Catherine Field
A 170.5% population change across the wider area over ten years places Catherine Field in a high-growth phase, while its current 2,609 residents remain concentrated in low-density, family-oriented housing. The suburb has a median age of 33, seven years below the national figure, and 72.1% of homes have four or more bedrooms. Household income sits at the 88.4th percentile, helping explain the 45.2% mortgage tenure. Compared with nearby Leppington, Catherine Field reads as more detached-house led and newer in its growth pattern, with internal migration driving expansion.
Local council: Camden
Population
2,609
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,316/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
167
Home buyers are largely choosing family-sized detached stock: 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 72.1% contain four or more bedrooms, which suits the average 3.3-person household. The monthly mortgage marker is $2,500, while mortgage payments equal 24.9% of household income, higher than the 22.5% rent-to-income figure; neither stress flag is set. With 45.2% paying a mortgage and 32.9% owning outright, buyers should test repayments against their own income. Compared with smaller-home areas, Catherine Field's four-bedroom-plus share makes land, construction quality and estate location more important than apartment amenity. A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales because the housing mix is overwhelmingly detached.
For Buyers
Home buyers are largely choosing family-sized detached stock: 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses and 72.1% contain four or more bedrooms, which suits the average 3.3-person household. The monthly mortgage marker is $2,500, while mortgage payments equal 24.9% of household income, higher than the 22.5% rent-to-income figure; neither stress flag is set. With 45.2% paying a mortgage and 32.9% owning outright, buyers should test repayments against their own income. Compared with smaller-home areas, Catherine Field's four-bedroom-plus share makes land, construction quality and estate location more important than apartment amenity. A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales because the housing mix is overwhelmingly detached.
For Investors
Investor conditions are supported by a 20.5% renting share, $520 weekly rent and a 4.3% vacancy rate. Rent growth is 66.7%, adding a stronger demand signal than the current vacancy figure alone, while development activity reached 151 over 12 months and points to a substantial pipeline of new dwellings. That supply can temper rental competition as projects complete, even as internal migration remains the primary growth driver. Compared with established, slower-growing suburbs, the 4.77% annual forecast trend offers more upside but also makes estate-by-estate due diligence important. Detached houses dominate at 96.9%, so the investment case is tied more to family rental demand than apartment turnover.
Development Activity
Total DAs
986
Last 12 Months
167
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Catherine Field has a young, family-heavy profile: the median age is 33, seven years below the national figure, and average household size is 3.3, or 0.8 above national. Couples with children account for 51.9% of families, compared with 34.2% couples without children, helping explain the 72.1% four-bedroom-plus housing share. Overseas-born residents represent 29.5%, 7.9 percentage points above national. English, Italian, Maltese and Chinese ancestry counts are 475, 443, 201 and 168, while Christianity numbers 1,680 and no religion 413. University attainment is 30.1%, equal to national at 0.0 percentage points difference. The 62.5% who stayed at the same address suggests family stability despite 37.5% turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.9%
Houses
2.3%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached ownership defines Catherine Field: 96.9% of homes are separate houses, 72.1% have four or more bedrooms and only 0.4% are apartments. Tenure is weighted toward mortgages at 45.2%, ahead of outright ownership at 32.9% and renting at 20.5%, consistent with a newer mortgage-belt suburb where households are still paying down recent purchases. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,500 versus $520 weekly rent, while mortgage-to-income is 24.9%, higher than rent-to-income at 22.5%, with neither stress flagged. Compared with nearby Leppington's more mixed suburban setting, Catherine Field's detached share makes land, construction quality and estate location more important than apartment amenity. The 4.3% vacancy rate indicates some rental availability.
Mortgage / mo
$2,500
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $520.
