NSW · Cessnock Council
Paxton, 2325
Current weather
17.2°CClear sky
58% humidity · 15 km/h wind · 21.7° / 14.5° today · 5.2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Paxton is a quieter smaller community in Cessnock, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.
A younger crowd gives the area energy, with plenty of young families in the mix. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice, and that is part of the charm. Transport options are solid enough for daily errands and regular trips further afield.
Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,215
- Median age
- 33
- Median household income / week
- $1,692
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 16 of 425
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,671
- Employment rate
- 56.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 34 / 0 / 0
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)
- $463
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $570
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 271
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)
- 130
- Against the person
- 41
- Against property
- 52
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 107
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 30 residents
- State safety percentile
- 75.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order198
- Breach Bail Conditions379
- Domestic Violence Related Assault299
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment371
- Malicious Damage To Property332
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 926
- Paxton Public 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
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- Main St At Sawyer St
- Middle Rd After Dunlop Dr
- Middle Rd At Redgum Rd
- Millfield Rd After Earps Rd
- Sawyer St At McDonalds Av
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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
161 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool14A ANDERSON AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure11 MCDONALD AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
February 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure24 FRANCES STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 MILLFIELD ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure14 ANDERSON AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
January 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation30 MILLFIELD ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Residential Accommodation10 WEDGETAIL CLOSE PAXTON 2325Determined
2025· 22 proposals
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure10 ANDERSON AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah39 MAIN ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Residential Accommodation10 WEDGETAIL CLOSE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure29 MCDONALD AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport10 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
August 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure15 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure3 EARPS ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision10 REDGUM ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure38 DIANELLA CRESCENT PAXTON 2325Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 FOREST COURT PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation18 WEDGETAIL CLOSE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Residential Accommodation14 WEDGETAIL CLOSE PAXTON 2325Determined
May 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure10 EARPS ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
April 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure22 MCDONALD AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure48 MILLFIELD ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support10A REDGUM ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
March 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure24 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure9 MCDONALD AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport10 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
February 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure271 MIDDLE ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure39 NORTHCOTE AVENUE PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 SAWYER STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
2024· 9 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care6 WEDGETAIL CLOSE PAXTON 2325Determined
November 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure54 MILLFIELD ROAD PAXTON 2325Determined
October 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure28 ADELAIDE STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Home business; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia10 SAWYER STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah5A Forest Court Paxton 2325Determined
September 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 WILLIAM STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
August 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 SAWYER STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure136 WILLIAM STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure11 FRANCES STREET PAXTON 2325Determined
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
10 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Clift St opp Paxton Bowling ClubBus stop
- Main St at Sawyer StBus stop
- Millfield Rd opp Earps RdBus stop
- Sawyer St at McDonalds AveBus stop
- Petrol station
- Paxton PlaygroundPlayground
- Australia PostPost office
52 Millfield Road
- Paxton HotelPub
- Paxton Bowling ClubSports centre
- Sports field
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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Paxton ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 37.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4026th in Australia
- State rank
- 1269th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #70 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #457 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Australia Postamenities52 Millfield Roadpost_office
- Clift St opp Paxton Bowling Clubamenitiesbus_stop
- Main St at Sawyer Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Millfield Rd opp Earps Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Paxton Bowling Clubamenitiessports_centre
- Paxton Hotelamenitiespub
- Paxton Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Petrol stationamenitiesfuel
- Sawyer St at McDonalds Aveamenitiesbus_stop
- Sports fieldamenitiespitch
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.