# Warabrook

Suburb / Locality · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Rest of NSW › Newcastle › 2304, NSW

Area: 1 km²

A much higher proportion of seniors live in Warabrook than in the rest of the country, with 26.1% of the population aged 65 and over. This Newcastle suburb is noticeably older than the national average, which helps explain why so many residents need help with daily activities. While it has a significant population of 1,982 people, the community is marked by a blend of high educational qualifications and a strong presence of overseas-born residents.

## Demographics & Identity

The typical resident is 45, making the area noticeably older than both the state and national figures. Children under 15 make up 14.0% of the population, which is well below the New South Wales average of 18.2%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 1,982 | -5.2% since 2011 |
| Median age | 45 yrs | +7.1% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 3.4% | +99.2% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 26.1% | +30.5% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 14.0% | -2.3% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 10.3% | +8.0% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Seniors (65+) 26.1%, Older adults (45–64) 24.8%, Young adults (25–44) 23.6%, Children (0–14) 14.0%, Youth (15–24) 11.3%

**Marital status** — Married 44.0%, Never married 34.7%, Divorced 9.8%, Widowed 9.7%, Separated 2.2%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

Overseas-born residents make up 21.0% of the community, a figure much higher than most similar areas, though still well below the state average of 29.3%. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Scottish, Irish, and Chinese.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 21.0% | +15.5% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 75.7%, China 3.3%, England 1.5%, Vietnam 1.5%, Philippines 1.4%, New Zealand 1.2%, India 0.9%, Italy 0.5%, South Africa 0.4%, Nepal 0.2%

**Ancestry** — Australian 37.6%, English 33.2%, Scottish 10.3%, Irish 9.3%, Chinese 7.4%, Italian 3.8%, German 3.1%, Filipino 1.9%, Vietnamese 1.5%, Indian 1.5%, Dutch 0.9%, Greek 0.7%

## Language

Language diversity is high, with 18.9% of people using a language other than English at home. This is much higher than in most similar areas, and 4.3% of residents speak little or no English.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 18.9% | +26.1% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 4.3% | +34.2% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 77.3%, Mandarin 4.4%, Vietnamese 2.1%, Cantonese 1.5%, Hindi 0.6%, Tagalog 0.5%, Punjabi 0.3%, Italian 0.2%

## Religion

About 33.8% of residents report no religion, which is about the same as the New South Wales figure. Over half the population, or 56.9%, identify as Christian.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 33.8% | +118.1% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — Christianity 56.9%, No religion 33.8%, Not stated 3.7%, Buddhism 2.1%, Hinduism 1.9%, Islam 1.6%, Judaism 0.2%, Other religions 0.2%

## Education & Qualifications

The area is well-qualified, with 23.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is much higher than most similar areas. However, Year 12 completion at 50.9% is well below the national figure of 58.8%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 50.9% | +22.9% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 23.2% | +29.9% since 2011 |
| Schools within 3 km | 25 | — |
| Average school size | 350 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,034 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 50.9%, Year 10 23.6%, Year 9 or below 14.3%, Year 11 4.5%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 25.4%, Certificate III / IV 25.4%, Advanced diploma / diploma 15.7%, Postgraduate degree 11.0%, Graduate diploma / certificate 2.4%, Certificate I / II 1.3%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 17.9%, Engineering & related 15.3%, Health 12.5%, Society & culture 12.5%, Education 7.6%, Food, hospitality & personal services 4.9%, Information technology 3.8%, Architecture & building 3.7%, Natural & physical sciences 3.3%, Creative arts 2.6%, Agriculture & environment 1.4%

## Income

Typical weekly household income is $1,634, which is a little below the national figure of $1,746. Personal incomes follow a similar trend, with the typical weekly amount of $747 sitting slightly below the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $747 | +39.4% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,634 | +32.5% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,909 | +24.6% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 8.8% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 18.9% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 31.6%, $650–$1,499 28.1%, Under $650 15.0%, $3,000–$3,999 10.8%, $4,000 or more 8.2%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 40.3%, $650–$1,499 30.6%, $1,500–$2,999 15.3%, $3,000 or more 2.0%

## Health & Disability

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 36.3% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is well above the national figure of 27.7%, and 14.8% of residents need help with daily activities.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 36.3% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 13.5% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 14.8% | +34.3% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Other condition 15.9%, Mental health 13.5%, Arthritis 12.0%, Asthma 9.6%, Diabetes 7.6%, Heart disease 6.1%, Cancer 4.2%, Dementia 3.2%, Lung condition 2.2%, Stroke 1.5%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 57.8%, One condition 21.2%, Two conditions 8.5%, Three or more 6.6%

## Community Participation

More people provide unpaid care here than in most areas, sitting 2.3 percentage points above the national figure. Additionally, 4.2% of residents have served in the Defence Force, which is higher than the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 12.1% | -17.6% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 14.2% | +17.3% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 23.7% | -2.5% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 4.2% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 18.6% | -8.1% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations residents in Warabrook earn more than those in most similar areas, with a typical personal income of $900. The unemployment rate for this group is 0.0%, which is far below the national figure of 12.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 68 | — |
| First Nations median age | 28 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 37.5% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 0.0% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $900 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,958 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 4.4% | — |

