🔍

Swansea

NSW 2281 • Rest of NSW

5,044
Population (2021)
$29,588
Median Income
4.87 km²
Area
3m
Elevation
CoastalLakesideLifestyleRetirement-FriendlyHoliday

About Swansea

Swansea is a lakeside suburb in the City of Lake Macquarie, situated approximately 130 kilometres north of Sydney and 25 kilometres south of Newcastle. With a population of around 5,044, it serves as a local hub for the eastern shore of Lake Macquarie. The suburb sits at just 3 metres elevation, nestled between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean coast.

Swansea offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with lake and ocean beaches, a vibrant main street with cafes and shops, and a strong community feel. The Swansea Channel bridge connects the suburb to the northern shores of Lake Macquarie. It is popular with retirees, families, and holidaymakers drawn to its waterfront parks, fishing spots, and proximity to Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay. The suburb has a growing cafe culture and weekend markets.

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

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2281
Urban Area
Lake Macquarie - East
LGA
Lake Macquarie
Federal Electorate
Shortland
State Electorate
Swansea
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.09°, 151.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
4.87 km²
Elevation
3m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Morisset
22 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line
Fassifern
18 km
Central Coast & Newcastle Line

Bus Services

  • 274 — Belmont / Charlestown 25-35 min
  • 280, 281 — Newcastle via Belmont 60-75 min

Commute to Newcastle

Distance
25 km
By Bus
60-75 min
By Car (Peak)
35-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ No direct train access; bus via Belmont and Charlestown to Newcastle Interchange

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Main street shops and lake foreshore are walkable; outer areas require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Pacific Highway Swansea 2281 NSW
  • Woolworths
    18 Josephson Street Swansea 2281 NSW

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing Costs 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,908
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
53 years

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,058
Census 2021
5,044
▼ 0.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$24,960
Income 2021
$29,588
▲ 18.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,297
Born Overseas 457

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 159
  • 2. New Zealand 55
  • 3. Philippines 30
  • 4. Germany 16
  • 5. Scotland 15
  • 6. Netherlands 14
  • 7. South Africa 14
  • 8. Indonesia 13
  • 9. Thailand 12
  • 10. Italy 10
  • 11. Wales 9
  • 12. Croatia 7
  • 13. Ireland 6
  • 14. Bangladesh 5
  • 15. Malta 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,395
Australian 2,049
Scottish 602
Irish 579
Australian Aboriginal 313
German 182
Italian 78
Welsh 61
Filipino 50
New Zealander 44

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,690
Both parents born in Australia
569
Both parents born overseas
512
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.2%
No Religion
40.6%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
213 (4.2%)
5-14 years
467 (9.3%)
15-19 years
230 (4.6%)
20-24 years
208 (4.1%)
25-34 years
427 (8.5%)
35-44 years
436 (8.6%)
45-54 years
677 (13.4%)
55-64 years
769 (15.2%)
65-74 years
779 (15.4%)
75-84 years
602 (11.9%)
85+ years
237 (4.7%)

Nearby Suburbs