🔍

Pelaw Main

NSW 2327 • Rest of NSW

1,080
Population (2021)
$61,048
Median Household Income
9.27 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
Hunter ValleyAffordableQuietWine CountryFamily-Friendly

About Pelaw Main

Pelaw Main is a quiet residential suburb in the Cessnock local government area of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, located approximately 8 kilometres west of Cessnock and about 130 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of around 1,080, the suburb has a strong working-class heritage rooted in the region's coal-mining history, with the Pelaw Main Colliery having been a major employer in the early 20th century. Today it is a peaceful, low-density neighbourhood characterised by modest housing and large blocks.

Residents enjoy a relaxed lifestyle within easy reach of the Hunter Valley's world-famous wine country, with numerous cellar doors, vineyards, and gourmet food experiences a short drive away. Cessnock provides the main shopping and services, while Newcastle is accessible within an hour for major retail, medical, and employment. The area suits families and first-home buyers seeking affordable housing with a semi-rural feel close to the Hunter Valley's natural and tourism attractions.

Pelaw Main falls under postcode 2327 and is governed by Cessnock Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cessnock electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2327
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cessnock
Federal Electorate
Hunter
State Electorate
Cessnock
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.84°, 151.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
9.27 km²
Elevation
37m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$715K
16 sales · ▲ 6.7% 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)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,447
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.9%

5 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional bus to Cessnock — Cessnock town centre Approx 15–20 min
  • Hunter Valley Buses — Maitland / Newcastle Approx 1 hr to Newcastle

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
Drive to Maitland Station (~45 min), then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr). Total ~3.5 hr
By Bus
Limited; best via Cessnock to Maitland, then train
By Car (Peak)
Approx 1.5–2 hr to Newcastle; 2 hr to Sydney via M1
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 1.25 hr to Newcastle; 1.75 hr to Sydney via M1

🛣️ No train station in Cessnock LGA. Maitland is the nearest train station (~45 km). Car is the primary mode of transport. Newcastle CBD (~120 km) is the main employment and services hub.

Walkability Car Dependent

A car is essential for all daily needs. Limited footpaths and no local shops or services within walking distance. Residents drive to Cessnock or Kurri Kurri for amenities.

🛒 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 Pelaw Main. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
344.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.1%
Motor vehicle theft
559.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
474.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
377.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
View all 62 offence types for Cessnock →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,021
Census 2021
1,080
▲ 5.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,272
Personal Income 2021
$32,552
▲ 28.8% 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
$32,552 / yr
$626/wk
Household
$61,048 / yr
$1174/wk
Family
$83,824 / yr
$1612/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 993
Born Overseas 57

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 18
  • 2. Thailand 7
  • 3. New Zealand 5
  • 4. Germany 4
  • 5. Ireland 4
  • 6. Philippines 4
  • 7. Indonesia 3
  • 8. Scotland 3
  • 9. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 496
English 487
Scottish 130
Irish 123
Australian Aboriginal 118
German 40
Italian 30
Filipino 14
Maltese 9
New Zealander 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

882
Both parents born in Australia
75
Both parents born overseas
89
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.4%
No Religion
43.7%
Buddhism
1.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
54 (5.0%)
5-14 years
155 (14.4%)
15-19 years
63 (5.8%)
20-24 years
74 (6.9%)
25-34 years
139 (12.9%)
35-44 years
103 (9.5%)
45-54 years
150 (13.9%)
55-64 years
126 (11.7%)
65-74 years
142 (13.1%)
75-84 years
47 (4.4%)
85+ years
19 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pelaw Main known for? +

Pelaw Main is a quiet residential suburb in the Cessnock local government area of the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, located approximately 8 kilometres west of Cessnock and about 130 kilometres north of Sydney.

How far is Pelaw Main from Sydney CBD? +

Pelaw Main is approximately 130 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around Approx 1.5–2 hr to Newcastle; 2 hr to Sydney via M1 during peak hour and Approx 1.25 hr to Newcastle; 1.75 hr to Sydney via M1 off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately Drive to Maitland Station (~45 min), then train to Sydney (~2.5 hr). Total ~3.5 hr.

Does Pelaw Main have public transport? +

Pelaw Main is served by bus routes (Regional bus to Cessnock) connecting to Cessnock town centre with a travel time of approximately Approx 15–20 min. There is no train or metro station in the suburb.

What is the population of Pelaw Main? +

According to the 2021 Census, Pelaw Main has a population of approximately 1,080 residents.

Is Pelaw Main a good place to live? +

Pelaw Main 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 Pelaw Main? +

The postcode for Pelaw Main in NSW is 2327.

What is the average income in Pelaw Main? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Pelaw Main is about $626 per week (around $32,600 per year). The median household income is $1,174 per week and the median family income is $1,612 per week.

What is the median house price in Pelaw Main? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $715,000, up 6.7% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Pelaw Main? +

The median age in Pelaw Main is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (155 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 19% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Pelaw Main a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Pelaw Main 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 Pelaw Main? +

In Pelaw Main, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,447 (2021 Census).