Median house price
$845k
+9.4% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
North Rothbury, 2335
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,213
Growth (1 yr)
+6.8%
Growth (5 yr)
+34.1%
Median age
30
Median income
$2,206/wk
Employment rate
71.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$845,000
Languages at home
4.6%non-English
Most common: Afrikaans, Spanish, Vietnamese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- High desirability
Suburb profile
North Rothbury offers a slower mid-sized suburb life in Cessnock Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. A younger crowd gives the area energy, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Housing is expensive relative to much of the state.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum, plus community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
North Rothbury snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $710 · Units $500
Population (ERP)
3,213
+6.8% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.9%
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
#26
among Country & regional · Growth area
Safety
41st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
99th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
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
- 44.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 43% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3014th in Australia
- State rank
- 913th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #26 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #228 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 87%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $710
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 131
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $845,000
- Median price change
- +9.4%
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
3,213(June 2025)
+6.8% annual · +34.1% over 5 years · 99th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +6.8%
- 5-year growth
- +34.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +204
- Change in 5 years
- +817
- Growth rank in NSW
- 99th 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 (~3,900), extrapolated at +3.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,502
- Median age
- 30
- Median household income / week
- $2,206
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 54 of 910
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 71.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 825 / 22 / 8
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)
- 191
- Against the person
- 56
- Against property
- 92
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 59.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 45 residents
- State safety percentile
- 41.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +26.8%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault62
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment48
- Malicious Damage To Property73
- Motor Vehicle Theft43
- Steal From Retail Store38
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Huntlee Early Learning Centrechildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
50 public transport stops in this suburb
- Hanwood Estate, Wine Country Dr
- Mayne St Before Short St
- Rothbury St After Scott St
- Wine Country Dr At Thomas St
- Wine Country Dr Before Mayne 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
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 50 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
- 2.8
Sport & outdoors(3)
- Ayrfield Memorial ParkPark
- Playground
- Sports field
Transport(8)
8 bus stops
Other(3)
- Bench
- North Rothbury Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
- Garden
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
- Ayrfield Memorial ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 22
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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 (15.4 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)
- 112
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 34.9
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· 99 proposals
August 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 Jarrah Way North Rothbury NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure14 Collective Street North RothburyAdditional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 Union Way NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 Union Way NORTH ROTHBURYAdditional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure51 Morningstar Crescent NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 Union Way NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure49 Morningstar Crescent NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 Artisan Road North RothburyAdditional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 Cappella Street NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 Masonry Drive North Rothbury NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 Artisan Road, North Rothbury NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure32 WETHERED CRESCENT NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 WETHERED CRESCENT NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 EMPORIUM DRIVE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure38 WETHERED CRESCENT NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Independent living units; Erection of a new structure97 KESTERTON RISE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 Morningstar Crescent NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 Masonry Drive NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 Cappella Street NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure47 Morningstar Crescent NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 UNION WAY NORTH ROTHBURY NSW 2335Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 527 DP 1289940, 12 Corbel Road, North RothburyDetermined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool76 KESTERTON RISE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 BARCLAY DRIVE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 BARCLAY DRIVE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 731 10 Collective Street North Rothbury NSW 23Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 733 6 Collective Street North Rothbury NSW2335Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 732 8 Collective Street North Rothbury NSW2335Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 735 2 Collective Street North Rothbury NSW 233Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 734 4 Collective Street North Rothbury NSW2335Determined
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure5 WELL STREET NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 WETHERED CRESCENT NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 SWEENEY ROAD NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure76 BARCLAY DRIVE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 MORAN PARKWAY NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility18 TOLLBAR AVENUE NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool30 MARKET FAIR ROAD NORTH ROTHBURY 2335Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 612 8 Marketfair Rd North Rothbury NSW 2335Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 615 7 Marketfair Rd North Rothbury NSW 2335Determined
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structureLot 611 6 Marketfair Road North Rothbury NSW 2335Determined
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 13.3 km away).
Coalition 40.1%Labor 59.9%
0.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- North RothburyLabor 60.6% · Coalition 39.4% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- BranxtonLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)3.8 km away
- GretaLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- ElderslieLabor 46.5% · Coalition 53.5% TPP (2025)10.0 km away
- Lower BelfordLabor 53.6% · Coalition 46.4% TPP (2025)10.3 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)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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.