Birrong
Birrong's 49.8% overseas-born share is 28.2 percentage points above the national figure, giving its compact 1.2 square kilometre footprint a strongly migrant-influenced character. The suburb has 3331 residents, a density of 2785.6 people per square kilometre and a median age of 36, which is 4 years below the national comparison. Its 38.0% university-educated share is 7.9 percentage points above national, while average household size is 3.2, or 0.7 higher. Compared with nearby Yagoona and Punchbowl, Birrong is notably detached-home oriented, with 83.7% of dwellings being separate houses. Overseas migration helps sustain local demand, while the household income percentile of 51.4 points to a broadly middle-income position.
Population
3,331
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,575/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Birrong suits buyers prioritising conventional family housing, because 83.7% of dwellings are separate houses and another 10.8% are semi-detached, compared with only 5.5% apartments. The bedroom mix is substantial, with 44.8% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 36.7% having 4 or more, so the suburb is more suited to space-seeking households than apartment-focused buyers. A weekly rent of $440 and monthly mortgage figure of $2033 provide useful budgeting anchors, while mortgage costs equal 29.8% of household income and rent equals 27.9%. Those ratios are below the 30% stress benchmark, but buyers should still compare repayments with their own deposit, rate and maintenance assumptions.
For Buyers
Birrong suits buyers prioritising conventional family housing, because 83.7% of dwellings are separate houses and another 10.8% are semi-detached, compared with only 5.5% apartments. The bedroom mix is substantial, with 44.8% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 36.7% having 4 or more, so the suburb is more suited to space-seeking households than apartment-focused buyers. A weekly rent of $440 and monthly mortgage figure of $2033 provide useful budgeting anchors, while mortgage costs equal 29.8% of household income and rent equals 27.9%. Those ratios are below the 30% stress benchmark, but buyers should still compare repayments with their own deposit, rate and maintenance assumptions.
For Investors
Birrong has a meaningful rental base, with 31.4% of households renting, although this remains lower than the 38.1% owned outright. The weekly rent of $440 and vacancy rate of 3.7% suggest an established market where tenant demand should be assessed alongside property condition and dwelling type. Development activity is material, with 29 applications recorded over 12 months, including secondary dwellings and subdivisions. Overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver, and the annual trend is 1.1%, which can support housing demand. The investment case is therefore more about steady occupancy and adaptable detached housing than a high-growth redevelopment story, especially because Birrong is classified as established rather than emerging.
Development Activity
Total DAs
143
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-21.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Birrong
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Birrong has 3331 residents, a median age of 36 and an average household size of 3.2, which is 0.7 people above the national comparison. Nearly half the population, 49.8%, was born overseas, 28.2 percentage points above national, while university attainment at 38.0% is 7.9 points higher. Vietnamese ancestry accounts for 645 people, Chinese ancestry 559 and Lebanese ancestry 392. Christianity is recorded for 1158 residents, Islam for 830 and no religion for 617. Arabic is the leading listed language at 306 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 128. An 86.0% residential stay rate and 14.0% turnover indicate established household ties, while overseas migration helps explain the suburb's cultural profile alongside nearby Yagoona and Punchbowl.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.7%
Houses
10.8%
Townhouse
5.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Birrong's housing structure is anchored by owner occupation and detached dwellings. Outright ownership accounts for 38.1% of homes, mortgages for 29.0% and renting for 31.4%, creating a more owner-oriented profile than a rental-dominated market. Separate houses make up 83.7% of dwellings, well above the 5.5% apartment share and the 10.8% semi-detached share. Three-bedroom homes represent 44.8% and four-plus-bedroom homes 36.7%, which is consistent with the average household size of 3.2. Monthly mortgage costs of $2033 equal 29.8% of household income, while weekly rent of $440 equals 27.9%, both below the usual 30% stress reference. Compared with apartment-led areas, Birrong's housing stock supports families seeking land and multiple bedrooms.
Mortgage / mo
$2,033
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $440.
$670
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $735 · units $600
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$548
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.7%
Unoccupied
37
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
51.3%
Couples with children
26.6%
Couples, no children
19.5%
Single parent
822
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Birrong's largest listed industry, employing 124 people or 18.2%, followed by education at 65 people, finance at 59, professional and technical services at 56, and manufacturing at 55. The occupation mix includes 265 professionals, 169 clerical and administrative workers, 133 labourers and 129 trades workers. Labour-force participation is 45.2%, unemployment is 9.1% and the full-time rate is 52.5%, with 580 full-time and 311 part-time workers. Household income sits at the 51.4 percentile, close to the middle, but SEIFA results are uneven: IEO is decile 5, IER decile 2, IRSD decile 1 and IRSAD decile 3. This spread indicates that education and occupation measures are closer to average, while economic resources and disadvantage rank below the middle, helping explain the contrast between professional employment and lower area-wide socioeconomic scores.
