🔍

Waratah West

NSW 2298 • Rest of NSW

3,142
Population (2021)
$78,936
Median Household Income
1.52 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
AffordableUniversity SuburbFamily-FriendlyGrowth Suburb

About Waratah West

Waratah West is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, located approximately 8 km west-northwest of the Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 3,100, the suburb has a young median age of 31, partly due to its proximity to the University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus. The community is culturally diverse with English, Australian and Chinese heritage well represented, and has a mix of long-term residents and students.

The suburb offers affordable housing by Newcastle standards, with a mix of older homes and some newer developments. Waratah West is close to schools, local parks, and the shops and services of nearby Waratah and Jesmond. The University of Newcastle and John Hunter Hospital are major nearby employers. It's popular with students, young professionals, and families seeking an accessible, well-connected location within Greater Newcastle.

Waratah West falls under postcode 2298 and is governed by Newcastle Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Wallsend electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2298
Urban Area
Throsby
LGA / Council
Newcastle
Federal Electorate
Newcastle
State Electorate
Wallsend
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-32.90°, 151.71°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.52 km²
Elevation
42m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$902K
45 sales · ▲ 12.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$721K
18 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)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,853
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
31 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.6%

83 state housing + 8 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Waratah
1 km
12 min
University
1.5 km
18 min
Kotara
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 225, 226 — Newcastle Interchange via Jesmond 20-25 min
  • 100 — Newcastle to University of Newcastle 15 min

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
8 km
By Train
15-20 min
By Bus
20-25 min
By Car (Peak)
15-20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Good rail access via Waratah station. Frequent buses to university and city centre.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some daily errands can be done on foot, especially near Waratah village. Good access to nearby schools and parks.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
553 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
413.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 5.3%
Non-DV assault
677.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
30 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
961.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.2%
View all 62 offence types for Newcastle →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,988
Census 2021
3,142
▲ 5.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,688
Personal Income 2021
$35,672
▲ 38.9% 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
$35,672 / yr
$686/wk
Household
$78,936 / yr
$1518/wk
Family
$100,776 / yr
$1938/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,429
Born Overseas 588

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 59
  • 2. China 43
  • 3. Vietnam 35
  • 4. India 28
  • 5. Pakistan 28
  • 6. Malaysia 24
  • 7. Bosnia & Herzegovina 17
  • 8. New Zealand 17
  • 9. Afghanistan 16
  • 10. Thailand 15

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,214
Australian 1,134
Irish 323
Scottish 317
Australian Aboriginal 227
German 141
Chinese 95
Italian 86
Dutch 52
Polish 42

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,924
Both parents born in Australia
695
Both parents born overseas
368
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.1%
Christianity
40.1%
Islam
3.8%
Buddhism
1.2%
Hinduism
1.1%
Sikhism
0.5%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
164 (5.2%)
5-14 years
267 (8.5%)
15-19 years
208 (6.6%)
20-24 years
424 (13.5%)
25-34 years
683 (21.7%)
35-44 years
365 (11.6%)
45-54 years
294 (9.4%)
55-64 years
275 (8.8%)
65-74 years
193 (6.1%)
75-84 years
180 (5.7%)
85+ years
103 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waratah West known for? +

Waratah West is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, located approximately 8 km west-northwest of the Newcastle CBD. With a population of around 3,100, the suburb has a young median age of 31, partly due to its proximity to the University of Newcastle's Callaghan campus.

How far is Waratah West from Sydney CBD? +

Waratah West is approximately 8 km from Newcastle CBD. By car, the journey takes around 10-15 min off-peak and 15-20 min during peak hours.

Does Waratah West have public transport? +

Waratah West is served by Waratah (1 km away) on the Hunter Line (Newcastle/Central Coast). Bus services also connect to Newcastle Interchange via Jesmond. The commute to Sydney CBD takes approximately 10-15 min by car.

What is the population of Waratah West? +

According to the 2021 Census, Waratah West has a population of approximately 3,142 residents. It is a mid-sized suburb within the Newcastle (City).

Is Waratah West a good place to live? +

Waratah West offers affordable housing options and practical suburban living, making it a good choice for first home buyers, families, and those on a budget who still want access to regional amenities.

What is the postcode for Waratah West? +

The postcode for Waratah West, NSW is 2298.

What is the average income in Waratah West? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Waratah West is about $686 per week (around $35,700 per year). The median household income is $1,518 per week and the median family income is $1,938 per week.

What is the median house price in Waratah West? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $902,000, up 12.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $720,500, up 21.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Waratah West? +

The median age in Waratah West is 31. The largest age group is 25–34 (683 residents, around 22%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Waratah West a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Waratah West is part of the Newcastle 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 Waratah West? +

In Waratah West, the median weekly rent is $390, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,853 (2021 Census).