🔍

Valentine

NSW 2280 • Rest of NSW

5,773
Population (2021)
$112,268
Median Household Income
4.91 km²
Area
$490/wk
Median Rent
LakesideFamily-FriendlyResidentialWaterfrontQuiet

About Valentine

Valentine is a residential suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, situated along the eastern shoreline of Lake Macquarie approximately 20 kilometres south-west of Newcastle's CBD. With a population of 5,773 and an area of around 4.9 square kilometres, it forms part of the Greater Newcastle region and shares a postcode with nearby Belmont and Floraville. The suburb takes its name from Henry Valentine Joseph Geary, a property speculator who owned land in the area in the early 20th century.

Valentine offers a comfortable lakeside lifestyle with easy access to the calm waters of Lake Macquarie for swimming, boating and fishing. The suburb has a local shopping strip with a butcher, post office, GP, petrol station, newsagent and bowling club. Its predominantly owner-occupied housing stock and family-oriented community attract young families and older residents alike, with strong Anglican and Catholic populations reflecting its established demographic character. The median household income of around ,159 per week signals a solidly middle-class suburb.

Valentine falls under postcode 2280 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Swansea electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2280
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - East
LGA / Council
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Swansea
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.02°, 151.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.91 km²
Elevation
45m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.19M
84 sales · ▲ 7.7% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$843K
16 sales · ▼ 2.6% 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)
$490
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,096
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
46 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Belmont Station (Bus Interchange)
3.5 km
Not walkable — drive/bus

Bus Services

  • 233, 234 — Charlestown Square / Westfield 20 min
  • 220 — Newcastle Interchange 45 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
20 km
By Train
No direct train — nearest station Cockle Creek (~10km); connect via bus
By Bus
45-55 min via bus to Newcastle Interchange
By Car (Peak)
30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Most residents drive; the Charlestown / Westfield retail hub is the main daily destination at around 8km

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

A local shopping strip provides basic daily needs on foot, but most major services, schools and employment centres require a car or bus. The lakefront foreshore is a pleasant walking and cycling area.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area, which contains Valentine. 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
5,516
Census 2021
5,773
▲ 4.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,764
Personal Income 2021
$47,008
▲ 27.9% 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
$47,008 / yr
$904/wk
Household
$112,268 / yr
$2159/wk
Family
$128,024 / yr
$2462/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,008
Born Overseas 638

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 187
  • 2. New Zealand 56
  • 3. South Africa 44
  • 4. Germany 37
  • 5. Scotland 33
  • 6. United States 27
  • 7. India 26
  • 8. China 14
  • 9. Malaysia 12
  • 10. Netherlands 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,786
Australian 2,408
Scottish 702
Irish 696
German 290
Australian Aboriginal 118
Dutch 104
Italian 98
Welsh 83
Chinese 68

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,107
Both parents born in Australia
839
Both parents born overseas
704
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.2%
No Religion
43.5%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.5%
Judaism
0.2%
Islam
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
265 (4.6%)
5-14 years
837 (14.5%)
15-19 years
364 (6.3%)
20-24 years
287 (5.0%)
25-34 years
398 (6.9%)
35-44 years
655 (11.3%)
45-54 years
813 (14.1%)
55-64 years
800 (13.9%)
65-74 years
767 (13.3%)
75-84 years
464 (8.0%)
85+ years
120 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Valentine known for? +

Valentine is known for its beautiful lakeside setting on the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie. The suburb is popular with boating enthusiasts, families, and retirees who enjoy fishing and water sports on Australia's largest coastal lake.

How far is Valentine from Newcastle? +

Valentine is approximately 20 kilometres south of Newcastle CBD, with a drive time of around 25-30 minutes via the Lake Macquarie road network.

Does Valentine have public transport? +

Valentine is served by local bus services connecting to Newcastle and other parts of the Lake Macquarie region. The nearest train stations are at Cardiff or Glendale, requiring a short bus or car journey.

What is the population of Valentine? +

According to the 2021 Census, Valentine has a population of approximately 5,773 residents within the City of Lake Macquarie local government area.

Is Valentine a good place to live? +

Valentine is a highly regarded lakeside suburb offering a relaxed lifestyle with outstanding water access. It is particularly suited to families, retirees, and those who enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in the calm waters of Lake Macquarie.

What is the postcode for Valentine? +

The postcode for Valentine is 2280.

What is the average income in Valentine? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Valentine is about $904 per week (around $47,000 per year). The median household income is $2,159 per week and the median family income is $2,462 per week.

What is the median house price in Valentine? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,185,000, up 7.7% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $842,500, down 2.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Valentine? +

The median age in Valentine is 46. The largest age group is 5–14 (837 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Valentine a safe area? +

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

In Valentine, the median weekly rent is $490, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,096 (2021 Census).