Employment & Commuting

Journey to work

About this topic

Journey to work shows where employed residents of Lake Macquarie (C) travel for work. It helps explain how strongly the area functions as a residential base versus a self-contained employment centre.

These flow patterns can inform transport advocacy, local jobs policy, and investment priorities by showing which external labour markets matter most to residents.

Key insight

54.3% of employed residents living in Lake Macquarie (C) worked outside Lake Macquarie (C) in 2021. Newcastle was the largest external destination.

Showing

45.7%

Work locally

44,471 residents

54.3%

Commute out

52,886 residents

Chart view

Where Lake Macquarie (C) residents work

Flow shares show where employed residents work. Total employed residents: 97,357.

Employment self-sufficiency

Share of employed residents who work within the municipality.

Total employed residents: 97,357
45.7%

Lake Macquarie

45.7%

44,471

Newcastle

30.6%

29,812

Central Coast (NSW)

5.2%

5,049

No Fixed Address (NSW)

5.1%

4,948

Maitland

3.1%

2,997

Port Stephens

2.6%

2,561

Cessnock

1.5%

1,477

Singleton

1.0%

979

Sydney

1.0%

975

Other LGAs

4.2%

4,088

Data table

Where Lake Macquarie (C) residents work table

Download the ranked local and external flow counts behind the chart.

AreaCountShare
Lake Macquarie44,47145.7%
Newcastle29,81230.6%
Central Coast (NSW)5,0495.2%
No Fixed Address (NSW)4,9485.1%
Maitland2,9973.1%
Port Stephens2,5612.6%
Cessnock1,4771.5%
Singleton9791.0%
Sydney9751.0%
Other LGAs4,0884.2%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021 (usual residence journey to work data). Compiled by Geografia.