Newcastle has a population of 322, 278 people according to the 2016 census. Newcastle alone had a population of 155,411 people, while Lake Macquarie had a population of 197,371 people. Due to the dissolution of its heavy industrial landscape, Newcastle has experienced some economic and employment knocks in recent history during and around recessions, but has rebounded in recent years. Local residents are mostly hardworking professionals who manage to keep a vacation vibe.