NSW 2221 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Blakehurst

Household affluence and detached housing shape Blakehurst more than rapid redevelopment: household income sits at the 92nd percentile, 86.0% of homes are separate houses, and 56.6% have four or more bedrooms. At 6,652 residents and a median age of 43, it is older than the national profile by 3.0 years. The 50.0% work-from-home share is far above the 1.4% public-transport share, helping explain demand for larger homes and car-oriented routines. Compared with denser Hurstville, Blakehurst is more family-house focused, while South Hurstville provides a closer comparison on established suburban form.

Blakehurst urban fabric map

Population

6,652

Median Age

43.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,474/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

59

2.3 km²· 2,886.4 people/km²· Family income $2,744/wk

Blakehurst suits buyers prioritising space, established streets and family accommodation over apartment exposure. Separate houses account for 86.0% of dwellings, while 56.6% have four or more bedrooms and 33.0% have three, so larger households can find a stronger fit than in apartment-heavy parts of the Georges River area. The monthly mortgage figure is $3,208 against weekly rent of $600, and mortgage costs equal 29.9% of household income, below the local rent-to-income measure of 24.3% only when comparing different housing costs cautiously. Outright ownership is 45.2%, higher than the 38.6% mortgage share, indicating a substantial settled owner base. Compare recent sales with South Hurstville because block size, water proximity and renovation quality can move prices above or below suburb-level expectations.

For Buyers

Blakehurst suits buyers prioritising space, established streets and family accommodation over apartment exposure. Separate houses account for 86.0% of dwellings, while 56.6% have four or more bedrooms and 33.0% have three, so larger households can find a stronger fit than in apartment-heavy parts of the Georges River area. The monthly mortgage figure is $3,208 against weekly rent of $600, and mortgage costs equal 29.9% of household income, below the local rent-to-income measure of 24.3% only when comparing different housing costs cautiously. Outright ownership is 45.2%, higher than the 38.6% mortgage share, indicating a substantial settled owner base. Compare recent sales with South Hurstville because block size, water proximity and renovation quality can move prices above or below suburb-level expectations.

For Investors

Investor appeal is more defensive than high-growth: 14.4% of households rent, 45.2% own outright, and the vacancy rate is 6.6%, which is higher than a tightly constrained rental market would usually be. Weekly rent is $600, while rent-to-income is 24.3%, below the mortgage-to-income figure of 29.9%, supporting tenant capacity but potentially limiting rent escalation. Sixty development matters were recorded over 12 months, including attached dual occupancies with 2 dwellings in sampled applications, so infill can add competition and gradually change the detached-house mix. Forecast growth is 0.87% annually and is driven by overseas migration, making the outlook steadier than a speculative boom. Check yield against Hurstville and South Hurstville, where smaller dwellings can produce different rent-to-price outcomes.

Development Activity

Total DAs

407

Last 12 Months

59

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-25.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Demolition
39
Renovation / Extension
25
Swimming Pool / Spa
18
New Dwelling
18
Subdivision
15
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
8
Other
5
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
4

Schools in Blakehurst

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Bald Face Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Blakehurst Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Blakehurst High School

Secondary School Government
School website

Demographics

Blakehurst has an older, highly educated and internationally connected profile. Median age is 43, which is 3.0 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 48.3%, 18.2 percentage points higher than nationally. Overseas-born residents account for 33.9%, 12.3 points above the national level. Chinese and Greek ancestry are prominent at 1,269 and 1,221 people, and Greek, Cantonese and Mandarin are the leading listed non-English languages at 374, 250 and 250 people. Couples with children make up 56.3% of families, compared with 30.8% couples without children, because the large-home stock attracts established family households. The 84.5% stay rate is higher than the 15.5% turnover rate, suggesting more residential continuity than in a highly transient suburb. Compared with Hurstville, Blakehurst is older and more family-oriented.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.7%
15-24
13.6%
25-44
20.8%
45-64
27.6%
65+
20.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.9%
2 bed
8.5%
3 bed
33.0%
4+ bed
56.6%

Dwelling Structure

86.0%

Houses

7.4%

Townhouse

6.6%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 45.2% Mortgage 38.6% Rent 14.4% Other 1.8%

Blakehurst's housing profile is strongly detached and owner-oriented, which helps explain its established-wealth identity. Separate houses account for 86.0%, versus 6.6% apartments and 7.4% semi-detached dwellings; 56.6% of homes have four or more bedrooms, above the 33.0% share with three bedrooms. Ownership is split between 45.2% outright and 38.6% mortgage, while renting is 14.4%, lower than either owner category. Household income of $2,474 a week sits at the 92nd percentile, and mortgage costs are 29.9% of income, below the rent-to-income measure of 24.3% only as a separate housing-cost comparison. Affordability is labelled Improving, with measures of 69.9 in 2011 and 62.8 in 2021, although the broader shift remains Mixed. Compared with South Hurstville, the 86.0% house share makes Blakehurst less apartment-exposed and more sensitive to land, renovation and rebuild pricing.

Mortgage / mo

$3,208

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $600.

