🔍

Cardiff

NSW 2285 • Rest of NSW

6,318
Population (2021)
$78,624
Median Household Income
5.16 km²
Area
$375/wk
Median Rent
EstablishedFamily-FriendlyCommuter BeltMid-Range

About Cardiff

Cardiff is a well-established residential suburb in the Lake Macquarie local government area, located approximately 130 kilometres north of Sydney and around 15 kilometres south-west of Newcastle's CBD. Home to around 6,318 residents across 5.2 square kilometres, it is a compact Major Urban locality with a median age of 38 and a median household income of $1,512 per week, broadly reflective of the Hunter Region's working and middle-class demographics. The suburb has a notably strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with around 365 residents identifying as Indigenous — one of the larger proportions in the Lake Macquarie area.

Cardiff is well-served by its own railway station on the Hunter Valley line, making it a practical choice for commuters travelling to Newcastle and the broader Hunter region. Residents enjoy access to local schools, shopping facilities, and sporting clubs, with the expansive Lake Macquarie — Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake — a short drive away offering boating, fishing, and waterfront recreation. The suburb's predominantly Australian-born community gives it a strong sense of local identity, while its mix of families and established residents reflects the steady, unpretentious character of the greater Lake Macquarie area.

Cardiff falls under postcode 2285 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lake Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2285
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Lake Macquarie
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.94°, 151.66°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
5.16 km²
Elevation
18m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$850K
106 sales · ▲ 8.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$665K
33 sales · ▲ 16.3% 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)
$375
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5%

64 state housing + 64 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW Bus routes — Sydney CBD or nearest regional centre Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
Check Transport for NSW for current train services
By Car (Peak)
390-520 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
260-325 min

🛣️ Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current public transport options.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Cardiff requires a car for most daily errands, though some local amenities may be accessible on foot.

🛒 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 Cardiff. 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
5,830
Census 2021
6,318
▲ 8.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,396
Personal Income 2021
$40,560
▲ 25.2% 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
$40,560 / yr
$780/wk
Household
$78,624 / yr
$1512/wk
Family
$99,268 / yr
$1909/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,432
Born Overseas 672

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 135
  • 2. New Zealand 69
  • 3. India 49
  • 4. Philippines 41
  • 5. Germany 35
  • 6. Italy 23
  • 7. United States 20
  • 8. Scotland 17
  • 9. Vietnam 17
  • 10. Thailand 15

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,738
English 2,588
Scottish 721
Irish 660
Australian Aboriginal 352
German 271
Italian 150
Welsh 82
Dutch 79
Filipino 73

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,410
Both parents born in Australia
843
Both parents born overseas
753
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.6%
No Religion
44.6%
Hinduism
0.8%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.5%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
396 (6.3%)
5-14 years
719 (11.4%)
15-19 years
339 (5.4%)
20-24 years
413 (6.5%)
25-34 years
968 (15.3%)
35-44 years
898 (14.2%)
45-54 years
749 (11.9%)
55-64 years
665 (10.5%)
65-74 years
601 (9.5%)
75-84 years
436 (6.9%)
85+ years
137 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cardiff known for? +

Cardiff is well-served by its own railway station on the Hunter Valley line, making it a practical choice for commuters travelling to Newcastle and the broader Hunter region.

How far is Cardiff from Sydney CBD? +

Cardiff is located in NSW 2285. For specific distances to the CBD, refer to local mapping services.

Does Cardiff have public transport? +

Public transport options vary. Check Transport for NSW (transportnsw.info) for current routes and timetables.

What is the population of Cardiff? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cardiff has a population of 6,318 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Cardiff a good place to live? +

Cardiff is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Residents enjoy access to local schools, shopping facilities, and sporting clubs, with the expansive Lake Macquarie — Australia's largest coastal saltwater lake — a short drive away offering boating, fishing, and waterfront recreation.

What is the postcode for Cardiff? +

The postcode for Cardiff is 2285. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Cardiff? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cardiff is about $780 per week (around $40,600 per year). The median household income is $1,512 per week and the median family income is $1,909 per week.

What is the median house price in Cardiff? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $850,000, up 8.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $665,000, up 16.3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Cardiff? +

The median age in Cardiff is 38. The largest age group is 25–34 (968 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cardiff a safe area? +

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

In Cardiff, the median weekly rent is $375, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).