Newcastle: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Newcastle: The median total income of residents of the City of Newcastle who had income was $61,846 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 9th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Newcastle: 1,867 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Newcastle in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.43 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Newcastle: 57.8% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 15th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Newcastle: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Newcastle was $400 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 9th highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Newcastle?
The City of Newcastle had an estimated 178,935 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 9th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Newcastle local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Newcastle growing?
The population of the City of Newcastle grew by 1,947 people (1.1%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 176,988 to 178,935; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Newcastle grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Newcastle rose 6.4%, from 168,242 to 178,935, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Newcastle in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Newcastle had net overseas migration of +1,698 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -185 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Newcastle?
The City of Newcastle covers 187 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 958 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Newcastle?
The median age of residents of the City of Newcastle was 36.6 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Newcastle?
The 2021 Census counted 66,129 households in the City of Newcastle, with an average of 2.4 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Newcastle were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 14.8% of residents of the City of Newcastle were born overseas, below the national figure (27.6%), and 10.5% spoke a language other than English at home, below the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Newcastle?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Greater Darwin 159,284
- Bendigo 126,568
- Ballarat 122,661
- Albury-Wodonga 102,435
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.