Newcastle West

Newcastle West lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, Newcastle West's population is estimated at around 1,572 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 119 people (8.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 1,453 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 1,550, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 41 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,806 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Newcastle West's 8.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the non-metro area (5.7%), along with the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 64.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking at population projections moving forward, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian non-metropolitan areas is forecast, with Newcastle West expected to increase by 648 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 42.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Newcastle West among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, indicates Newcastle West experienced approximately 114 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, between FY-21 and FY-25, around 572 homes were approved, with no approvals recorded so far in FY-26. On average, 0.4 people moved to the area for each dwelling built over these years, suggesting new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand.

The average construction cost value of new homes was $675,000, indicating developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $12.5 million, reflecting steady investment activity. Compared to Rest of NSW, Newcastle West shows 1283.0% higher construction activity per person, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists predominantly of attached dwellings (97.0%), with detached dwellings making up 3.0%, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 6 people per approval, Newcastle West reflects a developing area. Future projections estimate Newcastle West will add 668 residents by 2041, with current construction levels likely meeting demand and potentially enabling growth beyond current forecasts.

Future projections show Newcastle West adding 668 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects likely impacting the region. Notable initiatives include The Store Newcastle, Dairy Farmers Towers, Newcastle Art Gallery Expansion, and Rail Bridge Row Affordable Housing Development. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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

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Employment performance in Newcastle West has been broadly consistent with national averages

Newcastle West's workforce is highly educated with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.5% as of the past year.

Employment growth over this period was estimated at 3.2%. As of September 2025942 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.3% lower than Rest of NSW's rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation was 59.1%, slightly higher than Rest of NSW's 56.4%. Key employment sectors were health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and public administration & safety.

The area had a notable specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 2.6 times the regional level, but agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 0.4% compared to 5.3% regionally. There were 3.8 workers for every resident as of the Census, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 3.2% while labour force rose by 3.7%, leading to a 0.6 percentage point rise in unemployment rate compared to Rest of NSW's 0.4 percentage point increase. State-level data from November 25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03% with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but local projections based on Newcastle West's industry mix suggest higher growth rates of 7.0% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

In AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023, Newcastle West's median income among taxpayers is $57,495. The average income in the suburb is $85,316. Nationally, these figures are high; Rest of NSW has a median income of $52,390 and an average of $65,215. By September 2025, estimates suggest Newcastle West's median income will be approximately $62,589 and the average around $92,875, accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. According to Census 2021 data, individual earnings in Newcastle West rank at the 80th percentile nationally ($1,022 weekly), but household income ranks lower at the 44th percentile. Income analysis shows that 33.6% of individuals (528 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, similar to regional levels where 29.9% fall within this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe; only 79.6% of income remains after housing costs, ranking at the 39th percentile nationally. The suburb's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Newcastle West features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Newcastle West's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 1.7% houses and 98.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Non-Metro NSW had 70.5% houses and 29.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Newcastle West was at 26.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.3% and rented ones at 54.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,907, below Non-Metro NSW's average of $1,962. Median weekly rent in Newcastle West was $460, higher than Non-Metro NSW's figure of $400. Nationally, Newcastle West's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,907 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 42.5% of all households, including 8.4% couples with children, 29.5% couples without children, and 3.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 57.5%, with lone person households at 49.9% and group households comprising 7.8%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Rest of NSW average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Newcastle West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Newcastle West has a notably higher educational attainment than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 41.3% hold university qualifications, surpassing the Rest of NSW's 21.3% and the SA4 region's 26.1%. University graduates make up 28.2%, with postgraduate qualifications at 9.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.6%. Vocational credentials are prominent, with 31.9% holding such qualifications; advanced diplomas account for 11.8% and certificates for 20.1%.

A significant 22.5% of the population is currently engaged in formal education. This includes 12.9% in tertiary education, 2.8% in primary education, and 1.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Newcastle West has 36 active public transport stops. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 51 different routes operating from these stops, which together provide 7,156 weekly passenger trips.

The average distance between residents' homes and the nearest transport stop is 85 meters. On average, there are 1,022 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 198 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Newcastle West is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges in Newcastle West, with common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 61% (952 people) have private health cover, compared to 56.7% in the rest of NSW.

Mental health issues affect 10.2% of residents, while arthritis impacts 9.2%. About 63.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.9% in the rest of NSW. Newcastle West has 26.7% (419 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 16.7% in the rest of NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges broadly aligned with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Newcastle West was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Newcastle West's population showed high cultural diversity, with 25.7% born overseas and 17.6% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 42.3%. Notably, Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% in Rest of NSW.

The top three ancestral groups were English (30.2%), Australian (20.4%), and Irish (10.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Welsh (1.0%) and Polish (1.1%) were overrepresented, while Scottish (9.3%) was slightly above the regional average of 8.4%.

Newcastle West's median age exceeds the national pattern

Newcastle West has a median age of 42 years, which is similar to the Rest of NSW average of 43 and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 25-34 are particularly prominent, comprising 26.2% of the population, while the 5-14 age group is relatively small at 2.5%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 0-4 age group has grown from 2.4% to 3.1% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 age cohort has declined from 13.0% to 11.5%, and the 45-54 age group has dropped from 8.6% to 7.4%. Population forecasts for Newcastle West indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow strongly, adding 233 residents to reach a total of 645.