$845

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $975 · units $760

HH Size

3.1

Personal Income / wk

$901

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

6.6%

Unoccupied

144

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.3%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

29.9%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
374
Canton
250
Mandarin
250
Arabic
172
Macedon
75
Italian
47

Ancestry

Chinese
1,269
Greek
1,221
English
963
Other
904
Italian
414
Lebanese
408

Household Composition

56.3%

Couples with children

30.8%

Couples, no children

11.5%

Single parent

1,772

Total families

Economy & Employment

Blakehurst combines professional employment with low measured unemployment. Healthcare leads the industry mix at 15.8% and 351 workers, followed by Professional/Tech at 14.5% and 321, Education at 10.3% and 228, Finance at 10.2% and 226, and Construction at 9.3% and 206. Professionals number 950 and managers 572, ahead of clerical and administrative workers at 501, reflecting a more credentialed workforce than the national profile. Unemployment is 3.3% from a labour force of 3,137, while participation is 57.2%, so household prosperity is supported by stable work but moderated by 2,045 people outside the labour force. Household income of $2,474 weekly is at the 92nd percentile, higher than average, helping households carry a $3,208 monthly mortgage.

Unemployment

3.3%

Labour Force

3,137

Unemployed

103

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
8
Disadvantage
5
Economic resources
6
Education & occupation
8

Full-time

53.9%

Part-time

30.7%

Participation

57.2%

Employed

3,034

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 950
Managers 572
Clerical/Admin 501
Trades 270
Sales 263
Community/Personal 185
Labourers 126
Machinery/Drivers 96

Top Industries

Healthcare 15.8%
Professional/Tech 14.5%
Education 10.3%
Finance 10.2%
Construction 9.3%

University

48.3%

Postgraduate

10.1%

Born Overseas

33.9%

Dwellings

2,032

Transport to Work

Daily life is better suited to drivers and home-based workers than to regular public-transport commuters. Car drivers account for 44.0% of travel and working from home for 50.0%, versus only 1.4% using public transport and 0.9% walking or cycling, so trip planning matters for households without a car. Three local government schools provide a practical mix of 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school, but enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. Blakehurst's IRSAD decile is 8 and its IEO decile is also 8, above the middle deciles, consistent with strong socioeconomic access. The median age of 43 and 3.1-person average household size support a settled family rhythm, while 10.9% volunteering adds local participation. Compared with denser Hurstville, the lower transit share trades convenience for more space and privacy.

Drive

44.0%

Public Transport

1.4%

Walk / Cycle

0.9%

Work from Home

50.0%

Population Forecast

+0.87%/yr

(+237 people/yr)

Established

Blakehurst is an established market with measured rather than explosive expansion. The forecast annual trend is 0.87%, and the primary migration driver is overseas migration, while population change across the wider area is 11.8% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed: rent growth reached 22.5%, senior share rose 2.8 points, and young share fell 2.0 points, pointing to an ageing household base alongside continued demand. Gentrification signals are limited, with a score of 15 and stage Not gentrifying, although a separate shift score of 35 is labelled Early signs. This combination suggests infill and gradual tenure change, not a wholesale reset, because 60 development matters in 12 months can add dual occupancies without replacing the suburb's detached core. Growth is slower than a high-turnover redevelopment precinct.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+784

Net Internal / yr

-335

15

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +15% since 2011, Net internal outflow -335/yr, Strong overseas inflow +784/yr

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Blakehurst compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 8%
Household Income
Top 8%
Rent Level
Top 2%
Apartments
Top 10%
Renters
Bottom 48%
Uni Educated
Top 10%
Public Transport
Bottom 29%
Born Overseas
Top 10%
Density
Top 4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blakehurst a good suburb to live in?

Blakehurst suits households seeking larger homes, established streets and a settled community. It has 6,652 residents, a median age of 43, and 86.0% separate houses. The 50.0% work-from-home share supports home-based routines, although only 1.4% use public transport, so regular commuters should compare travel options carefully.

What is the median house price in Blakehurst?

A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales rather than assumed from broad suburb indicators. Blakehurst is 86.0% separate houses, 56.6% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, and the monthly mortgage figure is $3,208. Compare like-for-like blocks, renovations and water proximity with South Hurstville.

What schools are in Blakehurst?

Blakehurst has 3 listed government schools, comprising 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school. That provides coverage across the main school stages, but enrolment zones can vary by street. Families should confirm the exact catchment and current availability before committing to a property, particularly where an address sits near a suburb boundary.

Is Blakehurst safe?

A firm safety rating cannot be given without a current suburb-level crime rate. Check recent NSW Police information and inspect the exact street at different times. Blakehurst has 6,652 residents and an 84.5% stay rate, indicating residential continuity, but those figures are not a substitute for crime statistics or personal due diligence.

Is Blakehurst good for property investment?

Blakehurst may suit investors seeking established houses rather than high-density growth. Renting is 14.4%, weekly rent is $600 and vacancy is 6.6%, while 60 development matters in 12 months may increase future competition. Forecast growth is 0.87% annually and is driven by overseas migration, so returns should be tested against purchase price, maintenance and comparable suburbs.

How is Blakehurst's population changing?

Blakehurst has 6,652 residents today. Population change across the wider area is 11.8% over 10 years, with forecast growth of 0.87% annually driven by overseas migration. The trajectory is Mixed: the senior share rose 2.8 points while the young share fell 2.0 points, suggesting gradual ageing alongside continued housing demand.

What development is happening in Blakehurst?

There were 60 development matters in the past 12 months, including new dwelling houses and attached dual occupancies. Two sampled dual-occupancy applications each involved 2 dwellings. The gentrification score is 15 and the stage is Not gentrifying, so current activity points more to gradual infill than a wholesale redevelopment cycle.

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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