Fairfield Heights
At 5,609.1 people per sq km, Fairfield Heights packs 8,269 residents into 1.47 sq km, creating a concentrated western Sydney setting. Overseas-born residents account for 68.9%, 47.3 percentage points above the national figure, while the median age of 38 is 2 years below national. Household size is 3.4 people, 0.9 above national, helping explain demand for family-sized homes. Compared with nearby Fairfield and Fairfield West, its density makes street-level access, parking and dwelling layout especially important. The established suburb also has an aging trajectory, with senior share up 5.2 percentage points and early gentrification signals.
Population
8,269
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,285/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
61
Homebuyers are choosing among 56.5% separate houses, 36.6% semi-detached dwellings and 6.9% apartments, with 3-bedroom homes the largest group at 45.1% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 35.1%. That mix can suit families because household size averages 3.4, but the typical mortgage repayment of $2,167 a month sits alongside mortgage stress at 38.9% of income. Rent stress is also 35.0%, so compare borrowing capacity with nearby Fairfield West before committing. Compared with a lower-density house market, the semi-detached share gives buyers more compact options, while the 5.8% vacancy rate provides a useful market reference.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing among 56.5% separate houses, 36.6% semi-detached dwellings and 6.9% apartments, with 3-bedroom homes the largest group at 45.1% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 35.1%. That mix can suit families because household size averages 3.4, but the typical mortgage repayment of $2,167 a month sits alongside mortgage stress at 38.9% of income. Rent stress is also 35.0%, so compare borrowing capacity with nearby Fairfield West before committing. Compared with a lower-density house market, the semi-detached share gives buyers more compact options, while the 5.8% vacancy rate provides a useful market reference.
For Investors
Investors have a sizeable tenant base, with 49.6% renting and weekly rent at $450. Vacancy is 5.8%, so rental demand should be tested against comparable properties rather than assumed from the suburb's migrant-majority profile. Development activity is notable at 64 applications in 12 months, including secondary dwellings and a 2-dwelling dual occupancy, which may add competing supply but also signals ongoing housing adaptation. Rent growth of 26.6% supports income momentum, while overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Compared with a static established market, the combination of 64 applications and 0.67% annual growth warrants careful feasibility checks.
Development Activity
Total DAs
242
Last 12 Months
61
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+24.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Fairfield Heights has a strongly migrant-shaped population: 68.9% were born overseas, 47.3 percentage points above the national figure. Vietnamese and Chinese ancestry counts are 911 and 728, while Arabic is spoken by 580 residents, followed by Khmer at 93 and Canton at 90. Christianity counts 5,336, Buddhism 928 and no religion 761, showing several major faith patterns without reducing the suburb to one group. The median age is 38, 2 years below national, but the trajectory is aging and senior share has risen 5.2 points. Compared with nearby Fairfield and Fairfield West, household size of 3.4, 0.9 above national, is a useful guide to family-oriented demand.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
56.5%
Houses
36.6%
Townhouse
6.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Property choice is shaped by a 56.5% separate-house share, 36.6% semi-detached homes and only 6.9% apartments. Three-bedroom dwellings dominate at 45.1%, followed by 4-plus-bedroom homes at 35.1%, so the stock leans toward family accommodation despite the 5,609.1 people-per-sq-km density. Tenure is renter-heavy: 49.6% rent, compared with 25.5% owning outright and 23.7% paying a mortgage. That pattern can support turnover and rental demand, but mortgage stress of 38.9% and rent stress of 35.0% constrain budgets. Compared with nearby Fairfield and Fairfield West, assess each dwelling's parking, lot efficiency and renovation risk rather than treating the suburbs as interchangeable. Household income sits at the 29.8th percentile, a lower position than a median household benchmark.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $450.
$615
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $670 · units $560
HH Size
3.4
Personal Income / wk
$431
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.8%
Unoccupied
141
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
35.0% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
38.9% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
55.8%
Couples with children
20.7%
Couples, no children
21.8%
Single parent
2,029
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the standout industry at 21.8% and 211 workers, followed by education at 9.5% and 92, professional and technical work at 9.2% and 89, construction at 8.8% and 85, and manufacturing at 7.7% and 75. Occupationally, labourers number 301, professionals 297 and clerical and administrative workers 262, indicating a mixed service, trade and professional base. Labour-market pressure is visible in a 12.2% unemployment rate, 31.8% participation and 48.8% full-time rate. SEIFA places IRSAD and IRSD in decile 1, IER in decile 1 and IEO in decile 2, all below national socioeconomic benchmarks; the IEO result is slightly higher than the other deciles, but still indicates disadvantage.
