Region (SA4) · Area profile
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
871 km²
Daily life in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie revolves around a sprawling coastal landscape where most people live in detached houses and rely heavily on cars. The region has grown by 14% since 2011, becoming a large hub with a population of over 390,000. It is a place where traditional Australian roots remain strong, though there is a notable shift toward a more secular community. The area feels established and slightly older than the national average, with a high number of seniors and families.
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The typical resident is 40, making the area a little older than the state and national figures. It has a growing senior population, with 19.9% aged 65 or over, and a First Nations community that is larger than in most similar areas.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people compared to the rest of the state. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the dominant language, with only 7.5% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure, and very few residents speak little or no English.
A large number of people report no religion, accounting for 43.7% of the population. This is well above the national average and has risen by 23 points since 2011.
Qualifications have risen since 2011, with 23% of adults now holding a bachelor degree or higher. While the region has many schools, the rate of people completing Year 12 is well below the state average.
Typical family income is about $2,129 a week, which is roughly the same as the national figure. Higher earners are more common here than in many similar areas, and the number of households earning over $3,000 a week has risen significantly since 2011.
Health challenges are much more common here than in most areas, with 34.2% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are particularly prevalent, affecting 12.2% of residents.
More people provide unpaid care or look after children than in most similar areas. A higher-than-usual proportion of the community has served in the Defence Force.
The region has one of the largest First Nations populations at this level. Personal and household incomes for First Nations people are a little above the national figures, and the unemployment rate is slightly lower.
Families tend to be larger than usual, with 2.5 people per home. There is also a higher rate of one-parent families compared to most other areas.
Detached houses are very common, far exceeding the state average. While 33.8% of homes are owned outright, typical weekly rents have risen by $125 since 2011 to reach $390.
Cars are the primary way to get around, though working from home has surged to 21.8% since 2011. Despite the reliance on cars, there are more public transport stops per person than in most similar areas.
The population is relatively stable, with 39.4% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 13.6% of the community.
Health care and social assistance is the biggest employer. While more adults are working or looking for work than in many similar areas, full-time employment has fallen slightly since 2011.
The population continues to grow, with an estimated 5.4% increase since 2021, which is about the same as the state average.
The area is much wetter than most of New South Wales, receiving far more annual rainfall. Temperatures are typical for the region.
Most homes are within a short walk of public transport and parks, making the area very walkable. However, far fewer residents are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services compared to the state average.