Deer Park
More than half of Deer Park residents were born overseas, at 54.4%, giving the suburb a strong migrant-majority profile within a population of 18,145. Its median age of 35 is 5 years below the national comparison, while 87.2% of dwellings are separate houses. Compared with nearby Cairnlea, Deer Park reads as the more established, detached-house setting, with 2,115.8 people per square kilometre and a car-oriented suburban rhythm. The mix of 2.9-person households and 54.4% overseas-born residents helps explain its family focus and cultural variety, while the 0.82% annual growth trend points to measured rather than rapid expansion.
Population
18,145
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,456/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$711K
October to December 2025
Deer Park suits buyers seeking a conventional family house rather than apartment stock. Three-bedroom homes make up 64.0% of dwellings and four-bedroom-plus homes 26.8%, so floorplan choice is concentrated in family-sized stock. A $1,689 monthly mortgage equals 26.8% of household income, while 31.5% of homes are owned outright and 36.9% carry a mortgage. The 87.2% separate-house share is much higher than the 0.7% apartment share because established lots favour detached living. Compared with 2013, entry costs are materially higher, even though affordability is marked as improving.
For Buyers
Deer Park suits buyers seeking a conventional family house rather than apartment stock. Three-bedroom homes make up 64.0% of dwellings and four-bedroom-plus homes 26.8%, so floorplan choice is concentrated in family-sized stock. A $1,689 monthly mortgage equals 26.8% of household income, while 31.5% of homes are owned outright and 36.9% carry a mortgage. The 87.2% separate-house share is much higher than the 0.7% apartment share because established lots favour detached living. Compared with 2013, entry costs are materially higher, even though affordability is marked as improving.
For Investors
Deer Park presents a rental investment case that depends on careful pricing and property selection. Weekly rent is $350, the vacancy rate is 6.0%, and 30.1% of households rent. That renting share is below the 31.5% owned-outright share, signalling a substantial owner-occupier base alongside tenant demand. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while rent growth of 26.4% supports attention to leasing conditions. Fourteen development matters were recorded across 12 months, so investors should check whether nearby subdivisions add competing stock. Compared with apartment-heavy markets, Deer Park's 87.2% separate-house share favours established homes, but detached properties can require more capital for upkeep, insurance and improvements.
Development Activity
Total DAs
25
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+160.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Deer Park
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Deer Park North Primary School
Deer Park West Primary School
St Peter Chanel School
Demographics
Deer Park has a younger age profile than the national comparison, with a median age of 35, or 5 years below the benchmark. Its overseas-born share is 54.4%, which is 32.8 percentage points above the national figure, while university participation at 34.2% is 4.1 points higher. Average household size is 2.9 people, 0.4 above national, and couples with children account for 47.3% of families; one-parent families represent 20.8%. Vietnamese ancestry numbers 2,423, followed by English at 2,022 and Chinese at 1,199. Christianity records 8,563 people, no religion 3,609 and Buddhism 1,791. This mix reflects long-term settlement and overseas migration, while 83.5% staying at the same address indicates more continuity than the 16.5% turnover rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.2%
Houses
12.2%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Deer Park's housing market has recorded a long upward movement across 20 quarters. Housing is dominated by 3-bedroom homes at 64.0%, followed by 4-bedroom-plus dwellings at 26.8%. Tenure is split between 31.5% owned outright, 36.9% mortgaged and 30.1% rented. Compared with apartment-oriented areas, the 87.2% separate-house share reflects established suburban lots and helps explain the family-sized housing pattern.
Mortgage / mo
$1,689
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $350.
