🔍

Callaghan

NSW 2308 • Rest of NSW

1358
Population (2021)
$15,704
Median Personal Income
1.79 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
University TownYoung FamiliesHistoric

About Callaghan

Callaghan is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, located approximately 10 kilometres west-north-west of the Newcastle CBD, within the City of Newcastle local government area. With a population of 1,358 (2021 Census), Callaghan is best known as the home of the University of Newcastle, one of Australia's leading research universities. The suburb sits on elevated ground with significant bushland and wetland areas, giving it a greener character than many other Newcastle suburbs.

Life in Callaghan is shaped almost entirely by its identity as a university suburb. The University of Newcastle's main campus is a sprawling precinct with research facilities, student accommodation, cafés and sporting grounds. The resident population skews heavily young — the very low median household income reflects the predominance of full-time students. Bus services connect Callaghan to Newcastle CBD and surrounding suburbs. Bushwalking tracks and wetlands on the fringe of campus make it a surprisingly tranquil and nature-connected community for a suburban area.

Callaghan falls under postcode 2308 and is governed by Newcastle Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wallsend electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2308
Urban Area
Newcastle - Outer West
LGA / Council
Newcastle
Federal Electorate
Newcastle
State Electorate
Wallsend
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.89°, 151.71°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.79 km²
Elevation
27m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Warabrook Station
1.2 km
15 min

Bus Services

  • 110, 111, 112, 222 — Newcastle CBD / Interchange 20-30 min
  • 190 — Maitland 30 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
15-20 min from Warabrook Station
By Car (Peak)
20-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min

🛣️ University bus services run frequently during semester; Warabrook is the closest rail station

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Walkable within the university campus; car or bus needed to access off-campus amenities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
553 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
413.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.3%
Non-DV assault
677.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
30 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
961.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.2%
View all 62 offence types for Newcastle →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,326
Census 2021
1358
▲ 2.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$8,788
Personal Income 2021
$15,704
▲ 78.7% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 858
Born Overseas 139

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 13
  • 2. England 11
  • 3. Hong Kong 11
  • 4. Zimbabwe 11
  • 5. South Africa 10
  • 6. Malaysia 9
  • 7. China 8
  • 8. Philippines 8
  • 9. United States 6
  • 10. Iraq 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 475
English 387
Irish 154
Scottish 92
Chinese 51
German 42
Australian Aboriginal 37
Italian 25
Dutch 23
Indian 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

637
Both parents born in Australia
175
Both parents born overseas
166
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.3%
Christianity
23.3%
Hinduism
1.3%
Islam
1.3%
Buddhism
1.1%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
0 (0.0%)
5-14 years
0 (0.0%)
15-19 years
618 (45.5%)
20-24 years
707 (52.1%)
25-34 years
28 (2.1%)
35-44 years
4 (0.3%)
45-54 years
0 (0.0%)
55-64 years
0 (0.0%)
65-74 years
0 (0.0%)
75-84 years
0 (0.0%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Callaghan NSW known for? +

Callaghan is best known as the home of the University of Newcastle, one of Australia's top research universities, whose main campus dominates the suburb.

How do you get from Callaghan to Newcastle CBD? +

Frequent bus services (routes 110, 111, 112) connect Callaghan to Newcastle CBD in about 20–30 minutes. Warabrook Station on the Hunter Line is about 1.2km walk and offers train access.

Is Callaghan a good place to live? +

Callaghan suits students and staff of the University of Newcastle particularly well, thanks to its campus amenities and bush surroundings. It is quieter and less urbanised than Newcastle's inner suburbs.

What is the population of Callaghan? +

According to the 2021 Census, Callaghan has a population of approximately 1,358 people, predominantly students associated with the University of Newcastle.

What is the average income in Callaghan? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Callaghan is about $302 per week (around $15,700 per year)..

What is the age profile of Callaghan? +

The median age in Callaghan is 20. The largest age group is 20–24 (707 residents, around 52%). Around 46% of residents are under 20 and about 0% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Callaghan a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Callaghan is part of the Newcastle 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.