NSW 2640 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Glenroy

A 45-year median age puts Glenroy 5.0 years above the national profile, making it an older established suburb than many Australian areas. Its 3,528 residents occupy 8.06 square kilometres at a density of 437.8 people per square kilometre, while 88.0% of dwellings are separate houses. Overseas-born residents account for 12.2%, which is 9.4 percentage points below the national figure, and household income sits near the middle at the 49.6th percentile. For buyers comparing Glenroy with Lavington or North Albury, the suburb's strongest distinction is its detached, car-oriented housing base rather than apartment living.

Glenroy urban fabric map

Population

3,528

Median Age

45.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,557/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

58

8.06 km²· 437.8 people/km²· Family income $1,964/wk

Glenroy suits buyers seeking conventional family housing, because 88.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 40.9% contain 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for a further 43.0%, so the stock is weighted toward larger properties compared with a compact-unit market. The average household size is 2.4 people, just 0.1 below the national figure, which suggests that space can support both families and downsizers. A typical mortgage payment is $1,473 per month, equal to 21.8% of household income, while the median weekly rent is $315 and rent accounts for 20.2% of income. Household income of $1,557 per week sits at the 49.6th percentile, so buyers should compare current sale prices with their borrowing capacity rather than assume Glenroy is cheaper than nearby suburbs.

For Buyers

Glenroy suits buyers seeking conventional family housing, because 88.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 40.9% contain 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for a further 43.0%, so the stock is weighted toward larger properties compared with a compact-unit market. The average household size is 2.4 people, just 0.1 below the national figure, which suggests that space can support both families and downsizers. A typical mortgage payment is $1,473 per month, equal to 21.8% of household income, while the median weekly rent is $315 and rent accounts for 20.2% of income. Household income of $1,557 per week sits at the 49.6th percentile, so buyers should compare current sale prices with their borrowing capacity rather than assume Glenroy is cheaper than nearby suburbs.

For Investors

Glenroy presents a predominantly owner-occupied market, with 25.2% of households renting compared with 33.6% paying a mortgage and 38.2% owning outright. That lower rental share can mean a narrower tenant pool than in a high-rental suburb, although the 5.8% vacancy rate indicates some available choice for renters. Weekly rent is $315, and the wider growth settings include rent growth of 26.8%, which is stronger than a flat rental market. Sixty development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including a secondary dwelling and a new dwelling house, creating potential future competition as well as added housing supply. An annual growth trend of 1.45%, driven primarily by overseas migration, supports a measured rather than speculative investment case.

Development Activity

Total DAs

243

Last 12 Months

58

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+52.6%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

New Dwelling
57
Renovation / Extension
13
Swimming Pool / Spa
7
Garage / Carport / Shed
7
Deck / Pergola / Patio
3
Demolition
3
Change of Use
2
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
2

Demographics

Glenroy has an older resident profile, with a median age of 45 that is 5.0 years above the national level. University-qualified residents make up 26.8%, 3.3 percentage points below the national share, while 12.2% were born overseas, 9.4 points below the national figure. English ancestry is the largest reported group at 1,465 people, followed by Irish at 459, Scottish at 387 and German at 264. Christianity accounts for 1,863 residents and no religion for 1,286, showing a sizeable secular group alongside the area's Anglo-leaning heritage. A 77.5% same-address retention rate, compared with 22.5% turnover, points to a relatively settled population. Buyers comparing Glenroy with Lavington or North Albury should test whether this lower-mobility, older profile matches their preferred community setting.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.2%
15-24
12.4%
25-44
20.9%
45-64
26.3%
65+
24.3%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.3%
2 bed
15.9%
3 bed
43.0%
4+ bed
40.9%

Dwelling Structure

88.0%

Houses

11.5%

Townhouse

0.5%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.2% Mortgage 33.6% Rent 25.2% Other 3.0%

Glenroy's tenure profile is anchored by long-term ownership: 38.2% of households own outright, which is higher than the 25.2% renting, while 33.6% are paying a mortgage. The physical housing mix reinforces that pattern, with 88.0% separate houses, 11.5% semi-detached dwellings and only 0.5% apartments. Larger homes dominate, with 43.0% containing 3 bedrooms and 40.9% containing 4 or more. Mortgage costs average $1,473 per month against household income of $1,557 per week, while weekly rent is $315. Compared with a denser suburb, Glenroy provides more detached-house choice but less apartment diversity. For a current median price benchmark, buyers should compare recent settled sales by bedroom count and street, particularly when weighing Glenroy against nearby Lavington or North Albury.

Mortgage / mo

$1,473

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $315.

