Islington vs Georgetown

In both, most homes are detached houses. In Islington, about half of households rent. In Georgetown, most households own their home. On these figures, Islington tends to suit renters, people living alone, and share households.

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

Georgetown

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (48/100 vs 92/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (86% vs 56%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (54% vs 37%)
  • But Islington has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Georgetown

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($650,000 vs $770,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Islington

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (48% vs 31%)

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Islington has more units and townhouses to downsize into (44% vs 14%)
  • Georgetown carries lower crime risk (48/100 vs 92/100)

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

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

Islington Georgetown
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.

Islington Georgetown
Walkability 89 / 88
Islington — Walkability: 89/100 Georgetown — Walkability: 88/100
Safety 8 / 52
Islington — Safety: 8/100 Georgetown — Safety: 52/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Islington — Low fire risk: 100/100 Georgetown — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Islington Georgetown
Population 2,026 2,072
+2% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.6% +5.7%
Median age 35 36
Median household income $95,056/yr $104,260/yr
+10% vs other
Median weekly rent $430/wk
+2% vs other
 $423/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Islington Georgetown
0-4 5.0% / 6.7%
Islington — 0-4: 5.0% Georgetown — 0-4: 6.7%
5-14 8.2% / 10.1%
Islington — 5-14: 8.2% Georgetown — 5-14: 10.1%
15-19 3.6% / 4.3%
Islington — 15-19: 3.6% Georgetown — 15-19: 4.3%
20-24 10.5% / 8.4%
Islington — 20-24: 10.5% Georgetown — 20-24: 8.4%
25-34 22.2% / 18.0%
Islington — 25-34: 22.2% Georgetown — 25-34: 18.0%
35-44 15.6% / 14.6%
Islington — 35-44: 15.6% Georgetown — 35-44: 14.6%
45-54 14.5% / 13.4%
Islington — 45-54: 14.5% Georgetown — 45-54: 13.4%
55-64 10.8% / 12.3%
Islington — 55-64: 10.8% Georgetown — 55-64: 12.3%
65-74 6.7% / 6.6%
Islington — 65-74: 6.7% Georgetown — 65-74: 6.6%
75-84 2.6% / 4.2%
Islington — 75-84: 2.6% Georgetown — 75-84: 4.2%
85+ 0.7% / 1.2%
Islington — 85+: 0.7% Georgetown — 85+: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (22.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Islington 44.1% lone person
Islington — Lone Person: 44.1% Islington — Couple Families: 23.8% Islington — One Parent Families: 13.3% Islington — Group Household: 16.5% Islington — Other Families: 2.3%
Georgetown 36.1% lone person
Georgetown — Lone Person: 36.1% Georgetown — Couple Families: 37.3% Georgetown — One Parent Families: 16.3% Georgetown — Group Household: 8.9% Georgetown — Other Families: 1.5%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Islington 47.8% renting
Islington — Owned Outright: 20.8% Islington — Mortgage: 31.4% Islington — Renting: 47.8%
Georgetown 30.6% renting
Georgetown — Owned Outright: 26.8% Georgetown — Mortgage: 42.6% Georgetown — Renting: 30.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Islington Georgetown
Bachelor Degree 22.1% / 18.8%
Islington — Bachelor Degree: 22.1% Georgetown — Bachelor Degree: 18.8%
Certificate III & IV 14.1% / 17.2%
Islington — Certificate III & IV: 14.1% Georgetown — Certificate III & IV: 17.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.6% / 7.0%
Islington — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6% Georgetown — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.0%
Postgraduate Degree 7.8% / 4.2%
Islington — Postgraduate Degree: 7.8% Georgetown — Postgraduate Degree: 4.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.0% / 1.9%
Islington — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.0% Georgetown — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (22.1%).

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.

Islington Georgetown
England 2.3% / 2.2%
Islington — England: 2.3% Georgetown — England: 2.2%
New Zealand 1.8% / 1.3%
Islington — New Zealand: 1.8% Georgetown — New Zealand: 1.3%
India 1.0% / 0.3%
Islington — India: 1.0% Georgetown — India: 0.3%
Philippines 0.9% / —
Islington — Philippines: 0.9% Georgetown — Philippines: not among its largest
South Africa 0.9% / —
Islington — South Africa: 0.9% Georgetown — South Africa: not among its largest
Nepal — / 0.8%
Islington — Nepal: not among its largest Georgetown — Nepal: 0.8%
Italy — / 0.7%
Islington — Italy: not among its largest Georgetown — Italy: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Islington 55.9% houses
Islington — Houses: 55.9% Islington — Townhouses: 30.4% Islington — Flats / Apartments: 13.8%
Georgetown 85.8% houses
Georgetown — Houses: 85.8% Georgetown — Townhouses: 5.4% Georgetown — Flats / Apartments: 8.8%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Islington Georgetown
Median house price $1,010,000 $1,016,000
Median unit price $770,000 $650,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 24 sales
 26 days
from 10 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.

