Five Dock
Italian ancestry (2,307) outranks English (1,987) as the leading heritage group in Five Dock, a pattern rare in Sydney's inner west that reflects the suburb's deep Mediterranean roots. At 450 Italian-language speakers, it has one of the highest concentrations in this dataset. Household incomes at $2,328/week place residents in the 88.7th percentile nationally, and university qualifications at 50.7% run 20.6 points above the national average. Yet the $1,617,500 median house price creates a mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8%, teetering on the stress threshold. With 88 DAs lodged in 12 months and a gentrification score of 32 (early signs), Five Dock is in active physical and demographic transition.
Population
9,823
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,328/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
91
Median House
$1.6M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,617,500 median rose 3.1% from $1,600,000 in 2024 to $1,650,000 in 2025. Unlike most suburbs in this dataset, Five Dock's housing mix is genuinely varied: 45.4% detached houses, 36.9% apartments, and 15.2% semi-detached. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom stock each account for 36.7% of dwellings, providing options across household sizes. Monthly mortgage repayments of $3,000 push the mortgage-to-income ratio to 29.8%, just below the 30% stress line. Walking and cycling at 6.7% is above the national average, consistent with the inner-west walkability. All four schools exceed the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark, with Rosebank College at 1,125.
For Buyers
The $1,617,500 median rose 3.1% from $1,600,000 in 2024 to $1,650,000 in 2025. Unlike most suburbs in this dataset, Five Dock's housing mix is genuinely varied: 45.4% detached houses, 36.9% apartments, and 15.2% semi-detached. Two-bedroom and three-bedroom stock each account for 36.7% of dwellings, providing options across household sizes. Monthly mortgage repayments of $3,000 push the mortgage-to-income ratio to 29.8%, just below the 30% stress line. Walking and cycling at 6.7% is above the national average, consistent with the inner-west walkability. All four schools exceed the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark, with Rosebank College at 1,125.
For Investors
Renters at 37.7% provide a substantial tenant pool, well above the national average. Median weekly rent of $570 against a $1,617,500 median produces a gross yield around 1.8%, thin even by inner-Sydney standards. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated, suggesting some oversupply in the apartment segment. 88 DAs in 12 months represent one of the highest application volumes in this batch, with new dwellings and pools among the common types. Overseas migration adds 264/year, but internal outflow runs at negative 241/year, producing a revolving-door pattern where international arrivals replace departing domestic residents.
Development Activity
Total DAs
518
Last 12 Months
91
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+2.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Five Dock iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
All Hallows Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 462 students
Rosebank College
7-12 · 1472 students
Domremy Catholic College
7-12 · 858 students
Five Dock Public School
P-6 · 314 students
Demographics
Italian ancestry leads at 2,307, ahead of English (1,987), Irish (1,026), and Chinese (971), giving Five Dock a distinctly Mediterranean character among Sydney's inner-west suburbs. With 34.7% born overseas (13.1 points above national) and 50.7% university-qualified (20.6 points above national), the population is both globally connected and highly educated. The median age of 41 is 1 year above national. Italian (450), Mandarin (179), Cantonese (115), Greek (81), and Arabic (60) are the leading non-English languages. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure, with couples with children (3,519) well outnumbering couples without (2,050).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
45.4%
Houses
15.2%
Townhouse
36.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership is split fairly evenly: 32.2% outright, 30.1% mortgage, and 37.7% renting. The dwelling mix is balanced: 45.4% detached, 36.9% apartments, 15.2% semi-detached. Two-bedroom (36.7%) and three-bedroom (36.7%) stock dominate equally, with four-plus bedrooms at 17.9% and studios/one-beds at 8.7%. The median moved from $1,600,000 to $1,650,000 over the latest year, a 3.1% gain. At $3,000/month mortgage against $2,328/week household income, the 29.8% mortgage-to-income ratio sits right at the stress boundary, meaning any rate increase would tip Five Dock households into the stress zone.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,000
Rent / wk
$570
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$1,079
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
290
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.5%
Couples, no children
8,029
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (15.0%, 571 workers), Professional/Technical (14.1%, 537), and Education (12.0%, 459) lead the industry mix, reflecting a knowledge-economy suburb. Professionals (1,655) and Managers (1,014) dominate occupations, together accounting for over half of all workers. Construction at 9.1% and Finance at 8.5% round out the top five. The 4.0% unemployment rate is below the national average, and full-time employment at 69.0% is solid. The IEO decile 9 confirms top-tier education and occupation levels, while the IRSAD decile 9 places Five Dock firmly in the upper band of national advantage.
