Fairfield
Fairfield's standout feature is its migrant-majority population: 70.2% of residents were born overseas, 48.6 percentage points above the national level. With 18,596 residents across 4.43 sq km, density reaches 4,197.8 people per sq km. Housing is apartment-led, with 46.2% apartments versus 40.2% separate houses, while 58.8% rent. Compared with nearby Fairfield Heights and Cabramatta, Fairfield suits buyers and renters who value a dense urban setting and cultural variety over large-lot housing. Its median age of 40 is level with the national figure, but household income sits at the 17.1 percentile, helping explain the strong rental orientation and affordability pressure.
Population
18,596
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,092/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
106
Fairfield suits buyers seeking compact housing rather than a detached-home lifestyle. Apartments account for 46.2% of dwellings, compared with 40.2% separate houses and 13.5% semi-detached homes. Two-bedroom properties make up 41.1% of stock, higher than the 31.8% share of three-bedroom homes, which supports a smaller-home market. The typical rent is $365 per week and the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733. Mortgage-to-income pressure reaches 36.7%, higher than rent-to-income pressure at 33.4%, so purchasers should test repayments carefully. Compared with Fairfield Heights, Fairfield's apartment concentration may suit buyers prioritising lower-maintenance living, but strata costs, parking and renovation limits need close review.
For Buyers
Fairfield suits buyers seeking compact housing rather than a detached-home lifestyle. Apartments account for 46.2% of dwellings, compared with 40.2% separate houses and 13.5% semi-detached homes. Two-bedroom properties make up 41.1% of stock, higher than the 31.8% share of three-bedroom homes, which supports a smaller-home market. The typical rent is $365 per week and the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733. Mortgage-to-income pressure reaches 36.7%, higher than rent-to-income pressure at 33.4%, so purchasers should test repayments carefully. Compared with Fairfield Heights, Fairfield's apartment concentration may suit buyers prioritising lower-maintenance living, but strata costs, parking and renovation limits need close review.
For Investors
Fairfield has a renter-majority base, with 58.8% renting compared with 21.5% owning outright and 18.3% paying a mortgage. That rental share is higher than either ownership group, creating a broad tenant pool, while weekly rent is $365 and vacancy is 8.2%. Development activity is substantial, with 101 applications recorded over 12 months, including dual occupancy, a permanent group home and food premises work. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, and the annual trend is 1.28%, which can support ongoing rental demand because new arrivals often enter the private rental market first. Investors should compare apartment yields with strata fees and monitor supply, as new dwellings can moderate rent growth even when demand remains firm.
Development Activity
Total DAs
568
Last 12 Months
106
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-5.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Fairfield
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Fairfield is considerably more overseas-born than the national population: 70.2% were born overseas, or 48.6 percentage points above the national level. Vietnamese ancestry numbers 2,081 and Chinese ancestry 1,903, while Arabic is the most recorded language other than English at 1,573 people. The median age is 40, matching the national comparison, while university attainment is 28.9%, 1.2 percentage points below the national figure. Average household size is 2.9, or 0.4 above the national measure, consistent with 47.2% of families being couples with children and 24.6% being one-parent families. Residential stability is notable, with 84.0% staying at the same address compared with 16.0% turnover. Compared with Fairfield Heights, Fairfield has a more pronounced inner-urban migrant and renter character.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
40.2%
Houses
13.5%
Townhouse
46.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Fairfield's tenure mix is more rental-heavy than ownership-led: 58.8% of residents rent, compared with 21.5% owning outright and 18.3% carrying a mortgage. Apartments represent 46.2% of dwellings, higher than the 40.2% separate-house share, while semi-detached homes account for 13.5%. Two-bedroom properties dominate at 41.1%, followed by three-bedroom homes at 31.8%, four or more bedrooms at 19.1% and zero or one bedroom at 7.9%. Weekly rent is $365, while the monthly mortgage figure is $1,733. Mortgage stress reaches 36.7% of income, higher than rent stress at 33.4%, showing why renting remains attractive despite its own pressure. Compared with Fairfield Heights, the apartment concentration gives Fairfield a more compact housing choice but less private outdoor space.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $365.
$615
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $670 · units $560
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$454
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.2%
Unoccupied
536
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.4% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
36.7% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.2%
Couples with children
24.9%
Couples, no children
24.6%
Single parent
4,712
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Fairfield's largest listed industry at 19.7%, or 477 workers, above retail at 10.2% and 247 workers. Professional and technical services account for 8.5% and 205 workers, followed by education at 7.6% and manufacturing at 7.3%. The main occupations include professionals at 738 people, labourers at 664, clerical and administrative workers at 622, machinery operators and drivers at 617, and trades workers at 530. Labour-force participation is 32.8%, unemployment is 12.1% and the full-time employment rate is 49.6%. Household income is $1,092 per week and sits at the 17.1 percentile, lower than the national midpoint. IEO is decile 2, while IER, IRSD and IRSAD are each decile 1, pointing to substantial economic disadvantage despite a mix of professional, service and industrial work. This helps explain the gap between local employment activity and household purchasing power.
