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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 Warabrook is $1.00m, with units at $745k. House values have moved 4.9% 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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Warabrook has an estimated 2,005 residents. That puts 1,337 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 census analysis and address validation updates, the suburb of Warabrook has an estimated population of 2,005 as of May 2026. This representing a growth of 23 people (1.2%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 1,982 residents. This estimate is based on the resident count of 1,999 from the ABS June 2025 release and 11 new addresses validated since the census. The population density is 1,336 persons per square kilometer, which is higher than the national average. The primary factor driving this population growth has been international migration. Projections from 2024 (using 2022 as a base year) are utilized here, supplemented by state projections from 2022 (using 2021 as a base year) where necessary.
Looking ahead to 2041, the suburb of Warabrook is projected to grow by 209 persons, representing a 10.1% increase over 16 years, which is just below the national median growth rate for regional locations.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Residential construction in Warabrook is extremely quiet, averaging under one single dwelling approval each year, with only 1 dwelling approved over the entire five-year span. This low volume is typical for rural environments where housing demand is minimal and building activity is restricted by local requirements and infrastructure. Because approvals are so low, any individual project can heavily skew annual statistics. Development volumes in Warabrook are significantly lower than in the Rest of NSW, and the pace of building is also far below the national standard.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Warabrook
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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 21 current infrastructure and development projects close to Warabrook, worth an estimated $2.82 billion. 6 are already under construction and 8 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, education & training and communities, precincts & urban renewal. 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, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 3 active projects influencing this locality. Major works include the Callaghan Campus Heart, Newcastle Port Logistics Hub, Mayfield Concept Plan, and Boatman Creek Flood Improvements, with key details provided below.
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
Shortland Waters Retirement Village
A master-planned retirement community set on the Shortland Waters Golf Course featuring modern villas and comprehensive amenities including a community centre, gym, hair salon, and library. Stages 4 and 5 comprise 167 independent living units valued at $110 million, currently in construction and delivery phases. The complete development aims to provide 300 dwellings for a low-maintenance lifestyle for retirees in the Hunter region.
Newcastle Port Logistics Hub
A major distribution hub on a 14.3-hectare site at 71 Industrial Drive, Mayfield. The project provides purpose-built facilities for logistics, manufacturing, and agribusiness with tailored Design and Construct options up to 50,000sqm. As of early 2026, the site is active with leasing opportunities for warehouse and hardstand space, while supporting the broader Port of Newcastle diversification into renewable energy equipment storage.
Mayfield Concept Plan
Development of a 90-hectare port-side site for diversified trade and renewable energy logistics. Key active works include a $36 million waterside berth extension at the Multipurpose Terminal to accommodate vessels up to 300 metres, awarded to Brady Marine and Civil in April 2026. This complements previous investments in heavy-lift cranes for wind turbine and battery components. Simultaneously, EnergyCo is progressing the adjacent Newcastle Logistics Precinct on the former Intertrade site to provide storage for the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone, with procurement for hardstand and infrastructure ongoing through 2026.
9 Gothic Street Student Accommodation
DA approved three-storey Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development with 53 self-contained studio units, 12 car spaces, expansive indoor and outdoor communal areas, and a rooftop garden. It is strategically located adjacent to the University of Newcastle's Callaghan Campus. The DA-approved site is currently for sale via Expression of Interest, indicating the project is currently on hold or transitioning to a new developer. Expected end value over $17.5 million upon completion.
Former Waratah Gasworks Remediation
A $25 million NSW Government project to remediate contaminated residential land at the former Waratah Gasworks site, which operated from 1889 to 1926. Works cover 13 properties on Ellis and Turton Roads, involving demolition, excavation, and removal of over 20,000 tonnes of contaminated material including a 56-metre underground gasholder, tar wells, and purifier beds containing cyanide, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene. Eleven lots have been remediated; seven properties are being rebuilt by the government, four will be sold as remediated vacant land, and two remain under remediation.Home construction commenced July 2025 and is expected to be complete by mid-2026.
Newcastle Inner City Bypass - Rankin Park to Jesmond
The 3.4 km Rankin Park to Jesmond section is the fifth and final stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. Construction has reached a major milestone with the bypass alignment fully connected and all major bridges completed. Remaining works include final road surfacing, northern interchange ramps, traffic systems, shared user paths and landscaping before opening. The project will remove up to 30000 vehicles per day from surrounding local roads, improve access to John Hunter Hospital, reduce travel times and enhance pedestrian and cyclist connections.
Lambton Park Master Plan
A comprehensive master plan approved by Newcastle Council to guide the future development of Lambton Park. The plan focuses on enhancing facilities, community engagement, heritage preservation, and recreational opportunities while maintaining the park as an open green space. Key developments include Lambton Pool upgrades, heritage rotunda preservation, improved accessibility, tennis courts, bowling club facilities, childrens playgrounds, walking tracks, and the transformation of the former Baby Health Centre into a modern cafe.
Waratah Park Masterplan
City of Newcastle's 10-year masterplan for Waratah Park to improve sporting and recreation facilities. The endorsed plan includes upgraded rugby, cricket and oztag fields, LED sports lighting, irrigation and drainage improvements, new amenities, accessible parking, shared pathways, fitness stations, a multi-sport court and playground improvements. Implementation is staged over approximately 10 years, with Stage 1 works progressing as funding is allocated through Council budgets.
