🔍

Swansea

NSW 2281 • Rest of NSW

5,044
Population (2021)
$53,924
Median Household Income
4.87 km²
Area
$330/wk
Median Rent
CoastalLakesideLifestyleRetirement-FriendlyHoliday

About Swansea

Swansea is a lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, situated approximately 130 kilometres north of Sydney and 25 kilometres south of Newcastle. With a population of around 5,044, it serves as a local hub for the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie. The suburb sits at just 3 metres elevation, nestled between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean coast.

Swansea offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with lake and ocean beaches, a vibrant main street with cafes and shops, and a strong community feel. The Swansea Channel bridge connects the suburb to the northern shores of Lake Macquarie. It is popular with retirees, families, and holidaymakers drawn to its waterfront parks, fishing spots, and proximity to Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay. The suburb has a growing cafe culture and weekend markets.

Swansea falls under postcode 2281 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Swansea electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2281
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - East
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Swansea
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.09°, 151.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.87 km²
Elevation
3m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.04M
85 sales · ▲ 1% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$760K
32 sales · ▲ 21.6% 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)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,908
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.2%

102 state housing + 35 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Morisset
22 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line
Fassifern
18 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line

Bus Services

  • 274 — Belmont / Charlestown 25-35 min
  • 280, 281 — Newcastle via Belmont 60-75 min

Commute to Newcastle

Distance
25 km
By Bus
60-75 min
By Car (Peak)
35-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ No direct train access; bus via Belmont and Charlestown to Newcastle Interchange

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Main street shops and lake foreshore are walkable; outer areas require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Pacific Highway Swansea 2281 NSW
  • Woolworths
    18 Josephson Street Swansea 2281 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
216.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.6%
Motor vehicle theft
229.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
376.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
409.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.1%
View all 62 offence types for Lake Macquarie →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,058
Census 2021
5,044
▼ 0.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,960
Personal Income 2021
$29,588
▲ 18.5% 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
$29,588 / yr
$569/wk
Household
$53,924 / yr
$1037/wk
Family
$73,996 / yr
$1423/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,297
Born Overseas 457

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 159
  • 2. New Zealand 55
  • 3. Philippines 30
  • 4. Germany 16
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. Netherlands 14
  • 7. South Africa 14
  • 8. Indonesia 13
  • 9. Thailand 12
  • 10. Italy 10

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,395
Australian 2,049
Scottish 602
Irish 579
Australian Aboriginal 313
German 182
Italian 78
Welsh 61
Filipino 50
New Zealander 44

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,690
Both parents born in Australia
569
Both parents born overseas
512
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.2%
No Religion
40.6%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
213 (4.2%)
5-14 years
467 (9.3%)
15-19 years
230 (4.6%)
20-24 years
208 (4.1%)
25-34 years
427 (8.5%)
35-44 years
436 (8.6%)
45-54 years
677 (13.4%)
55-64 years
769 (15.2%)
65-74 years
779 (15.4%)
75-84 years
602 (11.9%)
85+ years
237 (4.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swansea known for? +

Swansea is a lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, situated approximately 130 kilometres north of Sydney and 25 kilometres south of Newcastle. With a population of around 5,044, it serves as a local hub for the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie.

How far is Swansea from Newcastle? +

Swansea is approximately 25 kilometres from Newcastle. The drive takes around 35-45 min during peak hour and 25-30 min off-peak.

Does Swansea have public transport? +

Swansea is served by Morisset station (22 km, approximately null walk) on the Central Coast & Newcastle Line. Local bus services including 274 also connect residents to Belmont / Charlestown.

What is the population of Swansea? +

According to the 2021 Census, Swansea has a population of approximately 5,044 residents.

Is Swansea a good place to live? +

Swansea is well-regarded for its coastal lifestyle, offering natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a relaxed community feel. It suits those who prioritise beach access and a quieter pace of life over proximity to a major city.

What is the postcode for Swansea? +

The postcode for Swansea in NSW is 2281.

What is the average income in Swansea? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Swansea is about $569 per week (around $29,600 per year). The median household income is $1,037 per week and the median family income is $1,423 per week.

What is the median house price in Swansea? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,040,000, up 1% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $760,000, up 21.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Swansea? +

The median age in Swansea is 53. The largest age group is 65–74 (779 residents, around 15%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Swansea a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Swansea is part of the Lake Macquarie 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 Swansea? +

In Swansea, the median weekly rent is $330, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,908 (2021 Census).