Charlestown, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Charlestown NSW is 13,601 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Charlestown is $880 per week ($45,760 per year). Median rent in Charlestown is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Charlestown has a median age of 38 years, equal to the national median. Charlestown has a population density of 1,912 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Charlestown is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.8% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Charlestown is $2,000.

There were 274 recorded offences in Charlestown in 2025-26, a rate of 20 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (145 offences).

Population
13,601
Census 2021
Median income
$880/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$400/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
38years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Charlestown vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Charlestown is $880 a week, 15% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 667th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $400 a week, $15 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 21.8% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 38, 5 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureCharlestownTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$880/wk$765/wk +15%$766/wk
Household income$1,839/wk$1,704/wk +8%$1,637/wk
Rent$400/wk$385/wk +4%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,000/mo$1,965/mo +2%$1,733/mo
Median age3843 −5 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.8%22.6% −0.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Charlestown, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Charlestown Population

13,601 residents at the 2021 Census.

Charlestown Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$880/wk
$45,760 per year
Ranked 2,378 of 14,663
Median Rent
$400/wk
$1,733 per month
Ranked 1,854 of 14,663
Median Age
38years
Same as the national median
Mortgage
$2,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Charlestown Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,839/wk
Median rent $400/wk
Rent to income 21.8%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Charlestown against your income

About $7,969 a month
Median rent $400/wk
Left after rent $1,439/wk
Rent share 21.8%

Charlestown Schools

27
schools nearby
20
government
1002
avg ICSEA score
9,403
total students
St James' Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 334 students
1104
ICSEA
Belair Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 409 students
1103
ICSEA
St Joseph's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 361 students
1102
ICSEA
Dudley Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 245 students
1095
ICSEA
Kahibah Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 291 students
1076
ICSEA
Charlestown South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 235 students
1075
ICSEA
St Kevin's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 130 students
1071
ICSEA
Kotara South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 309 students
1069
ICSEA
Kotara High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,130 students
1066
ICSEA
St Mary's Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 989 students
1062
ICSEA
Garden Suburb Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 227 students
1045
ICSEA
Charlestown Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 234 students
1037
ICSEA
Charlestown East Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 319 students
1036
ICSEA
St Paul's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 294 students
1023
ICSEA
Whitebridge High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 915 students
1022
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 27 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Charlestown, with a map

Charlestown Map

Charlestown, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Charlestown, New South Wales: 32.9683°S, 151.6941°E

Charlestown Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (27)

People in Charlestown

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.0% (6,666) Female 51.0% (6,935)

Population Density

1,912
people per km²
13,601 people · 7.1 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,255
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.1%
New Zealand
1.0%
China
0.9%
India
0.7%
Philippines
0.5%
North Macedonia
0.5%
Scotland
0.4%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
0.9%
Macedonian
0.9%
Cantonese
0.7%
Italian
0.4%
Nepali
0.4%
Greek
0.4%
Korean
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
42.2%
Australian
39.9%
Scottish
13.0%
Irish
12.5%
German
4.5%
Australian Aboriginal
3.6%
Italian
3.1%
Chinese
2.5%
Macedonian
1.5%
Dutch
1.3%
Greek
1.1%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
44.8%
Catholic
19.7%
Anglican
12.7%
Not stated
4.4%
Uniting Church
3.5%
Christian (other)
2.8%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.1%
Eastern Orthodox
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

3.8%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.0% 4,977
Separated
3.4% 371
Divorced
9.6% 1,060
Widowed
5.8% 643
Never married
36.3% 4,013

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
43.0%
Couple: no children
27.7%
Couple: no children under 15
14.4%
One parent: no children under 15
7.9%
One parent: children under 15
6.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
26.1%
2 persons
34.8%
3 persons
15.2%
4 persons
16.1%
5 persons
5.5%
6+ persons
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Charlestown

Housing Tenure

Of the 5,302 occupied private dwellings in Charlestown at the 2021 Census, 26.2% were rented, 34.6% owned outright and 37.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.7% 38 dwellings
Owned outright
34.6% 1,832 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
37.4% 1,981 dwellings
Rented
26.2% 1,387 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 55 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
83.7%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
9.6%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
6.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.2%
2 bedrooms
18.7%
3 bedrooms
47.4%
4 bedrooms
23.6%
5 bedrooms
5.2%
6+ bedrooms
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.8%
$300-$449/mo
1.9%
$450-$599/mo
1.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.6%
$800-$999/mo
3.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
16.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
31.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
15.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
10.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
6.4%
1 vehicle
35.5%
2 vehicles
40.9%
3 vehicles
11.8%
4+ vehicles
5.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Charlestown

