Newcastle · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A steady population increase of 5.6% since 2021 shows Newcastle is continuing to grow. This growth is matched by a strong economy, with the area ranking higher than about 90% of similar places for overall advantage. It is a well-resourced region where most people have high levels of education and job skills.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Newcastle — higher than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is highly advantaged, with an overall score of 1,012 which is larger than about 82% of similar areas. This is supported by very high education and job skills, which rank better than about 90% of other places.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
5
Lower than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,012
Higher than 79% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
Newcastle is among the largest areas at this level with 178,935 people. Its population grew by 5.6% since 2021, a rate that is higher than most areas and about the same as the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
178,935
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.6%
Higher than 67% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
There are 16,296 businesses operating in the region, making it one of the largest business hubs at this level. Recent development is also strong, with 927 approved dwellings, a figure larger than about 90% of similar areas.
16,296
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
927
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Newcastle [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA15900/newcastle/topic/economy-advantage
