Banksia
A compact 0.96-square-kilometre footprint holds 3,277 residents at a density of 3,425 people per square kilometre. Banksia combines a detached-house majority with a highly educated, internationally connected population: 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, 45.2% of residents were born overseas and 44.2% have university qualifications. Household income sits at the 75.5th percentile, above the national position, although the median age of 41 is 1 year above the national figure. Compared with nearby Rockdale and Arncliffe, Banksia feels more house-oriented because land-based housing remains dominant, while overseas migration continues to refresh local demand.
Population
3,277
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,018/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
35
Detached-house buyers get a clear signal from Banksia's housing mix: 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 11.0% apartments and 8.9% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 47.8% of homes, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 26.3%, so the suburb suits households seeking family space more than apartment-focused purchasers. A typical mortgage commitment is $2,500 per month, with mortgage costs equal to 28.6% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 24.8%. Weekly rent is $500 and only 22.8% of households rent, below the share owning outright at 38.8%, which can reduce turnover because established owners have stronger holding power.
For Buyers
Detached-house buyers get a clear signal from Banksia's housing mix: 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 11.0% apartments and 8.9% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom properties account for 47.8% of homes, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 26.3%, so the suburb suits households seeking family space more than apartment-focused purchasers. A typical mortgage commitment is $2,500 per month, with mortgage costs equal to 28.6% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 24.8%. Weekly rent is $500 and only 22.8% of households rent, below the share owning outright at 38.8%, which can reduce turnover because established owners have stronger holding power.
For Investors
Banksia presents a rental strategy centred on detached housing rather than high-density apartments. Weekly rent is $500, the rental share is 22.8% and vacancy is 5.1%, giving investors a useful balance between tenant demand and available choice. Development activity is notable, with 35 applications recorded across 12 months, so future additions or alterations could gradually increase competition between properties. Compared with the 38.8% outright ownership share, the smaller renting base means investors should focus on property quality, leasing appeal and exact purchase price rather than assume broad suburb-wide yield strength. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which can support ongoing tenant demand because new households often enter the rental market before buying.
Development Activity
Total DAs
145
Last 12 Months
35
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+59.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Banksia has an older and more educated profile than national averages, with a median age of 41, 1 year above the national figure, and university attainment of 44.2%, or 14.1 percentage points above the national rate. The overseas-born share is 45.2%, 23.6 points above nationally, helping explain the prominence of Macedonian, Chinese and Lebanese ancestry. Macedonian is the leading listed home language at 158 people, followed by Arabic at 120 and Cantonese at 72. Average household size is 2.8, above the national figure by 0.3, while couples with children represent 46.8% of families. Compared with nearby Rockdale and Arncliffe, Banksia's combination of family households and overseas migration gives local demand a particularly established but still changing character.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.8%
Houses
8.9%
Townhouse
11.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Banksia is predominantly a family-house market: 77.8% of dwellings are separate houses, while apartments account for 11.0% and semi-detached homes 8.9%. Three-bedroom homes make up 47.8% of stock and 4-plus-bedroom homes 26.3%, a larger-space pattern supported by couples with children forming 46.8% of families. Ownership is split between 38.8% owning outright and 37.4% with a mortgage, while 22.8% rent. The 5.1% vacancy rate is higher than the renting share might imply, suggesting that availability can vary by property type and timing. Compared with an apartment-led market, Banksia provides more land-based housing because its established street pattern favours detached dwellings.
Mortgage / mo
$2,500
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $500.
$750
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $900 · units $720
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$763
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
59
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
46.8%
Couples with children
33.3%
Couples, no children
17.4%
Single parent
902
Total families
Economy & Employment
Banksia's employment base is led by healthcare at 14.4% or 146 workers, followed by professional and technology services at 12.4% or 126, public administration at 9.6% or 97, education at 8.9% or 90, and construction at 8.8% or 89. The occupation mix reinforces this, with 360 professionals, 231 clerical and administrative workers and 214 managers. Participation is 58.1%, full-time employment is 58.8% and unemployment is 6.4%. SEIFA results are mixed: the education and occupation index reaches decile 7, above the economic resources decile of 2, while IRSD is decile 4 and IRSAD decile 6. This split suggests strong skills and professional capacity alongside uneven household resources, because employment type does not translate evenly into financial security.
