Davidson
A 98.6% separate-house share is the clearest Davidson signal: this is a compact 2.52 sq km suburb with 2,725 residents, a median age of 45, and household income at the 98.6th percentile nationally. Age sits 5.0 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 19.8 percentage points higher. Compared with nearby Frenchs Forest, Davidson has a smaller, more settled profile, reinforced by 90.1% of residents staying at the same address. Work-from-home participation is 59.0%, so the suburb suits households prioritising established homes and home-based work over apartment turnover.
Local council: Northern Beaches
Population
2,725
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,254/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
18
Davidson is most aligned with buyers seeking detached family space rather than entry-level units. Separate houses make up 98.6% of dwellings, and 81.4% have four or more bedrooms, compared with 16.4% with three bedrooms and only 0.9% apartments. The ownership profile is strong, with 45.8% owned outright and 47.5% mortgaged, while renting is just 6.7%. A typical mortgage commitment of $3,250 per month represents 23.1% of household income, below the 30.7% rent-to-income measure, but buyers still need to stress-test rates, repairs and insurance because larger homes carry higher running costs. Davidson's family-home orientation is more pronounced than its small apartment segment, limiting choice for buyers seeking compact stock.
For Buyers
Davidson is most aligned with buyers seeking detached family space rather than entry-level units. Separate houses make up 98.6% of dwellings, and 81.4% have four or more bedrooms, compared with 16.4% with three bedrooms and only 0.9% apartments. The ownership profile is strong, with 45.8% owned outright and 47.5% mortgaged, while renting is just 6.7%. A typical mortgage commitment of $3,250 per month represents 23.1% of household income, below the 30.7% rent-to-income measure, but buyers still need to stress-test rates, repairs and insurance because larger homes carry higher running costs. Davidson's family-home orientation is more pronounced than its small apartment segment, limiting choice for buyers seeking compact stock.
For Investors
Investor conditions are shaped by scarcity rather than a broad rental market. Only 6.7% of occupied dwellings are rented, the weekly rent is $1,000 and vacancy is 1.9%, a low level compared with a balanced rental market. That combination can support tenant competition, although the small rental pool makes individual results sensitive to property quality and timing. Eighteen development applications were recorded over 12 months, including dwelling alterations and a secondary dwelling, so additions may gradually expand choice without changing the detached-house character. With 9.9% annual turnover and 90.1% staying put, Davidson is less fluid than a high-churn market. Investors should compare the income return with ongoing maintenance costs and the suburb's 23.1% mortgage-to-income setting.
Development Activity
Total DAs
113
Last 12 Months
18
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-18.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Davidson has an older and more highly educated profile than Australia overall. The median age is 45, or 5.0 years above the national comparison, and 49.9% of adults hold university qualifications, 19.8 percentage points higher than the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 30.3%, 8.7 points above the national comparison, with English, Irish and Scottish the leading reported ancestries and Chinese also represented. Household size averages 3.1 people, 0.6 above the national comparison, consistent with 57.2% of families being couples with children and 32.8% couples without children. Christianity accounts for 1,442 residents and no religion 1,192, indicating a substantial split in affiliation. The 90.1% same-address rate is higher than would be expected in a highly transient suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.6%
Houses
0.5%
Townhouse
0.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Davidson's housing stock is unusually uniform: 98.6% of dwellings are separate houses, versus 0.9% apartments and 0.5% semi-detached homes. Four-plus-bedroom properties account for 81.4%, far higher than the 16.4% share of three-bedroom dwellings, which explains the suburb's family orientation and larger average household size of 3.1. Tenure is split between 45.8% owning outright and 47.5% with a mortgage, while only 6.7% rent. Mortgage repayments average $3,250 monthly and represent 23.1% of household income, below the 30.7% rent-to-income measure, although rent stress is flagged. Compared with a more apartment-oriented market, Davidson provides less compact stock and a narrower entry point, but more consistency for buyers wanting established detached homes.
Mortgage / mo
$3,250
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $1,000.
