Airds
Airds stands out for a young, renter-led profile: its median age is 29, or 11 years below the national figure, while 77.8% of households rent and only 3.1% own their home outright. The suburb has 3,265 residents across 2.38 sq km, producing a density of 1,371.5 people per sq km. Household income sits at the 10.2nd percentile nationally, while the 27.4% overseas-born share is 5.8 percentage points above the national comparison. For buyers comparing Airds with nearby Bradbury, these tenure and income figures make affordability a central question rather than assuming identical demand. Housing is mainly detached, with 82.0% separate houses and 58.3% three-bedroom homes.
Population
3,265
Median Age
29.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$944/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
76
For buyers, Airds is most practical for households prioritising a detached home over apartment living. Separate houses account for 82.0% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 16.9% and apartments just 1.1%, while three-bedroom homes make up 58.3% and four-plus-bedroom homes 30.8%. The low outright ownership rate of 3.1% and mortgage ownership rate of 17.2% indicate a strongly renter-heavy market, so buyers should examine dwelling condition and future resale demand carefully. Mortgage commitments are significant at $2,210 per month, equal to 54.1% of household income, higher than the 23.3% rent-to-income ratio. For buyers weighing Airds against nearby Bradbury, exact property condition, parking and commute costs matter more than assuming all nearby suburbs have the same affordability profile.
For Buyers
For buyers, Airds is most practical for households prioritising a detached home over apartment living. Separate houses account for 82.0% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 16.9% and apartments just 1.1%, while three-bedroom homes make up 58.3% and four-plus-bedroom homes 30.8%. The low outright ownership rate of 3.1% and mortgage ownership rate of 17.2% indicate a strongly renter-heavy market, so buyers should examine dwelling condition and future resale demand carefully. Mortgage commitments are significant at $2,210 per month, equal to 54.1% of household income, higher than the 23.3% rent-to-income ratio. For buyers weighing Airds against nearby Bradbury, exact property condition, parking and commute costs matter more than assuming all nearby suburbs have the same affordability profile.
For Investors
Investor appeal is tied to renter depth, but the numbers also point to risk management. Renting accounts for 77.8% of households, compared with 17.2% paying a mortgage, while weekly rent is $220 and vacancy is 9.5%. That combination creates a large tenant base, although leasing performance should still be tested against property condition and competing stock. Development activity is material, with 78 applications lodged over 12 months, so future supply deserves attention. The 23.5% turnover rate sits alongside a 76.5% share of residents who stayed at the same address, suggesting movement without a wholly transient base. Review completed projects, tenant demand and ongoing maintenance costs rather than treating applications as guaranteed supply.
Development Activity
Total DAs
355
Last 12 Months
76
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-1.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Airds
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Airds has a distinctly young age profile, with a median age of 29, 11 years below the national comparison. The average household contains 2.9 people, 0.4 above the national figure, helping explain demand for three-bedroom homes and family services. One-parent families account for 43.5% of families, or 328 of 754, compared with 14.7% of couples without children. English ancestry is recorded for 771 residents, Samoan ancestry for 245 and Irish ancestry for 146. Christianity counts 1,324 people, no religion 982 and Islam 358. Overseas-born residents account for 27.4%, 5.8 percentage points above the national comparison, with Arabic, Bengali and Samoan among the leading languages. Compared with nearby Bradbury, buyers should allow for different household needs and service demand rather than treating the two suburbs as interchangeable.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.0%
Houses
16.9%
Townhouse
1.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in Airds is dominated by conventional family stock, with 82.0% separate houses, 16.9% semi-detached dwellings and 1.1% apartments. Three-bedroom homes represent 58.3% of dwellings and four-plus-bedroom homes 30.8%, while smaller 0-1 bedroom dwellings account for 3.7%. Tenure is the sharper point: 77.8% rent, 17.2% hold a mortgage and only 3.1% own outright. Mortgage costs equal 54.1% of household income, higher than the 23.3% rent-to-income ratio, so ownership affordability is a greater pressure than rental affordability in this profile. Compared with nearby Bradbury, Airds should be assessed at dwelling level because detached and semi-detached stock can produce different maintenance, parking and resale outcomes.
