Darlington
At 2,597 residents in just 0.38 sq km, Darlington is an intensely urban pocket with density of 6,819.9 people per sq km. Its median age of 27 is 13 years below the national figure, while 69.1% hold a university qualification, 39 percentage points above the national comparison. The profile is renter-led, with 60.1% renting and vacancy at 20.1%, reflecting a mobile, student-heavy population rather than a settled family market. Compared with nearby Chippendale and Camperdown, Darlington's small footprint and 43.8% overseas-born share make it especially attached-housing oriented. Household income sits at the 90.5th percentile, above the national midpoint, but high density and frequent turnover shape day-to-day life.
Population
2,597
Median Age
27.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,392/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
28
Homebuyers need to treat Darlington as an attached-housing market rather than a detached-house suburb. Semi-detached homes account for 76.5% of dwellings, compared with 3.8% separate houses and 19.2% apartments. Smaller properties are common, with 18.7% having 0 or 1 bedroom and 33.1% having 2 bedrooms, although 23.0% contain 4 or more bedrooms. The weekly rent is $650 and the monthly mortgage figure is $3,200, while mortgage costs reach 30.9% of income and are flagged as stressful. Only 17.5% own outright and 21.1% have a mortgage, so buyers compete with a large 60.1% renter base. The 90.5th household-income percentile is above the national midpoint, but affordability still depends heavily on dwelling size and purchase price.
For Buyers
Homebuyers need to treat Darlington as an attached-housing market rather than a detached-house suburb. Semi-detached homes account for 76.5% of dwellings, compared with 3.8% separate houses and 19.2% apartments. Smaller properties are common, with 18.7% having 0 or 1 bedroom and 33.1% having 2 bedrooms, although 23.0% contain 4 or more bedrooms. The weekly rent is $650 and the monthly mortgage figure is $3,200, while mortgage costs reach 30.9% of income and are flagged as stressful. Only 17.5% own outright and 21.1% have a mortgage, so buyers compete with a large 60.1% renter base. The 90.5th household-income percentile is above the national midpoint, but affordability still depends heavily on dwelling size and purchase price.
For Investors
Darlington's investment case rests on renter demand, centrality and redevelopment activity, but the vacancy risk is unusually important. Renting accounts for 60.1% of occupied dwellings, the weekly rent is $650, and the vacancy rate is 20.1%, creating a different risk profile than a tightly held owner-occupier suburb. Rental growth of 22.4% supports income momentum, while 26 development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing changes to the housing supply. High turnover of 54.8% can help landlords reset rents, although it may also increase leasing and maintenance costs compared with lower-turnover areas. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, which may support demand for compact homes, terraces and apartments. Investors should stress-test returns at higher vacancy than the current market average and compare renovation potential with Chippendale and Camperdown stock.
Development Activity
Total DAs
154
Last 12 Months
28
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+47.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Darlington has a median age of 27, which is 13 years below the national figure, and 69.1% of residents have university qualifications, 39 percentage points above the national comparison. The 43.8% overseas-born share is 22.2 points above the national level, with English ancestry recorded for 717 people and Chinese ancestry for 482. Mandarin is the leading listed non-English language, used by 141 residents. No religion is recorded for 1,660 people, compared with 460 identifying with Christianity and 83 with Buddhism. Average household size is 2.3, or 0.2 below the national comparison, consistent with compact rentals and a high share of young adults. Turnover is 54.8%, with 45.2% staying at the same address, so the suburb is more mobile than a settled family area.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
3.8%
Houses
76.5%
Townhouse
19.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Darlington's housing stock is more attached and rental-oriented than a conventional detached-house suburb. Semi-detached dwellings make up 76.5% of homes, while apartments account for 19.2% and separate houses just 3.8%. The bedroom mix is concentrated in smaller formats: 33.1% have 2 bedrooms and 18.7% have 0 or 1, although 25.3% have 3 and 23.0% have 4 or more. Renting is the dominant tenure at 60.1%, compared with 17.5% owned outright and 21.1% under mortgage. A $650 weekly rent and 20.1% vacancy rate create more flexibility for tenants than in tightly held areas, but also more income variability for owners. Mortgage costs equal 30.9% of income, while household income at the 90.5th percentile sits above the national midpoint, helping explain why high housing costs coexist with strong local earnings.
Mortgage / mo
$3,200
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $650.
