Chart Color Schemes
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 West Wallsend is $845k. House values have moved 3.6% 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.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
West Wallsend has an estimated 3,047 residents, up from 2,981 at the 2021 Census — a change of 66 people, or 2.2%. Growth has averaged 1.3% a year over five years, slower than 79% of areas nationally. That puts 174 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 investigations of ABS population statistics for the broader district alongside new address data verified by AreaSearch since the Census, the suburb of West Wallsend has an estimated population of 3,047 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 66 individuals (2.2%) compared to the 2,981 residents documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment is based on a resident population of 3,046, calculated by AreaSearch using the ABS Estimated Resident Population numbers from June 2025 and 10 newly verified residential addresses since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 174 residents per square kilometer, indicating a low-density environment with substantial room for future expansion.
Over the last ten years, the suburb of West Wallsend has shown stable development with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%, exceeding the SA3 region. Demographic gains in the area were mostly driven by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 82.0% of the overall population rise during recent timeframes. AreaSearch employs ABS and Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 region, published in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 regions lacking this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 using a 2021 baseline are substituted. Projected age group growth rates from these datasets are applied to all regions for the period from 2032 to 2041. Based on these anticipated demographic movements, the suburb of West Wallsend is projected to experience population growth above the national median for regional areas, with an expected increase of 596 individuals by 2041, representing a total expansion of 19.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
West Wallsend exhibits minimal residential building activity, averaging 3 new homes approved per year, which sums to 16 approvals over the last five years. This low level of building is typical for rural locations where housing requirements are minor and construction is naturally constrained by local demand and infrastructure limits. Because approval volumes are so low, individual construction projects can have a major effect on year-on-year growth trends and comparative statistics. West Wallsend experiences far less construction activity than the Rest of NSW, with building rates also falling well below national averages.
Recent building approvals consist of 60.0% standalone houses and 40.0% medium to high-density options, with an increasing proportion of townhouses and units offering diverse entry points ranging from family residences to compact homes. This represents a clear departure from the existing housing stock, which is currently 95.0% standalone houses, indicating a decreasing supply of vacant land and reflecting modern lifestyles alongside demand for more varied, affordable housing. An estimated ratio of 465 residents for every single home approval highlights this quiet, low-scale building environment. Looking forward, the population is projected to expand by 595 residents by 2041 based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the addition of new housing may fall short of population gains, which could intensify competition among buyers and support faster price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Wallsend
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside West Wallsend, worth an estimated $100 million. A further 41 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $3.16 billion. 13 are already under construction and 11 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, retail 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, major developments, and council planning schemes are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 9 key projects expected to influence the local area. Notable initiatives include the West Wallsend Swim Centre Expansion, BlackRock Motor Resort, Cameron Grove Estate, and the West Wallsend and Holmesville Heritage Conservation Area Amendment, with the primary projects outlined 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
West Wallsend Swim Centre Expansion
Lake Macquarie City Council is expanding West Wallsend Swim Centre with a new heated indoor three-lane learn-to-swim pool, accessible ramp entry, accessible bathrooms and change rooms, lifeguard workspace, reception area and associated site improvements including additional parking. The project supports growing demand from West Wallsend and Cameron Park and aligns with Council's Aquatic Facilities Strategy. Construction remains underway with completion expected in 2026.
BlackRock Motor Resort
A $95 million motorsport park and resort being developed via the adaptive reuse of a 252-hectare former coal mine site. The project features driver training facilities, public track days, performance car experiences, go-kart track, luxury accommodation, function centre, and a cafe situated in the former mine's horse stable building. Circuits are designed by the renowned Tilke Group.
Cameron Grove Estate
300-hectare master-planned residential community accommodating approximately 2000 dwellings across house-and-land, medium-density and townhouse products. The estate includes a Woolworths-anchored neighbourhood centre, Harrigans Irish Pub, a large local park, lake system seamlessly integrated into natural surroundings, and an historic tramway corridor.
