Waratah, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Waratah NSW is 4,927 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Waratah is $785 per week ($40,820 per year). Median rent in Waratah is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Waratah has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Waratah has a population density of 2,574 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Waratah is England. The most common religion is No religion (39.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Nepali. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Waratah is $1,827.

There were 346 recorded offences in Waratah in 2025-26, a rate of 70 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was other against property (199 offences).

Population
4,927
Census 2021
Median income
$785/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$350/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
41years
Census 2021

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

Waratah vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Waratah is $785 a week, 3% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,005th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $350 a week, $35 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 23.2% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 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.
MeasureWaratahTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$785/wk$765/wk +3%$766/wk
Household income$1,511/wk$1,704/wk −11%$1,637/wk
Rent$350/wk$385/wk −9%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,827/mo$1,965/mo −7%$1,733/mo
Median age4143 −2 yrs42
Rent share of household income23.2%22.6% +0.6 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 Waratah, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Waratah Population

4,927 residents at the 2021 Census.

Waratah Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$785/wk
$40,820 per year
Ranked 3,839 of 14,663
Median Rent
$350/wk
$1,517 per month
Ranked 3,104 of 14,663
Median Age
41years
3 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,827/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Waratah Rent Prices & Affordability

23% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,511/wk
Median rent $350/wk
Rent to income 23.2%

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

Median rent in Waratah against your income

About $6,548 a month
Median rent $350/wk
Left after rent $1,161/wk
Rent share 23.2%

Waratah Schools

38
schools nearby
25
government
1033
avg ICSEA score
14,629
total students
Merewether High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,080 students
1206
ICSEA
Hamilton South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 362 students
1139
ICSEA
St Philip's Christian College - Waratah Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,466 students
1138
ICSEA
New Lambton Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 538 students
1108
ICSEA
Hamilton Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 306 students
1106
ICSEA
Tighes Hill Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 358 students
1104
ICSEA
St Therese's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 543 students
1100
ICSEA
St Francis Xavier's College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 959 students
1096
ICSEA
New Lambton South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 462 students
1095
ICSEA
Islington Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 159 students
1090
ICSEA
Corpus Christi Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 169 students
1085
ICSEA
Hunter School of Performing Arts Government
Combined · K-12 · 1,094 students
1085
ICSEA
St John's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 200 students
1083
ICSEA
Adamstown Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 439 students
1078
ICSEA
Lambton Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 339 students
1065
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 38 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 Waratah, with a map

Waratah Map

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

Waratah, New South Wales: 32.9048°S, 151.7249°E

Waratah Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (38)

People in Waratah

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.6% (2,297) Female 53.4% (2,632)

Population Density

2,574
people per km²
4,927 people · 1.9 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,090
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
1.8%
New Zealand
1.3%
Nepal
1.2%
Philippines
0.8%
India
0.7%
Italy
0.6%
China
0.6%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Nepali
1.2%
Mandarin
0.9%
Italian
0.7%
Filipino
0.4%
Spanish
0.4%
Arabic
0.4%
Greek
0.4%

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

Ancestry

English
36.5%
Australian
34.7%
Irish
13.1%
Scottish
10.4%
Australian Aboriginal
4.1%
German
3.9%
Italian
2.8%
Chinese
1.4%
Dutch
1.2%
Polish
1.1%
Filipino
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
39.0%
Catholic
20.0%
Not stated
11.8%
Anglican
11.1%
Christian (other)
2.9%
Uniting Church
2.3%
Islam
1.7%
Baptist
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

4.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
30.7% 1,330
Separated
3.6% 157
Divorced
11.5% 498
Widowed
11.5% 497
Never married
42.7% 1,851

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
35.7%
Couple: no children
31.3%
Couple: no children under 15
11.7%
One parent: children under 15
10.9%
One parent: no children under 15
10.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
35.7%
2 persons
34.6%
3 persons
14.9%
4 persons
9.9%
5 persons
3.8%
6+ persons
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Waratah

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,894 occupied private dwellings in Waratah at the 2021 Census, 46.4% were rented, 21.3% owned outright and 28.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.2% 41 dwellings
Owned outright
21.3% 403 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
28.1% 532 dwellings
Rented
46.4% 878 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.2% 41 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
76.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
14.1%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
11.7%
2 bedrooms
32.4%
3 bedrooms
42.5%
4 bedrooms
11.1%
5 bedrooms
1.8%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.7%
$300-$449/mo
1.4%
$450-$599/mo
1.6%
$600-$799/mo
5.1%
$800-$999/mo
4.1%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
19.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
28.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
8.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
12.1%
1 vehicle
41.6%
2 vehicles
33.2%
3 vehicles
8.8%
4+ vehicles
4.2%

