Denistone
With household income in the 94.7th percentile nationally and 61.7% of residents holding university qualifications, 30 points above the national average, Denistone registers as one of Sydney's quietly elite suburbs. The median house price of $2,205,000 reflects that standing, yet 79.6% of the 1.51 km2 is separate houses, a figure unusual at this price point in the inner-west corridor. The population of 3,726 is small and stable, growing at just 0.19% annually, and the aging trajectory (median age 43, three years above national) suggests the suburb is held by long-term owner-occupiers rather than churn buyers.
Population
3,726
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,683/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
43
Median House
$2.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $2,205,000, placing Denistone firmly in the premium tier. Prices eased from $2,250,000 in 2024 to $2,200,000 in 2025, a 2.2% decline from peak, which represents a modest entry window compared to the broader Sydney upper market. Stock is dominated by separate houses at 79.6%, with semi-detached homes at 19.1% and apartments at just 1.3%. Larger homes are common: 45% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 43.5% have 3 bedrooms. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,902, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price, because household incomes reach the 94.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners make up 45.2% of households, above the national rate, signalling established wealth holding the market.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $2,205,000, placing Denistone firmly in the premium tier. Prices eased from $2,250,000 in 2024 to $2,200,000 in 2025, a 2.2% decline from peak, which represents a modest entry window compared to the broader Sydney upper market. Stock is dominated by separate houses at 79.6%, with semi-detached homes at 19.1% and apartments at just 1.3%. Larger homes are common: 45% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 43.5% have 3 bedrooms. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,902, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.0%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price, because household incomes reach the 94.7th percentile nationally. Outright owners make up 45.2% of households, above the national rate, signalling established wealth holding the market.
For Investors
Renters account for 18.4% of households, below the national average, reflecting the owner-occupier character of this suburb. Weekly rent averages $600, and against the $2,205,000 median, gross yield sits near 1.4%, consistent with a wealth-preservation market rather than an income play. Vacancy at 4.8% is moderate. Development activity recorded 42 applications in the past 12 months, leaning toward alterations and dual occupancy rather than greenfield supply. Overseas migration is the primary population driver at a net 114 residents per year, offsetting internal outflow of 83, meaning rental demand is supported by an internationally mobile cohort. Rent grew 22% over the period, above the broader metro average, suggesting steady rental escalation despite the thin renter share.
Development Activity
Total DAs
176
Last 12 Months
43
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+34.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Denistone iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Therese's Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 131 students
Demographics
The median age is 43, three years above the national figure, and the senior share rose 5.6 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.8 points, confirming an aging trajectory. University qualifications reach 61.7%, which is 31.6 points above the national average, one of the highest rates across suburban Sydney. Overseas-born residents make up 42.3% of the population, 20.7 points above the national figure. The leading ancestry groups are Chinese (1,126), English (840) and Irish (338), and the most spoken non-English languages are Mandarin (278) and Cantonese (161). Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above the national figure, consistent with the high proportion of couples with children (1,352 families) relative to the suburb's 3,726 residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.6%
Houses
19.1%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tells the story of a long-established, wealth-holding suburb: 45.2% of households own outright, 36.5% carry a mortgage and only 18.4% rent, compared to the national renter share that typically exceeds 30%. The stock is heavily detached at 79.6% separate houses, with semi-detached at 19.1% and apartments at 1.3%. Bedroom size skews large: 45% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 43.5% have 3, while dwellings with 0 to 1 bedrooms account for just 0.6%. The median house price moved from $2,250,000 in 2024 to $2,200,000 in 2025, a 2.2% easing from peak. Mortgage-to-income at 25% stays below the stress threshold, and rent-to-income at 22.4% is also comfortable, both lower than the national medians, because incomes are in the top 5% nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,902
Rent / wk
$600
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$970
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.8%
Unoccupied
62
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.4%
Couples, no children
3,267
Total families
Economy & Employment
The workforce is concentrated in knowledge and health sectors: Professional/Tech and Healthcare each account for 15.2% of employed residents (223 workers each), Education at 11.4% (168), Finance at 10.6% (155) and Public Admin at 6.1% (89). By occupation, Professionals lead at 712 workers, followed by Managers at 328, and Clerical/Admin at 235. The unemployment rate is 4.4% with a participation rate of 55.3%, the lower participation reflecting the older age profile: 1,146 residents are not in the labour force, partly because the senior share is above the national median. SEIFA scores place Denistone in decile 10 on IRSAD and IRSD, and decile 10 on IEO, meaning it ranks in the top 10% nationally for both advantage and low disadvantage, consistent with its 94.7th percentile household income.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
4,168
Unemployed
82
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.8%
Part-time
27.8%
Participation
55.3%
Employed
1,640
Occupations
Top Industries
University
61.7%
Postgraduate
19.4%
Born Overseas
42.3%
Dwellings
1,240
Transport to Work
Denistone scores decile 10 on IRSAD, the highest advantage tier nationally, and decile 9 on IER, placing it among the most privileged suburbs in the country. Transport patterns lean heavily toward cars: 80.5% drive, compared to lower car dependency in denser parts of Sydney, while only 8.1% use public transport. Volunteering reaches 18%, above many comparable suburbs. Only 4.3% of residents (155 people) need daily assistance, very low relative to the median age of 43. No schools are recorded within the 1.51 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families access schools in neighbouring suburbs, which aligns with the suburb's density of 2,471 residents per km2, lower than school-catchment suburbs nearby. Rent-to-income at 22.4% keeps tenants below financial stress thresholds despite the premium setting.
