Dungog Shire is a local government area in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.

The major population centres within the Shire are Dungog, Gresford, Paterson, Vacy, Martins Creek and Clarence Town.

When compared with total population growth of Australia for the same periods, being 5.78 per cent and 8.32 per cent respectively, population growth in the Dungog Shire local government area was approximately one-third of the national average.

[8][9] The median weekly income for residents within the Dungog Shire was lower than the national average.

In excess of 56% of all residents in the Dungog Shire nominated a religious affiliation with Christianity at the 2011 census, which was slightly higher than the national average of 50.2 per cent.

[16][17][18] Although the Dungog Shire mayor is opposed to this merger, it is reported that the proposal has community support within both local government areas.