🔍

Karuah

NSW 2324 • Rest of NSW

1,618
Population (2021)
$55,172
Median Household Income
73.89 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
RuralWaterfrontAffordableRetirementHistoric

About Karuah

Karuah is a small town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated on the Pacific Highway approximately 52 kilometres northeast of Newcastle. With a population of around 1,400, it sits at the point where the Karuah River meets Port Stephens. The town has historically served as a rest stop for travellers heading north along the Pacific Highway. Its Indigenous heritage is significant, with the area traditionally belonging to the Worimi people.

Karuah offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle ideal for retirees and those seeking a peaceful semi-rural setting. The town is known for its oyster farming industry, with the Karuah River producing some of the region's finest Sydney Rock Oysters. Local amenities include a public school, general store, service station, and the Karuah RSL Club. Fishing and boating are popular pastimes, with easy access to the waterways of Port Stephens. The surrounding bushland provides opportunities for walking and birdwatching.

Karuah falls under postcode 2324 and is governed by Mid-Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Stephens electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2324
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mid-Coast
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Port Stephens
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.63°, 151.96°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
73.89 km²
Elevation
3m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$650K
33 sales · ▼ 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)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,444
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.8%

6 state housing + 12 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 130 — Newcastle to Tea Gardens via Karuah 30 mins to Raymond Terrace

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
192 km
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hours to Sydney
By Car (Off-Peak)
2-2.5 hours to Sydney

🛣️ Regional town — nearest major centre is Newcastle (52 km, ~40 min drive). No rail service.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre with basic amenities within walking distance; car needed for most services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Karuah, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Gundayne House Group
The Bucketts Way, Booral • SHR #00309
Tahlee Bible College
Tahlee Road, Carrington • SHR #00569

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
286.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
Motor vehicle theft
215 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.8%
Non-DV assault
445.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
196.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.8%
View all 62 offence types for Mid-Coast →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,411
Census 2021
1,618
▲ 14.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,816
Personal Income 2021
$28,860
▲ 21.2% 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
$28,860 / yr
$555/wk
Household
$55,172 / yr
$1061/wk
Family
$71,344 / yr
$1372/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,308
Born Overseas 128

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 41
  • 2. New Zealand 18
  • 3. Scotland 16
  • 4. Germany 9
  • 5. Philippines 9
  • 6. Thailand 5
  • 7. Fiji 3
  • 8. Netherlands 3
  • 9. South Africa 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 720
English 621
Irish 186
Australian Aboriginal 184
Scottish 149
German 52
Filipino 19
Dutch 18
Welsh 17
Maltese 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,145
Both parents born in Australia
186
Both parents born overseas
141
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.9%
No Religion
35.8%
Buddhism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
90 (5.6%)
5-14 years
195 (12.1%)
15-19 years
79 (4.9%)
20-24 years
63 (3.9%)
25-34 years
162 (10.0%)
35-44 years
140 (8.7%)
45-54 years
183 (11.3%)
55-64 years
230 (14.2%)
65-74 years
304 (18.8%)
75-84 years
164 (10.1%)
85+ years
20 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Karuah known for? +

Karuah is a small town in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated on the Pacific Highway approximately 52 kilometres northeast of Newcastle. With a population of around 1,400, it sits at the point where the Karuah River meets Port Stephens.

How far is Karuah from Sydney CBD? +

Karuah is approximately 192 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 2.5-3 hours to Sydney during peak hour and 2-2.5 hours to Sydney off-peak.

Does Karuah have public transport? +

Karuah is served by bus routes (130) connecting to Newcastle to Tea Gardens via Karuah with a travel time of approximately 30 mins to Raymond Terrace. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Karuah? +

According to the 2021 Census, Karuah has a population of approximately 1,618 residents.

Is Karuah a good place to live? +

Karuah offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Karuah? +

The postcode for Karuah in NSW is 2324.

What is the average income in Karuah? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Karuah is about $555 per week (around $28,900 per year). The median household income is $1,061 per week and the median family income is $1,372 per week.

What is the median house price in Karuah? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $650,000, down 3% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Karuah? +

The median age in Karuah is 50. The largest age group is 65–74 (304 residents, around 19%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 30% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Karuah a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Karuah is part of the Mid-Coast 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 Karuah? +

In Karuah, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,444 (2021 Census).