Jindabyne
A 33.4% vacancy rate in a suburb of only 2,986 residents tells you something important: Jindabyne is a seasonal resort economy more than a conventional residential suburb. Household income sits at the 77.2nd percentile nationally despite a workforce dominated by Hospitality (22.7% of jobs), because the high-spending visitor trade pulls wages above average. The median age of 32 is 8 years below the national figure, younger than most NSW regional towns, and the gentrification score of 66 places it in active gentrification territory. Rent grew 52% over the decade, faster than most coastal lifestyle markets, driven by supply constraints in a snow-region catchment of roughly 113 square kilometres.
Population
2,986
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,058/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
77
Median House
$805K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $787,500 as of 2025, down 13.0% from the 2024 peak of $905,000. That correction matters: buyers entering now are below the recent peak, though at $787,500 the market still sits well above the NSW regional median. Separate houses represent 56.1% of dwellings and apartments 31.0%, so the detached house market is the dominant segment. The most common bedroom count is 3-bedroom at 39.5%, followed by 4-plus at 31.2%, suggesting family-sized stock with room for short-term accommodation configurations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,636, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. That moderate ratio reflects household income at the 77.2nd percentile nationally.
For Buyers
The median house price is $787,500 as of 2025, down 13.0% from the 2024 peak of $905,000. That correction matters: buyers entering now are below the recent peak, though at $787,500 the market still sits well above the NSW regional median. Separate houses represent 56.1% of dwellings and apartments 31.0%, so the detached house market is the dominant segment. The most common bedroom count is 3-bedroom at 39.5%, followed by 4-plus at 31.2%, suggesting family-sized stock with room for short-term accommodation configurations. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,636, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. That moderate ratio reflects household income at the 77.2nd percentile nationally.
For Investors
The 43.8% renter share is high compared to most NSW regional towns, and weekly rent of $400 sits within reach of the local workforce. The 33.4% vacancy rate is the critical risk flag: it reflects heavy holiday-let stock rather than chronic oversupply, but it depresses reliable rental income calculations. Net overseas migration averages 84 residents a year and internal migration contributes 50, both positive. Development activity is moderate at 76 applications in 12 months, with recent lodgements including multi-dwelling housing and dual occupancy modifications, suggesting incremental densification rather than greenfield growth. Rent growth of 52% over the decade outpaced income growth of 14.4%, compressing affordability from 38.6% to 41.7% of household income, which supports a case for continued rent escalation.
Development Activity
Total DAs
431
Last 12 Months
77
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-2.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Jindabyne iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Snowy Mountains Grammar School
K-12 · 469 students
Jindabyne Public School
K-6 · 283 students
Jindabyne High School
7-12 · 277 students
Demographics
The median age of 32 is 8 years below the national figure, making Jindabyne notably younger than comparable NSW resort towns. The overseas-born share of 16.0% is 5.6 percentage points below the national average, giving the suburb a predominantly Australian-born character. Ancestry leans Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,333 residents), Scottish (406) and Irish (404). University qualifications reach 32.3%, which is 2.2 points above the national figure, above average for a regional tourist town. Average household size is 2.5, identical to the national figure. Couples with children (705 families) outnumber couples without children (579), reflecting the younger median age. The volunteering rate of 20.7% is relatively high, consistent with an active outdoor community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
56.1%
Houses
12.9%
Townhouse
31.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits into roughly thirds: 26.3% own outright, 29.8% carry a mortgage, and 43.8% rent. The high renter share is consistent with a resort town where seasonal workers and short-term residents dominate. Stock is predominantly separate houses at 56.1%, with apartments at 31.0% and semi-detached at 12.9%. Three-bedroom homes account for 39.5% and 4-plus bedroom homes for 31.2%, pointing to larger floor plates suited to group holiday rentals. Prices fell from $905,000 in 2024 to $787,500 in 2025, a 13.0% correction. Mortgage-to-income at 18.4% and rent-to-income at 19.4% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, meaning neither owners nor renters face acute housing stress at current levels despite the high vacancy rate of 33.4%.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,636
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$933
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
33.4%
Unoccupied
526
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.7%
Couples, no children
1,720
Total families
Economy & Employment
Hospitality dominates at 22.7% of local jobs (289 workers), more than double its national share, reflecting the Snowy Mountains tourism and ski-resort economy. Arts and Recreation follows at 15.3% (195 workers), reinforcing the outdoor-activity base. Education accounts for 11.4% (145 workers) and Construction 8.6% (109 workers). By occupation, Community and Personal Services lead at 380 workers, followed by Managers (292) and Professionals (265). The unemployment rate is low at 2.0% and the participation rate is 73.0%, high for a regional town. SEIFA places the suburb at IRSD decile 8 and IRSAD decile 7, above the national midpoint on both disadvantage and advantage-disadvantage measures. Real income grew 14.4% over the decade, a moderate pace relative to rent growth of 52%.
