Wallsend

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of Wallsend is around 14,084, reflecting a growth of 840 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 13,244. This increase was inferred from AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and examination of ABS ERP data released in June 2025, resulting in an estimated resident population of 14,033. The population density is approximately 1,259 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Wallsend's growth rate of 6.3% since the 2021 Census exceeded that of the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and its SA4 region, indicating strong population growth in the suburb. Overseas migration contributed approximately 62.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the former data.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, population projections indicate an increase just below the median of locations outside capital cities, with Wallsend expected to grow by 1,733 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 11.9% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Wallsend when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Wallsend recorded around 57 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 289 homes. So far in FY-26, 39 approvals have been recorded. On average, 2.3 new residents per year were associated with each dwelling between FY-21 and FY-25, reflecting robust demand that supports property values. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $410,000, moderately above regional levels, indicating emphasis on quality construction.

Additionally, $2.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to Rest of NSW, Wallsend shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and places among the 62nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity consists of 30.0% detached houses and 70.0% attached dwellings, creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently at 78.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and need for diverse, affordable housing options. With around 233 people per dwelling approval, Wallsend shows a developing market.

Future projections show Wallsend adding 1,682 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers could encounter growing competition as population increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects that could affect this region. Notable initiatives include Western Corridor Road Upgrades - Longworth Avenue and Minmi Road, 6-10 Council Street Apartments, Duncan Close Residential Development, and Infinite Early Learning Elermore Vale. The following list outlines those most likely to be relevant.

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

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.

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

Wallsend has a skilled workforce with well-represented essential services sectors. The unemployment rate as of December 2025 was 6.6%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of this date, 6,983 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.6% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%.

Workforce participation in Wallsend was 62.7%, compared to Regional NSW's 60.5%. Census responses indicated that a moderate 21.2% of residents worked from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. The leading employment industries among residents were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Wallsend had particular employment specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level, while agriculture, forestry & fishing had limited presence at 0.5% compared to Regional NSW's 5.3%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels increased by 1.7%, while employment decreased by 0.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 2.2 percentage points in Wallsend. This compared to Regional NSW where employment fell by 1.2%, labour force contracted by 0.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offered further insight into potential future demand within Wallsend. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, were mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. National employment was forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Wallsend's employment mix suggested that local employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.4% over ten years, though this was a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not take into account localised population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The suburb of Wallsend had a lower than average national income level in financial year 2023, according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The median income among taxpayers was $52,140 and the average income stood at $61,506. This compares to Regional NSW's figures of $52,390 and $65,215 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Wallsend would be approximately $57,521 (median) and $67,853 (average) as of March 2026. Census 2021 income data shows household, family and personal incomes all ranked modestly in Wallsend, between the 28th and 28th percentiles. Income analysis revealed that 31.8% of the population, equating to 4,478 individuals, fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, mirroring the metropolitan region where 29.9% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Wallsend, with only 80.9% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 24th percentile.

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

Wallsend's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 77.8% houses and 22.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compared to Regional NSW's 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wallsend stood at 30.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.4% and rented ones at 38.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, aligning with Regional NSW's average, while the median weekly rent was $375, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Wallsend's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were comparable at $375.

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

Family households constitute 63.2% of all households, including 24.0% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 13.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 31.1% and group households comprising 5.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Educational outcomes in Wallsend fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 22.1%, significantly lower than the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 15.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 36.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.3%) and certificates (27.5%). Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including primary (7.9%), tertiary (6.9%), and secondary (6.5%) levels.

Educational participation is notably high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 7.9% in primary education, 6.9% in tertiary education, and 6.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Wallsend has 136 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 86 different routes that together facilitate 2,488 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 138 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to Wallsend's primarily residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 93% of residents. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in Wallsend, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 21.2% of Wallsend residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 355 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 18 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanying the analysis shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Health performance in Wallsend is a key challenge with a range of health conditions having marked impacts on both younger and older age cohorts

Wallsend faces significant health challenges, as indicated by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Multiple health conditions affect both younger and older age groups, with approximately 51% of the total population having private health cover (~7,222 people). Mental health issues and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions, impacting 12.1 and 10.0% of residents respectively. Conversely, 59.4% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. Working-age individuals in Wallsend face notable health challenges due to higher chronic condition rates. The area has 18.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,605 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly aligning with national rankings for the general population.

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

Wallsend's cultural diversity was below average, with 88.1% being Australian citizens and 84.3% born in Australia. English was the primary language spoken at home by 87.4%. Christianity dominated as the main religion, representing 51.4%.

Islam had a higher representation in Wallsend at 2.9%, compared to Regional NSW's 0.8%. Ancestry-wise, Australian, English, and Scottish were the top groups with 28.8% each for Australians and English, and 7.9% for Scots. Notably, Macedonian, Polish, and Welsh ethnicities had higher representations in Wallsend at 1.0%, 1.0%, and 0.7% respectively, compared to regional averages of 0.4%, 0.5%, and 0.5%.

Wallsend's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

Wallsend has a median age of 38, which is lower than Regional NSW's figure of 43 but matches the national norm of 38. The 25-34 age group comprises 18.4% of Wallsend's population, higher than Regional NSW's percentage, while the 65-74 cohort makes up 8.5%, lower than Regional NSW's figure. According to the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group grew from 15.8% to 18.4% of Wallsend's population, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 11.9% to 13.0%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 9.9% to 8.5%, and the 55-64 group dropped from 11.6% to 10.5%. Demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Wallsend's age profile by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 25%, reaching 3,237 people from the current 2,591. Meanwhile, population declines are anticipated for the 65-74 and 55-64 cohorts.