Jilliby
At 84 square kilometres with only 1,694 residents, Jilliby's density of 20 people per square kilometre sits far below the national average, yet the suburb ranks in the 94.8th percentile for household income nationally. Family weekly income averages $2,505 against a median house price of $2.2 million, placing this rural locality firmly in premium territory. The SEIFA economic resources index scores decile 10, the highest tier in Australia, while IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 8, well above the national midpoint. Nearly 98% of dwellings are separate houses, and 78% have four or more bedrooms, reflecting the large landholding character typical of acreage pockets in the Central Coast hinterland.
Population
1,694
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,713/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
40
Median House
$2.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $2,200,000 reflects a significant correction from the 2024 peak of $2,750,000, a fall of 39.5% in a single year, though this data covers only 2 quarters and the small sample makes the figure volatile. Mortgage holders account for 48.9% of households while 41.5% own outright, meaning most residents carry debt. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,564, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the multi-million dollar price point because incomes rank at the 94.8th percentile nationally. The stock is 98% separate houses with 78.2% in the 4-plus bedroom category, so buyers should expect large, land-heavy properties rather than compact homes. The renter share of 9.6% is very low compared to the national average, consistent with owner-occupier-dominated acreage communities.
For Buyers
The median house price of $2,200,000 reflects a significant correction from the 2024 peak of $2,750,000, a fall of 39.5% in a single year, though this data covers only 2 quarters and the small sample makes the figure volatile. Mortgage holders account for 48.9% of households while 41.5% own outright, meaning most residents carry debt. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,564, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the multi-million dollar price point because incomes rank at the 94.8th percentile nationally. The stock is 98% separate houses with 78.2% in the 4-plus bedroom category, so buyers should expect large, land-heavy properties rather than compact homes. The renter share of 9.6% is very low compared to the national average, consistent with owner-occupier-dominated acreage communities.
For Investors
The 9.6% renter share is well below national norms, making Jilliby a thin rental market with limited tenant demand. Weekly rent averages $445, and with a median house price of $2,200,000 the implied gross yield is approximately 1.1%, lower than typical investment targets. The vacancy rate of 5.4% is elevated, pointing to supply that exceeds local rental demand. On the positive side, 38 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, including industrial and residential complying development, indicating some activity. Annual net internal migration averages 18 residents and net overseas migration also averages 18, a balanced but modest flow that does not generate strong rental pressure. Investors should weigh the low yield against potential long-run capital growth in a high-income, low-density acreage corridor.
Development Activity
Total DAs
145
Last 12 Months
40
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+21.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 43 is 3.0 years above the national figure, consistent with an established, owner-occupier community attracting families and retirees rather than young renters. Overseas-born residents at 11.1% sit 10.5 points below the national average, making Jilliby one of the more locally-born populations in NSW. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (764), Irish (200) and Scottish (161) are the top three groups by count. University qualifications reach 28.3%, which is 1.8 points below the national figure, a minor gap that reflects the trades-and-services employment base. Average household size of 3.4 is 0.9 above the national average, driven by a high share of couples with children (613 families) and very few one-parent families, suggesting a stable two-parent family profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.0%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split between 41.5% outright owners and 48.9% mortgage holders, with only 9.6% renting, well below the national average. The dominance of outright owners alongside high house prices points to long-term residents who bought before peak prices and have accumulated significant equity. The stock is 98% separate houses with 78.2% in the four-plus bedroom category, the highest concentration of large homes compared to typical suburban profiles. Price data covers two quarters: the median was $2,750,000 in 2024 and $1,665,000 in 2025, a 39.5% swing that reflects the small transaction volume in a low-density suburb where a handful of sales can move the reported median sharply. Rent-to-income at 16.4% is comfortable for tenants, sitting below typical stress thresholds.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,564
Rent / wk
$445
HH Size
3.4
Personal Income / wk
$856
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
28
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.9%
Couples, no children
1,535
