🔍

Thornton

NSW 2322 • Rest of NSW

10,690
Population (2021)
$106,652
Median Household Income
16.61 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
Shopping CentreHunter RegionGrowing SuburbAffordable Housing

About Thornton

Thornton has grown rapidly as part of Maitland's expansion, about 160 kilometres north of Sydney in the Hunter Valley. This family suburb of roughly 10,700 residents features a major shopping centre and abundant new housing. The location between Maitland and Newcastle makes it a practical choice for Hunter region families.

Young families are drawn by affordable housing and comprehensive facilities - the shopping centre provides everything from supermarkets to entertainment. The community is still establishing its identity as development continues, but early residents appreciate the value and convenience. Schools have followed the population growth, serving the needs of a predominantly young family demographic.

Thornton falls under postcode 2322 and is governed by Maitland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Maitland electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2322
Urban Area
Maitland
LGA / Council
Maitland
Federal Electorate
Paterson
State Electorate
Maitland
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.79°, 151.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
16.61 km²
Elevation
6m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$826K
250 sales · ▲ 3.9% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$681K
32 sales · ▲ 19.5% 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)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,800
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
32 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.1%

73 state housing + 43 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD 381-508 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
127 km
By Train
Approximately 318 min to Sydney CBD (Central) by train
By Car (Peak)
2+ hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5+ hours

🛣️ Located 127 km north of Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Taylor Avenue & Thomas Cook Drive Thornton 2322 NSW

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
291.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 4.4%
Motor vehicle theft
302.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.5%
Non-DV assault
461.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
11.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
489 / 100k
2yr Down 15.6% 10yr Down 6.2%
View all 62 offence types for Maitland →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,062
Census 2021
10,690
▲ 32.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,504
Personal Income 2021
$46,124
▲ 26.4% 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
$46,124 / yr
$887/wk
Household
$106,652 / yr
$2051/wk
Family
$115,596 / yr
$2223/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 9,414
Born Overseas 1,033

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 191
  • 2. New Zealand 117
  • 3. India 87
  • 4. Philippines 59
  • 5. South Africa 59
  • 6. China 33
  • 7. Zimbabwe 29
  • 8. Taiwan 27
  • 9. Scotland 25
  • 10. Germany 24

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 4,946
English 4,544
Scottish 1,077
Irish 981
Australian Aboriginal 723
German 448
Italian 206
Dutch 144
Chinese 123
Filipino 117

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

7,913
Both parents born in Australia
1,332
Both parents born overseas
1,153
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.3%
No Religion
40.4%
Islam
0.9%
Hinduism
0.7%
Buddhism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.4%
Judaism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
828 (7.7%)
5-14 years
1,481 (13.9%)
15-19 years
674 (6.3%)
20-24 years
854 (8.0%)
25-34 years
1,894 (17.7%)
35-44 years
1,390 (13.0%)
45-54 years
1,286 (12.0%)
55-64 years
1,180 (11.0%)
65-74 years
740 (6.9%)
75-84 years
293 (2.7%)
85+ years
65 (0.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thornton known for? +

Thornton is a well-established residential suburb in Maitland, NSW, known for its mix of housing types, local schools, and community facilities. The suburb has a population of approximately 10,690 residents and forms part of the broader Rest of NSW region.

How far is Thornton from Sydney CBD? +

Thornton is approximately 127 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 1.5+ hours drive under normal traffic conditions. The suburb is a significant distance from the city and is oriented towards its local regional centre rather than the capital CBD.

Does Thornton have public transport? +

Thornton is served by local bus services connecting residents to the broader metropolitan network. The nearest train station provides connections to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Thornton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thornton has a population of approximately 10,690 residents. The suburb is a significant residential area within the Maitland district.

Is Thornton a good place to live? +

Thornton appeals to families, professionals, and established residents who value its range of local amenities, schools, and community facilities. With a median taxable income of around $51,855, it attracts a mix of household types. Like most NSW suburbs, lifestyle quality depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Thornton? +

The postcode for Thornton, NSW is 2322.

What is the average income in Thornton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Thornton is about $887 per week (around $46,100 per year). The median household income is $2,051 per week and the median family income is $2,223 per week.

What is the median house price in Thornton? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $826,000, up 3.9% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $681,250, up 19.5% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Thornton? +

The median age in Thornton is 32. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,894 residents, around 18%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 10% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Thornton a safe area? +

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

In Thornton, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,800 (2021 Census).