Economy, jobs and prices in Newcastle, Australia: official figures
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.
What is the median wage in Newcastle?
The median employee income in the City of Newcastle was $64,552 for the year 2022-23, 8th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Newcastle?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Newcastle was $1,127 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 13th highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Newcastle?
The unemployment rate in the City of Newcastle was 4.9% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), joint 13th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Newcastle?
63.9% of residents of the City of Newcastle aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 13th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Newcastle?
Of the 86,062 employed residents of the City of Newcastle at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were health care and social assistance (20.6%; 14.5% nationally), education and training (10.2%) and retail trade (8.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Newcastle?
16,296 businesses were registered in the City of Newcastle at 30 June 2025, which is 91 for every 1,000 residents (12th highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 58% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Newcastle in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Newcastle in 2024-25 covered 927 new dwellings (5.2 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $903 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Newcastle?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Newcastle in 2023-24 was $885,000, 13th highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $700,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Newcastle?
14.2% of occupied homes in the City of Newcastle were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 36.6% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Newcastle do not own a car?
8.3% of households in the City of Newcastle had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 9th highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Newcastle in 2024?
2,014 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Newcastle in 2024, 11.4 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Newcastle compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Newcastle ranks 19 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Brisbane | 5.0% |
| 17 | Toowoomba | 5.0% |
| 18 | Wollongong | 4.9% |
| 19 | Newcastle | 4.9% |
| 20 | Newcastle-Maitland | 4.8% |
| 21 | Central Coast | 4.7% |
| 22 | Greater Wollongong | 4.7% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Newcastle ranks 9 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
| 8 | Greater Sydney | $62,180 |
| 9 | Newcastle | $61,846 |
| 10 | Greater Brisbane | $59,968 |
| 11 | Greater Melbourne | $59,784 |
| 12 | Wollongong | $58,764 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Newcastle ranks 12 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Brisbane | 106 |
| 10 | Sunshine Coast | 103 |
| 11 | Toowoomba | 97 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 91 |
| 13 | Darwin | 90 |
| 14 | Greater Perth | 87 |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | 87 |
More on Newcastle: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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…)
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