Charlestown
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Charlestown, NSW 2290.
About Charlestown
Welcome to Charlestown
Charlestown sits roughly ten kilometres south-east of Newcastle's CBD, close enough to the city to feel connected but with a commercial heart substantial enough to function as a hub in its own right. Bordered by Gateshead, Kahibah, Highfields, Whitebridge and Kotara South, it has long been one of the Lower Hunter's busiest retail and residential centres, anchored by one of the region's largest shopping precincts.
With a population of 13,601 and a median age of 38, Charlestown draws a broad mix of residents — young families, downsizers and professionals commuting into Newcastle — attracted by its everyday convenience, established streets and proximity to both the coast and the bushland reserves further inland.
Lifestyle & dining
Charlestown's day-to-day rhythm revolves around its town centre, where cafes, restaurants and casual eateries sit alongside the retail strip. It's a practical, well-serviced kind of suburb rather than a destination dining strip, but there's enough variety in the square and surrounding streets to cover most tastes, from quick lunches to sit-down dinners. The nearby beaches at Whitebridge and Redhead are a short drive away for residents wanting sand and surf without leaving the local area.
Shopping
Charlestown is best known regionally for Charlestown Square, one of the largest shopping centres in the Hunter, offering a full range of major retailers, fashion outlets, supermarkets and services under one roof. This retail weight means residents rarely need to travel elsewhere for day-to-day shopping, and it also brings steady foot traffic and employment into the suburb itself, reinforcing its role as a commercial anchor for surrounding suburbs like Kotara South and Gateshead.
Getting around
Charlestown is well connected by bus services linking it to Newcastle's CBD, the University of Newcastle and surrounding suburbs, making it a practical base for commuters without direct rail access. Its position roughly ten kilometres from central Newcastle keeps travel times manageable, whether heading into the city for work or out toward the coast and southern suburbs such as Whitebridge and Kahibah.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally, with Charlestown Public School, Charlestown East Public School and Charlestown South Public School all serving the immediate area, alongside Hillsborough Public School nearby. For secondary options, Alesco Secondary College's Charlestown Campus provides a local alternative pathway. This spread of schools within a small radius is a genuine drawcard for families weighing up where to settle in Newcastle's southern suburbs.
The property market
Charlestown's property market reflects strong recent demand, with the median house price sitting at $1.00 million after growth of 12.4 percent. Units and apartments offer a considerably more accessible entry point at a median of $690,000, while median rent across the suburb sits at $750 per week. Current listings show a dwelling mix weighted toward houses (56 percent), with apartments and units making up 24 percent and townhouses 20 percent, giving buyers a reasonable spread of housing types to choose from depending on budget and lifestyle.
Housing & architecture
The housing stock in Charlestown ranges from older brick-veneer and weatherboard homes on generous blocks, typical of the suburb's post-war development, through to more recent townhouse and unit developments that have added density near the town centre. This mix suits everyone from families wanting a freestanding house with a backyard to downsizers or investors drawn to lower-maintenance townhouses and units closer to the shops and transport.
Market snapshot
Charlestown property market
Median sale price
$1m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$750
per week
Gross rental yield
3.9%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$750k
Median
$1m
Premium
$1.30m
Days on market
15
Auction clearance
93%
Sold this year
137
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +4.9% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Charlestown by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Charlestown, NSW 2290.
Population
13,601
residents (2021)
Median age
38
years
Household income
$1,839
median, per week
Median rent
$400
per week
Median mortgage
$2,000
per month
Mortgage / income
25%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Charlestown
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Alesco Secondary College - Charlestown Campus
Recent results
Recently sold in Charlestown
$1.70m
26 Jergi Close
Sold ~July 2026
$695k
14/1 Roberts
Sold ~July 2026
$825k
5/8 Cowper Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$750k
904/2 Charles Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.10m
13 Goola Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$1.43m
60 & 60A E K Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$815k
25 Willis Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.34m
54 Crescent Road
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Charlestown
Compare the area
Price map around Charlestown
Every listing for sale near Charlestown, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Charlestown suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Charlestown?
The median house price in Charlestown, NSW is $1m for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 12.4%.
How much is rent in Charlestown?
The median weekly rent in Charlestown is around $750 per week.
Is Charlestown a good place to live?
Charlestown is a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, and the largest suburb in Lake Macquarie and in the Greater Newcastle area. Charlestown is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 13,601 and 5 schools in the area.
What is the population of Charlestown?
Charlestown has a population of 13,601 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 38.
What schools are in Charlestown?
There are 5 schools in or near Charlestown, including Charlestown East Public School, Charlestown Public School and Charlestown South Public School.
How long do homes take to sell in Charlestown?
Properties in Charlestown take around 15 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 93%.
How much do you need to buy in Charlestown?
Entry-level properties in Charlestown start around $750k, while premium homes reach $1.30m.
What suburbs are near Charlestown?
Suburbs near Charlestown include Gateshead, Kahibah, Highfields, Whitebridge and Kotara South.
Fresh to market
New this week in Charlestown
Contemporary design, entertainer's dream in desirable east side street
Dual Income Opportunity with Exceptional Flexibility
Charm, character and lifestyle appeal
Available now