Darlington
High household incomes and detached housing define Darlington more than rapid turnover: its 3,725 residents have a median age of 44, 4.0 years above the national figure, while household income sits at the 90.4th percentile. Housing is overwhelmingly separate-house stock at 98.5%, and 45.8% of residents hold university qualifications, 15.7 percentage points above national. Compared with nearby Midland's more urban setting, Darlington reads as a spacious Hills market, with 2.7 people per household and 83.0% of residents staying at the same address. That stability supports family demand, although the 51.8% mortgage share keeps it exposed to borrowing costs.
Population
3,725
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,388/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
For a buyer wanting a conventional family home, Darlington's physical stock is clear: 98.5% of dwellings are separate houses, with 58.0% containing 4 or more bedrooms and 34.5% containing 3. The mortgage profile is substantial, with monthly repayments of $2,100 and mortgage commitments at 20.3% of household income, higher than the 17.6% rent-to-income share. Ownership is split between 40.9% outright and 51.8% mortgage holders, while only 6.2% rent. That mix points to established owner demand, but the absence of a current median price means buyers should rely on recent comparable sales and test each property's renovation, insurance and access costs.
For Buyers
For a buyer wanting a conventional family home, Darlington's physical stock is clear: 98.5% of dwellings are separate houses, with 58.0% containing 4 or more bedrooms and 34.5% containing 3. The mortgage profile is substantial, with monthly repayments of $2,100 and mortgage commitments at 20.3% of household income, higher than the 17.6% rent-to-income share. Ownership is split between 40.9% outright and 51.8% mortgage holders, while only 6.2% rent. That mix points to established owner demand, but the absence of a current median price means buyers should rely on recent comparable sales and test each property's renovation, insurance and access costs.
For Investors
Darlington is a low-renter, low-development investment market rather than a high-turnover apartment precinct. Only 6.2% of households rent, well below the 40.9% who own outright and 51.8% with a mortgage, so the tenant pool is smaller and likely more dependent on family-sized detached stock. Weekly rent is $420 and vacancy is 6.5%, while development activity recorded 0 projects in the past 12 months. Rent growth of 22.4% supports recent income momentum, but the 0.84% annual forecast trend is modest compared with a rapid-growth corridor. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, so investors should prioritise condition, leasing appeal and holding costs over a large pipeline thesis.
Schools in Darlington
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
TREETOPS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
DARLINGTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Darlington has an older and more highly educated profile than Australia overall: the median age is 44, or 4.0 years above national, and university attainment is 45.8%, 15.7 percentage points higher than the national comparison. Overseas-born residents account for 29.4%, 7.8 points above national, with English, Scottish and Irish the largest reported ancestries at 1,903, 441 and 397 people. Household formation is family-oriented, with 48.9% couples with children and 40.4% couples without children, while average household size is 2.7, 0.2 above national. No religion is reported by 2,087 residents, higher than the 1,319 identifying with Christianity. Stability is notable because 83.0% stayed at the same address and turnover was 17.0%, which can support local networks but limit rapid demographic change.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.5%
Houses
1.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Darlington's housing pattern is unusually detached and owner-occupied. Separate houses account for 98.5% of stock, compared with 1.0% semi-detached dwellings; 58.0% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 34.5% have 3. Tenure is the sharper signal: 51.8% of households carry a mortgage, higher than the 40.9% owning outright, while only 6.2% rent. Weekly rent is $420 and the typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,100, so they are not equivalent costs. Mortgage commitments equal 20.3% of household income, higher than the 17.6% rent-to-income figure, and household income ranks at the 90.4th percentile. Compared with nearby Midland's more compact urban form, Darlington suits buyers seeking larger homes, but the missing median price makes property-by-property comparison essential.
