Killara
Household incomes in Killara sit at the 96.1st percentile nationally, yet the suburb is not uniformly detached: 54.6% of dwellings are separate houses and 42.6% are apartments. At 10,620 residents and a density of 2,292.8 people per square kilometre, it combines established wealth with a substantial apartment presence. Compared with nearby Gordon and Lindfield, buyers should assess Killara through this mixed housing profile rather than assume the Upper North Shore is all large houses. The median age is 42, or 2.0 years above national levels, while 47.9% of residents were born overseas and 69.0% have university qualifications. That combination supports strong professional demand but also points to an aging, highly educated community.
Population
10,620
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,802/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
91
Buyers need to price Killara as a mixed housing market, not a detached-only suburb. Separate houses account for 54.6%, apartments 42.6%, and homes with 4 or more bedrooms 44.1%, so the suburb can suit both family upgraders and buyers seeking lower-maintenance stock. A $3,300 monthly mortgage figure and a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio sit above the 22.1% rent-to-income ratio, while mortgage stress is flagged false. With university attainment at 69.0%, or 38.9 percentage points above national levels, the buyer pool is highly educated. Compare each address with nearby Gordon and Lindfield on dwelling type, access and renovation scope because suburb-wide averages hide substantial variation.
For Buyers
Buyers need to price Killara as a mixed housing market, not a detached-only suburb. Separate houses account for 54.6%, apartments 42.6%, and homes with 4 or more bedrooms 44.1%, so the suburb can suit both family upgraders and buyers seeking lower-maintenance stock. A $3,300 monthly mortgage figure and a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio sit above the 22.1% rent-to-income ratio, while mortgage stress is flagged false. With university attainment at 69.0%, or 38.9 percentage points above national levels, the buyer pool is highly educated. Compare each address with nearby Gordon and Lindfield on dwelling type, access and renovation scope because suburb-wide averages hide substantial variation.
For Investors
Investors get a sizeable but not dominant tenant base: 25.6% of dwellings are rented, while vacancy is 9.1%. That vacancy level is a reason to stress-test holding periods and leasing assumptions, because a larger available pool can weaken rental competition. Rent growth of 37.0% supports the case for recent income momentum, but it should be weighed against 87 development matters in 12 months, which may add competing stock or improve older homes. The wider growth trend is 2.05% annually and is driven by internal migration, while household income sits at the 96.1st percentile. Compared with lower-income markets, this points to stronger tenant capacity, although a purchase decision still needs a current price, yield and exact building assessment.
Development Activity
Total DAs
535
Last 12 Months
91
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Killara
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Killara's demographic profile is older and more highly educated than national patterns: the median age is 42, or 2.0 years above national levels, and university attainment is 69.0%, or 38.9 percentage points higher. Nearly half of residents, 47.9%, were born overseas, 26.3 points above the national share, with Chinese ancestry the largest named group at 3,303 people. Mandarin is spoken by 824 residents, followed by Cantonese at 388 and Korean at 173. Households average 2.8 people, 0.3 above national levels, while 78.5% stayed at the same address and turnover was 21.5%. The result is a settled but internationally connected suburb, with couples with children representing 53.6% of families and couples without children 31.7%.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
54.6%
Houses
2.8%
Townhouse
42.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Killara's tenure profile is more owner-oriented than a typical high-turnover rental market: 39.6% own outright, 32.5% have a mortgage and 25.6% rent. The built form is mixed, with 54.6% separate houses, 42.6% apartments and 2.8% semi-detached dwellings. That split matters because apartment buyers and owners of 4 or more bedroom homes, which make up 44.1%, face different maintenance and land-value trade-offs. Mortgage costs are $3,300 per month and equal 27.2% of household income, versus 22.1% for rent, with neither stress flag active. Compared with a detached-only market, Killara gives buyers more dwelling choice, but the 9.1% vacancy rate makes building quality, strata costs and exact micro-location especially important.
Mortgage / mo
$3,300
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $620.
