Median house price
$660k
+5.6% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Pelaw Main, 2327
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,226
Growth (1 yr)
+2.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+16.8%
Median age
39
Median income
$1,174/wk
Employment rate
50.2%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$660,000
Languages at home
2.2%non-English
Most common: Thai
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Pelaw Main offers a slower smaller community life in Cessnock Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. It sits well away from Sydney, trading metro convenience for space and a slower regional pace. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses and trains covering longer trips across the wider area.
Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.
Desirability sits below average overall, with safety, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Pelaw Main snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$495/wk
Population (ERP)
1,226
+2.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.5%
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
#246
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Safety
65th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
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
- 25.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6158th in Australia
- State rank
- 1992nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #246 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #858 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
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 53
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $660,000
- Median price change
- +5.6%
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
1,226(June 2025)
+2.5% annual · +16.8% over 5 years · 92th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.5%
- 5-year growth
- +16.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +30
- Change in 5 years
- +176
- Growth rank in NSW
- 92th 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 (~1,400), extrapolated at +2.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,080
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $1,174
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 30 of 459
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,447
- Employment rate
- 50.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 382 / 18 / 24
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)
- 111
- Against the person
- 34
- Against property
- 47
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 90.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 32 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +10.2%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order67
- Domestic Violence Related Assault66
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment102
- Malicious Damage To Property75
- Motor Vehicle Theft58
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)
- 896
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 10th
School list
- Pelaw Main Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 901 · 11th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 115 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Kurri Kurri Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 891 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 574 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 1.9 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
18 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bellbird St After Abermain St
- Pelaw Main Park, Hebburn St
- Stanford St After Hebburn St
- Stanford St At Hebburn St
- Tarro St Opp Kurri Kurri Bowling Club
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
20 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 18 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 27/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 3.7
Community(1)
- Pelaw Main Public SchoolSchool
Pelaw Main
Sport & outdoors(6)
- Jacobs ParkPark
- Jerry Chalmers Memorial ParkPark
- Log of Knowledge ParkPark
- Pelaw Main Centenary ParkPark
- Playground
- Sports field
Transport(6)
5 bus stops · 1 train stations
Other(5)
- Artwork
- Hunter Economic ZoneInformation
- Information (2)
- Post Box
- 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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Jacobs ParkPark
- Jerry Chalmers Memorial ParkPark
- Log of Knowledge ParkPark
- Pelaw Main Centenary ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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 (2.2 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)
- 57
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 46.5
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· 6 proposals
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Supporting Development44 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
June 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)51 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure37 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (attached)61 ABERMAIN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Additional Information Requested
January 2026
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)7 NEATH STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 TOMALPIN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
2025· 6 proposals
September 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia41 NEATH STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure14 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space20 ABERMAIN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11A WALLSEND STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation35 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 ELLALONG STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
2024· 3 proposals
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)25 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
October 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space36 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
April 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space34 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
2023· 8 proposals
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 HEBBURN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 GRETA STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development27 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
August 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed45 HEBBURN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
May 2023
- Shed2 MILLFIELD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Shed13 ELLALONG STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
April 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed24 MILLFIELD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
February 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development27 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
2022· 10 proposals
December 2022
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land; Garages, carports and car parking spaces45 HEBBURN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Withdrawn
October 2022
- Subdivision of land2 MILLFIELD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
September 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces31 EVATT STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
June 2022
- Shed33 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
May 2022
- Shed56 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
April 2022
- Subdivision of land52 HEBBURN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
March 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed11 MILLFIELD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces3 BELLBIRD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
February 2022
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land9 ALLANDALE STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
January 2022
- Dwelling; Alterations and additions to residential development37 BOUNDARY STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
2021· 8 proposals
December 2021
- Other7 MILLFIELD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
November 2021
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces1 38 ABERDARE STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
September 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing39A HEBBURN STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
- Dwelling62 STANFORD STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
June 2021
- Dwelling44 NEATH STREET PELAW MAIN 2327Determined
May 2021
- Dual occupancy38A Aberdare Street, Pelaw Main NSW 2327Determined
- Demolition44 Neath Street Pelaw Main NSW 2327Determined
April 2021
- Change of use11 Main Street Comboye NSWDetermined
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 10.2 km away).
Coalition 38.6%Labor 61.4%
1.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Pelaw MainLabor 61.5% · Coalition 38.5% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Kurri Kurri (Hunter)Labor 58.1% · Coalition 41.9% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Kurri Kurri NorthLabor 66.7% · Coalition 33.3% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
- WestonLabor 66.7% · Coalition 33.3% TPP (2025)3.3 km away
- AbermainLabor 59.5% · Coalition 40.5% TPP (2025)5.6 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.