NSW 2680 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Griffith

With 19,505 residents across 51.9 square kilometres, Griffith combines a substantial regional centre with a detached-home profile: 80.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 35.1% have four or more bedrooms. Its median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 29.1%, 7.5 percentage points above national. Household income sits at the 58.2nd percentile. Compared with nearby Yoogali and Hanwood, Griffith functions as the larger service and employment hub, which helps explain its 1.73% annual growth and broad industry base.

Griffith urban fabric map

Population

19,505

Median Age

36.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,676/wk

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

248

51.9 km²· 375.8 people/km²· Family income $1,951/wk

Griffith suits buyers prioritising space and established detached stock over apartment living. Separate houses account for 80.2% of dwellings, while apartments make up 13.0%; three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by four-plus-bedroom homes at 35.1%. A monthly mortgage measure of $1,483 equals 20.4% of household income, higher than the 17.9% rent-to-income measure, with neither flagged as housing stress. Weekly rent is $300, useful for comparing the cost of renting while saving a deposit. Buyers should compare established homes with newer builds because the large-house profile can bring higher maintenance and energy costs than smaller dwellings.

For Buyers

Griffith suits buyers prioritising space and established detached stock over apartment living. Separate houses account for 80.2% of dwellings, while apartments make up 13.0%; three-bedroom homes lead at 43.9%, followed by four-plus-bedroom homes at 35.1%. A monthly mortgage measure of $1,483 equals 20.4% of household income, higher than the 17.9% rent-to-income measure, with neither flagged as housing stress. Weekly rent is $300, useful for comparing the cost of renting while saving a deposit. Buyers should compare established homes with newer builds because the large-house profile can bring higher maintenance and energy costs than smaller dwellings.

For Investors

Griffith has a sizeable rental base, with 38.2% of dwellings rented, higher than the 31.6% owned outright and 27.9% mortgaged. Weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 7.6%, so investors should test leasing assumptions rather than rely on scarcity. Rent growth reached 15.5%, while 249 development applications in 12 months point to active building and modification activity that may expand supply. Migration is forecast as Balanced, making tenant demand more dependent on local healthcare, manufacturing, education, construction and agricultural employment than on one migration stream.

Development Activity

Total DAs

1,534

Last 12 Months

248

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-8.1%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

New Dwelling
105
Renovation / Extension
82
Garage / Carport / Shed
74
Subdivision
51
Demolition
38
Swimming Pool / Spa
31
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
24
Change of Use
21

Schools in Griffith

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Griffith East Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Griffith North Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Griffith Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Kalinda School

Schools for Specific Purposes Government
School website

Griffith High School

Secondary School Government
School website

Demographics

Griffith's age and cultural profile differs from the national pattern. Median age is 36, 4 years below national, while university attainment is 26.3%, 3.8 percentage points below national. The overseas-born share is 29.1%, 7.5 points above national, with English ancestry recorded for 5,027 people and Italian ancestry for 4,171. Guj and Punjabi are the leading listed non-English languages at 500 and 480 speakers, followed by Italian at 443. Household size is 2.6, only 0.1 above national, because couples with children form 44.0% of families while couples without children account for 37.9%.

Age Distribution

0-14
19.4%
15-24
11.7%
25-44
29.4%
45-64
23.0%
65+
16.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
4.3%
2 bed
16.7%
3 bed
43.9%
4+ bed
35.1%

Dwelling Structure

80.2%

Houses

5.8%

Townhouse

13.0%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 31.6% Mortgage 27.9% Rent 38.2% Other 2.3%

Griffith's housing stock is detached and family-sized, which supports households seeking yards and extra bedrooms but can limit choice for singles. Separate houses represent 80.2% of dwellings, compared with 13.0% apartments and 5.8% semi-detached homes. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 43.9% and four or more bedrooms 35.1%, while 2-bedroom homes make up 16.7% and 0 or 1-bedroom homes 4.3%. Renting is 38.2%, higher than outright ownership at 31.6% and mortgage ownership at 27.9%. The 2.6-person average household and $1,676 weekly household income help explain why the market supports both family rentals and established owner households.

Mortgage / mo

$1,483

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $300.

$480

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $525 · units $360

HH Size

2.6

Personal Income / wk

$831

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

7.6%

Unoccupied

560

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

17.9%

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

20.4%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Guj
500
Punjabi
480
Italian
443
Samoan
126
Mandarin
99
Hindi
64

Ancestry

English
5,027
Italian
4,171
Other
3,097
Ancestry NS
1,415
Irish
1,359
Indian
1,279

Household Composition

44.0%

Couples with children

37.9%

Couples, no children

16.4%

Single parent

5,000

Total families

Economy & Employment

Griffith's economy is anchored by healthcare at 17.6% of industry employment, manufacturing at 16.9%, education at 10.0%, construction at 8.5% and agriculture at 8.1%. This mix spreads demand across essential services, production and regional supply chains rather than relying on a single sector. The labour force totals 10,079 people, participation is 64.1% and unemployment is 3.4%, while 65.5% of workers are full time. Labourers lead occupations at 2,087, ahead of professionals at 1,378 and trades at 1,276. Household income is at the 58.2nd percentile, but education and occupation SEIFA deciles of 2 and 3 are lower than a middle decile, pointing to solid work activity without broad high-skill advantage.

