Killingworth
NSW 2278 • New South Wales
About Killingworth
Killingworth is a small historic town located approximately 23 kilometres west of Newcastle in the City of Lake Macquarie local government area of New South Wales. With a 2021 Census population of 690 residents across 219 dwellings, it is one of the smaller communities in the Greater Newcastle region, set amid forested bushland on the western fringe of Lake Macquarie. The town's origins lie in coal mining, which underpinned the settlement from its establishment in 1892 through to the industry's decline in the 1960s.
Killingworth's coal mining heritage has shaped its quiet residential character, with bushland surrounds that appeal to those seeking a semi-rural lifestyle within commuting distance of Newcastle. The Sydney–Newcastle Freeway passes nearby, providing relatively straightforward access to Newcastle's city centre and Lake Macquarie's broader network of shops, schools, and services. The town suits families and tradespeople who value affordable housing in a peaceful bushland setting, with the natural appeal of the Lake Macquarie area close at hand.
Killingworth falls under postcode 2278 and is governed by the Lake Macquarie Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Hunter, while state elections fall under the Lake Macquarie electorate.
Location
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Property Prices 2025
Median sale prices in Killingworth 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.
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 2278
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2278, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2278; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- Local Lake Macquarie bus services — Newcastle / Lake Macquarie centres 30–45 min
Commute to Newcastle CBD
🛣️ Sydney–Newcastle Freeway provides access north to Newcastle and south toward Sydney; relatively car-dependent location
Very limited local services in Killingworth; car is essential for shopping, schools, and most daily needs
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Barnsley Public School ICSEA 9504953 2976 Cliffbrook St
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Wakefield School ICSEA 8694953 4072 School Rd
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Killingworth. 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)