Mayfield (Newcastle - NSW)

Mayfield has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of May 2026, the population of Mayfield is estimated at around 9,966 people. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 9,760 people in the suburb of Mayfield (Newcastle - NSW). The growth of 206 people (2.1%) is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population at 9,946 following examination of ABS ERP data released June 2025 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 3,194 persons per square kilometer, placing Mayfield in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 2.1% since the census is within 2.8 percentage points of the Rest of NSW (4.9%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods in Mayfield.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate an increase just below the median of Australia's regional areas, with Mayfield expected to expand by 1,158 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 11.4% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Mayfield according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Mayfield averaged around 22 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, an estimated 111 homes were approved, with a further 14 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling built over these years gained approximately 2.5 new residents.

This suggests solid demand supporting property values. The average construction cost value of new homes is $400,000, somewhat higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development. In the current financial year, $73.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Mayfield shows substantially reduced construction at 59.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. The area's development activity is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 44.0% detached houses and 56.0% medium and high-density housing.

This shift from the current housing mix (currently 75.0% houses) reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. At around 571 people per approval, Mayfield shows a mature, established area with an estimated addition of 1,138 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Should current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Mayfield has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Nine projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area, significantly influencing its performance. Key projects include Newcastle Port Logistics Hub, Mayfield Concept Plan, Subdivision at 110 Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill, and Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment drivers in Mayfield are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Mayfield has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 6.5%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, 5434 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Mayfield stands at 69.3%, exceeding Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses indicate that 29.2% of residents work from home, but Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Key industries for employment among residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and accommodation & food. Mayfield specializes in health care & social assistance with an employment share 1.2 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing has lower representation at 0.3% compared to Regional NSW's average of 5.3%.

The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census working population vs resident population comparison. From December 2024 to December 2025, Mayfield's labour force increased by 1.4%, but employment declined by 0.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 2.0 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Mayfield's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Mayfield had a median income among taxpayers of $53,055 and an average income of $62,219. These figures are below the national average. In Regional NSW, the median income was $52,390 and the average was $65,215. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Mayfield would be approximately $58,530 (median) and $68,640 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes in Mayfield rank modestly, between the 39th and 50th percentiles. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 33.2% of residents (3,308 people), similar to the surrounding region where 29.9% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Mayfield, with only 80.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 36th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.

Mayfield is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Mayfield, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 74.6% houses and 25.5% other dwellings. In Regional NSW, this was 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mayfield was 23.6%, compared to Regional NSW's higher figure of 30%. Dwellings in Mayfield were either mortgaged (34.5%) or rented (41.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Mayfield was $1,845, above the Regional NSW average of $1,733. Median weekly rent in Mayfield was $375, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Mayfield's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

Mayfield features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 58.0% of all households, including 20.7% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 11.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 42.0%, with lone person households at 34.1% and group households comprising 8.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational attainment in Mayfield aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 29.6%, higher than the Rest of NSW average of 21.3% and the SA4 region's 26.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 24.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% currently enrolled in formal education: 7.8% in tertiary, 7.5% in primary, and 5.0% in secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 91 active transport stops in Mayfield, consisting of buses. These are served by 62 routes providing a total of 1,522 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 123 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward; car remains dominant at 89%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.1 per dwelling, below the regional average. In 2021 Census data (possibly reflecting COVID-19 conditions), 29.2% of residents work from home.

Service frequency averages 217 trips daily across all routes, approximately 16 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Mayfield is well below average with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges for Mayfield, as assessed by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Several health conditions have substantial impacts on both younger and older age groups, and private health cover is relatively low at approximately 52% of the total population (~5,138 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 14.5% of residents and asthma impacting 9.1%. Conversely, 60.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age individuals face notable health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. The area has 14.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,455 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings generally aligned with the broader population.

Mayfield ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mayfield's population was found to be predominantly Australian-born, with 85.6% having been born in Australia, and a majority being citizens at 89.8%. English was the language spoken primarily at home by 91.3% of residents. Christianity was identified as the primary religion in Mayfield, comprising 43.5% of its population.

While Judaism's representation was similar to that of Regional NSW at 0.1%, notable overrepresentation occurred for Welsh (0.9% vs regional 0.5%), Macedonian (0.4% each), and Samoan (0.3% vs regional 0.1%). The top three ancestry groups were English (29.5%), Australian (27.0%), and Irish (10.0%).

Mayfield's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Mayfield's median age is 35 years, which is significantly below the Regional NSW average of 43 years and somewhat younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the Regional NSW average, the 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 22.1% locally, while the 65-74 year-olds are under-represented at 8.7%. This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.6%. Following the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, the 25 to 34 age group grew from 20.2% to 22.1%, and the 35 to 44 cohort increased from 14.7% to 16.3%. Conversely, the 85+ cohort declined from 2.6% to 1.3%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 11.4% to 10.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that Mayfield's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 24%, adding 519 residents to reach a total of 2,722. On the other hand, both the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 age groups are projected to see reduced numbers.