$897
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $650 · units $915
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$780
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
20.1%
Unoccupied
206
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.9% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.4%
Couples with children
63.0%
Couples, no children
11.1%
Single parent
389
Total families
Economy & Employment
Darlington's employment base is strongly professional, with Professional and Technology industries accounting for 21.7% of workers, followed by Education at 16.2%, Healthcare at 11.8%, Public Administration at 6.7% and Finance at 6.6%. Professionals number 714, compared with 195 Managers, 168 Community and Personal Service workers, 142 Clerical and Administrative workers and 90 in Sales. The labour force is 1,642 people, participation is 66.6%, and unemployment is 8.6% from 142 people. Full-time employment is 56.4%, including 846 full-time and 472 part-time workers. Household income at the 90.5th percentile is above the national midpoint. SEIFA results are split: IEO, IRSD and IRSAD are all in decile 10, while IER is in decile 3, suggesting strong education and occupational advantage alongside tighter household-resource conditions in a high-rent, renter-majority market.
Unemployment
8.6%
Labour Force
1,642
Unemployed
142
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.4%
Part-time
31.5%
Participation
66.6%
Employed
1,500
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
69.1%
Postgraduate
21.0%
Born Overseas
43.8%
Dwellings
816
Transport to Work
Daily life is shaped by compactness, walkable urban form and a high work-from-home share. Darlington covers 0.38 sq km at 6,819.9 people per sq km, while 62.3% of residents work from home, 12.8% walk or cycle and 8.5% use public transport for commuting. Car driving is reported for 15.1%, a lower reliance than in car-oriented suburbs, because dense attached housing and central access reduce the need for private vehicles. Social participation is reasonably strong, with volunteering at 23.1%, and only 1.9% need assistance with core activities. IRSAD sits in decile 10, well above the national midpoint, although that broad advantage does not remove the practical pressures of high rent, 20.1% vacancy and frequent resident turnover. Compared with larger surrounding neighbourhoods, Darlington suits residents who value proximity and urban convenience over space and quiet.
Drive
15.1%
Public Transport
8.5%
Walk / Cycle
12.8%
Work from Home
62.3%
Growth Outlook
Darlington's growth outlook is mixed rather than boom-like. The annual trend is 0.84%, with overseas migration named as the primary driver, while population change across the wider area runs at 13.0% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is labelled Mixed: rent growth has reached 22.4%, senior share is up 1.6 points and young share is down 0.6 points. Gentrification signals are also divided, with a score of 18 and a stage of Not gentrifying, while the separate shift score is 31 with Early signs. Affordability moved from 66.8 in 2011 to 58.7 in 2021, even as real income growth reached 13.5%. This combination points to steady demand from overseas migration and rental pressure, but less evidence of a broad owner-occupier transformation than in a stronger gentrifying precinct.
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Darlington compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darlington a good suburb to live in?
Darlington suits residents who value central urban access, compact housing and a professional environment. The suburb has 2,597 residents, a median age of 27, 62.3% working from home and 69.1% university-qualified residents. It may be less suitable for buyers wanting detached space or a settled, low-turnover community.
What is the median house price in Darlington?
A current median house price should be checked against recent comparable sales because Darlington's housing mix is unusual. Separate houses represent only 3.8% of dwellings, while 76.5% are semi-detached and 19.2% are apartments. A suburb-wide figure can therefore conceal large differences between terraces, apartments and the small number of houses.
What schools are in Darlington?
School access around Darlington should be checked by exact address and enrolment zone, including nearby government, Catholic and independent options. The suburb covers only 0.38 sq km and has an average household size of 2.3, so families may rely on schools just beyond the boundary. Confirm catchments before signing a lease or contract.
Is Darlington safe?
A current street-level safety check is sensible before choosing a property, particularly in a dense setting of 6,819.9 people per sq km with 60.1% of households renting. Visit the immediate street at different times, review current local police information and check lighting, entry controls and pedestrian activity around the property.
Is Darlington good for property investment?
Darlington can suit investors targeting central rental demand, with weekly rent at $650, renting at 60.1% and rental growth of 22.4%. The 20.1% vacancy rate is a significant counterweight, while 26 development applications may add competing supply. Returns should be tested against longer vacancies and higher turnover than in owner-occupier suburbs.
How is Darlington's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 13.0% over 10 years, and the annual trend is 0.84%, driven primarily by overseas migration. The trajectory is Mixed: the young share has fallen 0.6 points, the senior share has risen 1.6 points and rent growth is 22.4%. Gentrification is currently scored at 18 and labelled Not gentrifying.
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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