Median house price
$745k
+13% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Nulkaba, 2325
Est. population · Jun 2025
758
Growth (1 yr)
+1.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.1%
Median age
42
Median income
$2,217/wk
Employment rate
65.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$745,000
Languages at home
1.9%non-English
Most common: Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Nulkaba is a smaller community in Cessnock Council with its own quieter rhythm. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.
The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. The suburb still has an emerging character, as newer residents settle in and local identity forms.
Desirability lands around average here: softer safety weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum, plus community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Nulkaba snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $570 · Units $463
Population (ERP)
758
+1.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.5%
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
#84
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
70th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
86th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
40th
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
- 41.1/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3552nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1086th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #84 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #315 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
758(June 2025)
+1.9% annual · +5.1% over 5 years · 86th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.9%
- 5-year growth
- +5.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +14
- Change in 5 years
- +37
- Growth rank in NSW
- 86th 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 (~800), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 715
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,217
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 30 of 262
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,975
- Employment rate
- 65.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 227 / 0 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 73
- Against the person
- 23
- Against property
- 29
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 96.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 69.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.7%
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 981.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 40th
School list
- St Philip's Christian College - CessnockCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1032 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 1,276 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Nulkaba Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 931 · 18th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 389 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.5 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
35 public transport stops in this suburb
- 27 Fletcher St
- Allandale Rd Before O'Connors Rd
- Branxton St Opp Nulkaba Public School
- Nulkaba Public School, Branxton St
- O'Connors Rd At Branxton 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
68 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 playgrounds · 2 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 35 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 32/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.4
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.4
Food & drink(1)
- Foghorn BreweryPub
Community(1)
- St Philip's Christian College CessnockSchool
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Nulkaba ParkPark
- Playground
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(2)
- Viewpoint (2)
Transport(3)
3 bus stops
Other(37)
- American AlligatorAttraction
- Attraction (3)
- BirdsAttraction
- CamelAttraction
- CapuchinAttraction
- CheetahAttraction
- Common WombatAttraction
- Cotton Top TamarinAttraction
- Crab Eating MacaqueAttraction
- DeerAttraction
- DingoAttraction
- Farm Animal Petting ZooAttraction
- Fennec FoxAttraction
- Finches and Honey EatersAttraction
- Hairy Nosed WombatAttraction
- KangaroosAttraction
- KoalaAttraction
- LionAttraction
- MacawAttraction
- Malayan TapirAttraction
- Maned WolfAttraction
- MarmosetAttraction
- MeerkatAttraction
- OstrichAttraction
- Serval CatAttraction
- Spectacled Flying FoxAttraction
- Spider MonkeyAttraction
- Tasmanian DevilAttraction
- Tortoise and Rhinocerous IguanaAttraction
- WallabyAttraction
- Water BirdsAttraction
- Wine Country Tourist ParkCamp Site
3 O'Connors Road, Nulkaba
- Chalet (15)
- Parking (2)
- BPPetrol station
- The Mighty Hunter ValleyResort
- Shelter (3)
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
- Nulkaba ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 20
- 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 (3.1 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)
- 40
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 52.8
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° / 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· 8 proposals
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure86 O'CONNORS ROAD NULKABA 2325Under Assessment
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure66 O'CONNORS ROAD NULKABA 2325Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure18 MCKENSEY STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
May 2026
- Home business; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia2 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home6A PINCHEN STREET NULKABA 2325Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure103 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool21 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
2025· 20 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)37D OCCIDENT STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development33A OCCIDENT STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool13 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Subdivision19 MCKENSEY STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool9 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure147 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool35 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 VALLEY VIEW PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
August 2025
- Advertising and signage; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink127 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision9 PERRIS STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation72 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Subdivision23 AUSTRAL STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27A OCCIDENT STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool41 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
April 2025
- Subdivision23 AUSTRAL STREET NULKABA 2325Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure103 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure9 O'CONNORS ROAD NULKABA 2325Determined
2024· 13 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure46 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure103 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation18 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
October 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool78 FLEMING STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space27A OCCIDENT STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space38 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
September 2024
- Advertising and signage; Food and drink premise; Take away food and drink127 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure31 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure41 COOLALTA DRIVE NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences36 TREESBANK PLACE NULKABA 2325Determined
July 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure27 AUSTRAL STREET NULKABA 2325Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation96 LOMAS LANE NULKABA 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 7.6 km away).
Coalition 37.7%Labor 62.3%
2.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- NulkabaLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Cessnock NorthLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- Cessnock EastLabor 66.2% · Coalition 33.8% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- AberdareLabor 65.0% · Coalition 35.0% TPP (2025)4.3 km away
- Cessnock WestLabor 63.6% · Coalition 36.4% TPP (2025)4.5 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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.