🔍

Stratford

NSW 2422 • New South Wales

161
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
36.69 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricQuietAgriculturalHinterland
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About Stratford

Stratford is a small rural locality in the Mid-Coast Council local government area of New South Wales, situated in the foothills of the Barrington Tops in the Hunter Region, approximately 14 kilometres south of Gloucester and 109 kilometres north of Newcastle. The locality sits within the state electorate of Upper Hunter and covers around 36.7 square kilometres of farming and bushland country, with a recorded population of approximately 161 at the 2021 Census. The area's median household income of around $34,000 reflects the modest, agricultural character of the community.

Stratford village itself is a compact settlement featuring a local park with a cricket pitch and playground, a New South Wales Rural Fire Service shed, a community hall, a church, a public school, and basic amenities including a general store. Stratford Railway Station — one of the few remaining small stations on the Main North line — serves the locality with limited rail connections to Newcastle and beyond. The village sits on one of the main access routes to Barrington Tops National Park, making it a transit point for bushwalkers, mountain bikers, and campers heading into one of NSW's premier alpine wilderness areas.

Stratford falls under postcode 2422 and is governed by the Mid-Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Lyne, while state elections fall under the Upper Hunter electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2422
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mid-Coast
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Upper Hunter
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.97°, 151.87°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
36.69 km²
Population Density
4 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2422

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2422, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$34,329
Median 2023–24
$41,701
▲ 21.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$53,614

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2422; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Stratford Station
0.1 km
2 min

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Gloucester and Taree 15-45 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
109 km
By Train
Limited Main North line services; approx. 2 hrs to Newcastle via request stop
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min - 1 hr 30 min via Pacific Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr - 1 hr 15 min via Pacific Highway

🛣️ Gloucester (14 km north) is the nearest town with supermarkets and medical services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A small rural village with minimal services; a car is essential for most daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
161
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
286.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
Motor vehicle theft
215 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.8%
Non-DV assault
445.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 1.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
196.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.8%
View all 62 offence types for Mid-Coast →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stratford known for? +

Stratford is known as a quiet farming community and a gateway to Barrington Tops National Park, one of NSW's premier alpine wilderness areas. The village retains a traditional rural character with a cricket ground, public school, and community hall.

How far is Stratford from Newcastle? +

Stratford is approximately 109 kilometres north of Newcastle, with a typical drive time of around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes via the Pacific Highway through Maitland and Gloucester.

Does Stratford have public transport? +

Stratford has a railway station on the Main North line, though services are limited and the station operates as a request stop. Some regional coach services connect the village to Gloucester and Taree.

What is the population of Stratford? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of approximately 161 people for the Stratford locality, reflecting its character as a small, sparsely populated farming district.

Is Stratford a good place to live? +

Stratford suits those seeking a genuinely rural lifestyle in a tight-knit community, with the added bonus of nearby access to Barrington Tops National Park for outdoor adventures. Residents will need to travel to Gloucester for most shopping and medical services.

What is the postcode for Stratford? +

The postcode for Stratford is 2422, shared with Gloucester and several surrounding localities in the Manning–Great Lakes region.

Is Stratford a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Stratford is part of the Mid-Coast 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.