Drive
80.5%
Public Transport
8.1%
Walk / Cycle
4.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.19%/yr
(+14 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth is 0.19%, adding around 14 residents per year, placing Denistone in the slow-growth, established category. Over 10 years the population rose 6%, below the broader Sydney metropolitan rate. Medium forecasts project the SA2 population rising from 7,196 in 2025 to 7,267 by 2031. The COVID dip was modest at 3.5% and full recovery was achieved, unlike many comparable suburbs. Overseas migration drives growth at a net 114 per year, offset by internal outflow of 83, meaning younger mobile households leave while overseas arrivals replenish. The gentrification score of 21 sits at early signs stage, consistent with steady premium status but no sharp value acceleration. Population aging continues: the young share fell 2.1 points over the decade while the senior share rose 5.6 points.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+114
Net Internal / yr
-83
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-4% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Denistone compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denistone a good suburb to live in?
Denistone ranks in decile 10 on IRSAD and IEO, the top advantage tier nationally, with household income in the 94.7th percentile. University qualifications reach 61.7%, which is 31.6 points above the national figure. The suburb's separate-house character (79.6% of dwellings) and low renter share (18.4%) point to a stable, owner-occupier community.
What is the median house price in Denistone?
The median house price is $2,205,000 based on 2024-2025 data. Prices eased from $2,250,000 in 2024 to $2,200,000 in 2025, a 2.2% decline from peak. Weekly rent averages $600 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $2,902, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25%, below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Denistone?
No schools are recorded inside the Denistone boundary in this dataset. Families in this 1.51 km2 suburb access schools in neighbouring areas. The local population is highly educated, with 61.7% holding university qualifications, which is 31.6 points above the national average.
Is Denistone safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Denistone in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top tier for low disadvantage nationally, and only 4.3% of the 3,726 residents need daily assistance. Research consistently links high SEIFA advantage scores with lower crime exposure.
Is Denistone good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $600 against a $2,205,000 median produces a gross yield near 1.4%, typical of premium Sydney markets where capital growth drives returns rather than yield. Rent grew 22% over the period, above average, and overseas migration of 114 net arrivals per year sustains rental demand. Vacancy sits at 4.8% and 42 DAs were lodged in the past 12 months.
How is Denistone's population changing?
Population grows at 0.19% annually, adding about 14 people per year. The SA2 population reached 7,196 in 2025 and is forecast to reach 7,267 by 2031. The suburb is aging: the senior share rose 5.6 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.8 points. Overseas migration of 114 net per year is the primary growth driver.
What languages are spoken in Denistone?
About 42.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 20.7 points above the national figure. The top non-English languages are Mandarin (278 speakers) and Cantonese (161), consistent with the leading Chinese ancestry group of 1,126 residents. Korean (86), Arabic (22) and Hindi (20) are also spoken.
How much development is happening in Denistone?
There were 42 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, moderate for a 1.51 km2 suburb with just 3,726 residents. Recent applications include dual occupancy complying development and house alterations, consistent with the suburb's slow-growth, established character growing at 0.19% annually.
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.
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