Paxton

NSW 2325 • Rest of NSW

1,215
Population (2021)
$87,984
Median Household Income
4.32 km²
Area
$345/wk
Median Rent
RuralMining TownFamily-FriendlyHunter ValleyHistoric

About Paxton

Paxton is a village in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, situated within the City of Cessnock local government area approximately 15 kilometres west of Cessnock and around 130 kilometres north of Sydney. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 1,215, with a notably young median age of 33 and a median household income of approximately $1,692 per week. The community has a meaningful Aboriginal presence — around 10 per cent of residents identify as Aboriginal — reflecting strong ties to the local Wonnarua Country. The village is classified as an urban locality and has close associations with the coal mining industry that shaped the Hunter Valley.

Paxton is situated near the Austar coal mine, which has historically been a key local employer and central to the village's working-class identity. Residents benefit from easy access to Cessnock's shops, schools, and services, while the Hunter Valley's world-famous vineyards and wine tourism precinct are just a short drive away. The village has a close-knit community character supported by local schools and sports facilities typical of smaller Hunter Region towns. Families are well-established here, with strong Australian and British ancestral heritage reflected in the community demographics.

Paxton falls under postcode 2325 and is governed by Cessnock Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cessnock electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2325
Urban Area
Cessnock - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.90°, 151.29°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.32 km²
Elevation
135m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$690K
37 sales · ▼ 7.4% 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)
$345
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,671
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
33 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Hunter Valley bus services — Cessnock / Maitland 20-40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
No direct train from Paxton; drive to Maitland (~35 km) then train to Sydney (~2 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min - 2 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min - 1 hr 50 min

🛣️ Car essential; Cessnock is the local service hub ~15 km away

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A rural village with limited local services; residents rely on a car to reach shops and services in Cessnock

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
344.6 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
559.5 / 100k
Non-DV assault
474.4 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
2.9 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
377.8 / 100k

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
942
Census 2021
1,215
29.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,196
Personal Income 2021
$37,960
39.6% 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
$37,960 / yr
$730/wk
Household
$87,984 / yr
$1692/wk
Family
$97,500 / yr
$1875/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,109
Born Overseas 62

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 16
  • 2. England 15
  • 3. Scotland 5
  • 4. Italy 4
  • 5. Philippines 4
  • 6. Germany 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 590
English 542
Irish 162
Scottish 144
Australian Aboriginal 120
German 55
Italian 21
Maltese 13
Welsh 12
Filipino 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

995
Both parents born in Australia
81
Both parents born overseas
88
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.1%
Christianity
44.9%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
96 (7.9%)
5-14 years
210 (17.3%)
15-19 years
68 (5.6%)
20-24 years
61 (5.0%)
25-34 years
186 (15.3%)
35-44 years
150 (12.3%)
45-54 years
157 (12.9%)
55-64 years
125 (10.3%)
65-74 years
107 (8.8%)
75-84 years
48 (4.0%)
85+ years
7 (0.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paxton known for? +

Paxton is a quiet Hunter Valley village known for its coal mining heritage, with the Austar coal mine located nearby. The village sits within the broader wine country of the Hunter Valley, placing it close to some of Australia's most celebrated wineries and tourist experiences.

How far is Paxton from Cessnock? +

Paxton is approximately 15 kilometres west of Cessnock, typically a 15–20 minute drive, making it well-connected to Cessnock's shops, schools, and services.

Does Paxton have public transport? +

Paxton has limited public transport options. There is no direct rail service to the village; the nearest train stations are at Maitland, around 35 kilometres away. Some regional bus services connect to Cessnock and the broader Hunter Region, but a car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Paxton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Paxton has a population of 1,215 residents, with a young median age of 33 and a significant Aboriginal community making up around 10 per cent of residents.

Is Paxton a good place to live? +

Paxton suits those looking for an affordable, rural lifestyle in the Hunter Valley, with the benefits of proximity to Cessnock's amenities and the region's famous wine country. It is well-suited to families and working residents with connections to the local mining and agricultural industries.

What is the postcode for Paxton? +

The postcode for Paxton, NSW is 2325, shared with the City of Cessnock area including Cessnock itself.

What is the average income in Paxton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Paxton is about $730 per week (around $38,000 per year). The median household income is $1,692 per week and the median family income is $1,875 per week.

What is the median house price in Paxton? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $690,000, down 7.4% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Paxton? +

The median age in Paxton is 33. The largest age group is 5–14 (210 residents, around 17%). Around 31% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Paxton a safe area? +

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

In Paxton, the median weekly rent is $345, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,671 (2021 Census).