Cambridge Gardens
With 98.3% of dwellings being separate houses and just 0.77 square kilometres in area, Cambridge Gardens is one of the most detached-dominant suburbs in the Penrith corridor. Household income sits at the 73.2nd percentile nationally, above average but not at the top tier. The suburb scores decile 9 on both IRSD and IER, placing it firmly in the upper-advantage band for economic resources and relative disadvantage. Population grew 18.8% over the decade and is forecast to reach 9,632 by 2031, driven primarily by overseas migration of 42 residents per year. The median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure, reflecting a younger, family-oriented population with an average household size of 2.8.
Population
2,030
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,950/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
11
Median House
$932K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $932,000 sits well above the national median, reflecting Penrith region demand. Prices moved from $900,000 in 2024 to $950,000 in 2025, a 5.6% gain, and remain at the recent peak. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 98.3%, with apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers face limited substitutes. Bedroom configuration skews large: 57.3% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and 40.2% have 4 or more, making this a genuine family market rather than an entry-level one. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7% the suburb sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning most mortgage holders here carry manageable debt loads compared to many Sydney suburbs.
For Buyers
The median house price of $932,000 sits well above the national median, reflecting Penrith region demand. Prices moved from $900,000 in 2024 to $950,000 in 2025, a 5.6% gain, and remain at the recent peak. The stock is overwhelmingly separate houses at 98.3%, with apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers face limited substitutes. Bedroom configuration skews large: 57.3% of dwellings have 3 bedrooms and 40.2% have 4 or more, making this a genuine family market rather than an entry-level one. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and at a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7% the suburb sits below the 30% stress threshold, meaning most mortgage holders here carry manageable debt loads compared to many Sydney suburbs.
For Investors
The rental market is shallow by design: only 19.6% of dwellings are rented, well below the national average, because the suburb is strongly owner-occupier dominated, with 32.8% owning outright and 47.7% on a mortgage. Weekly rent of $420 against a $932,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.3%, typical for low-renter suburban markets. The vacancy rate of 2.0% is tight, suggesting landlords face little prolonged vacancy when tenancies turn over. Development activity sits at 10 applications in 12 months, low for the suburb's population, with dual occupancy and secondary dwelling applications visible, consistent with gentle densification. Net overseas migration adds 42 residents annually, underpinning long-run demand as the internal migration balance is slightly negative at minus 31 per year.
Development Activity
Total DAs
63
Last 12 Months
11
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+57.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 36 is 4.0 years below the national figure, anchoring Cambridge Gardens as a younger area, but the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 5.9 points and the working-age share fell 2.8 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 16.7% are 4.9 points below the national figure, making this a predominantly Australian-born community. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (792), Irish (234) and Scottish (197) dominate. University qualifications reach 18.4%, which is 11.7 points below the national rate, reflecting a workforce weighted toward trade and service roles rather than knowledge-sector professions. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above the national average, consistent with the high share of couples with children (722 families).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.3%
Houses
1.1%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership is the defining characteristic: 80.5% of households either own outright (32.8%) or carry a mortgage (47.7%), and only 19.6% rent. This tenure structure is substantially more owner-dominated than the national average. The stock is almost exclusively separate houses at 98.3%, with semi-detached at 1.1% and apartments at 0.6%. Bedroom sizes are generous, with 3-bedroom homes at 57.3% and 4-plus at 40.2%, leaving under 2.5% with 2 or fewer bedrooms. The median house price climbed from $900,000 to $950,000 between 2024 and 2025, a one-year CAGR of 5.6%. Mortgage-to-income at 25.7% and rent-to-income at 21.5% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, so housing costs remain proportionate to local incomes at the 73.2nd percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$420
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$835
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.0%
Unoccupied
14
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.7%
Couples, no children
1,758
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the top industry at 15.7% of employed residents (88 workers), followed by Construction at 14.7% (82). Manufacturing at 8.8%, Public Administration at 8.6% and Education at 8.4% round out the top five. Clerical and Administrative workers are the most common occupation (155), with Professionals (142) and Machinery Operators and Drivers (126) close behind, reflecting a mixed white-collar and trade workforce. The unemployment rate is 4.9% and the full-time employment rate is 66.9%. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 8 and IEO decile of 7 indicate upper-mid advantage nationally, though the IEO score is two deciles below the IER, suggesting economic resources exceed education and occupation outcomes, a common pattern in trade-heavy suburbs where household asset values outpace credentialed qualifications.