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads employment at 15.5% (92 workers), followed closely by Education at 14.8% (88) and Construction at 14.5% (86), with Public Administration at 7.4% and Other Services at 7.3%. By occupation, Managers (161) and Professionals (156) are the two largest groups, consistent with a workforce that commutes to regional centres and metropolitan areas. The unemployment rate of 2.6% is low, and the full-time employment rate of 61.3% indicates most working residents hold stable jobs. The SEIFA IEO score sits at decile 7, below the decile 10 IER (economic resources), a gap that reflects the rural occupational mix rather than a deficit in education or income. Real income grew 11.6% over the decade, slower than rent growth of 46.7% over the same period.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
2,133
Unemployed
68
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
36.1%
Participation
60.0%
Employed
809
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.3%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
11.1%
Dwellings
493
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high even by national standards, with 92.8% of residents driving to work compared to the national average that typically sits below 80%. No public transport data is recorded, which is consistent with a rural area of 20 persons per square kilometre where bus routes are sparse. No schools are recorded within the Jilliby boundary, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Central Coast suburbs. The IRSAD decile of 8 places the suburb in the upper advantage band nationally, meaning low disadvantage overall. Volunteering runs at 15.8% and only 5.3% of residents (86 people) need daily assistance. The resident stability rate of 85% who stayed in the area over five years reflects a settled, low-turnover community.
Drive
92.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.77%/yr
(+28 people/yr)
EstablishedJilliby grew 13.6% over the past decade and annual population growth runs at 0.77%, adding roughly 28 residents per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 3,758 by 2031 from 3,627 in 2025, a rate above zero-growth suburbs typical of inner-city areas. Migration is balanced, with net overseas and net internal flows both averaging 18 residents annually. The suburb is not classified as gentrifying despite population growth of 16% since 2011. The demographic trajectory is aging, with the senior share rising 3.9 points and the young adult share declining 2.6 points over the decade. Affordability has worsened from 47.8% in 2011 to 51.1% in 2021, meaning housing costs have grown faster than incomes over the period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+18
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +16% since 2011
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Jilliby compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jilliby a good suburb to live in?
Jilliby suits households seeking large acreage properties with high privacy and low density at 20 persons per square kilometre. Household income ranks at the 94.8th percentile nationally, the SEIFA economic resources index scores decile 10 and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8% stays below stress thresholds. Trade-offs include near-total car dependency at 92.8% and no recorded schools within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Jilliby?
The median house price was $2,200,000 based on PSI-derived data, down from a recorded $2,750,000 in 2024 to $1,665,000 in 2025, a 39.5% shift. The small number of annual transactions in a low-density suburb of 1,694 residents means individual sales can move the reported median significantly. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,564.
What schools are in Jilliby?
No schools are recorded within the Jilliby boundary in this dataset. With a population of 1,694 spread across 84 square kilometres, families rely on schools in neighbouring Central Coast suburbs. University qualifications among residents reach 28.3%, which is close to the national average despite the rural setting.
Is Jilliby safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Jilliby in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb ranks at IRSD decile 8 for relative disadvantage, above the national median, and only 5.3% of residents (86 people) need daily assistance. Residential turnover is very low, with 85% of residents remaining in the area over 5 years, consistent with a stable, established community.
Is Jilliby good for property investment?
The investment case is challenging: weekly rent of $445 against a $2,200,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.1%, and the vacancy rate of 5.4% is elevated. The renter share of 9.6% is well below national averages, limiting tenant demand. Annual population growth of 0.77% adds modest demand, and 38 development applications in 12 months shows some local activity, but yields are thin.
How is Jilliby's population changing?
Population grew 13.6% over the past decade and currently grows at 0.77% annually, adding about 28 residents each year. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 3.9 points and the young adult share down 2.6 points since 2011. Migration is balanced, with both internal and overseas net flows averaging 18 residents annually. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 3,758 residents by 2031.
How much development is happening in Jilliby?
There were 38 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including industrial development complying certificates and residential additions such as swimming pools. This is moderate activity for a suburb of 1,694 people across 84 square kilometres. The activity reflects rural and acreage property upgrades rather than significant new residential supply.
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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