Median house price
$745k
+13% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Cessnock, 2325
Est. population · Jun 2025
17,250
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.8%
Median age
40
Median income
$1,192/wk
Employment rate
40.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$745,000
Languages at home
3.2%non-English
Most common: Nepali, Thai, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Cessnock is a well-connected established suburb in Cessnock Council with everyday amenities close at hand. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
Against similar metro suburbs, growth momentum stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with community and employment, plus safety less decisive.
At a glance
Cessnock snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $570 · Units $463
Population (ERP)
17,250
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
9.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#169
among Metro Sydney · Established
Safety
70th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
8th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 55.6/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 21% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1479th in Australia
- State rank
- 433rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #169 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #318 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $463
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $570
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 271
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $745,000
- Median price change
- +12.5%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
17,250(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +4.8% over 5 years · 85th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +4.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +319
- Change in 5 years
- +791
- Growth rank in NSW
- 85th 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 (~18,350), extrapolated at +1.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 16,300
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,192
- Dwelling vacancy
- 9.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 588 of 6,234
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,499
- Employment rate
- 40.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 4,745 / 731 / 118 (+ 36 other)
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,671
- Against the person
- 527
- Against property
- 665
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 96.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 70.3th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order198
- Breach Bail Conditions379
- Domestic Violence Related Assault299
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment371
- Malicious Damage To Property332
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 884
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 8th
School list
- Cessnock Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 876 · 7th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 276 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Cessnock East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 835 · 4th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 215 students · Top SEA quarter 0% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Cessnock High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 892 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 616 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 975 · 35th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 347 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Cessnock West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 884 · 8th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 399 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.7 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
Public transport
280 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cessnock Hospital, View St
- McGrane St At Leonard St
- McGrane St At Short St
- Mount View Rd After Hunter Av
- Mount View Rd Opp Hunter Av
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
157 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 restaurants · 3 cafes · 1 pubs · 4 supermarkets · 6 fast food · 2 libraries · 1 places of worship · 5 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 22 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 280 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 12 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 79/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.18
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.74
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.35
Food & drink(12)
- Cafe
- Exquisite PatisserieCafe
- Grinders Espresso BarCafe
- Fast food (2)
- KFCFast food
- McDonald'sFast food
- OportoFast food
- ZambreroFast food
- Railway HotelPub
216 Vincent Street, Cessnock
- Restaurant (2)
Shopping(5)
- 7-ElevenConvenience store
- ALDISupermarket
165-167 Wollombi Road
- ColesSupermarket
1 North Avenue
- RitchiesSupermarket
195-200 Wollombi Road, Cessnock
- WoolworthsSupermarket
1 Keene Street
Community(8)
- North Cessnock Community HallCommunity centre
Church Street, Cessnock
- Cessnock City LibraryLibrary
- Library
- Cessnock East Public SchoolSchool
Cessnock
- School (3)
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolSchool
Sport & outdoors(23)
- Apex ParkPark
- Bridges Hill ParkPark
- Doyle Street ParkPark
- H J Sternbeck Lions ParkPark
- Lee-Ann Crescent ParkPark
- Manning ParkPark
- North End ParkPark
- Park (2)
- Shakespeare ParkPark
- South Cessnock PlaygroundPark
- Playground (5)
- Cessnock Swimming PoolSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (5)
Entertainment(1)
- Cessnock Performing Arts CentreTheatre
Transport(41)
41 bus stops
Other(33)
- Ritchies Supa IGA plus LiquourAlcohol
195-200 Wollombi Road, Cessnock
- NABBank
- St.GeorgeBank
- WestpacBank
Charlton Street
- Car (2)
- Cessnock CityCar
- HoldenCar
- HyundaiCar
- NissanCar
- ToyotaCar
- TAFE NSW CessnockCollege
- Big WDepartment Store
Cessnock
- Bunnings WarehouseDoityourself
- Central Cessnock Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Cessnock Fire StationFire station
4 Edward Street, Cessnock
- Cessnock HotelHotel
- Cumberland Motor InnHotel
57 Cumberland Street
- Cessnock LaundromatLaundry
- JLL Pty LtdMall
Cessnock
- Mall
- Motel
- Parking (27)
- 7-ElevenPetrol station
- EG AmpolPetrol station
220 Wollombi Road, Cessnock
- PKs FuelPetrol station
- St. Joseph's CessnockPlace of worship
6 Cumberland Street, Cessnock
- Cessnock Police StationPolice
- Cessnock Post OfficePost office
205 Wollombi Road
- Public toilets
- Cessnock District Rescue SquadRescue Station
- Shelter (6)
- Trolley Bay (3)
- PKs Old General StoreYes
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
19 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Baddeley ParkPark
- Bridges Hill ParkPark
- Buckland Avenue ParkPark
- Doyle Street ParkPark
- H J Sternbeck Lions ParkPark
- Hall ParkPark
- Lee-Ann Crescent ParkPark
- Lindsay Street ParkPark
- Manning ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 40
- Parks (OSM)
- 22
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
- St. Joseph's Cessnock
6 Cumberland Street, Cessnock
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
- 2
- Nearest hospital
- Cessnock Hospital (1.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Cessnock HospitalHospital
- West Cessnock Medical PracticeDoctor
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)
- 903
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 52.3
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° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 308 mm · ~38 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 258 mm · ~32 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 16° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 150 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 22° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 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.