$470
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $470 · units $420
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$619
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.0%
Unoccupied
378
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.3%
Couples with children
29.3%
Couples, no children
20.8%
Single parent
4,702
Total families
Economy & Employment
Deer Park's economy combines health and service work with sizeable trades, logistics and labour occupations. Healthcare is the largest industry at 17.9%, or 759 workers, followed by retail at 8.5%, construction at 8.5%, transport at 8.3% and education at 7.9%. The main occupations include 1,073 professionals, 1,056 labourers, 1,027 machinery and drivers workers, 1,008 trades workers and 917 clerical and administration workers. Household income is $1,456 per week, at the 44.3 percentile nationally. Labour-force participation is 54.8%, full-time employment is 59.8% and unemployment is 8.4%. The IEO and IER scores sit in decile 3, while IRSAD is decile 2 and IRSD decile 1, lower than the education and economic-resource measures. This split reflects a mixed employment base with both professional services and lower-income manual work.
Unemployment
8.4%
Labour Force
7,915
Unemployed
668
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.8%
Part-time
31.9%
Participation
54.8%
Employed
7,247
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.2%
Postgraduate
7.6%
Born Overseas
54.4%
Dwellings
5,890
Transport to Work
Daily travel in Deer Park is strongly car-led: 70.7% of residents drive to work, compared with 3.7% using public transport, 1.0% walking or cycling and 18.3% working from home. That pattern suits households with reliable vehicle access but can make everyday errands less flexible for non-drivers. Families have access to 3 local primary schools, comprising 2 government schools and 1 Catholic school; enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. Deer Park recorded 1,340 offences at a rate of 73.8 per 1,000 people. Property and deception offences numbered 843, higher than the 219 crimes against the person. Socioeconomic measures are constrained, with IRSAD in decile 2 and IRSD in decile 1. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, the higher car use is the clearest practical difference in daily life.
Drive
70.7%
Public Transport
3.7%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
18.3%
Population Forecast
+0.82%/yr
(+151 people/yr)
EstablishedDeer Park's growth outlook is measured and shaped by migration and demographic change. The annual trend is 0.82%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 11.1% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is labelled Aging and the senior share has increased by 5.0%. Rent growth of 26.4% may add pressure for tenants as household needs change. Current gentrification signals remain limited, with a score of 10 and a status of Not gentrifying, although another shift indicator records 24 and Early signs. Compared with a high-growth new estate, Deer Park's established profile points to steadier demand rather than rapid transformation. The area also experienced a 5.3% Covid dip and has recovered only 1.0%, with recovery still incomplete.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+348
Net Internal / yr
-482
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -482/yr, Strong overseas inflow +348/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,340
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
73.8
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Deer Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deer Park a good suburb to live in?
Deer Park can suit households wanting detached housing and established services. Its median age is 35, 87.2% of dwellings are separate houses, and 70.7% of workers drive. The separate-house share is higher than the 0.7% apartment share, so the suburb fits family buyers comfortable with car-based travel.
What schools are in Deer Park?
Deer Park has 3 local primary schools: St Peter Chanel School, Deer Park North Primary School and Deer Park West Primary School. Government options outnumber Catholic options 2 to 1. Families should check enrolment zones for each address because school boundaries can differ across nearby streets.
Is Deer Park safe?
Safety is mixed rather than a simple yes or no. Deer Park recorded 1,340 offences, equal to 73.8 incidents per 1,000 people. Property and deception offences accounted for 843 incidents, higher than the 219 crimes against the person. Check the immediate street and property context before deciding.
Is Deer Park good for property investment?
Deer Park may suit investors targeting established detached housing, but the numbers call for careful pricing. Weekly rent is $350, vacancy is 6.0% and 30.1% of households rent, below the 31.5% owned-outright share. Overseas migration supports demand, while 14 development matters and 26.4% rent growth warrant checking local competition.
How is Deer Park's population changing?
Deer Park's current population is 18,145. The wider area's forecast trend is 0.82% annual growth, with overseas migration the primary driver and 11.1% population change over 10 years. The trajectory is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 5.0%, so growth is likely to come with changing household needs.
What languages are spoken in Deer Park?
Commonly recorded languages include Punjabi at 253 people, Arabic at 198, Mandarin at 169, Canton at 148 and Urdu at 131. Punjabi is higher than Urdu by 122 people. With 54.4% of residents born overseas, buyers and renters may want to check language access when choosing local services.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), 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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