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City of NewcastleCommunity profile

City of Newcastle

Population and dwellings

The Census usual resident population of the City of Newcastle in 2021 was 168,873, living in 74,579 dwellings with an average household size of 2.34.

There are a number of different ways of measuring the population of an area, all of which give an insight into the size of the place and its rate of growth over different time periods. The Census counts people where they are on the night of the Census (Enumerated population) and also by where they usually live (Usual residence). Both these populations are useful and form the basis for a range of characteristics collected in the Census.

However, the most accurate count of the total population is Estimated Resident Population, which factors in an estimate of those missed in the Census and those who were overseas on Census night. It is usually higher than either Census count, and is also updated annually after the Census, providing preliminary estimates for up to 5 years.

This page provides the three population counts for the City of Newcastle at the last Census, with comparisons to previous Census years for the Census counts only. The current estimate for the City of Newcastle at the most recent year available is shown at the top of the page. This figure is a preliminary estimate only and is subject to review after the next Census data are released. Please use with caution.

Also included are a range of sub-population groups and key statistics from the Census (Usual resident) population, such as citizens, employed persons and Indigenous population.

These figures all provide the context for the size of the population and growth rate within the City of Newcastle and should be looked at in conjunction with other basic demographic information, such as Age Structure, Dwelling Type and Household Size.

The data on this page are sourced from a variety of different tables and designed to give a range of population and dwelling numbers for the area.

Population
City of Newcastle - Total persons20212016Change
PopulationNumber%Regional NSW %Number%Regional NSW %2016 to 2021
Estimated Resident Population169,433----160,707----+8,726
Enumerated Population167,644----154,498----+13,146
Usual Resident Population168,873----155,411----+13,462
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Selected subpopulation categories
City of Newcastle - Total people (Usual residence)20212016Change
Population groupNumber%Regional NSW %Number%Regional NSW %2016 to 2021
Males82,97549.149.276,64249.349.2+6,333
Females85,89350.950.878,76650.750.8+7,127
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population7,4154.46.65,4743.55.5+1,941
Australian citizens150,37989.189.2138,04388.888.7+12,336
Eligible voters (citizens aged 18+)120,29271.269.5109,40870.468.3+10,884
Population over 15141,52883.882.1129,20983.181.6+12,319
Employed Population86,06195.195.473,02992.693.4+13,032
Overseas visitors (enumerated)234----1,249-----1,015
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021 (Usual residence). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information
Dwellings
City of Newcastle - Households (Enumerated)20212016Change
DwellingsNumber%Regional NSW %Number%Regional NSW %2016 to 2021
Total dwellings74,579100.0100.069,020100.0100.0+5,559
Occupied private dwellings68,81192.389.262,33290.387.3+6,479
Population in non-private dwellings6,362----7,273-----911
Average household size (persons per dwelling)2.34--2.412.36--2.41-0.02
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021 (Enumerated). Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

*Note that this is an estimate based on ERP at the SA1 level. It is subject to review after the next Census data release and may not match .id's population forecasts.

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