Harrington
With a median age of 64, Harrington sits 24 years above the national figure, making it one of NSW's most distinctly retirement-oriented coastal communities. Yet the SEIFA numbers tell a different story than the income data suggests: IRSD decile 9 and IRSAD decile 9 place the suburb among the least disadvantaged nationally, while household income lands in just the 7.1st percentile. That apparent contradiction resolves when you look at tenure: 66.7% of residents own their homes outright, well above the national average, meaning wealth is held in property rather than income. Population grew 47% over the decade to 3,381 residents, all while the suburb's share of younger cohorts fell 5 percentage points.
Population
3,381
Median Age
64.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$883/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
39
Median House
$754K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $754,000 is up from $740,000 in 2024, a 1.9% annual gain, and the suburb has not experienced a meaningful price correction in the recent data window. Separate houses dominate at 81.3% of stock, with 44.1% of dwellings being 3-bedroom and 34.5% having 4 or more bedrooms, offering genuine family-scale housing at prices below major metro markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 39.7%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, though this ratio is influenced by the relatively low income base. Only 14.8% of households carry a mortgage, compared to the national average where mortgage holders typically outnumber outright owners, because so many residents arrived debt-free at retirement age.
For Buyers
The median house price of $754,000 is up from $740,000 in 2024, a 1.9% annual gain, and the suburb has not experienced a meaningful price correction in the recent data window. Separate houses dominate at 81.3% of stock, with 44.1% of dwellings being 3-bedroom and 34.5% having 4 or more bedrooms, offering genuine family-scale housing at prices below major metro markets. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 39.7%, above the standard 30% stress threshold, though this ratio is influenced by the relatively low income base. Only 14.8% of households carry a mortgage, compared to the national average where mortgage holders typically outnumber outright owners, because so many residents arrived debt-free at retirement age.
For Investors
Rental conditions are challenging at Harrington. The vacancy rate of 15.5% is high, far above the 2-3% level considered tight, which puts downward pressure on rents and landlord pricing power. Weekly rent of $340 against a $754,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.3%, modest even for a coastal market. The renter share of 18.5% is low, so the tenant pool is thin. On the demand side, net internal migration runs negative at minus 118 per year while overseas migration adds 73, giving a small net gain. Development activity shows 38 applications in 12 months, with recent approvals including new dwellings and alterations, indicating the suburb remains a legitimate construction market. Capital growth has been measured at 1.9% annually, steady rather than speculative.
Development Activity
Total DAs
341
Last 12 Months
39
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-26.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Harrington iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Harrington Public School
K-6 · 83 students
Demographics
The median age of 64 sits 24 years above the national figure, reflecting a community that has been a retirement destination for decades. Only 27.4% of residents participate in the labour force, far lower than national rates, because the bulk of the 3,381-person population is post-working age. Overseas-born residents make up 10.8%, which is 10.8 points below the national figure, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,649), Irish (478) and Scottish (406) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach just 16.0%, which is 14.1 points below the national figure, a pattern typical of coastal retirement towns where professional careers concluded elsewhere. Average household size of 2.0 is 0.5 below national, consistent with the 60.9% of families who are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.3%
Houses
7.5%
Townhouse
4.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure here is unusual by any national comparison: 66.7% of households own outright, versus a national figure closer to 30%, and only 14.8% carry a mortgage. This reflects a population that bought decades ago and has since paid off debt. The 15.5% vacancy rate is the standout anomaly, likely reflecting a mix of holiday homes and investment properties that sit empty for parts of the year, a common pattern in coastal NSW towns. Separate houses account for 81.3% of stock, apartments just 4.6%, with semi-detached at 7.5%. The price moved from $740,000 in 2024 to $754,000 in 2025, a 1.9% gain over one year. Mortgage stress is technically flagged at 39.7% of income, and rent stress at 38.5%, though the small number of households in these situations limits the aggregate impact.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$340
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$480
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.5%
Unoccupied
293
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
38.5% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
39.7% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
60.9%
Couples, no children
2,542
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 24.2% of the workforce (136 workers), followed by Education at 11.8%, Construction at 10.3%, Hospitality at 8.9% and Retail at 8.4%. This structure reflects the needs of an aged population: healthcare and personal services are structurally larger than in working-age suburbs. Unemployment runs at 8.0%, above the national average, though this must be read against a labour force participation rate of just 27.4%, one of the lowest you will find anywhere because most adults are retired. The SEIFA IEO score reaches decile 7 for education and occupation, above average nationally, yet IRSAD decile 9 and IRSD decile 9 confirm low disadvantage. Volunteering at 17.0% is strong, typical of communities with time-rich retirees.