Unemployment
9.1%
Labour Force
1,214
Unemployed
110
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.5%
Part-time
28.2%
Participation
45.2%
Employed
1,104
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.0%
Postgraduate
8.3%
Born Overseas
49.8%
Dwellings
962
Transport to Work
Birrong provides access to 3 local government schools, comprising 1 primary school and 2 secondary schools. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can differ between nearby streets and school sectors. Daily travel is car-oriented: 51.8% drive, compared with 5.0% using public transport and 1.4% walking or cycling, while 38.0% work from home. That pattern can suit households with vehicles, but it is less transport-diverse than a suburb where public transport usage is higher. Socioeconomic conditions are also mixed, with IRSAD at decile 3 and IRSD at decile 1, both below the middle deciles, while IEO reaches decile 5. For safety, check current NSW Police figures and visit at different times rather than relying on a general suburb label.
Drive
51.8%
Public Transport
5.0%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
38.0%
Population Forecast
+1.1%/yr
(+261 people/yr)
EstablishedBirrong's established forecast points to measured growth rather than a sharp transformation. The annual trend is 1.1%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 18.6% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed: rent growth has reached 33.3%, real income growth is 10.1% and affordability moved from 76.9% in 2011 to 75.8% in 2021, slightly lower than before. The main gentrification score is 17, with a stage of Not gentrifying, although a separate shift measure records a score of 27 and Early signs. Together, these figures suggest demand supported by migration and rising rents, but affordability pressure and a mixed trajectory are more evident than a confirmed suburb-wide reinvention.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+297
Net Internal / yr
-198
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +20% since 2011, Net internal outflow -198/yr, Strong overseas inflow +297/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Birrong compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birrong a good suburb to live in?
Birrong can suit households wanting detached housing, with 83.7% of dwellings being separate houses and 36.7% having 4 or more bedrooms. Its median age of 36 is 4 years below the national comparison, and 49.8% of residents were born overseas. Compared with apartment-focused areas, it offers a more family-oriented housing profile.
What is the median house price in Birrong?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and matched with the property type. Birrong is 83.7% separate houses, with 44.8% of homes having 3 bedrooms and 36.7% having 4 or more, so comparing like-for-like sales is more useful than relying on one suburb-wide number.
What schools are in Birrong?
Birrong has 3 local government schools: 1 primary school and 2 secondary schools. Check the exact enrolment zone for each address rather than assuming all Birrong properties have identical access. School sector and type are clearer location measures than treating the suburb's 3 schools as a quality ranking.
Is Birrong safe?
Use current NSW Police crime figures, recent incident trends and an inspection at different times before making a safety decision. Birrong has 3331 residents across 1.2 square kilometres, so local conditions can vary between streets. Comparing several nearby suburbs is more reliable than relying on a single general label.
Is Birrong good for property investment?
Birrong has 31.4% renters, a weekly rent of $440 and a vacancy rate of 3.7%. Renting is lower than outright ownership at 38.1%, while 29 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing activity. The 1.1% annual growth trend and overseas migration driver support a steady demand case, but returns still depend on dwelling quality and purchase price.
How is Birrong's population changing?
Birrong has 3331 residents today, while population change across the wider area is forecast at 18.6% over 10 years. The annual trend is 1.1% and overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is Mixed, so growth appears steadier than a rapid expansion cycle rather than indicating a projected suburb head count.
What languages are spoken in Birrong?
Birrong's overseas-born share is 49.8%, which is 28.2 percentage points above the national comparison. Arabic is the leading listed language with 306 speakers, followed by Mandarin with 128 and Canton with 67. Vietnamese, Chinese and Lebanese ancestries count 645, 559 and 392 people respectively, reinforcing the suburb's multilingual character.
Is Birrong seeing much new development?
Birrong recorded 29 development applications over 12 months, including secondary dwelling and subdivision activity. That is more than a no-change pipeline and indicates ongoing adjustment within an established housing area. Buyers should check whether a property is affected by approvals, modifications or nearby construction before comparing it with quieter streets.
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.
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