Median house price
—
No data available
NSW · Newcastle Council
Callaghan, 2308
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,619
Growth (1 yr)
+2.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+13.5%
Median age
20
Median income
$0/wk
Employment rate
36.2%
Languages at home
12.3%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Cantonese, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Green suburb
- Cycling
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Callaghan is a practical smaller community in Newcastle Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Young professionals and new households shape much of the local mix, with schools and childcare nearby. Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from.
For metro suburbs, the café and dining scene is notably rich, with locals returning to favourite spots. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses and trains linking the suburb to surrounding areas.
Housing sits in the middle of the local market: neither cheap nor premium. The area is still finding its shape, with new households arriving and the community evolving year by year.
The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer growth momentum relative to similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Callaghan snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,619
+2.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
—
No data available
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#148
among Metro Sydney · Growth area
Safety
60th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in NSW
School ICSEA
30th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 40.8/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3609th in Australia
- State rank
- 1099th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #148 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #670 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 80%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
1,619(June 2025)
+2.5% annual · +13.5% over 5 years · 92th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.5%
- 5-year growth
- +13.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +40
- Change in 5 years
- +193
- Growth rank in NSW
- 92th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,800), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,358
- Median age
- 20
- Median household income / week
- $0
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 0 of 0
- Median monthly mortgage
- $0
- Employment rate
- 36.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 0 / 0 / 0
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 133
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 40
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 82.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 97 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3.4%
Most common offence types
- Malicious Damage To Property9
- Other Theft7
- Prohibited And Regulated Weapons Offences5
- Steal From Motor Vehicle13
- Transport Regulatory Offences68
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 10
- Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
- 963
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 30th
School list
- Margaret Jurd CollegeSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 889 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 103 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Our Lady of Victories Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1025 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 34% · 130 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Waratah West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 963 · 30th percentile · LBOTE 31% · 113 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Callaghan College Jesmond Senior CampusSecondary · Government · ICSEA 980 · 38th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 659 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Heaton Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 955 · 27th percentile · LBOTE 57% · 162 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Shortland Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 926 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 271 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Jesmond Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 923 · 16th percentile · LBOTE 78% · 216 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Corpus Christi Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1085 · 80th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 169 students · Top SEA quarter 38% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- Awabakal Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
- St John's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1083 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 29% · 200 students · Top SEA quarter 40% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- KU Kintaiba (KIN)University Drivekindergarten
- KU Kooinda (KOO)Kintaiba Roadkindergarten
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
21 public transport stops in this suburb
- Mathematics Building, Ring Rd
- Ring Rd Opp Mathematics Building
- Ring Rd Opp The Wollotuka Institute
- The Wollotuka Institute, Ring Rd
- University Of Newcastle Western Entrance, University Dr
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
1,218 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
3 restaurants · 6 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 2 libraries · 1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 21 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 14 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 67/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 4.42
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 8.1
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.42
Food & drink(11)
- Cadre CoffeeCafe
Shipping Container 1 - Drama Lawn, Callaghan
- Heart Art CaféCafe
- LC DeliCafe
Ring Road, Callaghan
- Sprout CafeCafe
Callaghan
- The Hive cafeCafe
Callaghan
- ThinkCafe
- SubwayFast food
Callaghan
- Bar on the HillPub
Ring Road, Callaghan
- Hussy's KebabsRestaurant
Shortland Road, Callaghan
- KumacheRestaurant
Shortland Road, Callaghan
- Local ConnectionsRestaurant
Callaghan
Shopping(1)
No named venues listed.
