Council (LGA) · Area profile
Cessnock
1,965 km²
Rapid population growth has transformed Cessnock, which has added about 12,792 people since 2011. This is a relatively young community where the typical resident is 37, and families with children are common. It is distinctive for its high proportion of First Nations people, who make up 10.2% of the population. While the area is expanding quickly, it remains a place where many residents face health and education challenges compared to the rest of the state.
Cessnock has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
A fast-growing area where schools haven't kept pace per child.
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Cessnock is younger than most areas, with 20.2% of people being children under 15. The population has grown by 25% since 2011, and there is a higher rate of de facto relationships than the national figure.
The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 87.9% born here and only 7.2% born overseas, which is far below the national average.
English is the primary language for 90.1% of residents. Only 2.8% use another language at home, a figure far below the New South Wales average.
A large number of people now report no religion, rising by 23 percentage points since 2011 to reach 41.5%.
Education levels are much lower than in most areas, with only 9.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree and 33.8% completing Year 12.
Typical weekly household income is $1,493, which is a little below the national figure. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen since 2011.
Health challenges are common here, with 35.3% of people living with a long-term health condition and mental health issues being among the highest at this level.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 29.3% of people caring for children. However, volunteering has fallen since 2011 and is now much lower than in most areas.
First Nations people make up a significant part of the community, numbering 6,480. This group is younger than the national average and has a lower unemployment rate of 9.6%.
Homes tend to be larger, with 2.6 people per home. There is a much higher rate of one-parent families compared to the rest of the state.
Separate houses make up 90.5% of dwellings, and 80% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Typical weekly rent is $340, which has risen by $110 since 2011.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.3% of people using public transport to commute. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and the drive to the city can take up to 146 minutes.
The area has seen significant movement, with 39.9% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have fallen slightly since 2011.
About 56.5% of adults are working or looking for work, with many employed in health care, retail, and construction. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is higher than in most areas.
Cessnock is growing quickly, with population estimates increasing by 11.4% since 2021. However, it ranks lower than most areas for overall advantage and job skills.
The area is much wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall of 991mm. Average temperatures are typical for the region.
Motor vehicle theft and property damage rates are very high compared to other areas. However, the robbery rate is much lower than most places.
The community is mostly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 3.6. Only 24.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, far below the state figure.