Cardiff
Cardiff's most distinctive feature is its established, detached-house profile within a relatively compact 5.16 sq km area. The suburb has 6,318 residents, a density of 1,223.7 people per sq km and a median age of 38, which is 2 years below the national comparison. Houses account for 82.6% of occupied dwellings, while annual growth is only 0.5%, supporting a settled rather than rapidly expanding character. Compared with nearby Glendale and Warners Bay, Cardiff reads as a practical residential base with strong car access, moderate household incomes at the 47.3rd percentile and a large healthcare employment presence. Its 31.1% rental share and 5.3% vacancy rate add flexibility for renters, although the mixed growth trajectory calls for realistic expectations about capital growth.
Local council: Lake Macquarie
Population
6,318
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,512/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
83
Cardiff suits buyers prioritising established houses, useful floorplans and manageable housing costs rather than high-rise living. Separate houses make up 82.6% of dwellings, and 3-bedroom homes account for 49.5%, so the local stock is well aligned with couples, families and buyers seeking a conventional suburban layout. The reported monthly mortgage measure is $1,733, while mortgage costs equal 26.5% of household income, below 30%, and rent equals 24.8%. Ownership is split between 30.2% owning outright and 36.9% with a mortgage. Compared with apartment-focused parts of the wider Lake Macquarie market, Cardiff provides more detached options, but buyers should allow for car dependence because 70.8% drive to work.
For Buyers
Cardiff suits buyers prioritising established houses, useful floorplans and manageable housing costs rather than high-rise living. Separate houses make up 82.6% of dwellings, and 3-bedroom homes account for 49.5%, so the local stock is well aligned with couples, families and buyers seeking a conventional suburban layout. The reported monthly mortgage measure is $1,733, while mortgage costs equal 26.5% of household income, below 30%, and rent equals 24.8%. Ownership is split between 30.2% owning outright and 36.9% with a mortgage. Compared with apartment-focused parts of the wider Lake Macquarie market, Cardiff provides more detached options, but buyers should allow for car dependence because 70.8% drive to work.
For Investors
Cardiff has a substantial tenant base, with 31.1% of households renting at a median weekly rent of $375. The 5.3% vacancy rate is above 5%, which may give renters more choice and limit short-term pricing power compared with tighter markets. Development activity reached 82 applications in 12 months, indicating ongoing property and land-use activity, although application numbers do not establish how many new dwellings will result. The investment case is therefore more dependent on entry price, property condition and tenant appeal than on rapid expansion. Annual growth is 0.5% and overseas migration is the primary forecast driver, while rent growth of 35.7% supports income attention but also highlights changing affordability for tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
435
Last 12 Months
83
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+10.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Cardiff
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Cardiff has a median age of 38, 2 years below the national comparison, and an average household size of 2.4, which is 0.1 below the national figure. Its overseas-born share is 11.0%, 10.6 percentage points below the national comparison, while university qualification attainment is 26.8%, 3.3 points lower. English ancestry is recorded for 2,588 people, followed by Scottish ancestry at 721 and Irish ancestry at 660. Christianity accounts for 2,942 people and no religion for 2,779. Compared with nearby Glendale and Warners Bay, Cardiff fits a more established, Anglo-leaning suburban pattern, although its 26.2% turnover rate means more than 1 in 4 residents may change address over a year. The profile supports steady local continuity rather than a highly transient population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.6%
Houses
11.0%
Townhouse
6.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Cardiff's housing stock is strongly detached, with 82.6% separate houses compared with 6.2% apartments and 11.0% semi-detached dwellings. Almost half of homes have 3 bedrooms at 49.5%, while 4-bedroom or larger homes account for 19.9%, reinforcing the suburb's family-oriented built form. Tenure is relatively balanced: 30.2% own outright, 36.9% have a mortgage and 31.1% rent. Mortgage costs represent 26.5% of household income, below 30%, and rent represents 24.8%, so neither measure is flagged as housing stress. Compared with more apartment-led locations around Warners Bay, Cardiff provides greater access to detached stock, but its 5.16 sq km area and density of 1,223.7 create a settled urban-suburban environment rather than a semi-rural one.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $375.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $725 · units $493
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$780
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.3%
Unoccupied
143
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.3%
Couples with children
38.3%
Couples, no children
21.4%
Single parent
1,740
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Cardiff's leading industry, employing 525 people and representing 26.4% of the industry mix. Construction accounts for 218 workers at 11.0%, education 214 at 10.8%, public administration 135 at 6.8% and professional or technical work 128 at 6.4%. Occupationally, professionals number 617, trades 489 and community or personal service workers 449, showing a mix of skilled, practical and service roles. The $1,512 weekly household income sits at the 47.3rd percentile, close to the national middle rather than in a high-income band. Employment participation is 61.0% and unemployment is 6.0%. SEIFA deciles are 5 for education and occupation, 6 for economic resources, 6 for disadvantage and 5 for advantage, indicating moderate conditions with slightly stronger economic resources than education outcomes.
