Median house price
$1.05M
+13% change
NSW · Newcastle Council
Sandgate, 2304
Est. population · Jun 2025
328
Growth (1 yr)
+2.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+13.5%
Median age
69
Median income
$687/wk
Employment rate
19.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$1,055,000
Languages at home
12.8%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Newcastle Council, Sandgate is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. 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.
Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out. Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. Strong connections via buses and trains keep the wider area accessible.
Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
Desirability lands below average here: softer community and employment, plus schools and education weighing on the result versus similar metro suburbs, even with growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Sandgate snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Houses $680 · Units $423
Population (ERP)
328
+2.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.9%
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
#141
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
79th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
17th
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
- 25.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6275th in Australia
- State rank
- 2030th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #141 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #868 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 79%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $423
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $680
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 247
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $1,055,000
- Median price change
- +13.4%
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
328(June 2025)
+2.5% annual · +13.5% over 5 years · 92th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.5%
- 5-year growth
- +13.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +8
- Change in 5 years
- +39
- 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 (~350), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 276
- Median age
- 69
- Median household income / week
- $687
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 6 of 76
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,684
- Employment rate
- 19.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 49 / 16 / 0 (+ 5 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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 36
- Against the person
- 9
- Against property
- 19
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 109.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 79th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Most common offence types
- Fraud127
- Malicious Damage To Property136
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault128
- Steal From Motor Vehicle154
- Steal From Retail Store159
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
- 926
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 17th
School list
- Awabakal Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Shortland Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 926 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 271 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.8 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
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- Maitland Rd After Old Maitland Rd
- Maitland Rd After Old Maitland Rd
- Maitland Rd Opp Old Maitland Rd
- Maitland Rd Opp St Joseph's Retirement Community
- Maitland Rd Opp St Joseph's Retirement Community
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
30 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Well connected by public transport — 26 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
- 0
Transport(13)
10 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(10)
- Makin MattressesBed
Friesian Close, Sandgate
- Brothel
- Drinking water
- Sandgate CemeteryGrave Yard
- Parking (8)
- Parking Space
- metroPetrol station
- Post Box
- Ticket Validator
- Weighbridge
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Hunter Valley Private Hospital (1.9 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)
- 11
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.5
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· 5 proposals
July 2026
- Industrial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia53 Wallsend Road, SandgateUnder Assessment
May 2026
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Under Assessment
March 2026
- Advertising and signage; Hardware and building supply9 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
January 2026
- Signage; Advertising and signage240 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Transport depot16 FERRY ROAD SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
2025· 6 proposals
September 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle body repair workshop8 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
May 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Depot16 FERRY ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
March 2025
- Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Light industry4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Classified road; HighwayMaitland road, opposite shamrock streetUnder Assessment
February 2025
- Subdivision3 AYRSHIRE CRESCENT SANDGATE 2304Under Assessment
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry21 WALLSEND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
2024· 13 proposals
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 MANGROVE ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cemetery108 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Erection of a new structure; General industry17 AYRSHIRE CRESCENT SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Storage premises; Self storage units4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
September 2024
- Demolition240 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
July 2024
- Demolition162 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
June 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 MANGROVE ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Hazardous storage establishment; Liquid fuel depot10 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
April 2024
- Subdivision4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
March 2024
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry45 WALLSEND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cemetery108 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
February 2024
- Demolition21 WALLSEND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
January 2024
- Demolition; Commercial development162 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
2023· 10 proposals
December 2023
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Advertising structure215-223 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Light industry53 WALLSEND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
August 2023
- Change of use32 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Withdrawn
- Signage; Stratum / community title subdivision; Industrial development4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Signage; Stratum / community title subdivision; Industrial development4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Stratum / community title subdivision4 RURAL DRIVE SANDGATE 2304Determined
July 2023
- OtherMaitland road, opposite shamrock streetDetermined
May 2023
- Other4 2 JERSEY AVENUE SANDGATE 2304Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to industrial development27 AYRSHIRE CRESCENT SANDGATE 2304Determined
February 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces85 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and additions to industrial development12 GUERNSEY STREET SANDGATE 2304Determined
September 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces85 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Demolition162 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
July 2022
- Change of use83 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
- Retaining walls, protection of trees; Change of use45 WALLSEND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
June 2022
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces119 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
May 2022
- Alterations and additions to commercial development53 MAITLAND ROAD SANDGATE 2304Determined
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
- No overlay at centroid
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
- Newcastle
- Member of Parliament
- Sharon CLAYDON (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 126,226
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.2%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +2.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 29.2%Labor 70.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 4.3 km away).
Coalition 24.8%Labor 75.2%
4.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- ShortlandLabor 74.0% · Coalition 26.0% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- WarabrookLabor 74.8% · Coalition 25.2% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- Birmingham Gardens NorthLabor 73.6% · Coalition 26.4% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Mayfield WestLabor 75.6% · Coalition 24.4% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
- Waratah WestLabor 79.9% · Coalition 20.1% TPP (2025)3.6 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)
- 2/10
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 Newcastle Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.