Galston
A $1,760,000 median house price and 84.3% of residents who have not moved in five years tell the same story: Galston is an established, premium acreage suburb on Sydney's north-western fringe that holds its residents firmly. Household income sits in the 87.9th percentile nationally, SEIFA puts it in decile 10 for relative disadvantage (IRSD) and economic resources (IER), and 84.1% of dwellings are separate houses, far above the national average. The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above national, driven by a senior share that rose 5.8 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 2.8 points.
Population
3,195
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,295/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
35
Median House
$1.8M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,760,000 median house price reflects the suburb's large-lot character, and price history supports the premium: the median rose from $1,650,000 in 2024 to $2,443,000 in 2025, a 48.1% one-year gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.2%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price point, because household incomes rank in the 87.9th percentile nationally. Stock is dominated by separate houses at 84.1%, with 58.0% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, which is unusually high compared to metro Sydney norms. Semi-detached and apartment stock together account for only 15.5%, so buyers have little choice outside the detached house market.
For Buyers
The $1,760,000 median house price reflects the suburb's large-lot character, and price history supports the premium: the median rose from $1,650,000 in 2024 to $2,443,000 in 2025, a 48.1% one-year gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.2%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price point, because household incomes rank in the 87.9th percentile nationally. Stock is dominated by separate houses at 84.1%, with 58.0% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms, which is unusually high compared to metro Sydney norms. Semi-detached and apartment stock together account for only 15.5%, so buyers have little choice outside the detached house market.
For Investors
Galston is not a rental suburb. Only 13.3% of residents rent, well below state averages, and weekly rent is $495, modest relative to the $1,760,000 median house price, implying a gross yield below 1.5%. The vacancy rate of 5.0% is elevated, consistent with limited rental demand on large acreage blocks. Development activity shows 32 applications in the past 12 months, mostly complying development certificates for dwelling houses and sheds, indicating organic single-dwelling activity rather than investor-grade supply. Net overseas migration adds 36 residents annually, partially offset by a net internal outflow of 17, leaving modest overall demand. The investment case rests on long-term capital growth in a tightly held market rather than rental yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
201
Last 12 Months
35
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+40.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Galston iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Galston High School
7-12 · 570 students
Galston Public School
K-6 · 147 students
Demographics
The median age of 46 sits 6.0 years above the national figure, and the population is aging: the senior share rose 5.8 points while the working-age share fell 2.8 points over the decade. University qualifications reach 39.1%, which is 9.0 percentage points above national, concentrated in Professionals (377) and Managers (297), the top two occupational categories. Overseas-born residents make up 20.5%, slightly below the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,332), Irish (385) and Scottish (343). Average household size is 2.8, modestly above the national figure. Volunteering runs at 20.7% of the population, a high rate consistent with a settled, community-oriented resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.1%
Houses
6.8%
Townhouse
8.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is heavily weighted toward ownership: 48.0% own outright and 38.7% carry a mortgage, while only 13.3% rent. Outright ownership at 48.0% is exceptionally high and reflects long-held, established wealth rather than active market turnover. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 84.1%, with apartments at just 8.7% and semi-detached at 6.8%. Four-plus bedroom dwellings account for 58.0%, well above metro norms, consistent with the large-lot suburban character. The median house price reached $2,443,000 in 2025, up 48.1% from $1,650,000 in 2024. Mortgage-to-income sits at 26.2% and rent-to-income at 21.6%, both below stress thresholds, reflecting that established residents purchased at lower historical prices relative to their current incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$495
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$875
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.0%
Unoccupied
56
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.4%
Couples, no children
2,692
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce is dominated by Professionals (377 workers, the single largest occupation group) and Managers (297), followed by Clerical and Admin (212). By industry, Construction leads at 16.3% (173 workers), Healthcare at 14.7% (156) and Education at 12.6% (134), with Professional and Tech services at 11.6% (123). The unemployment rate is low at 3.7% and full-time employment runs at 61.6%. SEIFA tells a consistent story of advantage: IRSD and IER are both decile 10 nationally, IRSAD is decile 9 and IEO is decile 8. Personal weekly income averages $875 and real incomes grew 13.1% over the decade. The Construction industry's lead position is unusual and likely reflects the volume of owner-builder and renovation activity common in large-lot acreage areas.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
2,977
Unemployed
107
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.6%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
52.7%
Employed
1,335
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.1%
Postgraduate
10.2%
Born Overseas
20.5%
Dwellings
1,065
Transport to Work
Galston is almost entirely car-dependent, with 91.6% of residents driving to work and only 0.7% using public transport, one of the lowest public transport rates compared to metro Sydney. This reflects the 23.56 km2 footprint and low density of 135.6 persons per km2, more than three times below the broader Sydney average. The suburb scores decile 10 nationally on both IRSD (relative disadvantage) and IER (economic resources), placing it in the top advantage tier. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset. Mortgage stress (26.2%) and rent stress (21.6%) are both below threshold, meaning neither owners nor renters face financial pressure from housing costs. With 6.4% of residents needing daily assistance and a median age of 46, some proportion of households have age-related support needs, though the figure remains moderate.
