Blacktown
More than half of Blacktown's 50,961 residents were born overseas, with a 53.4% overseas-born share that sits 31.8 percentage points above the national figure. The median age is 34, or 6 years below the national level, while the average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 people higher than national conditions. This younger, migrant-majority profile helps explain demand for family housing, multilingual services and practical transport links. Household income sits at the 62.5th percentile, giving Blacktown a different economic profile from nearby Seven Hills and Marayong, where housing form and household mix can vary.
Population
50,961
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,774/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
469
Blacktown suits buyers seeking established family housing with several dwelling formats rather than a purely apartment-led market. Separate houses account for 65.6% of homes, compared with 15.8% apartments and 18.6% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes make up 43.7% of the stock and 4-plus-bedroom homes 27.5%, aligning with the average household size of 2.9. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,094 a month, while rent is $400 a week; mortgage-to-income is 27.3% versus rent-to-income of 22.5%. Compared with apartment-heavy districts, the larger share of houses gives families more space, although buyers should assess upkeep, street traffic and exact school catchments.
For Buyers
Blacktown suits buyers seeking established family housing with several dwelling formats rather than a purely apartment-led market. Separate houses account for 65.6% of homes, compared with 15.8% apartments and 18.6% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes make up 43.7% of the stock and 4-plus-bedroom homes 27.5%, aligning with the average household size of 2.9. The typical mortgage repayment is $2,094 a month, while rent is $400 a week; mortgage-to-income is 27.3% versus rent-to-income of 22.5%. Compared with apartment-heavy districts, the larger share of houses gives families more space, although buyers should assess upkeep, street traffic and exact school catchments.
For Investors
Blacktown has a substantial tenant base, with 44.2% of households renting and weekly rent at $400. The 7.0% vacancy rate means investors should compare comparable properties carefully, because presentation, location and dwelling type can affect leasing outcomes within a large suburb. Development activity is also high at 462 applications over 12 months, including commercial work and secondary dwellings, which may expand local supply while improving amenity in some pockets. Forecast growth of 1.23% annually is driven primarily by overseas migration, supporting tenant demand. Compared with lower-rental suburbs, the 33.3% rent growth signal is notable, but the gentrification score of 33 remains at the Early signs stage.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2,146
Last 12 Months
469
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+7.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Blacktown
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Blacktown's population is younger and more internationally connected than the national profile. The median age of 34 is 6 years below national conditions, while 53.4% of residents were born overseas, 31.8 percentage points above the national share. University attainment is 42.5%, or 12.4 percentage points higher than nationally, and household size is 2.9, which is 0.4 above the national figure. Indian ancestry accounts for 7,376 people and Filipino ancestry 3,686; Punjabi is spoken by 2,855 residents, followed by Hindi at 1,128 and Arabic at 1,055. Christianity has 21,297 adherents, Hinduism 7,367, and no religion 8,543. These patterns support demand for culturally responsive services and larger family-oriented homes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
65.6%
Houses
18.6%
Townhouse
15.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing tenure is divided between 22.1% owned outright, 32.4% owned with a mortgage and 44.2% rented, with 1.2% in other tenure arrangements. The dwelling mix is weighted toward separate houses at 65.6%, while semi-detached homes represent 18.6% and apartments 15.8%. Three-bedroom properties are the largest bedroom category at 43.7%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom homes at 27.5% and two-bedroom homes at 25.5%. Compared with apartment-focused markets, this structure gives households more family-sized options, although the 44.2% rental share creates strong competition for well-presented leases. Monthly mortgage costs of $2,094 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.3% indicate that repayment capacity remains an important part of purchase decisions.
Mortgage / mo
$2,094
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $400.
$620
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $650 · units $568
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$757
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
1,240
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.7%
Couples with children
29.9%
Couples, no children
16.9%
Single parent
12,986
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Blacktown's largest recorded industry at 19.5%, representing 2,850 workers, followed by transport with 1,535, retail with 1,244, professional and technical services with 1,147, and education with 1,105. The occupational mix is similarly broad, led by professionals at 4,341, machinery and drivers at 3,232, clerical and administration at 3,139, trades at 2,399, and community and personal services at 2,349. The participation rate is 57.2%, full-time employment is 55.6%, and unemployment is 7.1%. Economic conditions are mixed: the IEO decile is 5, around the middle, while the IRSD decile is 3 and IRSAD decile 4, both below the midpoint. This split reflects a suburb with substantial employment diversity but uneven household advantage.
