Tighes Hill, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tighes Hill Newcastle, New South Wales
Tighes Hill Location in Newcastle, Australia
Population	1,680 (2016 census)
• Density	2,400/km2 (6,200/sq mi)
Established	1870s
Postcode(s)	2297
Area	0.7 km2 (0.3 sq mi)
Location	5 km (3 mi) NW of Newcastle
LGA(s)	City of Newcastle
Parish	Newcastle
State electorate(s)	Newcastle
Federal Division(s)	Newcastle
Suburbs around Tighes Hill: Mayfield Mayfield East Mayfield North Mayfield Tighes Hill Kooragang Islington Maryville Carrington

Tighes Hill is a suburb located in the north-west part of Newcastle, New South Wales. It got its name from A.A.P. Tighe, an early resident who bought land here in 1843. Today, Tighes Hill is mostly a place where people live. It also has the Tighes Hill TAFE campus and some shops.

How Tighes Hill Started

Tighes Hill began to grow in 1877. This was when a bridge was built over Throsby Creek for the new Ferndale Colliery (a coal mine). The bridge made it easier to get around.

Just one year later, in 1878, the Tighes Hill Public School opened. It was a school for both boys and girls, located on Elizabeth Street. Within three years, the area also had its own post office, a church, and local stores.

Public transport arrived in April 1894 when a tram line opened in Tighes Hill. This tram line was later extended to Mayfield in 1901. You can still see parts of the old tram bridge near Maitland Road today.

Tighes Hill Today

Tighes Hill is a popular place to live because it's close to Newcastle's city center. Many young professionals and families have moved here. They like the city lifestyle but at a more affordable price.

Because of this, the value of homes in Tighes Hill has gone up a lot over the years. For example, a home sold for $950,000 in 2010. By 2020, another home sold for $1.5 million, which was the highest price at that time. In May 2021, the average price for a home was around $848,000.

Community and Education

The School of Arts building is an important part of the community. It opened in 1900 and has been used for many arts and community events over the years. After being sold in 2008, it reopened as The Tighes Hill School of Arts Gallery in 2009.

The Newcastle Campus of Hunter Institute of TAFE is on the western side of Tighes Hill. This campus was also the first home of the University of Newcastle. On the eastern side, along Hannell Street, new businesses are growing in what used to be industrial areas.

Tighes Hill has a very active community. The Tighes Hill Community Group represents the people who live there. There's also a much-loved community garden on George Street where people can grow plants together. The local council is even studying the area to make sure new buildings fit in with the local character.

Images for kids

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  Tighes Hill School of Arts, built in 1900

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  Plaque commemorating the laying of a foundation stone by Charles Upfold in 1900, for the School of Arts building

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  Tighes Hill Public School, Tighes Hill, NSW, 6 May 1895

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  Tighes Hill Fire Brigade, Newcastle, New South Wales, 24 October 1896