Branxton vs North Rothbury

North Rothbury is the younger of the two, with a median age of 30 against 38 in Branxton. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Branxton, most households are couple families. In North Rothbury, about half of households are couple families. On these figures, North Rothbury tends to suit young adults and families with children.

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

Branxton

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (2 vs 0)
  • carries lower crime risk (68/100 vs 92/100)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

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

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Branxton has cheaper rent ($350/wk vs $450/wk)
  • North Rothbury has a bigger rental market to choose from (36% vs 15%)

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

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

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Branxton

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (15% vs 7%)
  • carries lower crime risk (68/100 vs 92/100)

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

Investors

North Rothbury

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (178.6% vs 13.3%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Branxton North Rothbury
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.

Branxton North Rothbury
Walkability 16 / 14
Branxton — Walkability: 16/100 North Rothbury — Walkability: 14/100
Safety 32 / 8
Branxton — Safety: 32/100 North Rothbury — Safety: 8/100
Low fire risk 77 / 53
Branxton — Low fire risk: 77/100 North Rothbury — Low fire risk: 53/100

Demographics

North Rothbury rents higher ($450/wk vs $350/wk); Branxton skews older (38 vs 30).

Branxton North Rothbury
Population 2,255 2,502
+11% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.3% +178.6%
Median age 38 30
Median household income $117,832/yr
+3% vs other
 $114,712/yr
Median weekly rent $350/wk $450/wk
+29% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Branxton North Rothbury
0-4 6.7% / 10.8%
Branxton — 0-4: 6.7% North Rothbury — 0-4: 10.8%
5-14 14.5% / 17.2%
Branxton — 5-14: 14.5% North Rothbury — 5-14: 17.2%
15-19 7.1% / 5.7%
Branxton — 15-19: 7.1% North Rothbury — 15-19: 5.7%
20-24 5.3% / 5.7%
Branxton — 20-24: 5.3% North Rothbury — 20-24: 5.7%
25-34 10.8% / 20.4%
Branxton — 25-34: 10.8% North Rothbury — 25-34: 20.4%
35-44 12.7% / 15.9%
Branxton — 35-44: 12.7% North Rothbury — 35-44: 15.9%
45-54 14.2% / 9.6%
Branxton — 45-54: 14.2% North Rothbury — 45-54: 9.6%
55-64 13.1% / 8.2%
Branxton — 55-64: 13.1% North Rothbury — 55-64: 8.2%
65-74 9.8% / 5.1%
Branxton — 65-74: 9.8% North Rothbury — 65-74: 5.1%
75-84 4.2% / 1.9%
Branxton — 75-84: 4.2% North Rothbury — 75-84: 1.9%
85+ 1.2% / 0.2%
Branxton — 85+: 1.2% North Rothbury — 85+: 0.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Branxton 59.6% couple families
Branxton — Couple Families: 59.6% Branxton — Lone Person: 23.4% Branxton — One Parent Families: 13.8% Branxton — Group Household: 2.4% Branxton — Other Families: 0.7%
North Rothbury 53.6% couple families
North Rothbury — Couple Families: 53.6% North Rothbury — Lone Person: 22.7% North Rothbury — One Parent Families: 19.7% North Rothbury — Group Household: 2.5% North Rothbury — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Branxton 14.6% renting
Branxton — Owned Outright: 35.3% Branxton — Mortgage: 50.1% Branxton — Renting: 14.6%
North Rothbury 36.4% renting
North Rothbury — Owned Outright: 15.6% North Rothbury — Mortgage: 48.0% North Rothbury — Renting: 36.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Branxton North Rothbury
Certificate III & IV 21.8% / 22.3%
Branxton — Certificate III & IV: 21.8% North Rothbury — Certificate III & IV: 22.3%
Bachelor Degree 8.2% / 9.1%
Branxton — Bachelor Degree: 8.2% North Rothbury — Bachelor Degree: 9.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.9% / 7.8%
Branxton — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9% North Rothbury — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8%
Postgraduate Degree 1.8% / 1.4%
Branxton — Postgraduate Degree: 1.8% North Rothbury — Postgraduate Degree: 1.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 0.9%
Branxton — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% North Rothbury — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

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.