Unemployment
1.4%
Labour Force
4,990
Unemployed
68
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.9%
Part-time
28.2%
Participation
53.2%
Employed
821
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.4%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
16.7%
Dwellings
704
Transport to Work
Car dependence is pronounced: 92.1% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average, and only 2.0% use public transport, reflecting the suburb's position as a low-density, car-oriented pocket within the Penrith LGA. The 0.77 km2 footprint and density of 2,627 people per km2 are modest by comparison to inner-ring suburbs. No schools are recorded within the Cambridge Gardens boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs such as Penrith and Kingswood. The IRSAD decile of 8 places the suburb in the upper-advantage band nationally for socioeconomic conditions. Housing stress indicators are favourable: mortgage-to-income at 25.7% and rent-to-income at 21.5% both remain below the 30% benchmark, and the 8.0% volunteering rate suggests reasonable community engagement.
Drive
92.1%
Public Transport
2.0%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.26%/yr
(+112 people/yr)
EstablishedCambridge Gardens grew 18.8% over the decade to 2021, and the momentum is continuing at 1.26% annually, adding around 112 people per year. Medium-scenario forecasts project the population rising from approximately 8,883 in 2025 to 9,632 by 2031. Overseas migration is the primary engine, with a net 42 arrivals per year offsetting net internal outflow of 31. The gentrification score sits at 22 with early-stage signals: population up 21% since 2011 and the university-educated share accelerating from 6% to 14%. Rents grew 33.3% over the measured period while real incomes rose 16.5%, a gap that signals affordability compression for renters even as mortgage holders remain below the stress threshold. The trajectory is aging, not shrinking, meaning the suburb's profile is gradually shifting rather than declining.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
-31
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Accelerating: 6% → 14%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cambridge Gardens compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge Gardens a good suburb to live in?
Cambridge Gardens offers stable owner-occupier conditions with 80.5% of households either owning outright or on a mortgage. Household income ranks at the 73.2nd percentile nationally, and the IRSAD decile of 8 places it in the upper-advantage band. The suburb suits families seeking large separate houses, with 40.2% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms.
What is the median house price in Cambridge Gardens?
The median house price is $932,000 as at the 2024-2025 period. Prices rose 5.6% from $900,000 in 2024 to $950,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7%, which is below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Cambridge Gardens?
No schools are recorded within the Cambridge Gardens boundary in this dataset. The suburb covers just 0.77 km2, so families access schools in the adjacent Penrith and Kingswood areas. University qualifications among residents stand at 18.4%, which is 11.7 points below the national rate.
Is Cambridge Gardens safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Cambridge Gardens in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 9 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, placing it in the low-disadvantage tier. Only 6.2% of residents (121 people) need daily assistance, consistent with a stable, low-disadvantage community.
Is Cambridge Gardens good for property investment?
The investment case is modest but stable. Weekly rent of $420 against a $932,000 median implies a gross yield around 2.3%, with a vacancy rate of just 2.0%. Only 19.6% of dwellings are rented, limiting the landlord pool, but overseas migration of 42 residents per year supports long-run demand. Prices grew 5.6% in the last measured year.
How is Cambridge Gardens's population changing?
The population grew 18.8% over the decade and stands near 8,883 in 2025. Annual growth runs at 1.26%, adding around 112 people per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 9,632 by 2031. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 42 net arrivals per year, offsetting net internal outflow of 31.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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