Unemployment
7.1%
Labour Force
23,514
Unemployed
1,664
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.6%
Part-time
29.7%
Participation
57.2%
Employed
21,850
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.5%
Postgraduate
13.4%
Born Overseas
53.4%
Dwellings
16,464
Transport to Work
Daily travel is more car-oriented than public-transport-oriented, with 54.0% driving to work compared with 6.2% using public transport; 32.7% work from home and 2.1% walk or cycle. At 3,172.3 people per square kilometre across 16.06 square kilometres, services and housing are relatively concentrated. Families have access to 10 government schools, comprising 6 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and 1 school for specific purposes, including Blacktown Boys High School, Blacktown Girls High School, Evans High School and several local public schools. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because they can cross suburb boundaries. Compared with national midpoint conditions, the IRSD decile of 3 and IRSAD decile of 4 indicate lower relative advantage. For safety decisions, check current NSW Police crime mapping by street and time, as no suburb-wide crime rate is available.
Drive
54.0%
Public Transport
6.2%
Walk / Cycle
2.1%
Work from Home
32.7%
Population Forecast
+1.23%/yr
(+265 people/yr)
EstablishedBlacktown is forecast to grow at 1.23% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is forecast at 22.0% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed rather than uniformly accelerating. Gentrification is scored at 33 and classified as Early signs, indicating selective change rather than a complete market repositioning. Rents have grown 33.3%, real incomes have grown 14.9%, and affordability is labelled Improving, with the affordability measure at 57.5% in 2011 versus 54.2% in 2021. Compared with a static established suburb, this combination points to ongoing demand because migration, employment diversity and redevelopment are adding pressure to established housing stock.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+324
Net Internal / yr
-314
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +23% since 2011, Net internal outflow -314/yr, Strong overseas inflow +324/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Blacktown compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blacktown a good suburb to live in?
Blacktown can suit households seeking established services, family-sized housing and cultural diversity. It has 50,961 residents, a 53.4% overseas-born share and 10 government schools. Compared with smaller nearby suburbs, its 16.06 square kilometre area and 3,172.3 people per square kilometre create a denser, more active urban setting.
What is the median house price in Blacktown?
A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales rather than assumed across the whole suburb. Blacktown contains 65.6% separate houses, 18.6% semi-detached homes and 15.8% apartments, so the result can vary by dwelling type. Weekly rent is $400, which provides a useful comparison when assessing purchase affordability.
What schools are in Blacktown?
Blacktown has 10 government schools in the local mix: 6 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and 1 school for specific purposes. Names include Blacktown North, South and West Public Schools, Lynwood Park Public School, Marayong Public School, Blacktown Boys High School, Blacktown Girls High School and Evans High School. Check the exact address for enrolment zones.
Is Blacktown safe?
Safety can vary between streets, transport areas and time periods, so check current NSW Police crime mapping before making a decision. Blacktown covers 16.06 square kilometres and has 50,961 residents, making suburb-wide impressions less useful than checking the exact pocket, nearby routes and the surrounding streets.
Is Blacktown good for property investment?
Blacktown has several investment positives, including 44.2% renting, weekly rent of $400 and forecast growth of 1.23% annually. However, the 7.0% vacancy rate and 462 development applications over 12 months warrant careful property selection. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while the gentrification score of 33 remains at the Early signs stage.
How is Blacktown's population changing?
Blacktown has 50,961 residents today, and population change across the wider area is forecast at 22.0% over 10 years. Annual growth is forecast at 1.23%, driven primarily by overseas migration. The trajectory is Mixed, while the median age of 34 remains 6 years below the national level, supporting continued demand from younger households.
What development is happening in Blacktown?
There were 462 development applications over 12 months, covering work such as commercial premises, new structures, dwelling houses and secondary dwellings. This level of activity can improve amenity and add housing, but it may also change parking, traffic and local streetscapes. Review the exact proposal, approval type and site distance before buying or renting.
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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