Drive
91.6%
Public Transport
0.7%
Walk / Cycle
4.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.26%/yr
(+14 people/yr)
EstablishedGalston grows slowly but steadily, with annual population growth at 0.26% and an expected addition of 14 residents per year. Over the decade, population rose 6.7%. Medium forecasts project the population rising from 5,472 in 2025 to 5,583 by 2031, adding roughly 111 residents. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver at a net 36 arrivals per year, more than offsetting a net internal outflow of 17. The shift trajectory is classified as Aging, with the senior share rising 5.8 points and affordability improving from 53.9% in 2011 to 50.9% in 2021. Gentrification is not a current dynamic; the suburb already sits at the top of the SEIFA advantage spectrum with no uplift signal. High residential stability, with 84.3% of residents staying in place, keeps turnover and new supply minimal.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+36
Net Internal / yr
-17
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Galston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Galston a good suburb to live in?
Galston scores decile 10 on IRSD and IER nationally, the top advantage tier, and household incomes rank in the 87.9th percentile. With 84.3% of residents choosing to stay long-term and mortgage-to-income at just 26.2%, it is a financially comfortable, stable community. The main trade-offs are near-total car dependence at 91.6% and a $1,760,000 median house price.
What is the median house price in Galston?
The median house price is $1,760,000 based on PSI-derived data. Recent price history shows a move from $1,650,000 in 2024 to $2,443,000 in 2025, a 48.1% one-year increase. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, and weekly rent is $495.
What schools are in Galston?
No schools are recorded inside the Galston boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring Hornsby Shire suburbs. Locally, 39.1% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 9.0 percentage points above the national average, reflecting an educated resident base.
Is Galston safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Galston in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, Galston scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage nationally, the highest advantage tier, and only 6.4% of residents need daily assistance. These signals are consistent with a low-disadvantage, low-crime environment.
Is Galston good for property investment?
Rental yield is thin: weekly rent of $495 against a $1,760,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.5%, and the 5.0% vacancy rate reflects weak rental demand. The investment case is primarily capital growth driven, supported by a tightly held market where 48.0% own outright and only 13.3% rent. The 48.1% price rise in one year signals strong upside, though historical periods will vary.
How is Galston's population changing?
Population growth is gradual at 0.26% annually, adding around 14 residents per year. The population rose 6.7% over the past decade, reaching 5,472 in 2025. Medium forecasts project 5,583 residents by 2031. Overseas migration (net 36 per year) is the primary growth driver, slightly offset by net internal outflow of 17.
How much development is happening in Galston?
There were 32 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly complying development certificates for dwelling houses and sheds. This reflects steady single-dwelling activity on large lots rather than high-density development. With 84.3% of residents long-term stayers and gentrification not a current dynamic, the suburb grows organically at a slow pace.
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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