🔍

Newman

WA 6753 • Rest of WA

6,456
Population (2021)
$92,248
Median Income
28095.47 km²
Area
$110/wk
Median Rent
Mining TownRuralAffordable

About Newman

Newman is a remote mining town in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia, located approximately 1,186 kilometres north of Perth via the Great Northern Highway and just 9 kilometres north of the Tropic of Capricorn. With a population of around 6,456, it serves as the administrative centre of the Shire of East Pilbara and is dominated by the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine — one of the largest open-cut iron ore operations in the world, operated by BHP. The town was purpose-built in the early 1970s to support mining operations and sits at an elevation of 462 metres on the edge of the Ophthalmia Range. It is home to a diverse, transient workforce including fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers as well as long-term resident families.

Despite its remote location in the Pilbara's arid interior, Newman is a surprisingly well-serviced community with a major shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, a hospital, sporting clubs, and a range of dining options. The town is maintained to a high standard thanks to BHP investment, with landscaped streets, parks, and recreation facilities including a swimming pool and gym. The Karijini National Park — one of Australia's most spectacular gorge landscapes — is just 90 minutes away, drawing tourists and adventure seekers. Newman attracts workers drawn by above-average incomes in the mining sector, and has a strong community culture despite the high turnover of FIFO residents.

Newman falls under postcode 6753 and is governed by East Pilbara Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Pilbara electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6753
Urban Area
Newman
LGA / Council
East Pilbara
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Pilbara
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-23.02°, 119.86°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
28095.47 km²
Elevation
462m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Transwa — Port Hedland / Perth (coach service) Approx 13 hrs to Perth

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
1186 km
By Train
No train service
By Car (Peak)
Approx 11-12 hrs via Great Northern Hwy
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx 11 hrs via Great Northern Hwy

🛣️ Newman Airport serves regular flights to Perth (approx 1h 45min). FIFO workers typically fly via Newman Airport.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Newman is designed around car travel; most amenities are within the town centre but distances and heat make walking impractical for much of the year.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Hilditch Avenue Newman 6753 WA

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$110
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.1%

72 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,238
Census 2021
6,456
▼ 10.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$89,908
Income 2021
$92,248
▲ 2.6% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,472
Born Overseas 1,585

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. New Zealand 448
  • 2. Philippines 188
  • 3. England 171
  • 4. South Africa 82
  • 5. Thailand 54
  • 6. India 53
  • 7. Zimbabwe 47
  • 8. Ireland 40
  • 9. Papua New Guinea 28
  • 10. China 26

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,836
Australian 1,674
Australian Aboriginal 597
Scottish 467
Irish 446
Maori 234
Filipino 210
German 170
Italian 130
New Zealander 106

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,415
Both parents born in Australia
1,915
Both parents born overseas
694
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
43.3%
Christianity
28.8%
Buddhism
1.5%
Islam
1.2%
Hinduism
0.9%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
449 (7.0%)
5-14 years
802 (12.4%)
15-19 years
225 (3.5%)
20-24 years
401 (6.2%)
25-34 years
1,517 (23.5%)
35-44 years
1,298 (20.1%)
45-54 years
951 (14.7%)
55-64 years
649 (10.1%)
65-74 years
138 (2.1%)
75-84 years
12 (0.2%)
85+ years
6 (0.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Newman from Perth? +

Newman is approximately 1,186 kilometres north of Perth, about an 11-12 hour drive via the Great Northern Highway. Regular flights connect Newman Airport to Perth in around 1 hour 45 minutes.

What is Newman known for? +

Newman is known for the Mt Whaleback iron ore mine, one of the largest open-cut mines in the world, operated by BHP. It is the main service centre for the East Pilbara region and a gateway to Karijini National Park.

What schools are in Newman? +

Newman has two main government schools: Newman Primary School and Newman Senior High School, catering to the children of resident families and the local community.

What is the population of Newman? +

According to the 2021 Census, Newman has a population of approximately 6,456 people, including both long-term residents and fly-in fly-out (FIFO) mining workers.

Is Newman close to Karijini National Park? +

Yes — Karijini National Park, famous for its spectacular gorges, waterfalls and natural pools, is located about 90 kilometres west of Newman, making it a popular weekend destination for residents.