Median house price
$745k
+13% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Kearsley, 2325
Est. population · Jun 2025
886
Growth (1 yr)
+1.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.2%
Median age
38
Median income
$1,467/wk
Employment rate
56.6%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$745,000
Languages at home
1.9%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Cessnock Council, Kearsley keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer schools and education, plus safety compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Kearsley snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $570 · Units $463
Population (ERP)
886
+1.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.7%
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
#157
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
71st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
85th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
10th
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
- 34.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4731st in Australia
- State rank
- 1504th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #157 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #581 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
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
886(June 2025)
+1.8% annual · +5.2% over 5 years · 85th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.8%
- 5-year growth
- +5.2%
- Change in 1 year
- +16
- Change in 5 years
- +44
- 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 (~950), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 838
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,467
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 21 of 313
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,614
- Employment rate
- 56.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 283 / 5 / 4
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)
- 86
- Against the person
- 27
- Against property
- 34
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 97.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 70.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.7%
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 897
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 10th
School list
- Kearsley Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 897 · 10th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 114 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.1 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
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- Allandale St Before Mulbring St
- Caledonia St At Ellalong St
- Caledonia St Before Ellalong St
- Caledonia St Opp Government Rd
- Caledonia St Opp Kearsley Hotel
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
21 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
5 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 31 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.19
Community(1)
- Kearsley Public SchoolSchool
130 Caledonia Street, Kearsley
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Sports field
- poolSwimming pool
- Swimming pool (4)
Transport(10)
10 bus stops
Other(3)
- Miniature Golf
- Petrol station
- Shelter (2)
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Firefighters ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Cessnock Hospital (5.5 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 45
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 50.8
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.
2026· 3 proposals
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport2A LAKE ROAD KEARSLEY 2325Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21B GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)39 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 POKOLBIN STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure21B GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
October 2025
- Subdivision128 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Withdrawn
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3A LAKE ROAD KEARSLEY 2325Determined
July 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)71 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
June 2025
- Subdivision7 JEFFRIES STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Subdivision15 GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision128 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 POKOLBIN STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 CONGEWAI STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure119 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)43 KEARSLEY SELECTIONS ROAD KEARSLEY 2325Determined
2024· 6 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)2 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure79A ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
May 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 CONGEWAI STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
March 2024
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation34 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Subdivision21 GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
February 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure58 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
2023· 10 proposals
December 2023
- Subdivision65 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling71 ELLALONG STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
June 2023
- Dual occupancy53 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Shed49 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
May 2023
- Telecommunications and communication facilities21 GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Rejected
April 2023
- Other47 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Withdrawn
- Shed8A GOVERNMENT CIRCUIT KEARSLEY 2325Determined
March 2023
- Dwelling2 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
February 2023
- Dwelling; Demolition; Garages, carports and car parking spaces367 NEATH ROAD KEARSLEY 2325Determined
January 2023
- Shed239 NEATH ROAD KEARSLEY 2325Determined
2022· 7 proposals
October 2022
- Dual occupancy53 CALEDONIA STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Shed32 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
September 2022
- Subdivision of land39 CONGEWAI STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development10 ALLANDALE STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Shed18 DUNLOP STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
- Shed27 CONGEWAI STREET KEARSLEY 2325Determined
July 2022
- Dwelling2A POKOLBIN STREET KEARSLEY 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)
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
- 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 6.2 km away).
Coalition 39.5%Labor 60.5%
1.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- KearsleyLabor 59.6% · Coalition 40.4% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- AberdareLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)3.4 km away
- KitchenerLabor 63.5% · Coalition 36.5% TPP (2025)3.8 km away
- Cessnock WestLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)4.8 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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.