Cromer
Cromer's $2,150,000 median house price (2025) grew 6.2% in a single year, yet mortgage stress at 29.2% of household income pushes close to the 30% danger line, the tightest affordability in Sydney's Northern Beaches. Despite this, 38.8% own outright and SEIFA IRSAD decile 9 (score 1,103) puts it in the top 20% nationally. With 54 DAs lodged in 12 months, including secondary dwellings and commercial conversions, the suburb is densifying faster than typical for a predominantly detached-house area (78.5%). Italian ancestry (577) makes it the fifth-largest group, an unusual feature for the Northern Beaches where Italian heritage is rarely this prominent.
Population
8,030
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,483/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
57
Median House
$2.1M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $2,150,000 (2025), Cromer is cheaper than neighbouring Balgowlah ($2,360,000) but still firmly premium. The 6.2% year-on-year growth from $2,025,000 in 2024 shows continued momentum. Mortgage repayments of $3,142/month at 29.2% of income sit just below the 30% stress threshold, the tightest ratio in this 15-suburb analysis. Stock is 78.5% houses with 48.8% having 4+ bedrooms, and 12.4% semi-detached providing alternatives. Two schools serve the area: Cromer Public (ICSEA 1,091, 468 students) and Northern Beaches Secondary Cromer Campus (ICSEA 1,056, 1,157 students), both above the 1,000 benchmark. Car dependency is high at 88.0%, though the 3.5% public transport share is moderate for Northern Beaches.
For Buyers
At $2,150,000 (2025), Cromer is cheaper than neighbouring Balgowlah ($2,360,000) but still firmly premium. The 6.2% year-on-year growth from $2,025,000 in 2024 shows continued momentum. Mortgage repayments of $3,142/month at 29.2% of income sit just below the 30% stress threshold, the tightest ratio in this 15-suburb analysis. Stock is 78.5% houses with 48.8% having 4+ bedrooms, and 12.4% semi-detached providing alternatives. Two schools serve the area: Cromer Public (ICSEA 1,091, 468 students) and Northern Beaches Secondary Cromer Campus (ICSEA 1,056, 1,157 students), both above the 1,000 benchmark. Car dependency is high at 88.0%, though the 3.5% public transport share is moderate for Northern Beaches.
For Investors
Only 16.2% of residents rent, and the 4.5% vacancy rate is slightly above balanced but manageable. Weekly rent of $650 on $2,150,000 gives a gross yield of just 1.6%, making this a capital-growth proposition only. The 54 DAs in 12 months are notable, with secondary dwellings and granny flat applications suggesting infill densification, which could increase rental stock. Population grows at 0.65% annually (55 persons/year), projected to reach 8,664 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 77 people/year with minimal internal outflow (-20/year). The SEIFA IER decile of 10 (score 1,113) confirms top-tier economic resources among residents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
345
Last 12 Months
57
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Cromer iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Cromer Public School
K-6 · 468 students
Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus
7-12 · 1157 students
Demographics
University education at 37.5% (7.4 points above national) characterizes a professional community. English ancestry dominates at 3,333, with Irish (853), Scottish (779), and a prominent Italian contingent (577) following. Italian is the most-spoken non-English language (67 speakers), ahead of Mandarin (41) and Portuguese (38). Born-overseas at 25.4% is 3.8 points above national, mostly from Anglophone and European backgrounds. Households average 3.0 persons (0.5 above national), and couples with children (3,387) outnumber childless couples (1,319) by over 2.5 to 1, confirming Cromer's family character. Christianity leads at 4,279 adherents. The SEIFA IEO decile of 8 reflects strong educational advantage.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.5%
Houses
12.4%
Townhouse
9.1%
Apartment
Tenure
From $2,025,000 to $2,150,000 in one year (6.2% growth), the price trend continues upward. Mortgage holders at 45.0% and outright owners at 38.8% dominate, leaving just 16.2% renting. The 78.5% separate-house share is lower than you might expect for a Northern Beaches suburb, supplemented by 12.4% semi-detached and 9.1% apartments. Nearly half (48.8%) of dwellings have 4+ bedrooms. Mortgage stress at 29.2% is the highest of the 15 suburbs analysed, approaching the 30% threshold despite the 92nd-percentile household income ($2,483/week). This reveals that even high earners on the Northern Beaches are stretched by $2M+ entry prices.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,142
Rent / wk
$650
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$949
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.5%
Unoccupied
123
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.2%
Couples, no children
6,856