$1,575
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,600
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,046
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
1.9%
Unoccupied
17
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.7% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
57.2%
Couples with children
32.8%
Couples, no children
9.3%
Single parent
803
Total families
Economy & Employment
Davidson's economic profile is professional and service-led. Professional and technical industries account for 17.8% of local employment, followed by healthcare at 14.3%, education at 12.8%, construction at 7.9% and finance at 7.5%. The occupation mix reinforces that pattern: 419 professionals and 337 managers sit ahead of 197 clerical and administrative workers, 136 trades workers and 116 in sales. Unemployment is 3.0% with a 65.6% participation rate, while 57.2% work full time. Weekly household income is $3,254, at the 98.6th percentile and well above the national income position. A 59.0% work-from-home rate helps explain why professional employment remains prominent, though it also means local economic activity is not limited to jobs within Davidson itself.
Unemployment
3.0%
Labour Force
1,432
Unemployed
43
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.2%
Part-time
32.9%
Participation
65.6%
Employed
1,389
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
49.9%
Postgraduate
12.2%
Born Overseas
30.3%
Dwellings
865
Transport to Work
Livability in Davidson centres on space, privacy and a settled household base. The suburb covers 2.52 sq km at a density of 1,082.1 people per sq km, while average household size is 3.1. Daily travel is car-oriented: 37.1% drive, compared with 1.6% using public transport and 0.3% walking or cycling. Conversely, 59.0% work from home, which can reduce commuting pressure but makes reliable home space more important. Volunteering is 20.0%, supporting local participation, while 3.1% need assistance. Families should check current school options and enrolment zones against the exact address because nearby services can sit outside suburb boundaries. For safety decisions, review current NSW Police incident information and visit the street at different times. Compared with a denser apartment area, Davidson provides more private space but less walk-up access to shops and transit.
Drive
37.1%
Public Transport
1.6%
Walk / Cycle
0.3%
Work from Home
59.0%
Growth Outlook
Davidson's growth outlook is best read as gradual consolidation rather than rapid churn. The suburb has 2,725 residents across 2.52 sq km, and 90.1% stayed at the same address while turnover was 9.9%, pointing to a stable resident base. Eighteen development applications in 12 months, including a secondary dwelling and home alterations, suggest incremental capacity rather than a large release of new housing. That pattern is consistent with the 98.6% separate-house share: change is more likely to come through extensions, replacements and selective infill than apartment-led expansion. Compared with faster-changing growth corridors, Davidson's pipeline is smaller and its established household base is stronger, so demand may depend more on retaining family buyers than on rapid population turnover.
Population trend: Northern Beaches council area
Davidson sits in the Northern Beaches council area. These are the council area's residents, not Davidson's.
Residents 2025
272,656
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.5%
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 Davidson compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidson a good suburb to live in?
Davidson can suit households wanting detached space, quieter streets and a settled resident base. The suburb has 2,725 residents, 98.6% separate houses and 59.0% working from home. Buyers should weigh that family-oriented setting against car dependence, limited apartment choice and the need to check school zones for each address.
What is the median house price in Davidson?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and the chosen bedroom mix. Davidson is dominated by detached stock, with 98.6% separate houses and 81.4% containing four or more bedrooms, so comparing it with apartment-heavy suburbs can distort the benchmark. Confirm the sale period, land size and renovation level.
What schools are in Davidson?
Families should confirm current public and independent options, enrolment zones and transport for the exact address. Davidson covers 2.52 sq km, but a nearby school may sit outside the suburb boundary or have a catchment that does not match the postcode. Check intake rules and travel times before relying on proximity alone.
Is Davidson safe?
Use current NSW Police incident information, council updates and a street visit at different times before making a decision. Davidson has 2,725 residents and a 90.1% same-address rate, which indicates a settled population but does not replace street-level checking. Review lighting, traffic, walking routes and any property-specific concerns.
Is Davidson good for property investment?
Davidson may suit a long-term investor seeking scarce detached rental stock rather than a high-turnover market. Renting is 6.7%, weekly rent is $1,000 and vacancy is 1.9%, while 18 development applications were recorded in 12 months. Compare the expected return with maintenance on large homes, because 81.4% have four or more bedrooms and 9.9% annual turnover can limit rapid repositioning.
How is Davidson's population changing?
The current population is 2,725, with a median age of 45 and 90.1% of residents staying at the same address. Turnover is 9.9%, so Davidson is changing more through gradual household replacement and home modification than rapid churn. The 18 development applications in 12 months point to incremental additions, including a secondary dwelling, rather than a large new estate.
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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