Islington
Renting accounts for 47.6% of occupied homes in Islington, a striking feature of a compact 0.71 sq km suburb with 2,026 residents and a density of 2,868.9 people per sq km. The population is younger and more university educated than national norms: the median age is 35, or 5 years below national, while 47.1% hold university qualifications, 17 percentage points above national. Work from home reaches 34.8%, and 45.1% of families are couples without children. Compared with nearby Mayfield's broader suburban footprint, Islington is more tightly urban and more rental-oriented. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 870, 314 and 288, while no religion is recorded by 1,291 people.
Local council: Newcastle
Population
2,026
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,828/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
29
Homebuyers in Islington are choosing a compact, mixed housing market rather than a detached-only setting. Separate houses make up 56.1% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes account for 30.5% and apartments 11.8%. Two-bedroom dwellings represent 37.6%, slightly below the 41.6% share of three-bedroom homes, while 4-plus-bedroom properties account for 9.3%. This mix suits singles, couples and smaller families more readily than buyers seeking extensive family space. A $2,000 monthly mortgage corresponds to 25.3% of household income, so repayments should still be tested against rates, insurance and maintenance. Compared with nearby Mayfield, Islington's smaller 0.71 sq km footprint favours buyers prioritising an urban setting over larger blocks.
For Buyers
Homebuyers in Islington are choosing a compact, mixed housing market rather than a detached-only setting. Separate houses make up 56.1% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes account for 30.5% and apartments 11.8%. Two-bedroom dwellings represent 37.6%, slightly below the 41.6% share of three-bedroom homes, while 4-plus-bedroom properties account for 9.3%. This mix suits singles, couples and smaller families more readily than buyers seeking extensive family space. A $2,000 monthly mortgage corresponds to 25.3% of household income, so repayments should still be tested against rates, insurance and maintenance. Compared with nearby Mayfield, Islington's smaller 0.71 sq km footprint favours buyers prioritising an urban setting over larger blocks.
For Investors
Islington has a substantial tenant base, with 47.6% of dwellings rented and a listed weekly rent of $430. The 9.6% vacancy rate gives tenants more choice than a highly constrained market, so investors should allow for leasing time and competition between properties. Compared with the 20.7% outright ownership share, renting is the dominant tenure pattern, which supports an established pool of potential tenants. There were 29 development applications over 12 months, covering residential accommodation, dwelling alterations and business premises. Because this activity can add both housing and local amenity, investors should inspect nearby works before assuming rent growth. Calculate yield and cash flow against the latest purchase price, since rental income alone does not establish a viable return.
Development Activity
Total DAs
155
Last 12 Months
29
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+31.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Islington
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Islington has a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national comparison, and 47.1% of residents hold university qualifications, 17 percentage points above the national figure. Only 14.0% were born overseas, 7.6 percentage points below national levels, while English, Irish and Scottish ancestry counts are 870, 314 and 288. Average household size is 2.1 people, 0.4 below national, consistent with 45.1% of families being couples without children. No religion is recorded by 1,291 people, compared with 531 identifying with Christianity. A 36.1% turnover rate and 63.9% staying at the same address suggest a settled core alongside regular movement. This combination supports a professional, smaller-household profile rather than a large-family demographic.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
56.1%
Houses
30.5%
Townhouse
11.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Islington's housing stock is mixed and relatively compact. Separate houses account for 56.1% of dwellings, semi-detached properties 30.5% and apartments 11.8%, with the semi-detached share higher than the apartment share. Two-bedroom homes make up 37.6% and three-bedroom homes 41.6%, while 4-plus-bedroom dwellings are limited to 9.3%. Tenure is weighted toward renting at 47.6%, ahead of the 31.2% mortgage-held share and the 20.7% owned-outright share. Mortgage costs average $2,000 per month and represent 25.3% of household income, while rent is $430 per week. Compared with nearby Mayfield's broader suburban form, Islington's 0.71 sq km footprint and density of 2,868.9 people per sq km help explain its stronger attached-housing and rental presence.
