NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Charlestown, 2290
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Charlestown is a well-connected established suburb in Lake Macquarie with everyday amenities close at hand. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 13,601
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $1,839
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 293 of 5,593
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 63.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 371 / 789 / 470
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $575
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $670
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 207
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 999
- Against the person
- 242
- Against property
- 550
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.1%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault162
- Fraud206
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment188
- Malicious Damage To Property201
- Steal From Retail Store455
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 1,037
- Charlestown East Public SchoolPrimary
- Charlestown Public SchoolPrimary
- Charlestown South Public SchoolPrimary
- Hillsborough Public SchoolPrimary
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
225 public transport stops in this suburb
- Charlestown Square, Pearson St, Stand A
- Charlestown Square, Pearson St, Stand B
- Pacific Hwy After Oxford St
- Pacific Hwy At Abrahams Lane
- Pacific Hwy Before Oxford St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksPacific Highway, Ridley Street29 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
590 planning-related records
2026· 40 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure57 KALEEN STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 KALEEN STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Demolition70 JAMES STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure98 WARATAH AVENUE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 KULLAROO ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool28 GARI STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure16A PATRICIA AVENUE CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Commercial development; Erection of a new structure27 DICKINSON STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure186 CHARLESTOWN ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 MCDONALD CRESCENT CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 GURRA PLACE CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure301 CHARLESTOWN ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure76 PACIFIC HIGHWAY CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences2 HIGHLAND CLOSE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences13 PARK STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah16 ALGONA ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 KEAL STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)71 TIRAL STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 GRIFFITHS STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool12 PARK STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise5 LINCOLN STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development1 ATTUNGA CLOSE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 LEES STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure186 CHARLESTOWN ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool2 SIMPSON CLOSE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah11 ELMORE STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 SHERBURN PLACE CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah202 51 DUDLEY ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah205 51 DUDLEY ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah204 51 DUDLEY ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah206 51 DUDLEY ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure13 BAIKIE CRESCENT CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation55 SMITH STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure3 PARK STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Business premises; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hours of operation and trading30 PEARSON STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure397 WARNERS BAY ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure12 PRINCES AVENUE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure41 ARNOLD STREET CHARLESTOWN 2290Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Carport303 CHARLESTOWN ROAD CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
February 2026
- Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia28 FRASER PARADE CHARLESTOWN 2290Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
138 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bicycle Parking
- Strike Bowling BarBowling Alley
- 64 Pacific HwyBus stop
- 65 E K AvBus stop
- Algona Rd Near Buwa StBus stop
- Bati St Near Tirriki StBus stop
- Bati St Opp Philipai StBus stop
- Bula St opp Central Charlestown Leagues ClubBus stop
- Buwa St Near Algona RdBus stop
- Buwa St Near Bati StBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Anniversary GrovePark
- Attunga ParkPark
- Charlestown OvalPark
- Mahraahkah ParkPark
- Twin Creeks ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 9
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Affordable Dental CharlestownPacific Highwaydentist
- CSCAN Radiologyclinic
- Charelstown Medical and Dental CentreCharlestown Roaddoctor
- Charlestown Health HubPacific Highwaydoctor
- Doctordoctor
- Doctordoctor
- Hunter Gynecologydoctor
- Pacific Smilesdentist
- Smith Street Medical Centre & Skin Cancer Clinicclinic
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 37
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 67.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 6% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 316th in Australia
- State rank
- 121st in NSW
- Peer rank
- #50 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #86 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 64 Pacific Hwyamenitiesbus_stop
- 65 E K Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Affordable Dental CharlestownamenitiesUnit 6 158 Pacific Highway, Charlestowndentist
- Aldiamenitiessupermarket
- Algona Rd Near Buwa Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Andy Bird Fieldamenitiespitch
- Bati St Near Tirriki Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bati St Opp Philipai Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Big WamenitiesCharlestowndepartment_store
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.