Unemployment
0.9%
Labour Force
5,592
Unemployed
49
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.9%
Part-time
42.1%
Participation
73.0%
Employed
1,822
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.3%
Postgraduate
5.8%
Born Overseas
16.0%
Dwellings
1,026
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-total: 79.1% of residents drive to work and only 0.6% use public transport, well below national urban averages, because no rail service reaches Jindabyne. Walking and cycling account for 10.7% of journeys, higher than many regional towns and reflecting the compact town centre. The IRSAD decile of 7 places Jindabyne above the national median on the combined advantage-disadvantage measure. No crime data is available in the dataset for this suburb. The need-for-assistance rate is 2.1% (59 residents), low relative to the population. Housing stress indicators are benign: rent-to-income of 19.4% and mortgage-to-income of 18.4% both sit below the 30% stress threshold. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby Cooma or Snowy Mountains Grammar.
Drive
79.1%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
10.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.41%/yr
(+123 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 20.6% over the decade, faster than most established NSW regional suburbs. The annual trend is 1.41% with 123 additional residents per year. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 9,281 by 2031, up from 8,703 in 2025. Internal migration contributes 50 residents net per year and overseas migration 84, giving a balanced growth driver. The gentrification score of 66 classifies Jindabyne as active gentrification, supported by signals including population growth above 26% since 2011. The young-share declined 4.2 points over the decade while the senior share rose 3.4 points, consistent with an aging trajectory that may moderate the resort-worker population profile over time. Affordability is worsening, with rent-to-income rising from 38.6% to 41.7% between 2011 and 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+84
Net Internal / yr
+50
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +26% since 2011, Accelerating: 2% → 23%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Jindabyne compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jindabyne a good suburb to live in?
Jindabyne scores IRSAD decile 7 and IRSD decile 8, above the national midpoint on both measures. Household income sits at the 77.2nd percentile nationally, unemployment is low at 2.0%, and the participation rate is 73.0%. The main trade-offs are high car dependence (0.6% use public transport) and a 33.4% vacancy rate that reflects the seasonal tourism economy.
What is the median house price in Jindabyne?
The median house price is $787,500 as of 2025, down 13.0% from the 2024 peak of $905,000. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,636. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.4% is below the 30% stress threshold, making repayments manageable relative to local incomes.
What schools are in Jindabyne?
No schools are recorded inside the Jindabyne suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in nearby Cooma or use Snowy Mountains Grammar School in the wider area. The local population shows university qualifications at 32.3%, which is 2.2 points above the national figure, suggesting good educational attainment despite limited local school listings.
Is Jindabyne safe?
Crime statistics specific to Jindabyne are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 8, placing it above the national median on the relative disadvantage index. The need-for-assistance rate of 2.1% (59 residents) and unemployment of 2.0% are both low, consistent with a relatively stable community profile.
Is Jindabyne good for property investment?
Rent grew 52% over the decade and annual population growth is 1.41%, providing demand support. However, the 33.4% vacancy rate requires careful analysis as it reflects holiday-let stock. Rent-to-income is 19.4% and the median house price of $787,500 fell 13.0% from its 2024 peak. Net migration of 134 residents per year (overseas plus internal) supports medium-term demand.
How is Jindabyne's population changing?
Population grew 20.6% over the decade, well above the NSW regional average. The annual growth trend is 1.41%, adding around 123 residents per year. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching 9,281 residents by 2031. The suburb shows an aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 3.4 points and the young share falling 4.2 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Jindabyne?
There were 76 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Recent samples include multi-dwelling housing, dual occupancy modifications and eco-tourist facility works. The development mix points to incremental densification rather than large greenfield releases, consistent with the constrained alpine geography of the 113 square kilometre suburb boundary.
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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