West Wallsend and Holmesville Heritage Conservation Area Amendment
A local planning proposal and Development Control Plan amendment that expands the West Wallsend Heritage Conservation Area to include parts of Holmesville, reduces maximum building heights from 10 m to 8.5 m in key centres, and updates heritage controls to better protect the historic mining towns. The LEP amendment (EPI 2025-250) has been made and the revised DCP area plan was adopted by Lake Macquarie City Council on 10 March 2025.
Cameron Park Plaza
Completed neighbourhood shopping centre featuring Woolworths supermarket, BWS, and 22 specialty tenancies including PETstock, Snap Fitness, medical centre, dining options, and various retail services. Total GFA of 7,037 sqm with 387 parking spaces, serving the growing Cameron Park community.
Northlakes Local Centre Development Site
A prominent 16,015 square metre E1-zoned site in the heart of Cameron Park's thriving retail and commercial precinct. With dual street frontages to Northlakes Drive (160m) and Elanet Avenue (80m), the site has been sold and offers excellent opportunity for retail, large-format, and essential services development. The area's rapidly expanding population, growing at more than double state and national averages, creates strong demand for convenience retail, family-oriented amenities, and everyday services.
Edgeworth Town Centre Redevelopment
Council-led planning program to refresh and improve the Edgeworth town centre, focusing on streetscape upgrades, mixed-use activation and improved connectivity with nearby community facilities. Edgeworth is classified as a local centre under Lake Macquarie's Local Strategic Planning Statement 2025-2045, with a medium-density housing target of 50 dwellings per hectare. The adopted Edgeworth Area 2 Precinct Plan within LMDCP 2014 Revision 27 guides future residential and commercial development, conservation of riparian corridors, and road and active transport connectivity improvements.
Cameron Grove Estate
Master-planned residential community spanning 300 hectares accommodating approximately 2,000 dwellings. Features full turn-key homes and vacant land with easy access to Cameron Park Plaza, parks, and the M1 motorway. Developed by Roche Group in partnership with RIBA Homes.
1,589 residents of West Wallsend are employed, from a labour force of 1,638. Unemployment sits at 3.0%, with participation at 66.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,387, about 78% 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
The local workforce is evenly distributed between professional and trade occupations, with solid representation in essential services and an unemployment rate of only 3.0% according to aggregated statistical data from AreaSearch. As of March 2026, there are 1,589 employed residents, and the local jobless rate is 1.1% lower than the Regional NSW average of 4.1%. Workforce participation is unusually high at 66.3%, compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates a moderate 16.8% of employed locals worked from home, though this figure may have been influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
The primary employment sectors for residents are healthcare & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The local population is highly concentrated in healthcare & social assistance, with employment rates in this sector reaching 1.2 times the regional average. Conversely, agricultural, forestry, and fishing operations have a very small footprint, employing only 0.6% of the workforce compared to 5.3% regionally. The comparison between the local working population at the Census and the total resident workforce suggests that local job opportunities within the immediate area are limited. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from surrounding regions shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, the local labour force contracted by 1.0% and total employment fell by 1.9%, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate of 0.9 percentage points. Over the same period, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 0.9%, the labour force shrink by 0.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. National employment predictions released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context regarding future demand trends. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future growth. Nationally, employment is expected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these industry weightings directly to the local employment structure suggests local job numbers could rise by 6.4% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a basic weighted projection that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in West Wallsend is $1,627 a week (about $85,000 a year), with median personal income at $763 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $52,545 a year against an average of $59,444. 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
The most recent ATO postcode data for the 2023 financial year indicates that local incomes are below national benchmarks, with a median income of $52,545 and an average income of $59,444. This is lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates stand at approximately $57,968 for the median and $65,579 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual incomes are modest, sitting between the 41st and 43rd percentiles.