Employment

Employed full-time
39.5% 4,037 people
Employed part-time
24.2% 2,476 people
Unemployed
2.8% 284 people
Not in labour force
33.4% 3,416 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
34.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.6%
Clerical & Administrative
13.0%
Community & Personal Service
12.2%
Managers
11.8%
Sales Workers
4.2%
Labourers
4.1%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
0.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.9%
$400-$499/wk
6.5%
$500-$649/wk
3.5%
$650-$799/wk
5.9%
$800-$999/wk
6.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.8%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.5%
$4,000+/wk
10.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
6.9%
$1-$149/wk
4.0%
$150-$299/wk
5.2%
$300-$399/wk
3.6%
$400-$499/wk
4.1%
$500-$649/wk
3.8%
$650-$799/wk
9.5%
$800-$999/wk
10.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.3%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
11.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.7%
$3,500+/wk
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
68.7%
Did not go to work
20.6%
Car (passenger)
4.9%
Walked only
2.3%
Bus
1.2%
Truck
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Other
0.4%
Bicycle
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%
Train
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
60.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
27.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.9%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
35.3%
Bachelor Degree
31.8%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.5%
Postgraduate Degree
9.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.0%
Certificate I/II
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
20.7%
Engineering
15.7%
Health
15.2%
Society & Culture
13.2%
Education
10.2%
Architecture & Building
7.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.8%
Creative Arts
4.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.0%
Information Technology
2.6%
Agriculture & Environment
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
32.2%
Secondary: Government
20.6%
Pre-school
13.8%
Vocational Education
13.1%
Primary: Catholic
8.6%
Secondary: Catholic
6.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
2.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
90.9%
Has need for assistance
5.9%
Need for assistance not stated
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,484
Asthma
541
Arthritis
480
Heart disease
360
Diabetes
336
Lung condition
229
Cancer
200
Kidney disease
158
Stroke
132
Dementia
44

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.3% 1,421
Did not provide
86.7% 9,239

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
14.0% 1,493
Not a volunteer
86.0% 9,183

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 13
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 17
Previously served
3.1% 334
Never served
96.6% 10,359

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.7%
1 child
13.6%
2 children
31.8%
3 children
15.2%
4 children
5.1%
5+ children
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
46
1951: 1960
121
1961: 1970
179
1971: 1980
161
1981: 1990
188
1991: 2000
174
2001: 2010
357
2011: 2015
214
2016
89
2017
82
2018
60
2019
48
2020
20
2021
16

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

14.1%
moved in the last year
38.0%
moved in the last 5 years
3.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
66.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
11,190
Moved from NSW
1,331
Moved: same area (SA2)
329
Moved from overseas
61
Moved from VIC
32
Moved from QLD
30
Moved from WA
11
Moved from ACT
9
Moved from TAS
8
Moved from SA
6
Moved from NT
5

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.0%
5: 14 hours
32.2%
15: 29 hours
14.8%
30+ hours
8.5%
Did not do domestic work
22.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.0%
Step family: no other children
9.7%
Blended family: no other children
4.0%
Other couple: children only
0.6%
Intact family: other children present
0.4%
Step family: other children present
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Charlestown Crime Statistics

274 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
145
Other Against Property
33
Assault
28
Property Damage
21
Other Against Person
17
Drug Offences
14
Sexual Offences
12
Weapons
2
Homicide
1
Traffic
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Buronga
Income: $772/wk Rent: $203/wk $197/wk less rent
Moree
Income: $851/wk Rent: $230/wk $170/wk less rent
Leeton
Income: $763/wk Rent: $250/wk $150/wk less rent
Wagga Wagga
Income: $819/wk Rent: $295/wk $105/wk less rent
South Bathurst
Income: $723/wk Rent: $310/wk $90/wk less rent
North Tamworth
Income: $820/wk Rent: $310/wk $90/wk less rent
Jindera
Income: $858/wk Rent: $316/wk $84/wk less rent
Kootingal
Income: $760/wk Rent: $320/wk $80/wk less rent

Suburbs near Charlestown

The closest suburb to Charlestown is Kahibah, 1.8 km away.

Kahibah
1.8 km away · income $932/wk · rent $400/wk
Kotara South
1.9 km away · income $935/wk · rent $378/wk
Whitebridge
2.2 km away · income $933/wk · rent $410/wk
Gateshead
2.3 km away · income $611/wk · rent $300/wk
Adamstown Heights
2.6 km away · income $983/wk · rent $475/wk
Mount Hutton (NSW)
2.6 km away · income $710/wk · rent $395/wk

Compare Charlestown (NSW)

Frequently Asked Questions About Charlestown

What is the population of Charlestown NSW?

The population of Charlestown NSW is 13,601 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,912 people per km². Charlestown is ranked #339 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Charlestown?

The median personal income in Charlestown NSW is $880 per week, or $45,760 per year. The median household income is $1,839 per week. Family income is $2,255 per week. Charlestown is ranked #2,378 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Charlestown?

Median rent in Charlestown NSW is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Rent represents 21.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Charlestown ranks #1,854 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Charlestown?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Charlestown NSW is $2,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Charlestown?

The median age in Charlestown NSW is 38 years. This is equal to the national median age of 38 years.

Is Charlestown a good suburb to live in?

Charlestown is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 13,601. The median income is $880/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 10884. All dollar figures in AUD.