Unemployment
2.9%
Labour Force
12,394
Unemployed
361
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.0%
Part-time
27.0%
Participation
57.9%
Employed
4,490
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.7%
Postgraduate
14.7%
Born Overseas
34.7%
Dwellings
3,825
Transport to Work
Four schools all exceed the national ICSEA benchmark: All Hallows Catholic Primary (1,125, 462 students), Rosebank College secondary (Independent, 1,125, 1,472 students), Domremy Catholic College secondary (1,091, 858 students), and Five Dock Public School (Government, 1,082, 314 students). This density of above-benchmark schooling across sectors is a major amenity. Walking and cycling at 6.7% is above the suburban norm, and the IRSAD decile 9 confirms strong socioeconomic advantage. Rent-to-income at 24.5% is manageable for the renter population.
Drive
81.5%
Public Transport
6.3%
Walk / Cycle
6.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.46%/yr
(+98 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at a modest 0.46% per year (98 persons), with the 2025 estimate at 21,449 after recovering from a 2.3% COVID dip. Overseas migration of 264/year is the primary growth engine, offset by internal outflow of 241/year. The 10-year population change of 9.6% sits below the national urban average. The gentrification score of 32 (early signs) reflects rising incomes (14.0% real growth over the decade), strong overseas inflow, and the COVID recovery. Medium projections forecast 22,205 by 2031, suggesting steady but unspectacular growth consistent with an already-dense inner-west suburb.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+264
Net Internal / yr
-241
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -241/yr, Strong overseas inflow +264/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Five Dock compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Five Dock a good suburb to live in?
Five Dock suits professionals and families seeking an inner-west lifestyle, with 50.7% university qualifications, 4 above-benchmark schools (ICSEA 1,082 to 1,125), and a walkable streetscape (6.7% walk/cycle). The $1,617,500 median is premium, but IRSAD decile 9 confirms top-tier socioeconomic advantage. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8% is tight.
What is the median house price in Five Dock?
The median is $1,617,500 (PSI-derived), rising 3.1% from $1,600,000 in 2024 to $1,650,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,000, and median weekly rent is $570. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.8% sits just below the 30% stress line, at household incomes in the 88.7th percentile.
What schools are in Five Dock?
Four schools, all above the national ICSEA benchmark: All Hallows Catholic Primary (1,125, 462 students), Rosebank College (Independent Secondary, 1,125, 1,472 students), Domremy Catholic College (Secondary, 1,091, 858 students), and Five Dock Public School (Government, 1,082, 314 students). Secondary options span Catholic and Independent sectors.
Is Five Dock safe?
Crime-specific data is not available in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 8 indicates low relative disadvantage, and the 4.0% unemployment rate is below the national average. The IRSAD decile 9 places Five Dock in the top band of socioeconomic advantage nationally, typically associated with lower crime rates.
Is Five Dock good for property investment?
Gross yield is thin at approximately 1.8% ($570/week on $1,617,500), and the 7.0% vacancy rate signals some rental oversupply. Capital growth was modest at 3.1% over the latest year. 88 DAs in 12 months indicate active development pressure. The renter share of 37.7% provides a deep tenant pool, but the low yield makes cash-flow-positive outcomes difficult.
How is Five Dock's population changing?
Population grows at 0.46% per year (98 persons), with the 2025 estimate at 21,449 after a full COVID recovery. Overseas migration adds 264/year, offset by internal outflow of 241/year. The gentrification score of 32 (early signs) reflects rising incomes and overseas-driven demographic turnover. Medium projections forecast 22,205 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Five Dock?
Italian (450 speakers), Mandarin (179), Cantonese (115), Greek (81), and Arabic (60) lead non-English languages. With 34.7% born overseas and Italian ancestry (2,307) as the largest heritage group, Five Dock retains a distinctly Mediterranean cultural identity that distinguishes it from other inner-west suburbs.
How much development is happening in Five Dock?
88 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, one of the highest counts in this dataset. Applications include new dwellings, pools, and structural additions via both Complying Development Certificates and full DAs. This activity level reflects ongoing densification in Five Dock's inner-west location and strong property values.
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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