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $430.
$730
Bond data Jun 2026
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$995
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.6%
Unoccupied
97
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.2%
Couples with children
45.1%
Couples, no children
18.6%
Single parent
494
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Islington's largest employment industry at 23.5%, or 223 workers, followed by Education at 14.0% and 133 workers, Professional and Technical services at 12.2% and 116 workers, Public Administration at 7.8% and 74 workers, and Construction at 7.7% and 73 workers. The occupation mix is led by 406 Professionals, followed by 176 Community and Personal Service workers, 161 Managers, 157 Trades workers and 120 Clerical and Administrative workers. Labour-force participation is 74.2%, unemployment is 5.1% and 58.7% work full time. Household income sits at the 65.9th percentile, above the midpoint nationally, while university attainment is 17 percentage points above national. This skills profile helps explain the concentration in health, education and professional services.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
1,305
Unemployed
66
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.7%
Part-time
35.9%
Participation
74.2%
Employed
1,239
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
47.1%
Postgraduate
12.3%
Born Overseas
14.0%
Dwellings
905
Transport to Work
Islington suits residents who value central urban access, but daily travel remains car-led: 54.2% drive, compared with 1.9% using public transport and 6.9% walking or cycling. Work from home is 34.8%, substantially higher than the public transport share, which can reduce commuting pressure for many professional households. The suburb has 1 identified government primary school, Islington Public School; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. Compared with national norms, university attainment is 17 percentage points higher, supporting a highly educated resident base. Volunteering is 16.6% and 5.2% need assistance, so community services remain relevant. Check current NSW Police incident information and the exact street before deciding, because safety conditions can vary locally.
Drive
54.2%
Public Transport
1.9%
Walk / Cycle
6.9%
Work from Home
34.8%
Growth Outlook
Islington's near-term growth signal is shaped by infill, refurbishment and mixed-use activity rather than outward expansion. There were 29 development applications across 12 months, including residential accommodation, dwelling-house alterations and business premises. Because the suburb covers only 0.71 sq km and already has a density of 2,868.9 people per sq km, new activity is more likely to affect existing streets, buildings and local services than create a broad new estate. Population movement also matters: 36.1% of residents changed address while 63.9% stayed, indicating a stable base with meaningful turnover. Compared with a low-density fringe setting, Islington's compact form makes redevelopment, adaptive reuse and transport access more important drivers of change than land release.
Population trend: Newcastle council area
Islington sits in the Newcastle council area. These are the council area's residents, not Islington's.
Residents 2025
178,935
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.1%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Islington compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Islington a good suburb to live in?
Islington can suit residents seeking a compact, urban setting with a highly educated population: 47.1% hold university qualifications and 34.8% work from home. Renting is common at 47.6%, while 1 government primary school serves local families.
What is the median house price in Islington?
Check the latest local sales results for the current median house price before making an offer. The affordability context includes $430 weekly rent and a $2,000 monthly mortgage cost, with mortgage payments equal to 25.3% of household income.
What schools are in Islington?
Islington Public School is the identified 1 government primary school in the suburb. Families should confirm the current intake area, enrolment rules and available places for the exact address before signing a lease or purchase contract.
Is Islington safe?
Check current NSW Police incident information and inspect the exact street before deciding, because local conditions can vary. Islington has 2,026 residents, and 54.2% of workers drive, making traffic, parking and street activity useful parts of an inspection.
Is Islington good for property investment?
It may suit investors seeking a substantial rental market, with 47.6% of dwellings rented and weekly rent of $430. The 9.6% vacancy rate and 29 development applications mean leasing competition and nearby construction should be assessed before buying.
How is Islington's population changing?
Islington has 2,026 residents, with 63.9% staying at the same address and a 36.1% turnover rate. The 29 development applications indicate ongoing change through residential alterations, accommodation and business activity rather than a purely static neighbourhood.
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).
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