Town snapshot – Newtown

The size of Newtown is about 5.8sqkm and has a large number of parks covering nearly 6.6 per cent of total area.

The population of Newtown in 2016 was 10,154 and by the 2021 Census the population was 10,445, showing a population growth of 3 per cent in the area during that time.

Newtown is situated in Greater Geelong, inland from Corio Bay and bordered to the south and west by the Barwon River.

Geelong West and Manifold Heights are located on its northern border, and Geelong and South Geelong to the east.

Newtown is one of Geelong’s most prestigious suburbs with its leafy streets, historic buildings and central location placing it at the top of home buyers wish list, especially for younger families which has resulted in the median age being 40.

Chilwell was adjacent to Newtown, and although the name no longer exists Chilwell Flat was the former name of Kardinia Park, home of the Geelong Football Club.

Chilwell was named by Mrs Austin, wife of Geelong Mayor and landowner James Austin, after her home town of Chilwell near Nottingham, England.

Early in 1837, a pioneer Geelong citizen, Dr Alexander Thomson, settled at the future Geelong suburb, Belmont, and established his Kardinia estate overlooking the Barwon River, just south of the future Newtown.

In 1838, the shipping activities caused a customs house to be erected, and Geelong was surveyed in 1839 when land sales were conducted.

The Geelong town council was incorporated in October 1849.

In the same year Charles Sladen, lawyer, politician and pastoralist, built a house on land he had bought in Barwon Crescent Geelong facing the Barwon River – later known as Chilwell. It was the first house built in Geelong using basalt stone from Melville’s quarry on the south side of the river.

In 1858 the Borough of Newtown was created, when it separated from Geelong.

Geelong’s future was being curtailed like that of Melbourne, with the creation of closely adjacent road districts and suburban councils.

One hundred years later the centenary of Newtown and Chilwell was celebrated, suggesting that the Borough had included the Chilwell area from its inception.

In 1861, Rev. Alexander James Campbell, the first Minister of St. George’s Presbyterian Church, expressed concern about the lack of educational opportunities in Geelong.

A committee was formed which resolved to establish a school under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria.

By 1871, a purpose-built school was ready but needed extending almost immediately. Newtown’s first tramway opened in 1912.

In 1924, the Town of Newtown and Chilwell was created; in 1949 it became a City, and in 1967 the City of Newtown was created.

On May 18, 1993 the Greater Geelong City Council was created by Order of the Governor from the Cities of Newtown, Geelong and Geelong West and the Rural City of Bellarine, the Shires of Corio and South Barwon and parts of the Shires of Bannockburn and Barrabool.

CoreLogic data indicates the predominant age group in Newtown is 10-19 years with households in Newtown being primarily couples with children and are likely to be repaying on average $2,167 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Newtown work in a professional occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“The past 12 months has been an interesting market, with the median house price in Newtown sitting at $1,177,500, which is slightly lower than the 2022 median of $1,268,000.

“129 houses have sold in the past year, although properties are taking a bit longer to move, averaging about 63 days on the market.

“Interestingly, unit sales have picked up, possibly due to recent changes in investment property legislation, leading to more sales of investments than usual.

“The median unit price is now sitting at roughly $625,000, up just over 6 per cent from last year.

“Units are offering better rental returns than houses, with a weekly rent of around $430 and a solid yield of nearly 4 per cent.

“We currently have a great unit on the market at 9/270 Pakington Street in Newtown, a smart option for first-home buyers or anyone looking for a solid investment.

“It’s a great example of the kind of value you can find in today’s market.

“All in all, Newtown continues to be a strong performer with steady growth and reliable rental demand, a great suburb whether you’re buying a home or building your investment portfolio.

Heidi Trempel – Whitford Property

TIDBIT:

The Geelong College was formally established on July 8, 1861 at Knowle House in Skene Street, Newtown with an enrolment of 40 pupils.

Population: 10,445

Male: 48.5%

Female: 51.5%

Median age: 40

5 year population change: 3%

House median sales price: $1,177,500

Change in median price: (5yrs) 23%

Median asking rent per week: $560

Average length of ownership: 13 years

Owner occupiers: 72%

Renters: 28%

House median value:

March 2025: $1,177,500

March 2024: $1,250,700

March 2023: $1,225,600

March 2022: $1,328,200

March 2021: $1,104,600

House sales per annum:

Period ending March 2025: 124

Period ending March 2024: 133

Land median sale price:

March 2025: $767,500

March 2024: $802,000

Land sales per annum:

Period ending March 2025: 3

Period ending March 2024: 6