Unemployment
12.1%
Labour Force
5,067
Unemployed
612
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
49.6%
Part-time
30.0%
Participation
32.8%
Employed
4,455
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.9%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
70.2%
Dwellings
5,945
Transport to Work
Fairfield is compact at 4.43 sq km and dense at 4,197.8 people per sq km, so daily convenience depends heavily on local services and street-level access. Car driving is the main travel mode at 56.2%, higher than public transport at 6.7% and walking or cycling at 2.7%; working from home accounts for 28.5%. Four local government schools serve the suburb, comprising three primary schools and one secondary school, so families should check the exact enrolment zone before choosing an address. IRSAD and IRSD are both decile 1, lower than higher-access and higher-income parts of metropolitan Sydney, which points to affordability and service access as important household considerations. No crime rate is available for a reliable numerical comparison, so check current NSW Police information, lighting and travel routes at different times. Compared with Fairfield Heights, Fairfield is more urban and apartment-oriented, with stronger reliance on nearby services and public facilities.
Drive
56.2%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
28.5%
Population Forecast
+1.28%/yr
(+71 people/yr)
EstablishedFairfield's growth outlook is steady, with an annual trend of 1.28% and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 24.3% over 10 years, while the trajectory is labelled Mixed rather than uniformly accelerating. Compared with the COVID dip of 2.0%, the area recovered with a recorded 6.7% recovery, indicating resilience after disruption. Gentrification signals are classified as Early signs with a score of 20, although the separate shift measure is 61 and marked Active, suggesting neighbourhood change is uneven. Rent growth of 25.0% and real income growth of 29.9% have occurred alongside affordability moving from 55.9 in 2011 to 43.8 in 2021. Overseas migration and redevelopment can keep demand rising, but the mixed trajectory means change is likely to vary between apartment precincts and established streets.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+150
Net Internal / yr
-76
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +29% since 2011, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Fairfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfield a good suburb to live in?
Fairfield can suit households wanting a dense urban setting, strong cultural connections and access to 4 local government schools. It has 18,596 residents, 46.2% apartments and 58.8% renters. Car use is 56.2%, while public transport accounts for 6.7%, so the best fit depends on parking, commute and preferred housing type.
What is the median house price in Fairfield?
A current median house price should be checked against the relevant sales period, because Fairfield has a mixed housing stock rather than a house-only market. Separate houses represent 40.2% of dwellings, compared with 46.2% apartments, and 41.1% of homes have 2 bedrooms. Compare house and apartment sales separately before assessing affordability.
What schools are in Fairfield?
Fairfield has 4 local government schools, including 3 primary schools and 1 secondary school. The local options include Fairfield Public School, Fairfield Heights Public School, Fairfield High School and Fairfield Public School's surrounding primary-school catchment. Confirm the exact enrolment zone because boundaries can change between nearby streets.
Is Fairfield safe?
Safety should be checked at street level rather than judged by a suburb-wide label. Fairfield has 18,596 residents across 4.43 sq km, and conditions can vary by pocket and time of day. Review current NSW Police information, inspect lighting and transport routes, and visit the prospective address during both daytime and evening.
Is Fairfield good for property investment?
Fairfield has several investor positives: 58.8% of residents rent, weekly rent is $365, vacancy is 8.2% and overseas migration is the primary growth driver. There were 101 development applications in 12 months, so investors should balance tenant demand against potential new supply, strata costs and the suburb's 46.2% apartment share.
How is Fairfield's population changing?
Growth is continuing at an annual trend of 1.28%, driven primarily by overseas migration. Population change across the wider area is 24.3% over 10 years, while the trajectory is Mixed. Gentrification is marked Early signs at a score of 20, although a separate shift measure is 61 and labelled Active, indicating uneven change.
What languages are spoken in Fairfield?
Fairfield has a highly overseas-born population, with 70.2% born outside Australia. Arabic is recorded for 1,573 people, followed by Mandarin at 275, Cantonese at 250, Khmer at 183 and Serbian at 144. Vietnamese and Chinese are also prominent ancestry groups, numbering 2,081 and 1,903 respectively.
What development is occurring in Fairfield?
There were 101 development applications in Fairfield over 12 months. Recorded examples include a permanent group home with 1 dwelling, a dual-occupancy subdivision and 2-dwelling build, plus alterations linked to a food and drink premises. This level of activity is higher than a low-change established area, so buyers should check nearby proposals.
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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