Blacksmiths

NSW 2281 • Rest of NSW

1,881
Population (2021)
$33,072
Median Income
1.95 km²
Area
$390/wk
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideAffordableRelaxedFamily-Friendly

About Blacksmiths

Blacksmiths is a coastal suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, situated 24 kilometres south of Newcastle and 138 kilometres north of Sydney. With a population of approximately 1,881 at the 2021 census, it occupies 1.8 square kilometres between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean. The suburb is named after a blacksmith's shop that once operated near the channel connecting the lake to the sea. It has a relaxed beach community character with a mix of older homes and renovated properties.

Blacksmiths is a hidden gem for beach lovers, offering direct access to Blacksmiths Beach and proximity to the stunning Lake Macquarie foreshore. The Swansea Channel at the suburb's southern end is popular for fishing, kayaking, and boating. Residents enjoy a laid-back coastal lifestyle with local cafés, the nearby Swansea shopping precinct, and excellent surf breaks. The area attracts retirees, young families, and sea-changers seeking affordable coastal living within reach of Newcastle.

Blacksmiths falls under postcode 2281 and is governed by Lake Macquarie Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Swansea electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2281
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - East
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.07°, 151.65°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
1.95 km²
Elevation
4m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Belmont
3.5 km
42 mins

Bus Services

  • 259 — Belmont and Charlestown 15-20 mins
  • 263 — Swansea to Belmont 10 mins

Commute to Newcastle CBD

Distance
24 km
By Bus
50-60 mins
By Car (Peak)
35-45 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 mins

🛣️ No direct train service. Bus connections via Belmont or Charlestown interchange to Newcastle. Most residents drive via the Pacific Highway.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Beach and foreshore walkable, but most shopping and services require a short drive to Swansea or Belmont.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Blacksmiths by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Blacksmiths Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Blacksmiths" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$390
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

11 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,846
Census 2021
1,881
1.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,052
Income 2021
$33,072
26.9% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,682
Born Overseas 113

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 28
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. South Africa 11
  • 4. Philippines 9
  • 5. Germany 8
  • 6. South Korea 4
  • 7. Chile 3
  • 8. China 3
  • 9. Greece 3
  • 10. Mauritius 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 853
Australian 817
Scottish 219
Irish 209
Australian Aboriginal 133
German 69
Welsh 27
Italian 25
Dutch 22
Maori 11

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,456
Both parents born in Australia
157
Both parents born overseas
176
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.5%
No Religion
44.4%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
79 (4.2%)
5-14 years
173 (9.2%)
15-19 years
122 (6.5%)
20-24 years
104 (5.5%)
25-34 years
142 (7.5%)
35-44 years
176 (9.4%)
45-54 years
256 (13.6%)
55-64 years
308 (16.4%)
65-74 years
292 (15.5%)
75-84 years
171 (9.1%)
85+ years
62 (3.3%)

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