$780
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $780
HH Size
3.3
Personal Income / wk
$885
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
34
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
51.9%
Couples with children
34.2%
Couples, no children
12.6%
Single parent
730
Total families
Economy & Employment
Household income is $2,316 a week, placing Catherine Field at the 88.4th percentile, while labour-force participation is 65.8% and unemployment is 4.2%. Construction and healthcare each employ 131 people, followed by education at 80, retail at 60 and transport at 57, giving the suburb a practical mix of building, care, teaching, sales and logistics work. Leading occupations include professionals at 234, trades at 205, clerical and administration at 191, and managers at 166. SEIFA results are above the midpoint: IEO decile 6, IER decile 10, IRSD decile 7 and IRSAD decile 8. The unusually high resources decile compared with education and occupation reflects strong household means even though job types are mixed. Compared with lower-income outer suburban markets, that income profile supports mortgage capacity and local spending.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
1,354
Unemployed
57
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.8%
Part-time
33.3%
Participation
65.8%
Employed
1,297
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
30.1%
Postgraduate
7.4%
Born Overseas
29.5%
Dwellings
767
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 58.2% travel as car drivers, compared with 2.5% using public transport and 1.4% walking or cycling, while 33.4% work from home. That pattern suits larger detached homes but makes trip planning more important than in better-connected inner suburbs. Catherine Field has 2,609 residents across 10.31 square kilometres, a density of 252.9 people per square kilometre, and an IRSAD decile of 8, above the middle of the socioeconomic scale. Families should check school options and enrolment zones against the exact address, especially because local choices can sit outside suburb boundaries. With 7.7% volunteering and 4.5% needing assistance, community participation and support access also matter when comparing streets and estates.
Drive
58.2%
Public Transport
2.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
33.4%
Growth Outlook
Growth is a defining feature, with a forecast annual trend of 4.77% and internal migration named as the primary driver. The wider area's population change is 170.5% over ten years, while the trajectory is labelled Rejuvenating, supported by a 4.4 percentage-point rise in the young share and a 3.2-point fall in the senior share. The affordability trend is labelled Improving, with recorded values of 67.1 in 2011 and 61.6 in 2021, while rent growth is 66.7%. The gentrification score is 0, with the stage described as New development rather than gentrifying. Compared with mature suburbs, this combination points to estate-led expansion and a younger incoming base, so buyers should assess infrastructure timing as well as current amenity.
Population trend: Camden council area
Catherine Field sits in the Camden council area. These are the council area's residents, not Catherine Field's.
Residents 2025
146,483
Growth, 5 yr average
+5.4%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+3.7%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Catherine Field compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Catherine Field a good suburb to live in?
Catherine Field suits households seeking newer, detached, family-sized housing: 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses, 72.1% have four or more bedrooms and the median age is 33. Compared with denser areas, its 252.9 people per square kilometre and 58.2% car-driver share mean more space but greater reliance on driving.
What is the median house price in Catherine Field?
Catherine Field's current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales before making an offer. The useful local benchmarks are a $2,500 monthly mortgage, $520 weekly rent and a 96.9% separate-house share. Compared with apartment-led markets, detached-house comparables are the more relevant guide.
What schools are in Catherine Field?
School choices should be checked by exact address and enrolment zone, including options just outside Catherine Field. The suburb's 58.2% car-driver rate and 2.5% public-transport rate make school-run travel a practical consideration. Compare commute times, year levels and sector options before signing a lease or contract.
Is Catherine Field safe?
Use current incident maps, council information and a street-level visit when assessing safety, because conditions can vary between estates. Catherine Field has 2,609 residents, 4.5% needing assistance and an IRSAD decile of 8. Those figures provide context, but they are not a substitute for checking the specific street and route home.
Is Catherine Field good for property investment?
Catherine Field has a growth-oriented rental profile: 20.5% of households rent, weekly rent is $520 and vacancy is 4.3%. Development activity reached 151 in 12 months, while internal migration is the primary driver. Compared with lower-growth locations, the 4.77% annual trend may support demand, but investors should test supply, estate quality and holding costs.
How is Catherine Field's population changing?
The suburb has 2,609 residents today and is on a Rejuvenating trajectory. Across the wider area, population change is 170.5% over ten years, with a 4.77% annual trend driven primarily by internal migration. The young share rose 4.4 percentage points while the senior share fell 3.2 points, so Catherine Field is becoming younger compared with mature areas.
What development is occurring in Catherine Field?
Development activity reached 151 over 12 months and the growth stage is labelled New development. That pipeline aligns with a 96.9% separate-house share and a 4.77% annual growth trend. Compared with established suburbs, buyers should check completion timing, street connectivity and the effect of new supply on resale competition.
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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