Median house price
$816k
+10% change
NSW · Cessnock Council
Rothbury, 2320
Est. population · Jun 2025
71
Growth (1 yr)
+7.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+34.0%
Median age
55
Median income
$2,250/wk
Employment rate
62.7%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$816,000
Languages at home
17.5%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Rothbury offers a slower smaller community life in Cessnock Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees.
Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Open space is thinner than in many comparable suburbs, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk.
Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
At a glance
Rothbury snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$600/wk
Houses $620 · Units $485
Population (ERP)
71
+7.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
19.2%
Census unoccupied dwellings
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Safety
72nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
99th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
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
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $485
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $620
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 357
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $816,000
- Median price change
- +10%
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
71(June 2025)
+7.6% annual · +34.0% over 5 years · 99th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +7.6%
- 5-year growth
- +34.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +5
- Change in 5 years
- +18
- 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 (~100), extrapolated at +4.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 55
- Median age
- 55
- Median household income / week
- $2,250
- Dwelling vacancy
- 19.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 5 of 26
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,584
- Employment rate
- 62.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 24 / 0 / 0
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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 7
- Against the person
- 2
- Against property
- 2
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 98.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 28 residents
- State safety percentile
- 71.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions609
- Domestic Violence Related Assault329
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment381
- Malicious Damage To Property307
- Steal From Motor Vehicle237
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
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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)
- 5
- 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
- Cessnock Hospital (12.8 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)
- 2
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.2
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· 23 proposals
July 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool132 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 SONOMA WAY ROTHBURY 2320Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool39 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure142 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Withdrawn
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure29 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation35 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1384 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure101 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 SONOMA WAY ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space105 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
March 2026
- Farm buildings; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Sewage reticulation system; Swimming pool; Supporting Development145 creekside place, Rothbury, 2320, NSW.Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure590 OLD NORTH ROAD ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure33 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure43 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Demolition1384 WINE COUNTRY DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces4 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure18 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure24 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure39 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
2025· 20 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure44 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure35 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure142 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure119 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure47 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure33 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure80 CREEKSIDE PLACE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure10 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 SONOMA WAY ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure37 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure47 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure39 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces25 CROWN LINE DRIVE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 ARIA ENTRANCE ROTHBURY 2320Determined
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 13.7 km away).
Coalition 41.8%Labor 58.2%
1.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +4.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- North RothburyLabor 60.6% · Coalition 39.4% TPP (2025)6.5 km away
- BranxtonLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)8.5 km away
- PokolbinLabor 45.2% · Coalition 54.8% TPP (2025)8.5 km away
- GretaLabor 62.6% · Coalition 37.4% TPP (2025)9.6 km away
- NulkabaLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)11.0 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)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
More in Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.