Mortgage / mo
$2,100
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$420
Census 2021
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$938
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.5%
Unoccupied
91
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
48.9%
Couples with children
40.4%
Couples, no children
10.1%
Single parent
1,091
Total families
Economy & Employment
Darlington's employment base combines public-facing services with professional work. Education is the largest listed industry at 16.4% and 228 workers, followed by healthcare at 15.1% and 209, professional and technical services at 12.3% and 170, mining at 9.4% and 130, and public administration at 9.2% and 127. The occupational mix is led by 628 professionals and 319 managers, ahead of 221 trades workers and 204 clerical and admin workers. Labour-force participation is 66.0%, unemployment is 4.1%, and full-time employment is 54.6%. High household income at the 90.4th percentile aligns with SEIFA results in the top deciles: IER and IRSD are decile 10, IRSAD is decile 9 and IEO is decile 8. The slightly lower education and occupation decile may reflect the mix of trades and service work rather than broad disadvantage.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
1,954
Unemployed
80
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.6%
Part-time
39.3%
Participation
66.0%
Employed
1,874
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
45.8%
Postgraduate
11.5%
Born Overseas
29.4%
Dwellings
1,299
Transport to Work
Darlington suits residents comfortable with car-based Hills travel. A high 74.3% drive as car occupants, while only 3.0% use public transport and 2.4% walk or cycle; 16.4% work from home, which helps explain why lower transit use can be workable for some households. Two local school options span a government primary school and a non-government Montessori school, giving families a basic sector mix, but enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. Social conditions are strong relative to national benchmarks, with IRSAD in decile 9 and IRSD in decile 10, plus a 28.9% volunteering rate and 3.6% needing assistance. A suburb crime rate per 1,000 is not available, so safety cannot be ranked above or below nearby areas from that measure. The 12.06 sq km area and 308.8 density also support a lower-intensity setting than denser centres.
Drive
74.3%
Public Transport
3.0%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
16.4%
Population Forecast
+0.84%/yr
(+82 people/yr)
EstablishedDarlington's outlook is established and measured rather than a rapid-growth story. The annual trend is 0.84%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 13.0% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed, with rent growth of 22.4% and a senior-share increase of 1.6 percentage points. Gentrification signals are restrained: the overall stage is Not gentrifying with a score of 18, while the shift assessment records Early signs at 31. The area also endured a 16.6% Covid-era dip and has recovered 14.2% without fully recovering. Compared with a fast-expanding outer corridor, this points to gradual change, supported by overseas arrivals but moderated by established housing and a 51.8% mortgage share.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+650
Net Internal / yr
-360
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +25% since 2011, Net internal outflow -360/yr, Strong overseas inflow +650/yr
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 households seeking detached homes, established ownership and a quieter Hills setting. The median age is 44, household income sits at the 90.4th percentile, and 98.5% of dwellings are separate houses. Car use is far higher than the 3.0% public transport share, so it is better suited to drivers than residents prioritising transit.
What is the median house price in Darlington?
A current suburb median house price is not available for Darlington. Buyers can still frame the market through 98.5% separate houses, 58.0% with 4 or more bedrooms and a 51.8% mortgage-holder share. The 58.0% 4-plus-bedroom share is higher than the 34.5% 3-bedroom share, so recent comparable sales should be matched carefully.
What schools are in Darlington?
Darlington has 2 nearby school options: a government primary school and a non-government Montessori school. That gives families both government and non-government sectors, but school access depends on the exact address and enrolment zone. The local housing stock is 98.5% separate houses, higher than the 1.0% semi-detached share, which suits families seeking larger homes.
Is Darlington safe?
Darlington does not have a suburb crime rate per 1,000 available for a confident safety ranking, so it cannot be placed above or below nearby suburbs on that measure. Social indicators are favourable, including an IRSAD decile of 9, an IRSD decile of 10 and 28.9% volunteering, but these are context measures rather than crime statistics.
Is Darlington good for property investment?
Darlington can suit a long-term investor who accepts a smaller rental market. Only 6.2% of households rent, below the 40.9% owning outright and 51.8% with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $420, vacancy is 6.5%, development activity is 0 projects over 12 months, and the annual forecast trend is 0.84%, making the case steadier than a high-growth development precinct.
How is Darlington's population changing?
Population change is gradual rather than explosive. The wider-area forecast records 13.0% growth over 10 years and an annual trend of 0.84%, with overseas migration the primary driver. Darlington also has 83.0% of residents staying at the same address, compared with 17.0% turnover, so change is likely to build steadily rather than through rapid churn.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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