Unemployment
6.4%
Labour Force
1,578
Unemployed
101
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.8%
Part-time
29.4%
Participation
58.1%
Employed
1,477
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.2%
Postgraduate
10.8%
Born Overseas
45.2%
Dwellings
1,101
Transport to Work
Banksia's compact 0.96-square-kilometre setting makes local trips relatively concentrated, although the transport profile remains car-oriented: 45.4% drive, 8.0% use public transport and 1.8% walk or cycle to work. Working from home is high at 40.8%, which can support demand for the suburb's 3-bedroom and 4-plus-bedroom homes. Families should check enrolment zones and travel times across Banksia, Rockdale and Arncliffe against the exact address, since school access can change across nearby streets. Social conditions are mixed, with IRSAD at decile 6 and IRSD at decile 4. Check current NSW Police crime maps and visit at different times because a suburb-level safety impression cannot replace street-level observation.
Drive
45.4%
Public Transport
8.0%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
40.8%
Population Forecast
+0.97%/yr
(+225 people/yr)
EstablishedBanksia's forecast points to measured rather than explosive expansion. The annual trend is 0.97%, higher than zero, and overseas migration is the primary driver, which fits the suburb's 45.2% overseas-born population. The wider area's 10-year population change is 8.3%, while the trajectory is labelled Mixed and gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 26. Rent growth of 15.0% adds pressure for tenants and can improve investor revenue, but it may also weaken affordability. The suburb recovered from a COVID dip of 4.7% with a reported recovery of 12.9%, showing resilience compared with a market that failed to regain its earlier position. Growth is therefore likely to be gradual because established housing, limited land and migration-led demand pull in different directions.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+1,036
Net Internal / yr
-380
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Net internal outflow -380/yr, Strong overseas inflow +1036/yr, COVID recovered (-5% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Banksia compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banksia a good suburb to live in?
Banksia can suit households wanting detached housing, established services and convenient regional access. It has 3,277 residents, 77.8% separate houses and 40.8% working from home. The 45.4% car-driver share is higher than public transport use at 8.0%, so lifestyle quality depends on your preferred travel pattern.
What is the median house price in Banksia?
A reliable current median should be checked against recent settled sales and matched to the exact property type. Banksia's housing profile is strongly detached, with 77.8% separate houses, while weekly rent is $500 and 47.8% of homes have 3 bedrooms. These differences can make the suburb median less representative of an individual sale.
What schools are in Banksia?
Families should use an address-level NSW school search for Banksia and nearby suburbs, then compare enrolment zones, sector and travel times. Banksia covers 0.96 square kilometres, so access can vary by street even when nearby schools appear close. Confirm the current catchment before signing a lease or purchase contract.
Is Banksia safe?
Safety should be checked through current NSW Police crime maps and an on-site visit at different times. Banksia is compact at 0.96 square kilometres and has a density of 3,425 people per square kilometre, so conditions may differ around busy roads, transport routes and quieter residential streets.
Is Banksia good for property investment?
Banksia may suit investors seeking detached rental housing, with weekly rent of $500, a 5.1% vacancy rate and 22.8% of households renting. However, 35 development applications across 12 months could add competition. Test the expected return against the actual purchase price, maintenance costs and the property's position within the suburb.
How is Banksia's population changing?
Growth is gradual, with an annual trend of 0.97% and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 8.3% over 10 years, while gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 26. The direction is mixed because migration supports demand while affordability remains under pressure.
Which languages are commonly spoken in Banksia?
Banksia has a strong overseas connection, with 45.2% of residents born overseas. Macedon is the leading listed language at 158 speakers, followed by Arabic at 120, Cantonese at 72, Greek at 67 and Mandarin at 41. These communities contribute to local social and service needs alongside English-speaking households.
Will there be more development in Banksia?
Development activity is material, with 35 applications recorded over 12 months, including subdivision, secondary dwelling and alteration projects. Rent growth has reached 15.0%, so additional housing could improve choice but may also change streetscape and parking pressure. Buyers should check the planning status of nearby sites before committing.
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 Banksia on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map