Unemployment
1.5%
Labour Force
7,595
Unemployed
116
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.6%
Part-time
39.4%
Participation
27.4%
Employed
785
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.0%
Postgraduate
3.6%
Born Overseas
10.8%
Dwellings
1,599
Transport to Work
Car dependency is extreme: 88.2% of residents drive to work or errands, while public transport use is just 0.5%, far below the national average. Walking and cycling account for 4.7%, above what you might expect given the coastal setting. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, which is consistent with the aging demographic where households with school-age children are rare. Crime data is not available in the brief. SEIFA IRSD decile 9 signals low disadvantage, placing Harrington in the top 20% of suburbs nationally on relative deprivation measures. The need-for-assistance rate of 9.8% (319 people) is notably high compared to national averages, which is expected given the older age profile and prevalence of age-related health conditions.
Drive
88.2%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.27%/yr
(+258 people/yr)
EstablishedHarrington grew 47.2% over the decade to 2021, one of the fastest growth rates in coastal NSW, driven largely by retirees relocating from Sydney and other capitals rather than by natural population increase or overseas migration. The current annual growth rate of 2.27% adds around 258 persons per year, and medium forecasts project the population reaching 13,632 by 2031, up from the current 3,381 recorded at Census. The gentrification score is 3, classified as not gentrifying, because SEIFA advantage is already high and the demographic is aging rather than professionalising. Internal migration runs negative at minus 118 per year while overseas migration contributes a net positive 73, consistent with the suburb's profile as a domestic lifestyle destination rather than an immigration hub.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+73
Net Internal / yr
-118
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +45% since 2011, Net internal outflow -118/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Harrington compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harrington a good suburb to live in?
Harrington suits retirees and sea-changers well. It scores IRSD decile 9 and IRSAD decile 9, placing it among the least disadvantaged 20% of suburbs nationally. The median age of 64 reflects a quiet, established community where 66.7% of residents own their homes outright. Infrastructure is car-dependent, with 88.2% reliant on driving, and no schools are recorded inside the suburb.
What is the median house price in Harrington?
The median house price is $754,000 as of 2025, up 1.9% from $740,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517. Weekly rent is $340, implying a gross rental yield near 2.3% against the median. Separate houses make up 81.3% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 44.1% of dwellings.
What schools are in Harrington?
No schools are recorded inside the Harrington suburb boundary. Given the median age of 64 and that 60.9% of families are couples without children, demand for local schooling is low. Families with school-age children would need to travel to neighbouring towns. The adult population has a university qualification rate of 16%, which is 14.1 points below the national figure.
Is Harrington safe?
Specific crime rate data is not available for Harrington. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 9, placing it in the top 20% nationally on the index of relative socio-economic disadvantage, which correlates with lower crime prevalence. The community of 3,381 residents is dominated by long-term owner-occupiers, with 66.7% owning outright and only 18.5% renting.
Is Harrington good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. Capital growth has been modest at 1.9% annually from 2024 to 2025, and the 15.5% vacancy rate is high, indicating oversupply in the rental market. Rent of $340 per week against a $754,000 median produces a gross yield near 2.3%. Only 18.5% of households rent, making the tenant pool thin. The 38 development applications in the past 12 months show active construction demand.
How is Harrington's population changing?
Population grew 47.2% over the decade to 2021, reaching 3,381 at Census. Current annual growth is 2.27%, adding around 258 persons per year. Medium forecasts project growth to 13,632 by 2031. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 3.5 points and the young-adult share down 5 points over the decade. Internal migration is negative at minus 118 per year, offset by net overseas migration of positive 73.
How much development is happening in Harrington?
There were 38 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent applications include new dwelling houses and alterations plus swimming pool additions, indicating active renovation and new build activity. This is notable for a suburb of 3,381 residents and suggests ongoing demand for property improvements among the largely owner-occupier population that is 66.7% outright owned.
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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