Junction Hill
Junction Hill's strongest signal is its settled, older housing profile: 1,547 residents have a median age of 47, which is 7 years above the national comparison. Detached homes account for 94.5% of dwellings, while 50.3% are owned outright, pointing to a mature owner base rather than a high-turnover market. Household income sits at the 34.1st percentile nationally, so price discipline matters more than assuming premium-market capacity. Compared with nearby Grafton and South Grafton, Junction Hill reads as lower-density at 215 people per sq km across 7.2 sq km, with 85.6% driving to work. Its appeal is likely strongest for buyers seeking space, established neighbours and car-based access, because the 80.9% residential stay rate supports continuity.
Local council: Clarence Valley
Population
1,547
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,340/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
For buyers, Junction Hill is mainly a detached-house market: 94.5% of homes are separate houses, 46.8% have 3 bedrooms and 46.5% have 4 or more. That layout suits households needing yards, storage or a home office better than apartment-style demand. The tenure split is also important: 50.3% own outright versus 30.3% with a mortgage, while only 1.2% of dwellings are apartments. A $1,528 monthly mortgage benchmark equals 26.3% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Weekly rent is $350. Compared with Grafton or South Grafton, inspect each property for access, flood exposure, maintenance and resale depth rather than paying a premium simply for extra land.
For Buyers
For buyers, Junction Hill is mainly a detached-house market: 94.5% of homes are separate houses, 46.8% have 3 bedrooms and 46.5% have 4 or more. That layout suits households needing yards, storage or a home office better than apartment-style demand. The tenure split is also important: 50.3% own outright versus 30.3% with a mortgage, while only 1.2% of dwellings are apartments. A $1,528 monthly mortgage benchmark equals 26.3% of household income, and mortgage stress is not flagged. Weekly rent is $350. Compared with Grafton or South Grafton, inspect each property for access, flood exposure, maintenance and resale depth rather than paying a premium simply for extra land.
For Investors
Investor prospects are shaped by a small renter base and modest vacancy: 19.4% of households rent, weekly rent is $350 and vacancy is 3.0%. Compared with the 50.3% outright-owner share, the rental pool is narrower, so tenant demand may depend more on property quality, transport and links to Grafton employment than on a deep investor market. Development activity is notable at 38 applications over 12 months, although the examples include houses, sheds, pools and alterations rather than a clear pipeline of new dwellings. The 26.1% rent-to-income measure is not flagged as stress, but investors should still test yield, insurance, maintenance and vacancy assumptions against the purchase price.
Development Activity
Total DAs
116
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+184.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Junction Hill has an older and more locally rooted profile than Australia overall. Median age is 47, or 7 years above the national comparison, while university attainment is 22.4%, 7.7 percentage points below the national figure. Only 5.1% of residents were born overseas, 16.5 points below the national comparison, and the leading ancestries are English 727, Irish 177 and Scottish 138. Christianity accounts for 940 people and no religion for 491, a wider gap than the 11 people identifying with Islam. Average household size is 2.4, just 0.1 below national, and 80.9% stayed at the same address. Compared with more mobile parts of the Grafton area, this points to fewer recently arrived households and stronger long-term local connections.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.5%
Houses
3.8%
Townhouse
1.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly detached and weighted to family-sized stock. Separate houses make up 94.5% of dwellings, compared with 1.2% apartments and 3.8% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix is almost evenly split between 3-bedroom homes at 46.8% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 46.5%, while 2-bedroom dwellings account for 6.1%. Tenure is a key differentiator: 50.3% own outright, 30.3% hold a mortgage and 19.4% rent. The separate-house share is much higher than the apartment share because Junction Hill is built around detached residential lots. Compared with Grafton and South Grafton, buyers should expect a narrower selection of apartments and small homes, but more space, storage and established family housing.
Mortgage / mo
$1,528
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $350.
$500
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $520 · units $415
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$668
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.0%
Unoccupied
19
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.1%
Couples with children
51.8%
Couples, no children
13.8%
Single parent
471
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in essential local services. Healthcare leads at 22.6% with 89 workers, followed by Public Administration at 19.6% and 77, Education at 14.8% and 58, Construction at 10.2% and 40, and Retail at 7.4% and 29. Healthcare's share is higher than Retail's, so the local economy is more service-led than shop-led. Occupations reinforce that pattern, with 112 Professionals, 101 Community/Personal workers and 96 Clerical/Admin roles ahead of 65 Trades and 60 Managers. Unemployment is 4.2%, participation is 49.2% and full-time employment is 57.7%. Compared with a purely commuter suburb, this mix suggests demand is supported by health, government, education and construction services.
