🔍

Blacksmiths

NSW 2281 • Rest of NSW

1,881
Population (2021)
$65,104
Median Household Income
1.95 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideAffordableRelaxedFamily-Friendly

About Blacksmiths

Blacksmiths is a coastal suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, situated 24 kilometres south of Newcastle and 138 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of approximately 1,881 at the 2021 census, it occupies 1.8 square kilometres between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean. The suburb is named after a blacksmith's shop that once operated near the channel connecting the lake to the sea. It has a relaxed beach community character with a mix of older homes and renovated properties.

Blacksmiths is a hidden gem for beach lovers, offering direct access to Blacksmiths Beach and proximity to the stunning Lake Macquarie foreshore. The Swansea Channel at the suburb's southern end is popular for fishing, kayaking, and boating. Residents enjoy a laid-back coastal lifestyle with local cafés, the nearby Swansea shopping precinct, and excellent surf breaks. The area attracts retirees, young families, and sea-changers seeking affordable coastal living within reach of Newcastle.

Blacksmiths falls under postcode 2281 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Swansea electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2281
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - East
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Swansea
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.07°, 151.65°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.95 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.34M
22 sales · ▲ 34% 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)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Belmont
3.5 km
42 mins

Bus Services

  • 259 — Belmont and Charlestown 15-20 mins
  • 263 — Swansea to Belmont 10 mins

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
24 km
By Bus
50-60 mins
By Car (Peak)
35-45 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 mins

🛣️ No direct train service. Bus connections via Belmont or Charlestown interchange to Newcastle. Most residents drive via the Pacific Highway.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Beach and foreshore walkable, but most shopping and services require a short drive to Swansea or Belmont.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Blacksmiths. 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
1,846
Census 2021
1,881
▲ 1.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$26,052
Personal Income 2021
$33,072
▲ 26.9% 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
$33,072 / yr
$636/wk
Household
$65,104 / yr
$1252/wk
Family
$92,716 / yr
$1783/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,682
Born Overseas 113

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 28
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. South Africa 11
  • 4. Philippines 9
  • 5. Germany 8
  • 6. South Korea 4
  • 7. Chile 3
  • 8. China 3
  • 9. Greece 3
  • 10. Mauritius 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 853
Australian 817
Scottish 219
Irish 209
Australian Aboriginal 133
German 69
Welsh 27
Italian 25
Dutch 22
Maori 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,456
Both parents born in Australia
157
Both parents born overseas
176
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.5%
No Religion
44.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
79 (4.2%)
5-14 years
173 (9.2%)
15-19 years
122 (6.5%)
20-24 years
104 (5.5%)
25-34 years
142 (7.5%)
35-44 years
176 (9.4%)
45-54 years
256 (13.6%)
55-64 years
308 (16.4%)
65-74 years
292 (15.5%)
75-84 years
171 (9.1%)
85+ years
62 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blacksmiths known for? +

Blacksmiths is a hidden gem for beach lovers, offering direct access to Blacksmiths Beach and proximity to the stunning Lake Macquarie foreshore.

How far is Blacksmiths from Sydney CBD? +

Blacksmiths is approximately 24 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 35-45 mins in peak hour and 25-30 mins off-peak.

Does Blacksmiths have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Belmont (3.5 km away, approximately 42 mins walk) on the Former station - now served by bus replacement. Bus services include 259, running to Belmont and Charlestown in approximately 15-20 mins.

What is the population of Blacksmiths? +

According to the 2021 Census, Blacksmiths has a population of 1,881 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Blacksmiths a good place to live? +

Blacksmiths is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. The Swansea Channel at the suburb's southern end is popular for fishing, kayaking, and boating.

What is the postcode for Blacksmiths? +

The postcode for Blacksmiths is 2281. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Blacksmiths? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Blacksmiths is about $636 per week (around $33,100 per year). The median household income is $1,252 per week and the median family income is $1,783 per week.

What is the median house price in Blacksmiths? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,340,000, up 34% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Blacksmiths? +

The median age in Blacksmiths is 50. The largest age group is 55–64 (308 residents, around 16%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 28% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Blacksmiths a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Blacksmiths 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 Blacksmiths? +

In Blacksmiths, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).