Cooks Hill
NSW 2300 • Rest of NSW
About Cooks Hill
Cooks Hill is a vibrant inner suburb of Newcastle, located approximately 1.5 kilometres south-west of the Newcastle city centre within the City of Newcastle local government area. Covering just 0.72 square kilometres at low elevation, the suburb had a 2021 population of 3,774 with a notably young demographic — a median age of 35 and a strong concentration of residents aged 20–34. The suburb's character is shaped by its density, affordability relative to Sydney, and a significant social housing component of around 14% of dwellings, reflecting Newcastle's diverse inner-city mix.
Cooks Hill is best known for Darby Street, one of Newcastle's most loved strips of cafes, restaurants, independent boutiques, and bars — a hub of the city's creative and foodie scene, anchored by the iconic Harris Farm Markets. The suburb attracts students, young professionals, and arts community members who value the walkable, urban lifestyle and proximity to Newcastle's beaches, galleries, and cultural venues. Heritage landmark St John's Church on Parry Street is a touchstone of the suburb's long history. The Newcastle Interchange provides intercity train access to Sydney, while Newcastle's light rail connects the broader inner-city precinct, making Cooks Hill one of the more transit-accessible suburbs in the region.
Cooks Hill falls under postcode 2300 and is governed by Newcastle Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Newcastle electorate.
Featured In
Location
Property Prices 2025
Median sale prices in Cooks Hill for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.
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
240 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- Newcastle Transport local routes (King St / Darby St corridors) — Newcastle CBD and Hunter Street Mall 5-10 min
Commute to Newcastle CBD
🛣️ Very well connected to Newcastle inner city; Sydney commute by train approximately 3 hours from Newcastle Interchange
Darby Street precinct is highly walkable with cafes, restaurants, and shops within easy reach; close to Newcastle CBD and beaches
Supermarkets Nearby
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Harris Farm Markets227 Darby Street, Cooks Hill NSW 2300
Schools
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Crn Union St & Parkway Ave
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Newcastle East Public School ICSEA 1112Tyrrell St
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Cnr Church & Newcomen Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Cooks Hill, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest 2025 rates for the Newcastle Local Government Area, which contains Cooks Hill. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.
Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
2021 Census income breakdown
Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.
Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 120
- 2. New Zealand 48
- 3. United States 48
- 4. Germany 27
- 5. Philippines 26
- 6. Canada 25
- 7. South Africa 19
- 8. Scotland 17
- 9. India 12
- 10. China 11
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)