Population
+8.3% since 2016.
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Lake Macquarie had a population of 213,845 at the 2021 Census (+8.3% since 2016). Median age 42.2. Median weekly household income $1,624. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.
Lake Macquarie at a glance
What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Lake Macquarie's population grew by 8.3% to 213,845, in step with New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 42.2, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 11.9% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 15.9%.
23.5% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 37.6% own their home outright. Almost every home is a house; flats and apartments are 4.5% of homes. The 2021 Census counted 80,677 households.
The median household earns $1,624 a week, below the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $377 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $1,946 a month.
11.2% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 5.5% use a language other than English at home. 45.0% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).
Key figures
2021 Census, Lake Macquarie beside NSW and Australia.
| Measure | Lake Macquarie | NSW | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 213,845 | 8,072,171 | 25,422,828 |
| Growth since 2016 | +8.3% | +7.9% | +8.6% |
| Median age | 42.2 | 38.4 | 38.2 |
| Households | 80,677 | 2,900,456 | 9,275,123 |
| Flats and apartments | 4.5% | 21.8% | 14.3% |
| Renting | 23.5% | 33.1% | 31.1% |
| Owned outright | 37.6% | 32.0% | 31.4% |
| Median household income a week | $1,624 | $1,829 | $1,747 |
| Median rent a week | $377 | $423 | $376 |
| Median mortgage repayment a month | $1,946 | $2,142 | $1,866 |
| Born overseas | 11.2% | 31.0% | 29.3% |
| Other language at home | 5.5% | 28.2% | 23.6% |
| No religion | 45.0% | 35.7% | 41.9% |
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Population and age
Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.
Age
Median age 42.2, against 38.4 for New South Wales.
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Cultural background
The largest groups in Lake Macquarie at the 2021 Census.
Ancestry
Languages at home
Country of birth
Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built
Around Lake Macquarie
The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.
Part of
Nearby
Suburbs in Lake Macquarie
Largest first.
- Charlestown
- Cameron Park
- Warners Bay
- Belmont
- Cooranbong
- Eleebana
- Edgeworth
- Cardiff
- Belmont North
- Toronto
- Valentine
- Swansea
- Morisset
- Bonnells Bay
- Caves Beach
- Redhead
- Mount Hutton
- Macquarie Hills
- Speers Point
- Windale
- Glendale
- Gateshead
- West Wallsend
- Cardiff South
- Wangi Wangi
- Whitebridge
- Blackalls Park
- Wyee
- Teralba
- Jewells
- New Lambton Heights
- Kahibah
- Dudley
- Bolton Point
- Rathmines
- Tingira Heights
- Garden Suburb
- Blacksmiths
- Marks Point
- Floraville
- Fennell Bay
- Barnsley
- Coal Point
- Dora Creek
- Boolaroo
- Booragul
- Kilaben Bay
- Lakelands
- Arcadia Vale
- Cardiff Heights
- Holmesville
- Argenton
- Wyee Point
- Kotara South
- Buttaba
- Woodrising
- Fishing Point
- Morisset Park
- Belmont South
- Balcolyn
- Catherine Hill Bay
- Highfields
- Nords Wharf
- Murrays Beach
- Brightwaters
- Pelican
- Carey Bay
- Mirrabooka
- Marmong Point
- Balmoral
- Windermere Park
- Killingworth
- Croudace Bay
- Hillsborough (Lake Macquarie - NSW)
- Swansea Heads
- Fassifern
- Sunshine
- Mandalong
- Awaba
- Yarrawonga Park
- Martinsville
- Seahampton
- Silverwater (Lake Macquarie - NSW)
- Eraring
- Cams Wharf
- Wakefield
- Freemans Waterhole
- Ryhope
- Bennetts Green
- Lake Macquarie
- Little Pelican
- Moonee
- Myuna Bay
- Pinny Beach
Explore Lake Macquarie in Censible
Every census figure for Lake Macquarie, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.