Elanora Heights
Household income in the 97.4th percentile nationally puts Elanora Heights among Sydney's top-earning suburbs, yet 87.2% of residents stayed in the same address over the last five years, signalling this is bought-and-held territory rather than a churn market. The median house price sits at $2,530,000, underpinned by a stock that is 94.2% separate houses. SEIFA ranks the suburb at decile 10 on three of four indexes, placing it in the top tier nationally for advantage. The median age of 41 matches the national figure but an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 3.4 points since 2011, points toward a gradually older owner-occupier base.
Population
4,581
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,052/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
40
Median House
$2.5M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $2,530,000 median house price reflects a suburb where 94.2% of dwellings are separate houses, meaning buyers compete for a dominantly detached stock at premium prices. Price data shows a slight softening from $2,565,000 in 2024 to $2,525,000 in 2025, a 1.6% dip from the peak. Bedroom configuration skews large: 57.8% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, versus a national distribution that sits far lower, making Elanora Heights a logical destination for families seeking space. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,586, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price. Ownership rates are strong, with 42.8% owning outright and 44.3% carrying a mortgage, leaving only 12.9% as renters.
For Buyers
The $2,530,000 median house price reflects a suburb where 94.2% of dwellings are separate houses, meaning buyers compete for a dominantly detached stock at premium prices. Price data shows a slight softening from $2,565,000 in 2024 to $2,525,000 in 2025, a 1.6% dip from the peak. Bedroom configuration skews large: 57.8% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, versus a national distribution that sits far lower, making Elanora Heights a logical destination for families seeking space. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,586, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price. Ownership rates are strong, with 42.8% owning outright and 44.3% carrying a mortgage, leaving only 12.9% as renters.
For Investors
The 12.9% renter share is low compared to metropolitan Sydney averages, which limits the tenant pool. Weekly rent of $750 against a $2,530,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.5%, thin even for a prestige market. The vacancy rate at 3.1% is elevated relative to a tightly-held suburb, suggesting some softness in rental demand. On the demand side, net overseas migration of 99 per year outpaces net internal migration of 12, providing a steady underlying population driver. Development activity ran to 36 applications in the past 12 months, mostly single-dwelling works, so new supply is not a near-term threat. The investment case rests on long-run capital preservation in a decile 10 SEIFA suburb rather than yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
247
Last 12 Months
40
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Elanora Heights iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Elanora Heights Public School
K-6 · 387 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 sits 1.0 year above the national average, with the senior share rising 3.4 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.2 points, consistent with a gradual aging trajectory. University qualifications reach 42.4%, which is 12.3 percentage points above the national figure. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic dominated, led by English (1,997 residents), Irish (561) and Scottish (529). Overseas-born residents make up 21.4%, close to the national rate at just 0.2 points below. Average household size is 3.2, which is 0.7 persons above the national average, reflecting the prevalence of couples-with-children families: 2,049 such families are recorded against 764 couples without children. Volunteering runs at 18.9% of residents, above most comparable suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.2%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
5.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is dominated by owners: 42.8% hold outright and 44.3% carry a mortgage, leaving only 12.9% renting, which is low relative to NSW state norms. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 94.2%, with apartments accounting for just 5.8%. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 57.8% of dwellings, far above the national distribution, reinforcing the family-oriented character. Price history shows a minor correction from $2,565,000 in 2024 to $2,525,000 in 2025, a 1.6% decline from peak, following a decade of strong appreciation reflected in the 45.8% rent growth since 2011. Mortgage-to-income at 27.1% and rent-to-income at 24.6% are both below the 30% stress benchmark despite prices sitting well above $2.5 million.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,586
Rent / wk
$750
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,046
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.1%
Unoccupied
46
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
18.5%
Couples, no children
4,138
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional and technical services lead local employment at 16.6% (285 workers), followed by Construction and Healthcare both at 13.7% (236 each), and Education at 12.2% (209). By occupation, Professionals (668) and Managers (500) together represent the two largest groups, consistent with the decile 10 IEO score for education and occupation advantage. The full-time employment rate is 61.3% and unemployment sits at just 2.4%, well below national norms. Participation at 60.7% reflects a partially retired population, with 1,083 residents not in the labour force. Real income growth of 15.6% over the decade, combined with household weekly income of $3,052 at the 97.4th percentile nationally, confirms this is one of NSW's most economically advantaged communities.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
5,927
Unemployed
231
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
36.3%
Participation
60.7%
Employed
2,119
Occupations
Top Industries
University
42.4%
Postgraduate
9.2%
Born Overseas
21.4%
Dwellings
1,403
Transport to Work
Car dependency is pronounced: 90.4% of residents drive to work, well above the national average, while only 2.1% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 2.5% of trips. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the highest tier for low disadvantage nationally, and decile 10 on IRSAD, confirming top-tier socioeconomic advantage. Only 3.9% of residents (175 people) need daily assistance despite the older median age of 41. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring areas such as Narrabeen and Frenchs Forest. Residential density is moderate at 1,182 people per square kilometre across 3.88 square kilometres.
