🔍

Kotara

NSW 2289 • Rest of NSW

3,980
Population (2021)
$108,004
Median Household Income
2.57 km²
Area
$460/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyShopping HubSuburbanWell-ConnectedEstablished

About Kotara

Kotara is a residential suburb in the City of Newcastle, New South Wales, located approximately 9 kilometres west-southwest of the Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 3,980, it serves as a key suburban hub in the lower Hunter region. The suburb has a median age of 39, reflecting a mix of young professionals, families, and retirees. Its central location between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie makes it a well-connected and practical place to live.

Kotara is best known for Westfield Kotara, a major regional shopping centre offering extensive retail, dining, and entertainment options. The suburb also features leafy residential streets, several parks including Kotara Park, and good access to local schools. It appeals to families and professionals seeking convenience without the hustle of inner-city living, with a strong community feel and proximity to beaches just 10 minutes away.

Kotara falls under postcode 2289 and is governed by Newcastle Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Charlestown electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2289
Urban Area
Throsby
LGA / Council
Newcastle
Federal Electorate
Newcastle
State Electorate
Charlestown
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.94°, 151.70°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
2.57 km²
Elevation
45m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$966K
80 sales · ▲ 5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$838K
26 sales · ▲ 3.4% 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)
$460
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

8 state housing + 10 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kotara
0.5 km
6 min
Adamstown
1.8 km
22 min
Broadmeadow
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 225, 226 — Newcastle Interchange via Lambton 20 min
  • 363 — Charlestown Square 10 min

Commute to Newcastle

Distance
9 km
By Train
15 min
By Bus
20–25 min
By Car (Peak)
15–20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12 min

🛣️ Kotara station provides direct rail access to Newcastle Interchange

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished by car, though Westfield Kotara and the train station are accessible on foot from many parts of the suburb.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Garden City S/C Cnr Northcott Drive & Park Avenue Kotara 2289 NSW
  • Woolworths
    89 Park Avenue Kotara 2289 NSW
  • ALDI
    30 Northcott Drive, Kotara NSW 2289

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
553 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
413.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.3%
Non-DV assault
677.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
30 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
961.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.2%
View all 62 offence types for Newcastle →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,929
Census 2021
3,980
▲ 1.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$37,544
Personal Income 2021
$48,204
▲ 28.4% 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
$48,204 / yr
$927/wk
Household
$108,004 / yr
$2077/wk
Family
$127,348 / yr
$2449/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,377
Born Overseas 489

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 110
  • 2. New Zealand 35
  • 3. United States 30
  • 4. China 27
  • 5. Nepal 20
  • 6. South Africa 20
  • 7. Scotland 19
  • 8. India 18
  • 9. Vietnam 18
  • 10. Germany 17

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,799
Australian 1,593
Scottish 527
Irish 491
German 187
Italian 133
Australian Aboriginal 126
Chinese 72
Macedonian 61
Dutch 52

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,692
Both parents born in Australia
632
Both parents born overseas
542
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.5%
Christianity
45.2%
Buddhism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.8%
Islam
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
231 (5.8%)
5-14 years
533 (13.4%)
15-19 years
275 (6.9%)
20-24 years
248 (6.2%)
25-34 years
498 (12.5%)
35-44 years
565 (14.2%)
45-54 years
575 (14.4%)
55-64 years
418 (10.5%)
65-74 years
275 (6.9%)
75-84 years
250 (6.3%)
85+ years
113 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kotara known for? +

Kotara is a residential suburb in the City of Newcastle, New South Wales, located approximately 9 kilometres west-southwest of the Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 3,980, it serves as a key suburban hub in the lower Hunter region.

How far is Kotara from Newcastle? +

Kotara is approximately 9 kilometres from Newcastle. The drive takes around 15–20 min during peak hour and 12 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 15 min.

Does Kotara have public transport? +

Kotara is served by Kotara station (0.5 km, approximately 6 min walk) on the Hunter Line (Newcastle Interchange–Maitland). Local bus services including 225, 226 also connect residents to Newcastle Interchange via Lambton.

What is the population of Kotara? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kotara has a population of approximately 3,980 residents.

Is Kotara a good place to live? +

Kotara is considered a good place for families, with a suburban setting and access to schools, parks, and local services. Its community character makes it appealing to households at various life stages.

What is the postcode for Kotara? +

The postcode for Kotara in NSW is 2289.

What is the average income in Kotara? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kotara is about $927 per week (around $48,200 per year). The median household income is $2,077 per week and the median family income is $2,449 per week.

What is the median house price in Kotara? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $966,000, up 5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $837,500, up 3.4% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Kotara? +

The median age in Kotara is 39. The largest age group is 45–54 (575 residents, around 14%). Around 26% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kotara a safe area? +

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

In Kotara, the median weekly rent is $460, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).