Community(5)
- Kindergarten
- KU Kintaiba (KIN)Kindergarten
University Drive, Callaghan
- KU Kooinda (KOO)Kindergarten
Kintaiba Road, Callaghan
- Auchmuty LibraryLibrary
Ring Road, Callaghan
- Student HubLibrary
Health & services(1)
- Callaghan Campus PharmacyPharmacy
Unit Shop 110b 111 Shortland Building;110b Shortland Building Union Lane, Callaghan
Sport & outdoors(20)
- Bernie Curran Oval (Oval 1)Park
- Great LawnPark
- Oval 4Park
- Park
- Park On The HillPark
- Scobie HeathPark
- Playground (2)
- Newcastle University Diving and Exploration SocietySports centre
- Ray Watt Pavilion (RWOP)Sports centre
Wirra Crescent
- Sports and Aquatic Centre (The Forum) (SCH)Sports centre
Callaghan
- Sports Pavilion (SP)Sports centre
Callaghan
- Batting CageSports field
- Cola 1Sports field
- Cola 2Sports field
- Sports field
- Sportsball CourtSports field
- Forum PoolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(1)
- Gallery (GS)Arts centre
Ring Road, Callaghan
Transport(28)
21 bus stops · 1 train stations · 6 transport platforms
Other(67)
- "Q"Artwork
- Artwork (2)
- University of NewcastleArtwork
- Bbq (5)
- Bench (14)
- Bicycle Parking (25)
- Bike Hub East (BHE)Bicycle Parking
- Bike Hub West (BHW)Bicycle Parking
- University of NewcastleBicycle Parking
- Drinking water (13)
- EV charge stationsEV charging
- EV charging
- Fountain (3)
- Garden (132)
- Information (6)
- University of NewcastleMotorcycle Parking
- MarmadukeOutdoor Seating
- Outdoor Seating (5)
- P1Parking
- P10Parking
- P11Parking
- P12Parking
- P13Parking
- P14Parking
- P15Parking
- P16Parking
- P2Parking
- P4Parking
- P5Parking
- P6Parking
- P7Parking
- P8Parking
- P9Parking
- Parking (32)
- The University of NewcastleParking
- University of NewcastleParking
- P1Parking Entrance
- P10Parking Entrance
- P11Parking Entrance
- P12Parking Entrance
- P13Parking Entrance
- P14Parking Entrance
- P15Parking Entrance
- P16Parking Entrance
- P2Parking Entrance
- P4Parking Entrance
- P5Parking Entrance
- Parking Entrance (16)
- University of NewcastleParking Entrance
- Parking Space (753)
- University of NewcastleParking Space
- Picnic Table (47)
- Auchmuty Prayer RoomPlace of worship
- Licensed Post OfficePost office
Callaghan
- Public toilets
- Shelter (6)
- Wetlands PavilionShelter
- Shower (24)
- Smoking Area (2)
- 2NURFM 103.7Studio
- Telephone
- TelstraTelephone
- University of Newcastle, Callaghan CampusUniversity
University Drive
- Return and Earn stationVending
- University of NewcastleVending machine
- Vending machine (2)
- Waste Basket (16)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bernie Curran Oval (Oval 1)Park
- Great LawnPark
- Oval 4Park
- Park On The HillPark
- Scobie HeathPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 83
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Auchmuty Prayer Room
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Hunter Valley Private Hospital (1.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Callaghan Campus PharmacyUnion LanePharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 55
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.0
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
4 planning-related records
2025· 1 proposal
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Co-living130 UNIVERSITY DRIVE CALLAGHAN 2308Determined
2022· 1 proposal
October 2022
- Earthworks / change in levels; Other130 UNIVERSITY DRIVE CALLAGHAN 2308Determined
2021· 1 proposal
February 2021
- Dwelling12 Callaghan St, Marsden Park NSW 2765Determined
2020· 1 proposal
October 2020
- Signage130 UNIVERSITY DRIVE CALLAGHAN 2308Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2020–2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Newcastle
- Member of Parliament
- Sharon CLAYDON (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,226
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 29.2%Labor 70.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.4 km away).
Coalition 24.5%Labor 75.5%
4.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Birmingham Gardens NorthLabor 73.6% · Coalition 26.4% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- ShortlandLabor 74.0% · Coalition 26.0% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- WarabrookLabor 74.8% · Coalition 25.2% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Waratah WestLabor 79.9% · Coalition 20.1% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- Jesmond NorthLabor 78.3% · Coalition 21.7% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Newcastle Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.