The largest income group comprises 33.9% of residents (1,032 individuals) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, which aligns with regional patterns where 29.9% of the population falls into this bracket. Housing affordability presents a major challenge, with residents retaining only 82.1% of their income after housing costs, placing the area in the 41st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
West Wallsend had 1,108 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 95% detached houses and 1% apartments. 50% are owned with a mortgage, 20% rented and 31% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,863 a month. Rent absorbs 24.6% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.4%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the local housing mix consists of 95.3% separate houses and 4.6% other options like townhouses, apartments, and semi-detached properties, compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings across Regional NSW. Home ownership rates stand at 30.7%, which is lower than the Regional NSW average, with the remaining properties occupied by mortgage holders (49.5%) or tenants (19.8%). Median monthly mortgage costs are higher than the Regional NSW average of $1,733, coming in at $1,863, while the median weekly rent of $400 also exceeds the regional average of $330.
On a national level, mortgage repayments match the Australian average of $1,863, whereas weekly rents are higher than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
West Wallsend counted 1,108 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.6 people each. 31% are couples with children, against 31% couples without children. 22% 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 74.7% of all local households, consisting of couples with children (31.0%), couples without children (31.3%), and single-parent households (11.8%). Non-family households comprise the remaining 25.3%, made up of single-person households (21.7%) and group shared households (3.3%). The median household size is 2.6 residents, which is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.0% of adults in West Wallsend hold a university qualification, including 9.4% with a bachelor degree and 2.0% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 75% of areas nationally. A further 36.3% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 931 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 957 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
Tertiary education rates are low, with only 13.0% of residents holding a university qualification, compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 9.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.6%. Technical and trade qualifications are highly represented, with 46.5% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational training, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.2%) and certificates (36.3%). Enrolment in formal education is high, with 29.1% of residents currently studying. This cohort is distributed across primary education (9.9%), secondary education (7.9%), and higher education or university studies (3.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in West Wallsend reaches 28 stops on 28 routes, timetabled for about 490 services a week. The typical home sits about 160 m from its nearest stop. Households keep an average of 1.6 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 options include 28 active stops within the suburb of West Wallsend, consisting of bus services. These stops accommodate 28 separate bus routes, providing a total of 491 weekly passenger trips. Accessibility is strong, with the average distance to the nearest stop standing at 164 meters. The suburb is primarily a residential commuter area, with 94% of workers using a private car to travel. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles. Approximately 16.8% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic conditions. Bus services average 70 trips per day across the network, which translates to approximately 17 weekly services at each transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
61.7% of residents in West Wallsend report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 84% of areas nationally. 7.7% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Mortality data and chronic illness rates indicate notable health concerns, with common conditions present across younger and older demographics alike. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 50% of the population (~1,537 individuals) holding policies, compared to a national average of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most prevalent health issues locally, affecting 11.9% and 9.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 61.7% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 63.3% across Regional NSW. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and over make up 20.3% of the community (618 individuals), which is below the Regional NSW average of 23.4%.
Health outcomes among older residents are generally consistent with national averages for the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
West Wallsend is largely Australian-born, at 92.9% of residents, with 2.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (34.2%) and English (33.3%). 4.3% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics are below average, with 92.9% of the population born in Australia, 93.4% holding citizenship, and 97.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 50.6% of residents. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of the population compared to 0.1% across Regional NSW. The most common ancestral backgrounds are Australian (34.2%), English (33.3%), and Scottish (8.5%). Notable deviations from regional averages include Australian Aboriginal ancestry, which represents 4.3% of residents (compared to 4.6% across the region), Samoan ancestry at 0.2% (compared to 0.1%), and Macedonian ancestry at 0.1% (compared to 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of West Wallsend is 36. 28.4% 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 36 years in the suburb of West Wallsend is lower than the Regional NSW median of 43 years, and slightly below the Australian average of 38 years. Young adults aged 25 to 34 are highly represented at 16.7% of the population, whereas the 55 to 64 bracket is less common at 9.2%. Post-Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group has expanded from 6.4% to 8.6% of the population. In contrast, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.2% to 11.5%, and the 55 to 64 cohort fell from 10.5% to 9.2%.
By 2041, demographic projections suggest the 25 to 34 group will grow by 30% (154 individuals) to reach 663 people, up from 508. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age group is expected to decrease by 16 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for West Wallsend
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, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2026 last month all 3 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 Jul 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 — 10 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (2,981 at the 2021 Census → 3,047 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 (SAL14270). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.