1,044 residents of Warabrook are employed, from a labour force of 1,094. Unemployment sits at 4.6%, with participation at 64.0%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,347, about 117% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A well-educated labor pool exists in Warabrook, with a strong presence in essential services and an unemployment rate of 4.6%. As of March 2026, 1,044 local residents are employed. The unemployment rate is 0.5% higher than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is standard at 64.0% compared to 60.6% in Regional NSW. Census records indicate that 23.6% of working residents did so from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic lockdowns. Local jobs are heavily concentrated in retail trade, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The health care & social assistance sector shows a strong specialization, employing 1.4 times the regional average. Conversely, agriculture, forestry & fishing is minimally represented, employing only 0.3% of the workforce compared to 5.3% across Regional NSW. A ratio of 0.9 workers per resident indicates high local job availability. Over the 12 months leading to March 2026, the local workforce size contracted by 0.2% and total employment fell by 1.6%, which caused the unemployment rate to climb by 1.4 percentage points. This compares to Regional NSW, where employment fell by 0.9%, the labor force dropped by 0.4%, and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trends vary by industry. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests employment in Warabrook could rise by 7.0% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Warabrook is $1,634 a week (about $85,000 a year), with median personal income at $747 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $49,232 a year against an average of $57,736. 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
According to tax data from the financial year 2023, taxpayers in the suburb of Warabrook have a median income of $49,232 and an average income of $57,736. These figures sit below the national averages and compare to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 in Regional NSW. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, the current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $54,313 for the median and $63,694 for the average. Census data from 2021 shows that household, family, and personal incomes rank in the 38th to 43rd percentiles.
The largest income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 33.8% of residents (677 people), similar to the broader regional trend of 29.9%. Discretionary income after housing costs stands at 85.2%, placing the area in the 5th decile for SEIFA income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Warabrook had 734 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 70% detached houses and 4% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 33% rented and 39% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $375 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,790 a month. Rent absorbs 22.9% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Warabrook at the last Census consisted of 69.5% separate houses and 30.5% multi-unit dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership rates match Regional NSW at 38.5%, while mortgaged properties make up 28.2% and rentals account for 33.3%. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,790 is higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, and the median weekly rent of $375 is also higher than the regional average of $330. On a national scale, Warabrook's mortgage payments are below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents align with the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Warabrook counted 734 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 26% are couples with children, against 27% couples without children. 27% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 67.8% of households, consisting of 26.4% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 12.4% single parents. Single person households represent 27.0% of the area and group households account for 4.9%, bringing total non-family households to 32.2%. The median household occupancy is 2.4 people, matching the average for Regional NSW.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
27.6% of adults in Warabrook hold a university qualification, including 18.1% with a bachelor degree and 7.8% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 79% of areas nationally. A further 21.6% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Higher education qualifications are prominent here, with university graduation rates at 27.6% of residents aged 15+, which is higher than the Rest of NSW average of 21.3%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 18.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 7.8% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Technical qualifications are also common, with 32.7% of the population aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.1%) and certificates (21.6%). Student participation is high, with 25.5% of the population enrolled in an educational institution. This includes 7.4% in university or college, 6.8% in primary school, and 6.4% in high school.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Warabrook reaches 19 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 4,300 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Trains carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.3 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 services in Warabrook include 19 active bus and train stops. These are connected to 16 routes that run a combined 4,294 weekly trips. Transport access is very strong, with the average home located 157 meters from a stop. Most residents travel out of the suburb for work, with 94% commuting by private car. Average car ownership is 1.3 per household, which is below the regional average. Working from home was recorded for 23.6% of residents in the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions. Across all transport routes, services run at an average frequency of 613 trips per day, which translates to roughly 226 weekly departures from each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.4% of residents in Warabrook report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 80% of areas nationally. 14.8% need daily assistance with core activities, and 49.8% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Local health data points to notable issues in Warabrook, with higher rates of chronic conditions and mortality, particularly among older residents. Private health insurance coverage is low at about 50% of the population (~998 people), compared to 51.9% in Regional NSW and 55.7% nationally. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent illnesses, affecting 10.6% and 9.3% of the community, while 61.4% of residents reported having no chronic conditions, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age populations experience elevated levels of chronic disease. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 22.9% of the population (459 people), and health outcomes for this group are challenging, though they rank better nationally than the overall local population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Warabrook is largely Australian-born, at 78.3% of residents, with 19.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (28.5%) and English (25.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Warabrook exhibits relatively high multiculturalism, with 21.7% of residents born abroad and 19.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 59.1% of the population, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW. Looking at parent birthplaces, the main ancestries are Australian (28.5%), English (25.1%, which is lower than the regional average of 30.5%), and Scottish (7.8%). Certain backgrounds show distinct concentrations, with Macedonian residents at 1.6% (compared to 0.4% regionally), Samoan at 0.7% (compared to 0.1%), and Vietnamese at 1.1% (compared to 0.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Warabrook is 44, older than 80% of areas nationally. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 28.1% 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 44 years is close to the Regional NSW average of 43 and higher than the national median of 38. Warabrook has a higher share of young adults aged 25 - 34 (16.4%) but fewer retirees aged 75 - 84 (6.4%) compared to the wider region. Rejuvenation has occurred since the 2021 Census as the median age dropped from 45 to 44, with the 25 to 34 cohort rising from 13.5% to 16.4% and the 35 to 44 group increasing from 10.3% to 12.4%. Conversely, residents aged 85+ decreased from 6.2% to 3.6% and the 55 to 64 group declined from 13.2% to 11.8%.
By 2041, the population aged 25 to 34 is expected to grow by 75 people (23%) from 328 to 404, while the 65 to 74 and 15 to 24 cohorts are projected to shrink.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Warabrook
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 — 11 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,982 at the 2021 Census → 2,005 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 (SAL14158). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.