Median house price
$838k
+20% change
NSW · Newcastle Council
Shortland, 2307
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,402
Growth (1 yr)
+2.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+13.5%
Median age
33
Median income
$1,344/wk
Employment rate
54.8%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$838,000
Languages at home
11.6%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Urdu, Cantonese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
In Newcastle Council, Shortland is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. The community skews younger, 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.
Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum.
At a glance
Shortland snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$600/wk
Population (ERP)
5,402
+2.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.8%
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
#108
among Metro Sydney · Growth area
Safety
51st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
92nd
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
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
- 50.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 30% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2100th in Australia
- State rank
- 625th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #108 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #454 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 64
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $838,000
- Median price change
- +19.7%
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
5,402(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
- +132
- Change in 5 years
- +641
- 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 (~6,000), extrapolated at +2.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,537
- Median age
- 33
- Median household income / week
- $1,344
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 115 of 1,978
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,679
- Employment rate
- 54.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,301 / 527 / 33
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)
- 369
- Against the person
- 116
- Against property
- 166
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 68.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 39 residents
- State safety percentile
- 50.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +37.6%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault41
- Fraud38
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment39
- Malicious Damage To Property41
- Steal From Motor Vehicle26
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 926
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 17th
School list
- Shortland Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 926 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 271 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Awabakal Environmental Education CentreCombined · Government · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Margaret Jurd CollegeSpecial · Independent · ICSEA 889 · 9th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 103 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Our Lady of Victories Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1025 · 58th percentile · LBOTE 34% · 130 students · Top SEA quarter 16% · 1.1 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Shortland Pre-Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
84 public transport stops in this suburb
- 448 Sandgate Rd
- 449 Sandgate Rd
- King St Before Marton St
- King St Opp Cora Pl
- Marton St At Sandgate Rd
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
161 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 1 cafes · 1 pharmacies · 3 fast food · 3 places of worship · 5 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 84 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 55/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.22
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.1
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0.88
Food & drink(5)
- Café NourishCafe
- Andy's Take Away Fish & ChipsFast food
- Miller's Pie & Sandwich BarFast food
- Tasty AsiaFast food
- Shortland HotelRestaurant
Shopping(3)
- Reid's Quality MeatsButcher
- Shortland GrocerConvenience store
Community(4)
- Shortland Pre-SchoolKindergarten
- Awabakal Environmental Education Centre - Wetlands CampusSchool
412 Sandgate Road, Shortland
- Our Lady of Victories Primary SchoolSchool
- Shortland Public SchoolSchool
Shortland
Health & services(3)
- Hunter Valley Private HospitalHospital
- Shortland PharmacyPharmacy
- Veterinary
Sport & outdoors(11)
- Shortland Waters Golf ClubGolf course
- Cook ParkPark
- Lyall ParkPark
- Milne ParkPark
- Tuxford ParkPark
- Playground (5)
- Sports field
Entertainment(2)
- Viewpoint (2)
Transport(40)
40 bus stops
Other(35)
- Alcohol
- Artwork (15)
- Visitor CentreAttraction
- Bbq (3)
- Bench (13)
- Outdoor Classroom & Wedding ChapelBench
- Bicycle Parking
- Shortland RSL Veterans Recreation HallClub
- Shortland ComputersComputer
- Drinking water (5)
- Bush Tucker GardenGarden
- Butcherbird HillGarden
- Garden (7)
- Rogers Family GardenGarden
- Sensory TrailGarden
- Wallaby FlatGarden
- Shortland Hair DesignHairdresser
- Hunter Wetlands Centre Aust Visitor CentreInformation
- Information
- Outdoor Seating
- Parking (12)
- Metro PetroleumPetrol station
- Picnic Table
- Our Lady of Victories ChurchPlace of worship
- Sikh Gurdwara NewcastlePlace of worship
- Uniting Church in AustraliaPlace of worship
- Post Box
- Shortland NewagenPost office
- Public toilets
- Egret TowerShelter
- Rain Forest ShelterShelter
- Shelter (10)
- Shower (2)
- Eurobodalla HomesSocial Facility
- Vacant
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
- Cook ParkPark
- Lyall ParkPark
- Milne ParkPark
- Tuxford ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 18
- 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
Places of worship
3 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Our Lady of Victories Church
- Sikh Gurdwara Newcastle
- Uniting Church in Australia
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Hunter Valley Private Hospital (0.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Hunter Valley Private HospitalHospital
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)
- 183
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 33.9
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° / 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· 12 proposals
July 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)56 MAWSON STREET SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
June 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure390 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 BARDIA ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures33 SHEARWATER DRIVE SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 MILNE STREET SHORTLAND 2307Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)20A MARTON STREET SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)7 SPOONBILL AVENUE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling104 KING STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision269 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure54 CONMURRA CIRCUIT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development130 KING STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia29 RABAUL STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
2025· 18 proposals
November 2025
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure33 SHEARWATER DRIVE SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facility1 WETLANDS PLACE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
September 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure26 MORT STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation204 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure355 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
August 2025
- Demolition46 LOVELL PARADE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 ALISTER STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure63 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure46 LOVELL PARADE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation150A MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision35 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)25 TOBRUK CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage360 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure15 LIBYA STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation378 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation378 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport48 CONMURRA CIRCUIT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)25 RUFOUS CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces7 CORAL SEA AVENUE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
October 2024
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)25 RUFOUS CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Withdrawn
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; School360 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure138 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)22 MORT STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)25 Tobruk Cres, Shortland NSW 2307Determined
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 3.5 km away).
Coalition 25.7%Labor 74.3%
3.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- ShortlandLabor 74.0% · Coalition 26.0% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Birmingham Gardens NorthLabor 73.6% · Coalition 26.4% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- WarabrookLabor 74.8% · Coalition 25.2% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- Jesmond NorthLabor 78.3% · Coalition 21.7% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- Wallsend EastLabor 75.2% · Coalition 24.8% TPP (2025)3.0 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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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.