Branxton North Rothbury
England 1.9% / 2.0%
Branxton — England: 1.9% North Rothbury — England: 2.0%
New Zealand 1.0% / 1.3%
Branxton — New Zealand: 1.0% North Rothbury — New Zealand: 1.3%
Philippines 0.3% / 0.7%
Branxton — Philippines: 0.3% North Rothbury — Philippines: 0.7%
Vietnam 0.8% / —
Branxton — Vietnam: 0.8% North Rothbury — Vietnam: not among its largest
South Africa — / 0.8%
Branxton — South Africa: not among its largest North Rothbury — South Africa: 0.8%
Germany 0.4% / 0.2%
Branxton — Germany: 0.4% North Rothbury — Germany: 0.2%
Ireland 0.6% / —
Branxton — Ireland: 0.6% North Rothbury — Ireland: not among its largest
India — / 0.4%
Branxton — India: not among its largest North Rothbury — India: 0.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Branxton 93.0% houses
Branxton — Houses: 93.0% Branxton — Townhouses: 5.6% Branxton — Flats / Apartments: 1.4%
North Rothbury 96.5% houses
North Rothbury — Houses: 96.5% North Rothbury — Townhouses: 2.6% North Rothbury — Flats / Apartments: 0.9%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Branxton North Rothbury
Median house price $842,500 $875,000
Median unit price —
same for both
Median land price $744,625 $765,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 44 days
from 17 sales
 34 days
from 119 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.

Branxton North Rothbury
3 bed $726K / $795K
Branxton — 3 bed: $726K (32 sales) North Rothbury — 3 bed: $795K (15 sales)

32 vs 15 sales

4 bed $1.08M / $885K
Branxton — 4 bed: $1.08M (28 sales) North Rothbury — 4 bed: $885K (129 sales)

28 vs 129 sales

5 bed $1.55M / $1.06M
Branxton — 5 bed: $1.55M (15 sales) North Rothbury — 5 bed: $1.06M (14 sales)

15 vs 14 sales

Zoning mix

Branxton has more rural and farming land (68% vs 42%); North Rothbury has more land zoned for conservation (19% vs 1%).

Branxton North Rothbury
Rural and farming 68% 42%
Residential 26% 35%
Environmental 1% 19%
Infrastructure and transport 3% 4%
Parks and recreation 1% 0%
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

Branxton North Rothbury
New dwellings approved 121
across Singleton
 719
across Cessnock
Approvals change year on year +46% -31%

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.

Branxton North Rothbury
Houses 4.4%
$725/wk on $865K
 4.2%
$740/wk on $919K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Branxton North Rothbury
House price Higher than 35% of NSW Higher than 32% of NSW
Income Higher than 83% of NSW Higher than 79% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 66% of NSW Higher than 64% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 85% of NSW
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 30% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 69% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 82% of NSW

Liveability

Branxton scores higher overall (41 vs 27).

Branxton North Rothbury
Grade C D
Score 41/100 27/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10

Risk profile

North Rothbury carries more bushfire risk (47 vs 23); North Rothbury carries more crime risk (92 vs 68).

Branxton North Rothbury
Bushfire Low
23/100
 Moderate
47/100
Crime Moderate
68/100
 High
92/100
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 1
within 5 km
 2
within 5 km

Schools

Branxton North Rothbury
Inside the suburb 2 0
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Branxton

  • Rosary Park Catholic School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Branxton Public School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in North Rothbury

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Branxton North Rothbury
Supermarkets 1
same for both
Parks & reserves 2 1
Childcare 4 2
GPs 1
same for both
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Waterways 9 3

Mobility

Branxton North Rothbury
Walkability score 16/100 14/100
Distance to Sydney 182.3 km 182 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 128 min 129 min
Public transport score 57/100
Rail · Bus
 79/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 22.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 42.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.3%
postcode 2335
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 82
postcode 2335
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.

Branxton North Rothbury
Car (driver) 75.1% / 78.6%
Branxton — Car (driver): 75.1% North Rothbury — Car (driver): 78.6%
Worked from Home 19.2% / 17.3%
Branxton — Worked from Home: 19.2% North Rothbury — Worked from Home: 17.3%
Car (passenger) 4.0% / 3.8%
Branxton — Car (passenger): 4.0% North Rothbury — Car (passenger): 3.8%
Walked Only 1.7% / 0.3%
Branxton — Walked Only: 1.7% North Rothbury — Walked Only: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.6%).

Setting

Branxton North Rothbury
Elevation 66 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 70 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 44.8 km 43.3 km

NBN connectivity

Branxton North Rothbury
Connectivity score 57/100 91/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 27%
1,064 premises
 84%
2,189 premises

Climate

Branxton North Rothbury
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)

Branxton North Rothbury
PM2.5 —
same for both
PM10 19.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Branxton North Rothbury
Average residential rate $1,287/yr $1,405/yr
Council Singleton Cessnock

Federal electorate

Branxton North Rothbury
Division Hunter
same for both
Member Dan Repacholi
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Branxton North Rothbury
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Branxton

Acreage

North Rothbury

Acreage Family River Young Families

More comparisons

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Branxton vs Greta Branxton vs East Branxton Branxton vs Lower Belford Branxton vs Belford Branxton vs Stanhope Branxton vs Leconfield

Other comparisons with North Rothbury

North Rothbury vs Greta North Rothbury vs Lovedale North Rothbury vs Belford North Rothbury vs Rothbury
Full data on Branxton Full data on North Rothbury
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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.

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