🔍

Dudley

NSW 2290 • Rest of NSW

2,505
Population (2021)
$129,324
Median Household Income
5.46 km²
Area
$420/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideFamily-FriendlyEstablished

About Dudley

Dudley is a coastal suburb situated on the southern shores of Lake Macquarie City, approximately 10 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD. With a population of 2,505 residents, the suburb occupies a compact 5.5 square kilometre area at an elevation of around 99 metres, with slopes leading down to its prized stretch of coastline. Median household incomes sit comfortably above state averages at around $2,487 per week, and a median age of 39 reflects an established, predominantly Australian and Anglo-Celtic community.

Dudley is best known for Dudley Beach, a rugged surf beach popular with locals and Newcastle visitors seeking a quieter alternative to more crowded stretches of coastline. The suburb has a relaxed, beachside character with modest residential housing and is served by bus routes connecting to Newcastle and surrounding suburbs. Families are well catered for by schools in nearby Whitebridge and Kotara, while Blacksmiths Beach and Caves Beach are short drives away for additional coastal recreation.

Dudley falls under postcode 2290 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Charlestown electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2290
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Charlestown
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.99°, 151.72°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
5.46 km²
Elevation
99m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kotara
4.5 km
N/A (drive)
Glendale
5.5 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Route 362, 363 — Newcastle City (Interchange) 30-40 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
No direct train; bus to Kotara then train, approx 40-50 min total
By Car (Peak)
20-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15-20 min

🛣️ Nearest rail at Kotara or Glendale stations; bus services connect to Newcastle

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; limited local shops and services within walking distance

🛒 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 Dudley. 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)

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$420
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,324
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,414
Census 2021
2,505
▲ 3.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$41,236
Personal Income 2021
$55,900
▲ 35.6% 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
$55,900 / yr
$1075/wk
Household
$129,324 / yr
$2487/wk
Family
$152,100 / yr
$2925/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,217
Born Overseas 229

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 65
  • 2. United States 16
  • 3. South Africa 15
  • 4. Canada 13
  • 5. Germany 13
  • 6. New Zealand 10
  • 7. Italy 8
  • 8. Scotland 8
  • 9. Philippines 7
  • 10. Hong Kong 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,147
English 1,129
Scottish 348
Irish 343
German 120
Australian Aboriginal 95
Dutch 46
Italian 46
Welsh 39
Polish 38

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,863
Both parents born in Australia
264
Both parents born overseas
318
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.3%
Christianity
42.6%
Buddhism
0.9%
Judaism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
167 (6.7%)
5-14 years
396 (15.8%)
15-19 years
155 (6.2%)
20-24 years
112 (4.5%)
25-34 years
234 (9.3%)
35-44 years
339 (13.5%)
45-54 years
345 (13.8%)
55-64 years
299 (11.9%)
65-74 years
278 (11.1%)
75-84 years
122 (4.9%)
85+ years
56 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dudley known for? +

Dudley is best known for Dudley Beach, a rugged and scenic surf beach on the Tasman Sea coast. The suburb attracts beachgoers, surfers, and coastal walkers who appreciate its quieter, less-crowded feel compared to more central Newcastle beaches.

How far is Dudley from Newcastle CBD? +

Dudley is approximately 10 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD, making it a 15-30 minute drive depending on traffic conditions.

Does Dudley have public transport? +

Dudley is served by bus routes connecting to Newcastle and neighbouring suburbs. There is no train station in Dudley itself; the nearest rail stations are Kotara and Glendale, both approximately 4-6 kilometres away.

What is the population of Dudley? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dudley has a population of 2,505 residents. The community is well-established with a median age of 39 and predominantly Australian and English ancestry.

Is Dudley a good place to live? +

Dudley suits those seeking a coastal lifestyle with easy access to Newcastle. The suburb offers above-average household incomes, a quiet community atmosphere, and direct beach access, making it popular with families and those wanting a relaxed seaside setting.

What is the postcode for Dudley? +

The postcode for Dudley, NSW is 2290.