Unemployment
6.0%
Labour Force
3,175
Unemployed
192
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.5%
Part-time
35.2%
Participation
61.0%
Employed
2,983
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.8%
Postgraduate
5.4%
Born Overseas
11.0%
Dwellings
2,546
Transport to Work
Cardiff is practical for residents who drive, with 70.8% travelling to work by car, compared with 1.6% using public transport and 1.3% walking or cycling. A further 22.0% work from home, which can reduce daily commuting needs but makes home workspace and local services more important. Three government schools are located in the suburb, comprising 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school, giving families access to both school levels locally. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Cardiff's SEIFA results sit around the middle, with IRSAD at decile 5, IRSD at 6, IEO at 5 and IER at 6, rather than placing the suburb in the highest or lowest socioeconomic band. The 7.5% need-assistance rate also makes access to health, transport and support services relevant to everyday livability.
Drive
70.8%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
22.0%
Growth Outlook
Cardiff is an established, slow-growth suburb with an annual forecast trend of 0.5%, below 1%, and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 7.1% over 10 years, suggesting gradual momentum rather than a sharp expansion cycle. The shift trajectory is Mixed: senior share has risen by 2.8 percentage points, while the young share has fallen by 0.3 points and the working share by 1.6 points. Rent growth of 35.7% has been faster than the 0.5% annual population trend, which may reflect pressure from housing demand rather than a large new population wave. Gentrification signals are also uneven, with a shift score of 37 and an Early signs label, but the current gentrification score is 0 and classified as Not gentrifying. That combination supports measured expectations about redevelopment and price acceleration.
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cardiff compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cardiff a good suburb to live in?
Cardiff suits residents seeking established houses, local schooling and practical access to Lake Macquarie services. It has 6,318 residents, a median age of 38, 82.6% separate houses and 70.8% car commuting. The 22.0% work-from-home rate also supports households that value flexible working space.
What is the median house price in Cardiff?
For a current median, check recent settled sales and compare similar 3-bedroom houses, which represent 49.5% of Cardiff's housing. The suburb's monthly mortgage measure is $1,733, mortgage costs equal 26.5% of household income and separate houses account for 82.6% of dwellings.
What schools are in Cardiff?
Cardiff has 3 government schools: 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school. The local schools are Cardiff Public School, Cardiff North Public School and Cardiff High School. Check the exact address against current enrolment zones, since catchments can affect access even within the 5.16 sq km suburb.
Is Cardiff safe?
A simple yes or no rating would be unreliable without current incident figures. Check NSW Police crime information and inspect the immediate street before deciding. Cardiff has 6,318 residents, and its socioeconomic measures sit near the middle, with IRSAD at decile 5 and IRSD at decile 6.
Is Cardiff good for property investment?
Cardiff has a 31.1% rental share, a $375 weekly rent and a 5.3% vacancy rate, giving investors an established tenant market but not a guaranteed shortage. Development activity reached 82 applications in 12 months, while annual growth is 0.5%, so purchase price and property quality remain important.
How is Cardiff's population changing?
Cardiff has 6,318 residents today and a gradual growth profile. The annual forecast trend is 0.5%, while population change across the wider area is 7.1% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Mixed, with the senior share up 2.8 percentage points.
What development is occurring in Cardiff?
Cardiff recorded 82 development applications over 12 months, including a swimming pool modification and commercial or change-of-use proposals. The activity indicates ongoing property change, but the available applications do not establish a dwelling total. Review approvals, timing and local impacts before relying on development as an investment driver.
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).
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