Unemployment
12.2%
Labour Force
2,107
Unemployed
257
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
48.8%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
31.8%
Employed
1,850
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.4%
Postgraduate
4.5%
Born Overseas
68.9%
Dwellings
2,277
Transport to Work
Daily life is car-oriented: 64.4% travel as car drivers, compared with 3.4% using public transport and 1.5% walking or cycling. A further 26.0% work from home, which may reduce commuting but increases the value of home workspace and local services. At 5,609.1 people per sq km, convenience is likely to depend on parking, footpaths and access to nearby centres. Families should confirm school enrolment zones, nearby government and non-government options, and actual travel times for the exact address rather than infer quality from proximity. Safety needs a current street-level check, while the 13.0% need-assistance rate and IRSAD decile 1 indicate greater support needs than higher-ranked suburbs. Compared with less dense car-dependent areas, the low 1.5% active-transport share is a practical constraint.
Drive
64.4%
Public Transport
3.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
26.0%
Population Forecast
+0.67%/yr
(+129 people/yr)
EstablishedFairfield Heights is an established market with forecast growth of 0.67% a year, driven primarily by overseas migration. Population change across the wider area is 8.3% over 10 years, which points to steady rather than rapid expansion. The shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 5.2 percentage points, the young share is down 4.0 points and rent growth is 26.6%. Gentrification remains at Early signs, with a score of 20, while the shift measure is 26. Compared with a high-growth fringe, the 0.67% rate suggests incremental change, with 64 development applications adding local renewal pressure.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+672
Net Internal / yr
-495
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -495/yr, Strong overseas inflow +672/yr, COVID recovered (-4% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Fairfield Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfield Heights a good suburb to live in?
It can suit households seeking a compact, family-oriented suburb with strong cultural links. Fairfield Heights has 8,269 residents, 3.4 people per household and 56.5% separate houses. Compared with a lower-density area, the 5,609.1 people per sq km means parking, traffic and dwelling layout should be checked street by street.
What is the median house price in Fairfield Heights?
A current median should be checked against recent Fairfield Heights sales rather than an outdated headline figure. Budget planning should account for a $2,167 monthly mortgage repayment and $450 weekly rent. Mortgage stress is 38.9%, so compare any purchase price with deposit capacity, repayments and household income before making an offer.
What schools are in Fairfield Heights?
School access is address-dependent, so check the NSW enrolment zones and nearby government and non-government options before signing. Fairfield Heights covers 1.47 sq km, but actual travel times can still differ by route. Compare walking, car and public transport times, and confirm whether the preferred school accepts applications from the exact address.
Is Fairfield Heights safe?
A suburb-wide safety judgement should not replace a current street check. Review NSW Police incident information, lighting, traffic conditions and after-dark access around the exact property. Fairfield Heights covers 1.47 sq km and has 8,269 residents, so conditions can vary within a compact, busy area. Compare several streets and visit at different times before deciding.
Is Fairfield Heights good for property investment?
It has investment demand indicators, but they need careful pricing. Renters make up 49.6% of households, weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 5.8%. There were 64 development applications in 12 months, and overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Compared with a lower-turnover market, these figures support further checks on tenant demand, competing supply, maintenance and achievable yield.
How is Fairfield Heights's population changing?
Change is steady and increasingly older in profile. Forecast growth is 0.67% annually, while population change across the wider area is 8.3% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 5.2 percentage points and the young share fell 4.0 points. Compared with a youthful growth corridor, Fairfield Heights is likely to see more demand from established households.
What languages are spoken in Fairfield Heights?
The suburb is highly multilingual: 68.9% of residents were born overseas, 47.3 percentage points above the national figure. Arabic is spoken by 580 residents, Khmer by 93, Canton by 90, Mandarin by 72 and Serbian by 65. Vietnamese and Chinese ancestry counts are 911 and 728. Compared with the national profile, these figures point to strong cultural and language variety for local services.
Is Fairfield Heights seeing new development?
Yes, development activity is material for an established suburb: 64 applications were recorded in 12 months. Examples include a secondary dwelling and a dual occupancy with 2 dwellings. That can improve housing choice, though it may also create construction disruption or added rental competition. Compared with a static established market, investors should check planning approvals, street parking and the effect of new supply on comparable rents.
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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