. Furthermore, the 25 - 44 cohort is forecast to experience the strongest demographic increase through to 2041, growing by 153 residents (29%) to reach 672.
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 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, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,959 at the 2021 Census → 1,981 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 (SAL11591). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.