🔍

Paterson

NSW 2421 • New South Wales

960
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
41.39 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricRuralFamily-FriendlyNature

About Paterson

Paterson is a historic small township in the lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated 16 kilometres north of Maitland on the banks of the Paterson River within Dungog Shire and the City of Maitland. Established in 1833 and one of the oldest European settlements in the Hunter Valley, Paterson has retained much of its colonial-era character, with heritage buildings including the historic Paterson Post Office at the corner of Duke and King Streets forming a well-preserved streetscape. The township covers 41.4 square kilometres and recorded a population of around 960 at the 2021 census. The surrounding agricultural land supports dairy farming and beef cattle on the fertile Paterson River flats.

Paterson offers a tranquil rural village lifestyle steeped in colonial history, popular with Hunter Valley weekenders and retirees drawn to its quiet charm, historic buildings, boutique accommodation and the scenic Paterson River. The town's heritage precinct, riverside park and local pub make it a popular day-trip destination from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley wine country. Maitland (16 km south) provides rail connections on the Hunter Line to Newcastle and Sydney, along with a full range of urban services. Dungog (25 km north) is another historic township servicing the upper Paterson Valley. The Hunter Valley's celebrated wine regions and the spectacular Barrington Tops National Park are within reasonable driving distance.

Paterson falls under postcode 2421 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Upper Hunter electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2421
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Upper Hunter
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.60°, 151.54°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
41.39 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$943K
14 sales · ▲ 0.8% 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.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Maitland
16 km
Hunter Line – trains to Newcastle Interchange ~25 min, Sydney Central ~2.5 hrs
Metford
18 km
Hunter Line – trains to Newcastle Interchange ~20 min

Bus Services

  • Hunter Valley Bus Lines local routes — Maitland / Dungog ~25 min to Maitland

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
175 km
By Train
~3 hrs (drive to Maitland ~16 km, then Hunter Line to Sydney Central)
By Bus
~35 min to Maitland by local bus, then onward connections
By Car (Peak)
~2 hrs 10 min to Sydney via New England Highway and M1
By Car (Off-Peak)
~2 hrs

🛣️ Maitland (16 km south) provides the practical rail connection. Newcastle is approximately 40 km south-east. Paterson is a desirable rural-residential location for Newcastle/Hunter Valley commuters.

Walkability Car Dependent

Paterson village centre is compact and walkable for its size, with a pub, post office and limited local shops accessible on foot. However, most services require a car trip to Maitland. Scenic riverside walks are a local highlight.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    Paterson Public School ICSEA 1027
    4938 5114 Webbers Creek Rd
    GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational
  • 🏫
    Vacy Public School ICSEA 946
    4938 8153 786 Gresford Rd
    GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
960
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paterson known for? +

Paterson is a historic small township in the lower Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated 16 kilometres north of Maitland on the banks of the Paterson River within Dungog Shire and the City of Maitland.

How far is Paterson from Sydney CBD? +

Paterson is approximately 175 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around ~2 hrs 10 min to Sydney via New England Highway and M1 during peak hour and ~2 hrs off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately ~3 hrs (drive to Maitland ~16 km, then Hunter Line to Sydney Central).

Does Paterson have public transport? +

Paterson is served by Maitland station (16 km, approximately null walk) on the Hunter Line – trains to Newcastle Interchange ~25 min, Sydney Central ~2.5 hrs. Local bus services including Hunter Valley Bus Lines local routes also connect residents to Maitland / Dungog.

What is the population of Paterson? +

According to the 2021 Census, Paterson has a population of approximately 960 residents. It is a small community by Australian standards.

Is Paterson a good place to live? +

Paterson 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 Paterson? +

The postcode for Paterson in NSW is 2421.

What is the median house price in Paterson? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $942,500, up 0.8% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.