Mortgage / mo
$2,210
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $220.
$600
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $630 · units $500
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$451
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.5%
Unoccupied
104
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
54.1% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.2%
Couples with children
14.7%
Couples, no children
43.5%
Single parent
754
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment in Airds is concentrated in practical and service-linked work. Healthcare leads with 27.7% and 103 workers, followed by retail at 10.2% and 38, Professional/Tech at 7.3% and 27, Public Administration at 7.3% and 27, and Education at 6.7% and 25. The main occupations are Labourers with 132 workers, Community/Personal workers with 121, Machinery/Drivers with 107, Trades with 91 and Professionals with 81. The unemployment rate is 13.7%, participation is 35.1% and the full-time rate is 46.0%, indicating less labour-market engagement than a stronger employment profile. Household income is at the 10.2nd percentile, below the national distribution, which can limit local purchasing power. The employment mix supports essential services, but commuting matters because 65.6% drive as car commuters compared with 3.8% using public transport.
Unemployment
13.7%
Labour Force
839
Unemployed
115
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
46.0%
Part-time
34.9%
Participation
35.1%
Employed
724
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.2%
Postgraduate
6.5%
Born Overseas
27.4%
Dwellings
990
Transport to Work
Day-to-day livability in Airds is likely to be car-oriented. Car drivers account for 65.6% of reported travel, compared with 3.8% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling; 18.2% work from home. There is 1 named local school, John Warby Public School, a government primary school, so families should confirm enrolment zones and assess secondary-school travel from the exact address. The median age of 29 and average household size of 2.9 support demand for practical family services. Compared with a more transit-dependent setting, Airds' low public-transport share makes vehicle access, parking and commute times more important to weekly routines. A street-level visit at different times is sensible when comparing noise, activity and convenience.
Drive
65.6%
Public Transport
3.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
18.2%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Airds compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airds a good suburb to live in?
Airds may suit households seeking detached family housing and relatively low weekly rent, with 82.0% separate houses and rent of $220 per week. The trade-offs include a 77.8% renter share, 13.7% unemployment rate and strong car dependence, so commute, school access and the exact street should be checked carefully.
What is the median house price in Airds?
Use a current sales source to confirm Airds' median house price and check the reporting date and dwelling type. The distinction matters because 82.0% of homes are separate houses, 16.9% are semi-detached and 1.1% are apartments, while 58.3% have 3 bedrooms.
What schools are in Airds?
Airds has 1 named local school, John Warby Public School, a government primary school. Families should confirm enrolment boundaries and current places for the exact address, particularly when comparing primary access with secondary-school travel. The median age is 29 and 38.2% of families are couples with children.
Is Airds safe?
Airds should be assessed street by street rather than given a blanket yes or no. Review the latest 12 months of local incident information, inspect the address at different times and compare nearby streets before signing a lease or contract. The 77.8% renter share also means turnover and street conditions may vary across pockets.
Is Airds good for property investment?
Airds can suit investors seeking rental exposure, with 77.8% of households renting, weekly rent of $220 and a 9.5% vacancy rate. The trade-off is finance pressure, with mortgage costs at 54.1% of household income, plus 78 development applications over 12 months. Assess completed supply, property condition and tenant demand.
How is Airds's population changing?
Airds has 3,265 residents and a young median age of 29. Turnover is 23.5%, while 76.5% stayed at the same address, indicating a stable base alongside ongoing movement. Development activity reached 78 applications over 12 months, which may support renewal. Check approval progress and service capacity before assuming rapid population growth.
What development is planned in Airds?
Development activity is notable, with 78 applications lodged over 12 months, including new dwelling-house applications. Treat this as a pipeline rather than a count of completed homes, and check construction status, final dwelling yields, traffic impacts and infrastructure. With 77.8% renting and 82.0% separate houses, new supply could affect rental choice and family-home competition.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Airds on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map