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

Work, income and education in Waratah

Employment

Employed full-time
35.3% 1,298 people
Employed part-time
23.9% 878 people
Unemployed
3.3% 120 people
Not in labour force
37.5% 1,380 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
37.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.4%
Community & Personal Service
13.0%
Clerical & Administrative
11.9%
Managers
9.4%
Sales Workers
6.0%
Labourers
4.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
4.1%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.5%
$150-$299/wk
2.0%
$300-$399/wk
3.3%
$400-$499/wk
9.1%
$500-$649/wk
5.9%
$650-$799/wk
6.3%
$800-$999/wk
7.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.7%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.1%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.9%
$4,000+/wk
7.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
6.3%
$1-$149/wk
2.8%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
5.2%
$400-$499/wk
5.3%
$500-$649/wk
5.2%
$650-$799/wk
10.6%
$800-$999/wk
11.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.3%
$3,500+/wk
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
65.8%
Did not go to work
21.8%
Walked only
4.2%
Car (passenger)
4.0%
Bus
1.5%
Bicycle
1.0%
Truck
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Other
0.4%
Train
0.4%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
63.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
23.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
7.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.3%

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

Bachelor Degree
33.4%
Certificate III/IV
32.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
15.1%
Postgraduate Degree
11.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.3%
Certificate I/II
3.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
20.5%
Health
16.7%
Society & Culture
14.6%
Engineering
12.9%
Education
8.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.5%
Creative Arts
5.9%
Architecture & Building
4.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.8%
Information Technology
3.1%
Agriculture & Environment
2.2%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
23.6%
Vocational Education
18.7%
Secondary: Government
18.4%
Pre-school
11.2%
Primary: Catholic
11.2%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.2%
Secondary: Catholic
6.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.5%

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
78.3%
Has need for assistance
11.9%
Need for assistance not stated
9.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
743
Asthma
206
Arthritis
180
Diabetes
151
Heart disease
131
Lung condition
128
Dementia
94
Stroke
85
Kidney disease
68
Cancer
68

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
10.9% 417
Did not provide
89.1% 3,392

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.2% 505
Not a volunteer
86.8% 3,312

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.5% 18
Current ADF: Reserves
0.3% 10
Previously served
3.4% 129
Never served
95.9% 3,629

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
46.7%
1 child
14.0%
2 children
24.4%
3 children
10.4%
4 children
3.6%
5+ children
0.9%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
15
1951: 1960
42
1961: 1970
73
1971: 1980
51
1981: 1990
76
1991: 2000
63
2001: 2010
92
2011: 2015
114
2016
30
2017
54
2018
44
2019
30
2020
18
2021
7

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

Population Mobility

19.1%
moved in the last year
50.3%
moved in the last 5 years
4.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
56.6%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
3,485
Moved from NSW
642
Moved: same area (SA2)
78
Moved from overseas
42
Moved from QLD
9
Moved from TAS
9
Moved from VIC
9
Moved from SA
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.5%
5: 14 hours
30.5%
15: 29 hours
10.4%
30+ hours
5.6%
Did not do domestic work
31.0%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.3%
Step family: no other children
8.7%
Blended family: no other children
2.5%
Other couple: children only
1.7%
Intact family: other children present
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Waratah Crime Statistics

346 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Other Against Property
199
Traffic
44
Theft
36
Assault
18
Other Against Person
14
Drug Offences
14
Property Damage
11
Sexual Offences
7
Weapons
3

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Nyngan
Income: $770/wk Rent: $200/wk $150/wk less rent
Aberdeen (NSW)
Income: $716/wk Rent: $280/wk $70/wk less rent
Yoogali
Income: $871/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
Gulgong
Income: $650/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
Bathurst
Income: $753/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
East Kempsey
Income: $635/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
Tenambit
Income: $638/wk Rent: $345/wk $5/wk less rent
Lake Cargelligo
Income: $641/wk Rent: $170/wk $180/wk less rent

Suburbs near Waratah

The closest suburb to Waratah is Georgetown (NSW), 0.8 km away.

Georgetown (NSW)
0.8 km away · income $942/wk · rent $423/wk
Waratah West
1.3 km away · income $686/wk · rent $390/wk
Mayfield (Newcastle - NSW)
1.4 km away · income $805/wk · rent $375/wk
North Lambton
1.9 km away · income $762/wk · rent $400/wk
Lambton
2.0 km away · income $846/wk · rent $380/wk
Mayfield West
2.0 km away · income $808/wk · rent $370/wk

Compare Waratah (NSW)

Frequently Asked Questions About Waratah

What is the population of Waratah NSW?

The population of Waratah NSW is 4,927 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,574 people per km². Waratah is ranked #1,593 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Waratah?

The median personal income in Waratah NSW is $785 per week, or $40,820 per year. The median household income is $1,511 per week. Family income is $2,090 per week. Waratah is ranked #3,839 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Waratah?

Median rent in Waratah NSW is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Rent represents 23.2% of household income, which is considered affordable. Waratah ranks #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Waratah?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Waratah NSW is $1,827. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Waratah?

The median age in Waratah NSW is 41 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Waratah a good suburb to live in?

Waratah is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 4,927. The median income is $785/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (23.2% 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: 14159. All dollar figures in AUD.