$510

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $543 · units $380

HH Size

2.4

Personal Income / wk

$763

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.8%

Unoccupied

83

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

20.2%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

21.8%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Nepali
25
Punjabi
25

Ancestry

English
1,465
Irish
459
Scottish
387
Other
283
German
264
Ancestry NS
146

Household Composition

37.2%

Couples with children

44.4%

Couples, no children

17.3%

Single parent

972

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is Glenroy's largest employment industry at 22.6%, or 249 workers, above education at 14.9% and 165 workers. Public administration contributes 9.7% and 107 workers, followed by construction at 8.9% and manufacturing at 8.4%. This mix gives the suburb a practical service and public-sector base, while construction and manufacturing add trades and production links to the local economy. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 319 people, followed by community and personal service workers at 256, trades at 240, clerical and administrative workers at 229, and managers at 205. The unemployment rate is 2.9% versus a participation rate of 59.2%, and 988 employed residents work full-time compared with 611 part-time. Healthcare employment is therefore substantially higher than manufacturing, helping explain the suburb's relatively stable employment profile.

Unemployment

2.9%

Labour Force

1,752

Unemployed

50

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

58.0%

Part-time

35.9%

Participation

59.2%

Employed

1,702

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 319
Community/Personal 256
Trades 240
Clerical/Admin 229
Managers 205
Sales 182
Labourers 152
Machinery/Drivers 97

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.6%
Education 14.9%
Public Admin 9.7%
Construction 8.9%
Manufacturing 8.4%

University

26.8%

Postgraduate

5.1%

Born Overseas

12.2%

Dwellings

1,358

Transport to Work

Glenroy is strongly car dependent: 83.1% of residents drive to work, compared with 0.5% using public transport and 2.0% walking or cycling. A further 9.1% work from home, so daily convenience is likely to depend on access to a private vehicle, parking and nearby services rather than frequent transit. The suburb covers 8.06 square kilometres at 437.8 people per square kilometre, giving it a lower-density feel than an apartment-led area. Families should confirm nearby primary and secondary school options, sector, and enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb lines. For safety decisions, check current incident information for the relevant street and recent period. Compared with more transit-oriented suburbs, Glenroy's main livability advantage is detached-home space, while transport flexibility is lower.

Drive

83.1%

Public Transport

0.5%

Walk / Cycle

2.0%

Work from Home

9.1%

Population Forecast

+1.45%/yr

(+139 people/yr)

Established

Glenroy's wider-area growth trend is 1.45% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 23.8% over 10 years, which is stronger than a static established-suburb pattern, but the trajectory is labelled Mixed rather than uniformly rising. Affordability improved from 61.8 in 2011 to 43.4 in 2021, while the shift assessment also records rent growth of 26.8% and real income growth of 46.7%. The indicators point in different directions: one gentrification assessment gives a score of 75 and an Advanced stage, while another gives 19 and labels the area Not gentrifying. Compared with a clear redevelopment cycle, Glenroy is better understood as a mature suburb experiencing demographic and housing change without a single dominant growth story.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+323

Net Internal / yr

-232

19

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +28% since 2011, Net internal outflow -232/yr, Strong overseas inflow +323/yr

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Glenroy compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 15%
Household Income
Bottom 50%
Rent Level
Top 35%
Apartments
Top 24%
Renters
Top 27%
Uni Educated
Top 42%
Public Transport
Bottom 6%
Born Overseas
Bottom 41%
Density
Top 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glenroy a good suburb to live in?

Glenroy can suit households wanting established detached housing and a settled community. The median age is 45, 88.0% of homes are separate houses, and 83.1% of workers drive, compared with only 0.5% using public transport. It is a better fit for car-oriented living than for residents seeking frequent transit or apartment options.

What is the median house price in Glenroy?

Use recent settled sales to establish the current median, separating results by street and bedroom count. Glenroy has 43.0% three-bedroom homes and 40.9% with 4 or more bedrooms, so a single suburb-wide figure can hide meaningful differences. Compare those sales with Lavington and North Albury before setting a budget.

What schools are in Glenroy?

School choices should be confirmed by exact address, since enrolment zones and sector boundaries can cross suburb lines. Glenroy is dominated by family housing, with 88.0% separate houses and 40.9% containing 4 or more bedrooms. Families should check nearby primary and secondary options, current intake rules, travel times and whether the preferred school is government or independent.

Is Glenroy safe?

Make the decision using current NSW Police incident information for the specific street and recent period, then inspect the area at different times. Glenroy has 3,528 residents across 8.06 square kilometres, and 77.5% of residents stayed at the same address, which supports a settled neighbourhood profile but does not replace a current safety check.

Is Glenroy good for property investment?

Glenroy may suit a conservative rental strategy, but it is not a high-rental market: 25.2% of households rent and the vacancy rate is 5.8%. Weekly rent is $315, while 60 development applications were lodged in 12 months. An annual growth trend of 1.45% and overseas migration support demand, but new supply should be compared with likely tenant depth.

How is Glenroy's population changing?

Glenroy has 3,528 residents today, with wider-area growth running at 1.45% annually and population change of 23.8% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, while the trajectory is Mixed. The resident base remains older than national norms, with a median age of 45, even as the broader area records ongoing growth.

What development is happening in Glenroy?

Sixty development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including a secondary dwelling, a new dwelling house, and works such as a shed or outdoor structure. Because 88.0% of homes are separate houses and 11.5% are semi-detached, added dwellings may gradually increase housing choice compared with the existing detached-house pattern.

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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