NSW · Newcastle Council
Newcastle, NSW, 2300
Desirability index
80.8/100
How this score is calculated#137 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Newcastle is a smaller suburban community in the Newcastle area, home to around 3,852 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 2,998 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (-4%), roughly 778.3 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $690 (flats $680, houses $750), 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 3,852
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,943
- Dwelling vacancy
- 23.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 619 of 2,666
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 65%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 138 / 78 / 1,898
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $750
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $690
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 335
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 2,998
- Against the person
- 551
- Against property
- 1,199
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 778.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 7 residents
- State safety percentile
- 30.1th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -4.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions756
- Malicious Damage To Property206
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault197
- Other Theft189
- Steal From Motor Vehicle173
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,112
- Newcastle East Public SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
56 public transport stops in this suburb
- 36 Honeysuckle Dr
- Christ Church Cathedral, Church St
- Honeysuckle Dr Opp 36
- Queens Wharf
- Wharf Rd Opp Queens Wharf
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Follow directions on site. Participants will march from Civic Park to Foreshore Park on Monday 6 July, from 9:30am to 10:10am.Changed traffic conditions will be in place along the route with temporary road closures in place.Impacted Roads:<ul><li>Watt Street at Wharf Road (Westbound). </li><li>Hunter Street at Merewether Street.</li></ul>Traffic controllers on site to direct motorists.Motorists are advised to be aware of additional pedestrian activity and allow additional travel time.Hunter Street, Civic Park05 Jul 2026 – 06 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
278 planning-related records
2026· 22 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise227 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Recreation/Tourist Premise; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Hours of operation and trading185 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Demolition; Commercial development; 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; Function centre; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Retail Premise; Information and education facility; Hours of operation and trading110 SCOTT STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Additional Information Requested
- Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure249-255 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Business premises; Hours of operation and trading249-255 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia129 SCOTT STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure96-100 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
May 2026
- Pub; Hours of operation and trading23 DARBY STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 BOLTON STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Building identification sign; Business identification sign291 KING STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
April 2026
- Shop top housing; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure374-376 KING STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Demolition; Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure364 KING STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Demolition; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure134 KING STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
March 2026
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Business identification sign45 WATT STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise5 PERKINS STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3-3A HONEYSUCKLE DRIVE NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 NEWCOMEN STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise8-10 BOLTON STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2/2 Ocean Street Newcastle 2300Determined
January 2026
- Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading8-10 BOLTON STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure220 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Demolition55 HONEYSUCKLE DRIVE NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
2025· 44 proposals
December 2025
- Business premises; Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia12 133-135 SCOTT STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 NEWCOMEN STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Withdrawn
November 2025
- Business premises; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hours of operation and trading1 MARKET STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation311 WHARF ROAD NEWCASTLE 2300Additional Information Requested
- Signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation area; Hours of operation and trading40 SHORTLAND ESPLANADE NEWCASTLE 2300Under Assessment
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation70 SCOTT STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure237 WHARF ROAD NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Hours of operation and trading2 29 HONEYSUCKLE DRIVE NEWCASTLE 2300Withdrawn
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Restaurant or cafe; Pub; Small bar; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation; Food and drink premise347-365 Hunter Street NewcastleUnder Assessment
- Educational establishment; Hours of operation and trading; School58 BOLTON STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Dwelling house; 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; Residential Accommodation38 CHURCH STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
October 2025
- Shop top housing; Erection of a new structure121 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Attached dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia36 CHURCH STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support280 HUNTER STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise6 175 KING STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
- Demolition; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise1 11 HONEYSUCKLE DRIVE NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
August 2025
- Attached dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia36 CHURCH STREET NEWCASTLE 2300Withdrawn
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure61 SHORTLAND ESPLANADE NEWCASTLE 2300Determined
2024· 41 proposals
41 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 49 proposals
49 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 45 proposals
45 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 64 proposals
64 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 13 proposals
13 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
518 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Beer Wine SpiritsAlcohol
- CelebrationsAlcohol
- Rowies BottlemartAlcohol
- Make SpaceArt
- ATM (2)
- Newcastle PermanentATM
- WestpacATM
- hello naomiBakery
175 King Street, Newcastle
- My BakerBakery
- Newcastle’s French Bread HouseBakery
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- AA ParkPark
- Cathedral groundsPark
- Christie ParkPark
- Church Walk ParkPark
- Civic ParkPark
- Enterprise ParkPark
- King Edward ParkPark
- Pacific ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 6
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Baggaspharmacy
- Discount Chemist Warehousepharmacy
- King Street Dentaldentist
- Morrin Dentaldentist
- Newcastle Family PracticeHunter Streetdoctor
- Pharmacypharmacy
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
28 state heritage places
- Bogey Hole, TheShortland Esplande, NewcastleSHR
- Bolton Street Car Park Facade & Side WallBolton Street, NewcastleSHR
- Christ Church Cathedral, Movable Collections, Cemetery and Park52A Church Street NewcastleSHR
- Church and Watt Street Terrace GroupChurch Street, NewcastleSHR
- City Administration Centre, Newcastle (former)282 King Street, NewcastleSHR
- Civic Railway WorkshopsGreat Northern Railway, NewcastleSHR
- Convict Lumber Yard or Stockade Site98 Scott Street NewcastleSHR
- Enterprise Park and Coutt's Sailors Home (former)Bond Street Newcastle SHR
- Fanny's TavernArgyle Street, NewcastleSHR
- Frederick Ash Building359-361 Hunter Street NewcastleSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 22
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 80.8/100
- Cohort rank
- #137 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 36 Honeysuckle Drtransport
- Christ Church Cathedral, Church Sttransport
- Honeysuckle Dr Opp 36transport
- Queens Wharftransport
- Wharf Rd Opp Queens Wharftransport
- Bogey Hole, TheheritageShortland Esplande, NewcastleSHR
- Bolton Street Car Park Facade & Side WallheritageBolton Street, NewcastleSHR
- Christ Church Cathedral, Movable Collections, Cemetery and Parkheritage52A Church Street NewcastleSHR
- Church and Watt Street Terrace GroupheritageChurch Street, NewcastleSHR
- City Administration Centre, Newcastle (former)heritage282 King Street, NewcastleSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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