Median house price
$675k
+8.9% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Neath, 2326
Est. population · Jun 2025
484
Growth (1 yr)
+2.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+16.4%
Median age
55
Median income
$792/wk
Employment rate
35.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$675,000
Languages at home
2.7%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Neath is a quieter smaller community in Cessnock Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Distance from the metro area around Sydney is part of the appeal, with regional hubs closer to hand than the city. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.
Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer community and employment, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities relative to similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Neath snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$500/wk
Population (ERP)
484
+2.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.3%
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
#133
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
58th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
90th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
14th
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
- 26.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6077th in Australia
- State rank
- 1965th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #133 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #854 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $520
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $675,000
- Median price change
- +8.9%
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
484(June 2025)
+2.3% annual · +16.4% over 5 years · 90th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.3%
- 5-year growth
- +16.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +11
- Change in 5 years
- +68
- Growth rank in NSW
- 90th 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 (~550), extrapolated at +2.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 430
- Median age
- 55
- Median household income / week
- $792
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 13 of 205
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,127
- Employment rate
- 35.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 186 / 4 / 0 (+ 6 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 38
- Against the person
- 12
- Against property
- 17
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 78.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 36 residents
- State safety percentile
- 58th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.4%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault51
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment91
- Malicious Damage To Property80
- Motor Vehicle Theft55
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault41
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
- 917
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 14th
School list
- Abermain Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 917 · 14th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 257 students · Top SEA quarter 2% · 1.8 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
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cessnock Rd After Aberdare St
- Cessnock Rd After Northumberland St
- Cessnock Rd At Kemp St
- Cessnock Rd Before Fisher St
- Cessnock Rd Opp Henderson St
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
15 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 26 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.33
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Food & drink(1)
- Neath HotelPub
Transport(11)
11 bus stops
Other(2)
- Neath Rural Fire BrigadeFire 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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- Kurri Kurri District Hospital (4.4 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)
- 23
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 47.5
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
July 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure121 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Under Assessment
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Driveways and hard stand spaces57 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
2025· 3 proposals
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure106 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)59 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park56 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park56 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Rejected
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Withdrawn
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Caravan park40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Withdrawn
March 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Caravan park56 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Caravan park40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure174 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
2023· 7 proposals
December 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure110 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
October 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Manufactured home56 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Withdrawn
August 2023
- Other1 NEATH ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
June 2023
- Other40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
April 2023
- Dual occupancy; Alterations and additions to residential development; Shed32 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
- Shed209 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
February 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development53 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
2022· 4 proposals
September 2022
- Signage133 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
May 2022
- Shed156 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
March 2022
- Other56 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
January 2022
- Shed186 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
2021· 6 proposals
December 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development53 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
October 2021
- Dwelling152 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
September 2021
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land; Retaining walls, protection of trees59 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
May 2021
- Other40 CARRS ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
March 2021
- Other133 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
- Shed156 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Rejected
2020· 4 proposals
December 2020
- Other1 NEATH ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
August 2020
- Subdivision of land59 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET NEATH 2326Determined
May 2020
- Secondary dwelling160 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
March 2020
- Other133 CESSNOCK ROAD NEATH 2326Determined
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 6.3 km away).
Coalition 38.7%Labor 61.3%
1.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.6 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- AbermainLabor 59.5% · Coalition 40.5% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- WestonLabor 66.7% · Coalition 33.3% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- KearsleyLabor 59.6% · Coalition 40.4% TPP (2025)4.4 km away
- AberdareLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)5.3 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.