🔍

Kotara South

NSW 2289 • Rest of NSW

1,267
Population (2021)
$115,960
Median Household Income
0.58 km²
Area
$378/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlySuburbanAffordableWell-Connected

About Kotara South

Kotara South is a small, established residential suburb in the Lake Macquarie local government area, located 10 kilometres southwest of the Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 1,270, it's a compact neighbourhood that sits adjacent to the larger suburb of Kotara, which is a major retail hub for the region. The suburb features predominantly post-war housing on generous blocks, with a mix of original homes and modern renovations reflecting its growing appeal.

Residents benefit from the proximity to Westfield Kotara, one of the Hunter Region's largest shopping centres, just minutes away. The suburb offers a quiet residential feel while being well-connected to Newcastle's beaches, universities, and employment centres. Blackbutt Reserve, a popular bushland park, is nearby for walking and wildlife encounters. Kotara South attracts young families and first-home buyers who want convenient access to Newcastle's amenities at a more affordable price point than inner-city suburbs.

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

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2289
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - North
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Charlestown
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.95°, 151.69°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
0.58 km²
Elevation
57m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.07M
24 sales · ▼ 2.6% 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)
$378
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.6%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kotara
1.2 km
15 min
Adamstown
1.8 km
22 min

Bus Services

  • 14 — Kotara to Newcastle CBD via Adamstown 20-25 min
  • 25, 26 — Westfield Kotara to Charlestown and suburbs 15-20 min
  • 44 — Kotara to University of Newcastle (Callaghan) 25 min

Commute to Newcastle

Distance
10 km
By Train
15 min (from Kotara Station)
By Bus
20-25 min
By Car (Peak)
20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min

🛣️ Hunter Line trains run every 30 minutes; interchange at Newcastle for light rail to beaches

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Residential streets; Westfield Kotara accessible by foot from some parts; car helpful for most trips

🛒 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 Kotara South. 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)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,104
Census 2021
1,267
▲ 14.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$35,308
Personal Income 2021
$48,620
▲ 37.7% 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
$48,620 / yr
$935/wk
Household
$115,960 / yr
$2230/wk
Family
$136,344 / yr
$2622/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,108
Born Overseas 121

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 23
  • 2. South Africa 16
  • 3. New Zealand 7
  • 4. Scotland 7
  • 5. Canada 6
  • 6. Italy 6
  • 7. United States 6
  • 8. China 4
  • 9. Germany 4
  • 10. Greece 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 580
Australian 499
Irish 205
Scottish 169
Australian Aboriginal 58
German 47
Italian 41
Chinese 30
Dutch 26
Macedonian 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

888
Both parents born in Australia
169
Both parents born overseas
160
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.1%
No Religion
44.0%
Buddhism
1.3%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
82 (6.5%)
5-14 years
230 (18.2%)
15-19 years
86 (6.8%)
20-24 years
56 (4.4%)
25-34 years
132 (10.4%)
35-44 years
223 (17.6%)
45-54 years
169 (13.3%)
55-64 years
109 (8.6%)
65-74 years
75 (5.9%)
75-84 years
76 (6.0%)
85+ years
31 (2.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kotara South known for? +

Kotara South is a small, established residential suburb in the Lake Macquarie local government area, located 10 kilometres southwest of the Newcastle CBD.

How far is Kotara South from Newcastle? +

Kotara South is approximately 10 kilometres from Newcastle. The drive takes around 20 min during peak hour and 15 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 15 min (from Kotara Station).

Does Kotara South have public transport? +

Kotara South is served by Kotara station (1.2 km, approximately 15 min walk) on the Hunter Line (Newcastle to Maitland). Local bus services including 14 also connect residents to Kotara to Newcastle CBD via Adamstown.

What is the population of Kotara South? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kotara South has a population of approximately 1,267 residents.

Is Kotara South a good place to live? +

Kotara South 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 South? +

The postcode for Kotara South in NSW is 2289.

What is the average income in Kotara South? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kotara South is about $935 per week (around $48,600 per year). The median household income is $2,230 per week and the median family income is $2,622 per week.

What is the median house price in Kotara South? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,071,000, down 2.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Kotara South? +

The median age in Kotara South is 37. The largest age group is 5–14 (230 residents, around 18%). Around 31% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kotara South a safe area? +

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

In Kotara South, the median weekly rent is $378, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).