Unemployment

3.4%

Labour Force

10,079

Unemployed

338

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Overall advantage
3
Disadvantage
3
Economic resources
3
Education & occupation
2

Full-time

65.5%

Part-time

29.4%

Participation

64.1%

Employed

9,741

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

Occupations

Labourers 2,087
Professionals 1,378
Trades 1,276
Managers 1,209
Clerical/Admin 1,032
Community/Personal 951
Sales 875
Machinery/Drivers 679

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.6%
Manufacturing 16.9%
Education 10.0%
Construction 8.5%
Agriculture 8.1%

University

26.3%

Postgraduate

5.4%

Born Overseas

29.1%

Dwellings

6,803

Transport to Work

Daily life in Griffith is strongly car-oriented: 80.9% travel as car drivers, compared with 0.1% using public transport and 2.9% walking or cycling. That pattern makes a private vehicle useful for work, school and shopping across a 51.9 square kilometre suburb, while the 4.1% work-from-home share limits the relevance of a home-office-only lifestyle. Six local schools provide three primary, two secondary and one schools-for-specific-purposes option, all in the government sector. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The IRSAD decile is 3, below the middle decile, so affordability and access considerations deserve more attention than in higher-decile locations. Review current local crime information before choosing a street and visit at different times of day.

Drive

80.9%

Public Transport

0.1%

Walk / Cycle

2.9%

Work from Home

4.1%

Population Forecast

+1.73%/yr

(+101 people/yr)

Established

Griffith is an established market with forecast annual growth of 1.73% and a Balanced migration driver. Population change across the wider area is 36.7% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 3.5 percentage points and the working share down 1.9 points. This points to continued expansion alongside a changing age mix, rather than a purely youthful growth cycle. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage with a score of 29, and rent growth of 15.5% adds pressure. Affordability improved from 34.1 in 2011 to 29.4 in 2021, so Griffith compares favourably with its earlier position even as demand and development activity build.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Balanced

Net Overseas / yr

+91

Net Internal / yr

+50

29

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +43% since 2011, Accelerating: 14% → 25%

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

How Griffith compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 1%
Household Income
Top 42%
Rent Level
Top 41%
Apartments
Top 7%
Renters
Top 12%
Uni Educated
Top 44%
Public Transport
Bottom 0%
Born Overseas
Top 15%
Density
Top 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Griffith a good suburb to live in?

Yes, Griffith can suit households wanting space, local schools and a regional employment base. It has 19,505 residents, 80.2% separate houses and six government schools across primary, secondary and specific-purpose settings. Car dependence is high at 80.9%, so it is more convenient for drivers than for households seeking a transit-oriented lifestyle.

What is the median house price in Griffith?

Use recent Griffith sales to identify the current median before setting a budget. The housing mix is 80.2% separate houses, with 43.9% three-bedroom and 35.1% four-plus-bedroom dwellings. Buyers should also allow for the $1,483 monthly mortgage measure and compare homes by land, condition and bedroom count.

What schools are in Griffith?

Griffith has 6 local government schools: 3 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and 1 school for specific purposes. This gives families access to a broad public-school mix within the suburb, although enrolment zones should be confirmed at the exact address because catchments can differ between streets.

Is Griffith safe?

Check current NSW Police and council information before choosing a street, and visit at different times of day. Griffith covers 51.9 square kilometres and has 19,505 residents, so the experience can vary by pocket. Street conditions, lighting, nearby activity and property management are useful practical factors to assess alongside official information.

Is Griffith good for property investment?

Griffith may suit investors seeking a regional rental market, but returns need to be tested against purchase prices and maintenance. Renting accounts for 38.2% of dwellings, higher than outright ownership at 31.6%; weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 7.6%. Rent growth is 15.5%, while 249 development applications in 12 months may increase supply.

How is Griffith's population changing?

Griffith has 19,505 residents today. The wider area's forecast annual growth is 1.73%, with migration labelled Balanced, while population change over 10 years is 36.7%. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 3.5 percentage points and the working share has fallen 1.9 points. Growth can continue, but demand is likely to shift toward older households compared with a younger regional profile.

What development is happening in Griffith?

Development activity totals 249 applications in 12 months, including dwelling houses, sheds and modifications. That suggests ongoing renewal across established sites rather than one single project. Buyers and investors should check approvals, construction timing and street-level impacts, especially where a 7.6% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a tightly held market.

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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