Merewether
NSW 2291 · Newcastle
11,788 (2021) → 12,166 est. (2025) · Stable
Part of the Newcastle local government area (est. 179,758 residents)
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Merewether is a stable suburb in Newcastle, NSW 2291, about 114km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $2.15M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 3 schools, a transport score of 64/100, and is right by the coast. Merewether has an overall score of 77/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 13/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2291 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (2.97%), New Zealand (1.07%), USA (0.58%), South Africa (0.53%), India (0.48%)
Top languages: Greek (0.53%), Italian (0.52%), Spanish (0.4%), French (0.37%), German (0.31%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1028 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Hamilton South Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1139
- Holy Family Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1132
- Merewether Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 950
Nearby (within 10km)
- Merewether Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 0.6kmICSEA 1129
- The Junction Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.7kmICSEA 1115
- St Joseph's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 1.9kmICSEA 1141
- St Columba's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 2kmICSEA 1107
- Adamstown Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.1kmICSEA 1078
- Merewether High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.2kmICSEA 1206
- Newcastle Grammar Park School CampusPrimary · Independent · 2.3km
- Newcastle High SchoolSecondary · Government · 2.3kmICSEA 1027
- St Francis Xavier's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 2.5kmICSEA 1096
- Hamilton Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.6kmICSEA 1106
- Belair Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 2.9kmICSEA 1103
- Trinity Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · 2.9kmICSEA 1090
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Decent access
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of fitness facilities, with more variety a short drive away.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Limited outdoor options
Below average — fewer parks and green spaces close by.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Some cultural venues
Around the national average — a handful of cultural venues, with more on offer a short trip away.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
A few good options
A handful of local venues to choose from — nothing epic, but you're not driving far either.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Newcastle
Compare Merewether with another suburb
Compare two suburbs
Frequently asked questions about Merewether
Is Merewether safe?
Merewether has a residential safety score of 13/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 7,542 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Merewether?
In Merewether, the median house price is $2.15M and the median unit price is $953K. Median weekly house rent is $950.
How far is Merewether from Sydney CBD?
Merewether is about 114.3 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 249 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Merewether?
Merewether has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1074 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Merewether?
Merewether has a transport score of 64/100 and 96 bus stops.