## Family & Households

One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas, making up 17.1% of households. People living alone also make up a higher share of the community than usual at 27.0%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.4 | -4.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 17.1% | +27.6% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 27.0% | +14.6% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 52.6%, Couples without children 28.8%, One-parent families 17.1%, Other families 1.7%

**Household size** — 2 people 35.6%, 1 person 27.0%, 3 people 17.7%, 4 people 12.5%, 5 people 5.0%, 6 or more 2.3%

## Housing & Dwellings

Homes here are typically larger, with 79.3% having three or more bedrooms, far above the state average. While 37.3% of homes are owned outright, the rental rate is 33.4%, which is much higher than in most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $375 | +36.4% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,790 | +5.1% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.70 | -36.4% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 33.4% | +9.9% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 37.3% | +6.0% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 69.9% | -14.8% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 79.3% | +1.5% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 37.3%, Rented 33.4%, Owned with a mortgage 27.0%, Other tenure 1.9%, Not stated 0.4%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 69.9%, Townhouse / semi-detached 26.7%, Flat or apartment 4.0%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 39.4%, 4 bedrooms 29.2%, 2 bedrooms 16.5%, 5 or more 10.8%, 1 bedroom 4.2%, Studio / none 0.4%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 51.4%, $200–$349 16.3%, Under $200 15.1%, $550–$749 7.3%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,800–$2,999 42.9%, $1,000–$1,799 30.8%, Under $1,000 16.7%, $3,000 or more 9.1%

## Transport & Vehicles

Public transport is highly accessible, with 14 stops in the area and 98.9% of homes within a 10-minute walk. Despite this, 55.8% of people still drive themselves to work.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 6.2% | +0.5% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 20.0% | +819.0% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 1.9% | -40.9% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 14 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 7.06 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 1,474.3 | — |
| Public transport routes | 3 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 5 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 103 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 55.8%, Worked at home 20.0%, Car (passenger) 3.1%, Walked 1.8%, Train 1.2%, Bus 0.7%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 38.7%, 2 vehicles 35.8%, 3 vehicles 13.1%, No vehicle 6.2%, 4 or more 5.5%

## Migration & Movement

The community is relatively mobile, with 36.4% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.5% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 36.4% | +4.4% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 12.5% | -38.6% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Fewer adults are working or looking for work here than in most areas, at 54.8%. The most common industry is health care and social assistance, employing 22.8% of the workforce.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | -15.1% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 54.8% | -3.4% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 54.5% | -13.5% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 22.8%, Retail trade 10.8%, Education & training 9.7%, Accommodation & food 7.2%, Public administration & safety 6.4%, Construction 6.1%, Transport & warehousing 5.4%, Professional & technical 5.3%, Manufacturing 4.9%, Other services 3.8%, Administrative & support 3.4%, Wholesale trade 2.9%, Finance & insurance 2.9%, Electricity, gas & water 1.8%, Media & telecommunications 1.5%, Mining 1.0%, Rental & real estate 0.8%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.3%, Arts & recreation 0.3%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 25.4%, Community & personal service 13.6%, Clerical & administrative 12.8%, Technicians & trades 12.0%, Sales workers 9.8%, Labourers 9.8%, Managers 9.5%, Machinery operators & drivers 5.9%

## Walkability

Warabrook is very walkable, with 95.9% of homes within a 15-minute walk of health services, far above the state figure of 57.1%. Most residents can also reach groceries and parks within a 15-minute walk.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 5.7 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 5.4 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 92.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 93.8% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 98.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 14.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 99.7% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 95.9% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 11.1 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 190 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 6.0% | — |

## Schools serving Warabrook

25 schools, 8,392 students, average ICSEA 1,034.

By sector: Government 14, Catholic 6, Independent 5

By type: Primary 12, Secondary 7, Combined 6

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mayfield West Public School | Government | Primary | 1.4 km | 342 |
| Waratah West Public School | Government | Primary | 1.5 km | 113 |
| Corpus Christi Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 1.9 km | 169 |
| Shortland Public School | Government | Primary | 2.0 km | 271 |
| Margaret Jurd College | Independent | Secondary | 2.1 km | 103 |
| Our Lady of Victories Primary School | Catholic | Primary | 2.1 km | 130 |
| Hunter Christian School | Independent | Combined | 2.1 km | 337 |
| Awabakal Environmental Education Centre | Government | Combined | 2.1 km | — |
| St Philip's Christian College - Waratah | Independent | Combined | 2.3 km | 1,466 |
| Waratah Public School | Government | Primary | 2.3 km | 351 |

## Nearby areas

[Mayfield West](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12546/mayfield-west) · [Callaghan](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10754/callaghan) · [Waratah West](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL14160/waratah-west) · [Sandgate](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13489/sandgate) · [Waratah](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL14159/waratah) · [North Lambton](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13004/north-lambton) · [Shortland](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13557/shortland) · [Birmingham Gardens](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10376/birmingham-gardens)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL14158/warabrook