Islington Georgetown
2 bed $848K / $890K
Islington — 2 bed: $848K (12 sales) Georgetown — 2 bed: $890K (15 sales)

12 vs 15 sales

3 bed $1.04M / $1.09M
Islington — 3 bed: $1.04M (40 sales) Georgetown — 3 bed: $1.09M (45 sales)

40 vs 45 sales

4 bed $1.41M / $1.27M
Islington — 4 bed: $1.41M (6 sales) Georgetown — 4 bed: $1.27M (10 sales)

6 vs 10 sales

Zoning mix

Islington Georgetown
Residential 57% 89%
Industrial 14% 5%
Parks and recreation 13% 0%
Infrastructure and transport 6% 3%
Environmental 5% 0%
Commercial 4% 3%
Planning zones cover 99% of Islington and 100% of Georgetown. The rest is unzoned land such as water or road reserve.
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

Islington Georgetown
New dwellings approved 912
across Newcastle
same for both
Approvals change year on year +77%
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.

Islington Georgetown
Houses 4.0%
$688/wk on $905K
 4.4%
$850/wk on $1.01M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Islington Georgetown
House price Higher than 50% of NSW Higher than 52% of NSW
Income Higher than 62% of NSW Higher than 71% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 96% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 61% of NSW Higher than 67% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 67% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 70% of NSW Higher than 88% of NSW

Liveability

Georgetown scores higher overall (68 vs 58).

Islington Georgetown
Grade B
same for both
Score 58/100 68/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
same for both

Risk profile

Islington carries more crime risk (92 vs 48).

Islington Georgetown
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
92/100
 Moderate
48/100
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 22
within 5 km
 21
within 5 km

Schools

Islington Georgetown
Inside the suburb 1 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
The University of Newcastle (Newcastle City), 3.3 km
 2
The University of Newcastle (Callaghan), 3.2 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.8% 2.8%

Schools in Islington

  • Islington Public School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Georgetown

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

Amenities in the suburb

Islington Georgetown
Cafes & restaurants 7 2
Parks & reserves 2 1
Childcare 1 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Fuel stations 3 0

Mobility

Islington Georgetown
Walkability score 89/100 88/100
Distance to Sydney 158.2 km
+1% vs other
 156.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 121 min 119 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 89.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 33.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.9%
postcode 2296
 0.7%
postcode 2298
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 25
postcode 2296
 26
postcode 2298

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.

Islington Georgetown
Car (driver) 54.0% / 62.1%
Islington — Car (driver): 54.0% Georgetown — Car (driver): 62.1%
Worked from Home 34.7% / 28.6%
Islington — Worked from Home: 34.7% Georgetown — Worked from Home: 28.6%
Car (passenger) 2.2% / 4.5%
Islington — Car (passenger): 2.2% Georgetown — Car (passenger): 4.5%
Walked Only 3.4% / 2.2%
Islington — Walked Only: 3.4% Georgetown — Walked Only: 2.2%
Bicycle 3.5% / 0.8%
Islington — Bicycle: 3.5% Georgetown — Bicycle: 0.8%
Bus 1.9% / 1.3%
Islington — Bus: 1.9% Georgetown — Bus: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (62.1%).

Setting

Islington Georgetown
Elevation 9 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 16 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.2 km
3.6 km to a named beach
 3.5 km
4.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Islington Georgetown
Connectivity score 71/100 70/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 47%
1,293 premises
 45%
1,019 premises

Climate

Islington Georgetown
Annual rainfall 1,025 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 25.4°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 10.2°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Islington Georgetown
PM2.5 6.8 µg/m³ 6.6 µg/m³
PM10 22.6 µg/m³ 21.1 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.89 pphm 0.75 pphm

Council rates

Islington Georgetown
Average residential rate $1,783/yr
same for both
Council Newcastle
same for both

Federal electorate

Islington Georgetown
Division Newcastle
same for both
Member Sharon Claydon
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Islington Georgetown
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Islington

Coastal Parks Professionals Townhouses

Georgetown

Parks Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Islington

Islington vs Mayfield Islington vs Hamilton Islington vs Tighes Hill Islington vs Maryville Islington vs Wickham Islington vs Hamilton North

Other comparisons with Georgetown

Georgetown vs Mayfield Georgetown vs Waratah Georgetown vs Broadmeadow Georgetown vs Hamilton North
Full data on Islington Full data on Georgetown
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.

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