🔍

Cliftleigh

NSW 2321 • Rest of NSW

2,309
Population (2021)
$104,936
Median Household Income
4.29 km²
Area
$435/wk
Median Rent
Growth SuburbFamily-FriendlyAffordableNew DevelopmentHunter Region

About Cliftleigh

Cliftleigh is a rapidly growing residential suburb in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, located approximately 28 kilometres northwest of Newcastle and 10 kilometres south of Maitland within the Cessnock City local government area. The suburb had a population of around 2,300 at the 2021 census, having grown dramatically from under 900 in 2016 thanks to extensive new housing development. Established in the 1970s, the area has been transformed by master-planned estates offering modern family homes.

The suburb appeals strongly to young families and first-home buyers seeking affordable, brand-new housing within commuting distance of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. Cliftleigh Meadows estate is the main development, featuring parks, playgrounds, and tree-lined streets. While local amenities are still developing, residents access shops and services in nearby Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, and Maitland. The area sits between wine country and the Hunter expressway, offering a blend of semi-rural living and urban convenience.

Cliftleigh falls under postcode 2321 and is governed by Cessnock Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cessnock electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2321
Urban Area
Cessnock - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Cessnock
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Cessnock
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.79°, 151.52°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.29 km²
Elevation
19m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$775K
69 sales · ▲ 6.5% 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)
$435
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
27 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Maitland
10 km
N/A (drive)
Telarah
9 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Hunter Valley Buses 165 — Cessnock to Maitland via Cliftleigh 25 min to Maitland

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
28 km
By Train
50 min (drive to Maitland + train)
By Bus
N/A direct
By Car (Peak)
35-45 min via Hunter Expressway
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ Hunter Expressway provides fast car access to Newcastle. Most residents drive.

Walkability Car-Dependent

New estate has footpaths and parks but limited walkable destinations. Car essential for shopping and services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
344.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.1%
Motor vehicle theft
559.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
474.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
377.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
View all 62 offence types for Cessnock →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
888
Census 2021
2,309
▲ 160.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,176
Personal Income 2021
$48,724
▲ 46.9% 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
$48,724 / yr
$937/wk
Household
$104,936 / yr
$2018/wk
Family
$109,928 / yr
$2114/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,041
Born Overseas 205

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 58
  • 2. England 30
  • 3. India 17
  • 4. Scotland 10
  • 5. South Africa 10
  • 6. Germany 8
  • 7. Ireland 7
  • 8. Nepal 7
  • 9. New Zealand 7
  • 10. Sri Lanka 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,112
English 898
Australian Aboriginal 262
Scottish 234
Irish 151
Filipino 83
German 78
Italian 42
Dutch 31
Indian 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,746
Both parents born in Australia
265
Both parents born overseas
224
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.4%
Christianity
40.3%
Hinduism
0.9%
Islam
0.8%
Sikhism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
275 (11.9%)
5-14 years
370 (16.0%)
15-19 years
135 (5.8%)
20-24 years
196 (8.5%)
25-34 years
621 (26.9%)
35-44 years
307 (13.3%)
45-54 years
159 (6.9%)
55-64 years
116 (5.0%)
65-74 years
101 (4.4%)
75-84 years
27 (1.2%)
85+ years
10 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cliftleigh known for? +

The suburb appeals strongly to young families and first-home buyers seeking affordable, brand-new housing within commuting distance of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

How far is Cliftleigh from Sydney CBD? +

Cliftleigh is approximately 28 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately 35-45 min via Hunter Expressway in peak hour and 25-30 min off-peak.

Does Cliftleigh have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Maitland (10 km away, approximately N/A (drive) walk) on the Hunter Line (NSW TrainLink). Bus services include Hunter Valley Buses 165, running to Cessnock to Maitland via Cliftleigh in approximately 25 min to Maitland.

What is the population of Cliftleigh? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cliftleigh has a population of 2,309 residents. The suburb is part of the broader NSW metropolitan area.

Is Cliftleigh a good place to live? +

Cliftleigh is well-suited to families, offering a comfortable suburban lifestyle in NSW. Cliftleigh Meadows estate is the main development, featuring parks, playgrounds, and tree-lined streets.

What is the postcode for Cliftleigh? +

The postcode for Cliftleigh is 2321. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

What is the average income in Cliftleigh? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cliftleigh is about $937 per week (around $48,700 per year). The median household income is $2,018 per week and the median family income is $2,114 per week.

What is the median house price in Cliftleigh? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $775,000, up 6.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Cliftleigh? +

The median age in Cliftleigh is 27. The largest age group is 25–34 (621 residents, around 27%). Around 34% of residents are under 20 and about 6% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cliftleigh a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cliftleigh is part of the Cessnock 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 Cliftleigh? +

In Cliftleigh, the median weekly rent is $435, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).