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (14.0%), Professional/Tech (13.2%), Construction (12.3%), Education (11.0%), and Finance (6.9%) are the top employers, a diversified white-collar and trades mix. Professionals (1,015) and Managers (726) lead occupations. The 62.0% fulltime rate and 3.6% unemployment are solid. Participation at 57.9% is slightly below average, likely reflecting some early retirees in the older portion of the population (median 41). The 81.6% residential stability rate shows workers have long commutes they are willing to endure for the lifestyle. Rent growth of 32.7% over the decade confirms the area's sustained demand pressure, outpacing wage growth and tightening affordability.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
4,490
Unemployed
181
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.0%
Part-time
34.4%
Participation
57.9%
Employed
3,549
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.5%
Postgraduate
7.9%
Born Overseas
25.4%
Dwellings
2,619
Transport to Work
Two schools, both above ICSEA 1,000: Cromer Public (government, 1,091, 468 students) and Northern Beaches Secondary Cromer Campus (government, 1,056, 1,157 students). The secondary campus is a large school that draws from the wider area. Public transport at 3.5% is modest but walking and cycling at 2.9% supplement it. Car usage at 88.0% remains the primary mode. SEIFA IRSAD decile 9 and IER decile 10 confirm high liveability and economic resources. Volunteering at 15.8% and need-for-assistance at 4.3% are both moderate. The family-oriented mix (48.8% 4+ bedroom homes, 3,387 families with children) and 81.6% stability rate create a settled suburban character.
Drive
88.0%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.65%/yr
(+55 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 0.65% annually (55 persons/year), projected to reach 8,664 by 2031 from 8,400 in 2025. Overseas migration (+77/year) is the primary driver, with internal migration nearly flat (-20/year). Population grew 11.6% over the past decade. The mixed trajectory shows seniors share rising 2.9 points while young share dips 1.2 points. Gentrification score of 4 with early signs reported suggests the suburb is stabilised at a high base rather than actively upgrading. Rent grew 32.7% over the decade, outpacing income growth of 13.4%, explaining why mortgage stress is now close to the 30% line. The 54 DAs point to densification as the primary growth mechanism.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+77
Net Internal / yr
-20
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cromer compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cromer a good suburb to live in?
Cromer ranks SEIFA IRSAD decile 9, in the top 20% nationally. Both schools score above ICSEA 1,000, with Cromer Public at 1,091. Household income is in the 92nd percentile. The main consideration is affordability: mortgage stress at 29.2% of income is very close to the 30% threshold, even for high earners.
What is the median house price in Cromer?
The median is $2,150,000 (2025, PSI derived), up 6.2% from $2,025,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage of $3,142 consumes 29.2% of household income, the tightest ratio in this analysis. The 78.5% separate-house stock and 48.8% four-plus-bedroom share cater to families.
What schools are in Cromer?
Two schools: Cromer Public School (government primary, ICSEA 1,091, 468 students) and Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus (government, ICSEA 1,056, 1,157 students). Both score above the 1,000 national benchmark, with the primary school 91 points above average.
Is Cromer safe?
Crime data is not separately reported for Cromer. The socioeconomic profile is favourable: SEIFA IRSD decile 9, IER decile 10, 38.8% outright homeownership, 81.6% residential stability, and 92nd-percentile household income. The family-oriented community (couples with children outnumber childless couples 2.5 to 1) further supports safety.
Is Cromer good for property investment?
Capital growth has been steady at 6.2% year-on-year. However, gross yield is very low at 1.6% ($650/week on $2,150,000). The 4.5% vacancy rate is manageable, and only 16.2% of residents rent. The 54 DAs in 12 months, including secondary dwellings, signal increasing granny flat and densification supply.
How is Cromer's population changing?
Growing at 0.65% annually (55 people/year), projected to reach 8,664 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 77 people/year with minimal internal loss (-20/year). Population grew 11.6% over the past decade. Seniors share is rising 2.9 points, though the young median age and family orientation provide a buffer against rapid aging.
What is the development activity in Cromer?
Very active with 54 DAs in 12 months. Applications include secondary dwellings (granny flats), commercial conversions, and residential alterations. This level of activity for a suburb of 8,030 people signals densification is accelerating, driven by the secondary dwelling provisions that allow infill development on existing residential lots.
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.
Explore Cromer on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map