2026· 59 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 GALLAGHER STREET CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Subdivision26 VERNON STREET CESSNOCK 2325Additional Information Requested
- Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6-8 ALLANDALE ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Additional Information Requested
- Take away food and drink; Hours of operation and trading217-219 VINCENT STREET CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support13 ROBINIA WAY CESSNOCK 2325Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 QUARRYBYLONG STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 RAE STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation24 LANG STREET CESSNOCK 2325Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Carport20 DAVID STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
June 2026
- Seniors housing; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structureU 1 2 MOUNT VIEW ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure19 DIXON STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space14 DESMOND STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)57 ALLANDALE ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure65 2 OAKEY CREEK ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Subdivision2 Wangi Avenue, CessnockDetermined
- Subdivision25 Macquarie Street, CessnockDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 BLACKWOOD AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Open cut mining28//752129Determined
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care34 NORTH AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 LOVE STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure6-8 ALLANDALE ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support52 CLARE STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)19 CARROLL AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 RATHMINES AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support14 REGENT STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
April 2026
- Demolition2 SHORT STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure12 HARRIS STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)29 WOLLOMBI ROAD CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation89 CHURCH STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 HILDA STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)40 JEFFRIES STREET CESSNOCK 2325Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure78A O'SHEA CIRCUIT CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure55 CLARE STREET CESSNOCK 2325Withdrawn
March 2026
- Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached)7 MARGARET STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 ALFRED STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Subdivision1C HUNTER AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise1 DARWIN STREET, CESSNOCK (LOT 1/-/DP1321498Determined
- Subdivision42A ANZAC AVENUE CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Group home (permanent)51 LAKESIDE CIRCUIT CESSNOCK 2325Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure23A STEPHEN STREET CESSNOCK 2325Determined
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 · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Roadworks & transport
9 active roadworks / incidents
- Avoid the area. Reduced speed limit. Use an alternative route.West Avenue, Wollombi Road10 Aug 2026 – 28 Aug 2026
- Check signage. Follow directions on site. Reduced speed limit.Lyell Street26 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Check signage. Follow directions on site. Use an alternative route. Residential access onlyDoyle Street, Ferguson Street05 May 2026 – 30 Oct 2026
- Check signage. Use diversions.O'Neill Street, Wollombi Road16 Apr 2026 – 31 Aug 2026
- Reduced speed limit. Use an alternative route. Avoid the area.Hutton Street, Wollombi Road10 Aug 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
- Reduced speed limit. Use an alternative route. Check signage. Motorists advised to find alternative routes.Campbell Street, Wollombi Road07 Jul 2026 – 24 Nov 2026
- Road closure in place to facilitate essential road works. Detours are clearly marked and access for local residents and emergency services will be maintained. Please follow signage and allow extra travel time. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.O'Neill Street, Wollombi Road29 Aug 2025 – 01 Oct 2026
- Road closure in place to facilitate essential road works. Detours are clearly marked and access for local residents and emergency services will be maintained. Please follow signage and allow extra travel time. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.Wangi Avenue, Wollombi Road31 Aug 2025 – 01 Oct 2026
- Use an alternative route. Reduced speed limit. Check signage. Motorists advised to find alternative routes.James Street, Wollombi Road07 Jul 2026 – 28 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 5.2 km away).
Coalition 35.1%Labor 64.9%
5.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Cessnock NorthLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- AberdareLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Cessnock WestLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- NulkabaLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)2.6 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
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.