Aberdare vs Cessnock

Aberdare is the younger of the two, with a median age of 36 against 40 in Cessnock. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Cessnock

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (22 vs 3)
  • has more childcare (7 vs 2)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (4 vs 2)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Aberdare

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper land ($357,500 vs $500,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Aberdare sits closer to the CBD (150.3 km vs 152.3 km)
  • Cessnock is more walkable (88/100 vs 38/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Cessnock

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (11 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (88/100 vs 38/100)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (21% vs 16%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Aberdare and Cessnock drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Aberdare Cessnock
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Aberdare Cessnock
Walkability 38 / 88
Aberdare — Walkability: 38/100 Cessnock — Walkability: 88/100
Safety 20 / 11
Aberdare — Safety: 20/100 Cessnock — Safety: 11/100
Low fire risk 25 / 42
Aberdare — Low fire risk: 25/100 Cessnock — Low fire risk: 42/100

Demographics

Cessnock has more residents (16,300 vs 2,542); Cessnock skews older (40 vs 36).

Aberdare Cessnock
Population 2,542 16,300
+541% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.8% +7.4%
Median age 36 40
Median household income $65,052/yr
+5% vs other
 $61,984/yr
Median weekly rent $303/wk $320/wk
+6% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Aberdare Cessnock
0-4 6.8% / 5.7%
Aberdare — 0-4: 6.8% Cessnock — 0-4: 5.7%
5-14 13.8% / 11.4%
Aberdare — 5-14: 13.8% Cessnock — 5-14: 11.4%
15-19 6.8% / 5.4%
Aberdare — 15-19: 6.8% Cessnock — 15-19: 5.4%
20-24 6.3% / 6.3%
Aberdare — 20-24: 6.3% Cessnock — 20-24: 6.3%
25-34 14.6% / 14.3%
Aberdare — 25-34: 14.6% Cessnock — 25-34: 14.3%
35-44 11.2% / 12.7%
Aberdare — 35-44: 11.2% Cessnock — 35-44: 12.7%
45-54 12.3% / 11.7%
Aberdare — 45-54: 12.3% Cessnock — 45-54: 11.7%
55-64 12.5% / 11.3%
Aberdare — 55-64: 12.5% Cessnock — 55-64: 11.3%
65-74 9.7% / 11.0%
Aberdare — 65-74: 9.7% Cessnock — 65-74: 11.0%
75-84 4.8% / 6.6%
Aberdare — 75-84: 4.8% Cessnock — 75-84: 6.6%
85+ 1.2% / 3.5%
Aberdare — 85+: 1.2% Cessnock — 85+: 3.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Aberdare 38.4% lone person
Aberdare — Lone Person: 38.4% Aberdare — Couple Families: 32.5% Aberdare — One Parent Families: 24.3% Aberdare — Group Household: 3.3% Aberdare — Other Families: 1.4%
Cessnock 39.9% lone person
Cessnock — Lone Person: 39.9% Cessnock — Couple Families: 29.0% Cessnock — One Parent Families: 26.0% Cessnock — Group Household: 3.6% Cessnock — Other Families: 1.6%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Aberdare 35.6% renting
Aberdare — Owned Outright: 30.2% Aberdare — Mortgage: 34.2% Aberdare — Renting: 35.6%
Cessnock 39.1% renting
Cessnock — Owned Outright: 32.1% Cessnock — Mortgage: 28.8% Cessnock — Renting: 39.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Aberdare Cessnock
Certificate III & IV 22.3% / 17.4%
Aberdare — Certificate III & IV: 22.3% Cessnock — Certificate III & IV: 17.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.4% / 4.8%
Aberdare — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.4% Cessnock — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.8%
Bachelor Degree 3.5% / 4.2%
Aberdare — Bachelor Degree: 3.5% Cessnock — Bachelor Degree: 4.2%
Postgraduate Degree 0.7% / 0.8%
Aberdare — Postgraduate Degree: 0.7% Cessnock — Postgraduate Degree: 0.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.5% / 0.7%
Aberdare — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.5% Cessnock — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (22.3%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Aberdare Cessnock
England 1.7% / 1.8%
Aberdare — England: 1.7% Cessnock — England: 1.8%
New Zealand 0.7% / 1.1%
Aberdare — New Zealand: 0.7% Cessnock — New Zealand: 1.1%
Philippines 0.5% / 0.5%
Aberdare — Philippines: 0.5% Cessnock — Philippines: 0.5%
Scotland 0.4% / 0.4%
Aberdare — Scotland: 0.4% Cessnock — Scotland: 0.4%
Thailand 0.4% / 0.3%
Aberdare — Thailand: 0.4% Cessnock — Thailand: 0.3%
South Africa 0.4% / —
Aberdare — South Africa: 0.4% Cessnock — South Africa: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (1.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Aberdare 80.2% houses
Aberdare — Houses: 80.2% Aberdare — Townhouses: 18.7% Aberdare — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Cessnock 84.1% houses
Cessnock — Houses: 84.1% Cessnock — Townhouses: 13.0% Cessnock — Flats / Apartments: 3.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Aberdare Cessnock
Median house price $695,000 $700,000
Median unit price $517,500 $525,000
Median land price $357,500 $500,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 32 sales
 22 days
from 214 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Aberdare Cessnock
2 bed $450K / $520K
Aberdare — 2 bed: $450K (7 sales) Cessnock — 2 bed: $520K (16 sales)