Unemployment
4.2%
Labour Force
617
Unemployed
26
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.7%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
49.2%
Employed
591
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.4%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
5.1%
Dwellings
604
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented. About 85.6% of commuters drive, compared with 0.8% who walk or cycle, while 9.2% work from home. That pattern makes access to shops, services, health care and schools more practical by car than on foot, especially across 7.2 sq km at 215 people per sq km. School options should be confirmed for the exact address, including enrolment zones, sector, year levels and travel time, rather than assumed from the suburb name. Volunteering is 20.0%, and 7.8% of residents report needing assistance, so community services and accessible facilities matter. Check current incident information for the relevant streets before deciding. Compared with a more compact setting, the 85.6% driving share is much higher than active travel.
Drive
85.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
0.8%
Work from Home
9.2%
Growth Outlook
Growth in Junction Hill appears incremental rather than fast-moving: 38 development applications were lodged over 12 months, while 80.9% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 19.1%. The stay rate is higher than the turnover rate, reinforcing a settled pattern of household change. The development examples include pools, sheds and alterations as well as a dwelling house, so activity does not indicate a large new-home pipeline. With 1,547 residents across 7.2 sq km and density of 215 people per sq km, additional change is more likely to come through selective property upgrades and limited new housing than a wholesale shift in character. Compared with a high-churn growth corridor, the retention rate points to slower social change.
Population trend: Clarence Valley council area
Junction Hill sits in the Clarence Valley council area. These are the council area's residents, not Junction Hill's.
Residents 2025
56,874
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.2%
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 Junction Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Junction Hill a good suburb to live in?
Junction Hill can suit buyers who value detached homes and a settled pace. Median age is 47, 94.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 85.6% of commuters drive. That is a stronger fit for households comfortable with car-based access than for someone seeking apartment living or a highly walkable daily routine.
What is the median house price in Junction Hill?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales before making an offer. Affordability markers include the $1,528 monthly mortgage benchmark, $350 weekly rent and a 26.3% mortgage-to-income ratio. Compare several comparable 3-bedroom and 4-plus-bedroom sales, which represent 46.8% and 46.5% of homes.
What schools are in Junction Hill?
School options should be checked against the exact Junction Hill address because enrolment boundaries can cross suburb lines. Confirm primary and secondary year levels, public or independent sector, transport and out-of-area rules before signing a lease or contract. With 85.6% of commuters driving and only 0.8% walking or cycling, daily school travel may be easier by car than on foot.
Is Junction Hill safe?
Safety is best assessed with current incident information for the specific streets and routes you would use, rather than relying on a suburb-wide impression. Junction Hill covers 7.2 sq km, has 1,547 residents and a density of 215 people per sq km, so conditions can vary between pockets. Check recent incidents, lighting, traffic and access to services, then compare the address with nearby Grafton streets.
Is Junction Hill good for property investment?
Junction Hill may suit a cautious investor, but the numbers point to an owner-led market. Rent is $350 a week, vacancy is 3.0% and only 19.4% of households rent, compared with 50.3% owning outright. Thirty-eight development applications in 12 months indicate activity, but examples include pools, sheds and alterations as well as a dwelling house. Test yield, insurance, maintenance and resale depth against the purchase price.
How is Junction Hill's population changing?
Junction Hill has 1,547 residents and appears more stable than fast-changing: 80.9% stayed at the same address and turnover was 19.1%. The median age of 47, which is 7 years above the national comparison, also points to an aging resident base. Thirty-eight development applications in 12 months suggest ongoing property activity, but the examples do not establish a large new-resident pipeline. Expect gradual household and housing change rather than rapid churn.
What development is occurring in Junction Hill?
Thirty-eight development applications were lodged over 12 months, including a dwelling house, swimming pools, a shed and alterations or additions. That mix points to ongoing private-property investment rather than a clearly defined apartment or estate expansion. Check each application's status, approval conditions, servicing and likely traffic effects before treating it as a confirmed project, and compare the address with nearby Grafton development activity.
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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