🔍

Barnsley

NSW 2278 • Rest of NSW

1,735
Population (2021)
$92,768
Median Household Income
3.53 km²
Area
$360/wk
Median Rent
SuburbanFamily-FriendlyEstablishedCommuter BeltAffordable

About Barnsley

Barnsley is a compact residential suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, located in the northern part of the local government area approximately 20 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD. Covering just 3.5 square kilometres, the suburb had a population of 1,735 at the 2021 Census with a relatively young median age of 39 and a median household income of $1,784 per week, reflecting a predominantly working and middle-class family demographic. The suburb sits at a low elevation and is largely characterised by post-war and contemporary suburban housing.

Barnsley is a quiet, established suburb that suits families and workers seeking affordable housing close to Newcastle's employment corridors. Cardiff, the nearest commercial centre roughly 2 kilometres away, offers supermarkets, schools, and Cardiff railway station with direct services to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. The suburb itself is primarily residential with parks and local green space, and is well connected by bus routes to Cardiff and the broader Lake Macquarie network. Its central location between Newcastle and the lake's northern suburbs makes it a practical choice for commuters.

Barnsley falls under postcode 2278 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cessnock electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2278
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Hunter
State Electorate
Cessnock
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.93°, 151.59°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3.53 km²
Elevation
13m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Barnsley for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$755K
33 sales · ▼ 1% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$360
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.5%

0 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cardiff
2.2 km
27 min

Bus Services

  • Newcastle Transport bus routes — Cardiff and Newcastle Interchange 25-35 min to Newcastle

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
Approx. 25-30 min to Newcastle via Hunter Line (from Cardiff station)
By Car (Peak)
20-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15-20 min

🛣️ Cardiff station is the nearest rail access point; local buses connect to Cardiff. The New England Highway and Hunter Expressway provide road access.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Mostly residential with limited local shops; Cardiff provides the nearest services and rail access

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    Barnsley Public School ICSEA 950
    4953 2976 Cliffbrook St
    GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational
  • 🏫
    Wakefield School ICSEA 869
    4953 4072 School Rd
    GovernmentPrimary/Secondary CombinedCoedNon-Denominational

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Barnsley. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
Motor vehicle theft
229.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
376.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.1%
View all 62 offence types for Lake Macquarie →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,747
Census 2021
1,735
▼ 0.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,604
Personal Income 2021
$41,288
▲ 26.6% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$41,288 / yr
$794/wk
Household
$92,768 / yr
$1784/wk
Family
$105,040 / yr
$2020/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,605
Born Overseas 92

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 42
  • 2. New Zealand 14
  • 3. Scotland 5
  • 4. Canada 3
  • 5. Fiji 3
  • 6. Malaysia 3
  • 7. Philippines 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 826
English 811
Scottish 199
Irish 165
Australian Aboriginal 136
German 71
Dutch 34
Italian 27
Welsh 24
Polish 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,399
Both parents born in Australia
129
Both parents born overseas
163
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.9%
No Religion
43.7%
Buddhism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
99 (5.7%)
5-14 years
211 (12.2%)
15-19 years
106 (6.1%)
20-24 years
111 (6.4%)
25-34 years
240 (13.8%)
35-44 years
228 (13.1%)
45-54 years
226 (13.0%)
55-64 years
247 (14.2%)
65-74 years
204 (11.8%)
75-84 years
54 (3.1%)
85+ years
14 (0.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barnsley known for? +

Barnsley is known as a quiet, affordable residential suburb within the City of Lake Macquarie, popular with families and workers commuting to Newcastle. It offers a suburban lifestyle with easy access to the commercial and transport hub of Cardiff.

How far is Barnsley from Newcastle? +

Barnsley is approximately 20 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD, typically a 20–35 minute drive in peak hours. Cardiff railway station, about 2 kilometres away, offers direct train services to Newcastle in around 25–30 minutes.

Does Barnsley have public transport? +

Barnsley is served by Newcastle Transport bus routes connecting to Cardiff, where the Cardiff railway station provides trains to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. There is no train station within Barnsley itself, making bus or car access to Cardiff the typical commute starting point.

What is the population of Barnsley? +

Barnsley had a population of 1,735 at the 2021 Census, broadly stable compared to 1,747 in 2016. It is a small, established suburb within the broader Lake Macquarie urban area.

Is Barnsley a good place to live? +

Barnsley is well-suited to families and commuters seeking affordable housing within reasonable distance of Newcastle. Its quiet streets, local parks, and proximity to Cardiff's services and rail connection make it a practical and low-key place to live.

What is the postcode for Barnsley? +

The postcode for Barnsley, New South Wales is 2278.

What is the average income in Barnsley? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Barnsley is about $794 per week (around $41,300 per year). The median household income is $1,784 per week and the median family income is $2,020 per week.

What is the median house price in Barnsley? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $755,000, down 1% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Barnsley? +

The median age in Barnsley is 39. The largest age group is 55–64 (247 residents, around 14%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Barnsley a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Barnsley is part of the Lake Macquarie LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Barnsley? +

In Barnsley, the median weekly rent is $360, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).