7 vs 16 sales

3 bed $538K / $595K
Aberdare — 3 bed: $538K (6 sales) Cessnock — 3 bed: $595K (9 sales)

6 vs 9 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Aberdare Cessnock
2 bed $500K / $620K
Aberdare — 2 bed: $500K (11 sales) Cessnock — 2 bed: $620K (60 sales)

11 vs 60 sales

3 bed $676K / $685K
Aberdare — 3 bed: $676K (63 sales) Cessnock — 3 bed: $685K (233 sales)

63 vs 233 sales

4 bed $798K / $761K
Aberdare — 4 bed: $798K (18 sales) Cessnock — 4 bed: $761K (101 sales)

18 vs 101 sales

5 bed $870K / $920K
Aberdare — 5 bed: $870K (9 sales) Cessnock — 5 bed: $920K (14 sales)

9 vs 14 sales

Zoning mix

Aberdare Cessnock
Rural and farming 50% 53%
Residential 42% 24%
Environmental 1% 8%
Infrastructure and transport 4% 7%
Parks and recreation 3% 6%
Industrial 0% 1%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Aberdare Cessnock
New dwellings approved 719
across Cessnock
same for both
Approvals change year on year -31%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Aberdare Cessnock
Houses 4.0%
$570/wk on $744K
 4.1%
$600/wk on $755K
Units — 4.5%
$455/wk on $522K

Ranking within NSW

Aberdare Cessnock
House price Higher than 24% of NSW
same for both
Income Higher than 27% of NSW Higher than 24% of NSW
Schools — Higher than 9% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 62% of NSW Higher than 58% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 34% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 71% of NSW Higher than 73% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 72% of NSW Higher than 79% of NSW
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 44% of NSW

Liveability

Cessnock is more walkable (88 vs 38); Cessnock scores higher overall (24 vs 16).

Aberdare Cessnock
Grade D
same for both
Score 16/100 24/100
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
same for both

Risk profile

Aberdare carries more bushfire risk (75 vs 58).

Aberdare Cessnock
Bushfire High
75/100
 Moderate
58/100
Crime High
80/100
 High
89/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Aberdare Cessnock
Inside the suburb 2 4
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2 4
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Aberdare

  • Cessnock High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Cessnock Public School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Cessnock

  • Cessnock East Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Cessnock West Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Mount View High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • St Patrick's Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Aberdare Cessnock
Supermarkets 0 4
Cafes & restaurants 0 4
Parks & reserves 3 22
Childcare 2 7
GPs 0 11
Pharmacies 0 4
Hospitals 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 7
Fuel stations 1 4
Waterways 0 11

Mobility

Cessnock sits further from the CBD (152.3 km vs 150.3 km).

Aberdare Cessnock
Walkability score 38/100 88/100
Distance to Sydney 150.3 km 152.3 km
+1% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 115 min 117 min
Public transport score 55/100
Bus
 77/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 18.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 149.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.4%
postcode 2325
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 51
postcode 2325
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Aberdare Cessnock
Car (driver) 81.1% / 78.6%
Aberdare — Car (driver): 81.1% Cessnock — Car (driver): 78.6%
Worked from Home 12.1% / 12.7%
Aberdare — Worked from Home: 12.1% Cessnock — Worked from Home: 12.7%
Car (passenger) 4.8% / 5.1%
Aberdare — Car (passenger): 4.8% Cessnock — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Walked Only 1.6% / 2.7%
Aberdare — Walked Only: 1.6% Cessnock — Walked Only: 2.7%
Bicycle 0.5% / 0.3%
Aberdare — Bicycle: 0.5% Cessnock — Bicycle: 0.3%
Bus — / 0.4%
Aberdare — Bus: not among its largest Cessnock — Bus: 0.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (81.1%).

Setting

Aberdare Cessnock
Elevation 87 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 94 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 35.6 km 37.4 km

NBN connectivity

Aberdare Cessnock
Connectivity score 63/100 65/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 32%
1,112 premises
 37%
7,577 premises

Climate

Aberdare Cessnock
Annual rainfall 804 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.0°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 5.1°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Aberdare Cessnock
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.72 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Aberdare Cessnock
Average residential rate $1,405/yr
same for both
Council Cessnock
same for both

Federal electorate

Aberdare Cessnock
Division Hunter
same for both
Member Dan Repacholi
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Aberdare Cessnock
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Aberdare

Affordable

Cessnock

Parks Regional Centre

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Aberdare

Aberdare vs Kearsley Aberdare vs Neath

Other comparisons with Cessnock

Cessnock vs Abermain Cessnock vs Bellbird Cessnock vs Pokolbin Cessnock vs Kearsley Cessnock vs Bellbird Heights Cessnock vs Nulkaba
Full data on Aberdare Full data on Cessnock
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or