Drive
90.4%
Public Transport
2.1%
Walk / Cycle
2.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.58%/yr
(+78 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth runs at 0.58%, adding roughly 78 persons per year, and medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching approximately 13,665 by 2031. The 10-year population change was 7.6%, classifying the suburb as established rather than high-growth. Overseas migration, averaging 99 arrivals per year, is the primary driver compared to internal migration at just 12 per year. The aging trajectory is clear: the senior share has risen 3.4 points since 2011 while the young adult share fell 0.7 points. The gentrification score of 43 with an Early signs stage suggests modest upward pressure, though the suburb's decile 10 SEIFA ranking means the base is already near its ceiling. Affordability improved marginally from 69.4% in 2011 to 71.1% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+99
Net Internal / yr
+12
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +10% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Elanora Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elanora Heights a good suburb to live in?
Elanora Heights ranks at decile 10 on IRSAD, IEO and IRSD, the top tier for socioeconomic advantage nationally. Household income sits at the 97.4th percentile. University qualifications reach 42.4%, which is 12.3 points above national. The trade-off is a $2,530,000 median house price and strong car dependency at 90.4% of commuters driving.
What is the median house price in Elanora Heights?
The median house price is $2,530,000 as of 2025. This is a modest softening from $2,565,000 in 2024, a 1.6% decline from peak. Weekly rent averages $750 and monthly mortgage repayments average $3,586, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress benchmark.
What schools are in Elanora Heights?
No schools are recorded inside the Elanora Heights suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Narrabeen, Dee Why and Frenchs Forest. The suburb has a highly educated adult population, with 42.4% holding university qualifications, which is 12.3 points above the national average.
Is Elanora Heights safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Elanora Heights in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, the highest advantage tier nationally. Only 3.9% of residents need daily assistance, and unemployment sits at just 2.4%, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable community.
Is Elanora Heights good for property investment?
The renter share is just 12.9%, limiting the tenant pool compared to typical Sydney markets. Weekly rent of $750 against a $2,530,000 median gives a gross yield near 1.5%, which is low. The 3.1% vacancy rate adds some caution. Net overseas migration of 99 per year supports demand, and the decile 10 SEIFA ranking supports long-run capital preservation.
How is Elanora Heights's population changing?
Population grows at 0.58% annually, adding around 78 residents per year, with the broader SA2 area projected to reach roughly 13,665 by 2031. The 10-year growth rate was 7.6%. Overseas migration at 99 arrivals per year is the primary driver. The demographic trend is gradual aging, with the senior share up 3.4 points since 2011.
How much development is happening in Elanora Heights?
There were 36 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly single dwelling works, alterations and secondary dwellings. This low volume reflects the suburb's established character: 87.2% of residents stayed at the same address over a 5-year period, and the housing stock is already 94.2% separate houses with little room for infill.
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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