🔍

Salt Ash

NSW 2318 • Rest of NSW

1,103
Population (2021)
$75,972
Median Household Income
51.30 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
RuralCoastalRetireesAffordable

About Salt Ash

Salt Ash is a rural suburb in the Port Stephens local government area, situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales approximately 35 kilometres north of Newcastle. With a population of around 1,103, the suburb is located on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay and is largely undeveloped due to the presence of the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range, operated by RAAF Base Williamtown. The area spans over 51 square kilometres of farmland, bushland, and wetlands adjacent to Port Stephens.

Salt Ash attracts residents seeking a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle with coastal proximity. The suburb has a median age of 46, reflecting its appeal to established households and semi-retirees who value the peaceful environment and relatively affordable property prices – with median weekly rents around $310. While the suburb lacks a town centre, residents are a short drive from the Nelson Bay marina, Williamtown services, and Newcastle for shopping and employment.

Salt Ash falls under postcode 2318 and is governed by Port Stephens Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Stephens electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2318
Urban Area
Port Stephens - Surrounds
LGA / Council
Port Stephens
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Port Stephens
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.79°, 151.92°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
51.30 km²
Elevation
2m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$905K
14 sales · ▼ 17% 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)
$1,950
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
46 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Broadmeadow Station
32 km
N/A – drive

Bus Services

  • 130 — Nelson Bay / Newcastle 45–60 min to Newcastle interchange

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
35 km
By Train
N/A (no direct train; bus to Newcastle interchange ~45 min)
By Car (Peak)
40–50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30–35 min

🛣️ Primarily car-dependent; Nelson Bay Road (B84) is the main arterial route

Walkability Car-Dependent

Very limited footpaths and no local shops; a car is essential for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
164.8 / 100k
2yr Down 30.1% 10yr Down 11.1%
Motor vehicle theft
197.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
353.6 / 100k
2yr Down 22.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
8.9 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
249.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 8.0%
View all 62 offence types for Port Stephens →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,128
Census 2021
1,103
▼ 2.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$27,560
Personal Income 2021
$31,720
▲ 15.1% 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
$31,720 / yr
$610/wk
Household
$75,972 / yr
$1461/wk
Family
$88,660 / yr
$1705/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 934
Born Overseas 95

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 37
  • 2. Philippines 8
  • 3. Germany 6
  • 4. Thailand 6
  • 5. New Zealand 5
  • 6. Malaysia 4
  • 7. Poland 3
  • 8. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 484
English 473
Irish 105
Scottish 96
Australian Aboriginal 75
German 44
Dutch 17
Italian 15
Polish 12
Chinese 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

797
Both parents born in Australia
125
Both parents born overseas
102
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.7%
No Religion
36.3%
Buddhism
1.5%
Islam
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
47 (4.3%)
5-14 years
148 (13.4%)
15-19 years
74 (6.7%)
20-24 years
62 (5.6%)
25-34 years
84 (7.6%)
35-44 years
123 (11.2%)
45-54 years
160 (14.5%)
55-64 years
179 (16.2%)
65-74 years
137 (12.4%)
75-84 years
77 (7.0%)
85+ years
17 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Salt Ash known for? +

Salt Ash is known for its rural character, proximity to the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range, and position on the main road between Newcastle and Nelson Bay. It's a quiet, largely undeveloped area popular with those seeking space and coastal access.

Is Salt Ash affected by RAAF noise? +

Yes, Salt Ash falls within the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) contours associated with RAAF Base Williamtown, which can affect property values and development approvals in parts of the suburb.

How far is Salt Ash from Newcastle? +

Salt Ash is approximately 35 kilometres north of Newcastle CBD, a drive of around 30–50 minutes depending on traffic via Nelson Bay Road.

What schools serve Salt Ash? +

Salt Ash Public School (Government Primary) is located within the suburb. Medowie and Raymond Terrace offer secondary schooling options for older students.

What is the average income in Salt Ash? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Salt Ash is about $610 per week (around $31,700 per year). The median household income is $1,461 per week and the median family income is $1,705 per week.

What is the median house price in Salt Ash? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $905,000, down 17% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Salt Ash? +

The median age in Salt Ash is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (179 residents, around 16%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Salt Ash a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Salt Ash is part of the Port Stephens 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.

What is the population of Salt Ash? +

Salt Ash had a population of 1,103 at the 2021 Census, down 2.2% from 1,128 in 2016.

How much is rent in Salt Ash? +

In Salt Ash, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,950 (2021 Census).