$940
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,500 · units $790
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,117
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.1%
Unoccupied
370
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
53.6%
Couples with children
31.7%
Couples, no children
13.3%
Single parent
3,004
Total families
Economy & Employment
Killara's economic base is concentrated in professional services: Professional and Tech accounts for 19.2% of local industry employment, followed by Healthcare at 16.7%, Finance at 14.1%, Education at 9.7% and Retail at 5.8%. The occupation mix reinforces that profile, with 2,133 professionals and 1,026 managers. Household income of $2,802 per week ranks at the 96.1st percentile, while IRSAD and IRSD both sit in decile 10, well above lower socioeconomic areas. Labour participation is 59.6%, unemployment is 4.8% and full-time employment is 60.2%. A 63.7% work-from-home rate helps explain why high-value professional jobs can coexist with modest local industry counts, as many residents work beyond Killara while spending more weekday time at home.
Unemployment
4.8%
Labour Force
5,188
Unemployed
247
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.2%
Part-time
30.9%
Participation
59.6%
Employed
4,941
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
69.0%
Postgraduate
24.6%
Born Overseas
47.9%
Dwellings
3,700
Transport to Work
Daily life is structured around an established residential setting rather than a transit-heavy centre. Three nearby government schools cover 2 primary and 1 secondary option, so families should check enrolment zones against the exact address. Transport behaviour is distinctive: 3.8% use public transport, 29.1% drive, 1.3% walk or cycle, and 63.7% work from home. That pattern makes home workspace and local errands important because commuting is less dominant than in more transit-oriented areas. With 10,620 residents across 4.63 square kilometres, density is 2,292.8 people per square kilometre. IRSAD and IRSD both rank in decile 10, placing Killara above most areas on socioeconomic advantage; review current local incidents for a street-level safety view.
Drive
29.1%
Public Transport
3.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.3%
Work from Home
63.7%
Population Forecast
+2.05%/yr
(+490 people/yr)
EstablishedKillara's established growth profile is still positive: the annual trend is 2.05%, with internal migration the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change runs at 34.1% over 10 years, above a zero-growth baseline, while the shift trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 4.1 points and the young share down 1.3. Gentrification signals are mixed but material: the active score is 57, whereas the longer shift measure is 34 and labelled Early signs. Rents have grown 37.0% and real incomes 16.1%, which can support renewal, but the 1.0 point decline in working share suggests future demand will favour adaptable homes and easy services over purely expansion-led stock.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+104
Net Internal / yr
+486
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +51% since 2011, Net internal migration +486/yr, Accelerating: 17% → 29%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Killara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Killara a good suburb to live in?
Killara suits households seeking established wealth, larger homes and a strong work-from-home base. The median age is 42, 63.7% work from home and IRSAD is decile 10, so the suburb compares strongly on socioeconomic capacity. The trade-off is cost and housing variety: 54.6% are separate houses and 42.6% apartments, so inspect the exact street, building and strata position.
What is the median house price in Killara?
For a current median house price, compare recent settled Killara sales by dwelling type and land size rather than applying one figure across the suburb. The housing mix is 54.6% separate houses and 42.6% apartments, so the house median and the overall dwelling median can differ materially. Recent sales should also be separated by 3 bedroom and 4 or more bedroom homes.
What schools are in Killara?
Local government options include Beaumont Road Public School, Killara Public School and Killara High School, covering 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school. Check the exact enrolment zone and intake rules for each address, since school access can change across suburb boundaries. The 3-school mix is broader than a suburb with only one school, but location data should not be treated as a quality ranking.
Is Killara safe?
Killara has 10,620 residents and 78.5% stayed at the same address, with turnover at 21.5%, indicating a settled population. Those figures do not replace street-level safety checks, so review recent NSW Police incidents and inspect the exact area at different times before deciding. Compare the immediate surroundings, lighting and traffic exposure rather than relying only on a suburb-wide impression.
Is Killara good for property investment?
Killara can suit a long-term investor, but the numbers call for selectivity. Renting accounts for 25.6% of dwellings, vacancy is 9.1%, rent growth is 37.0% and development activity totals 87 matters over 12 months. Annual growth is 2.05% and household income ranks at the 96.1st percentile, supporting tenant capacity. Compare each property on current price, achievable rent, strata costs, vacancy risk and nearby development before estimating returns.
How is Killara's population changing?
Killara is changing through moderate growth and an older age profile. The annual trend is 2.05%, driven by internal migration, while population change across the wider area is 34.1% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: senior share rose 4.1 points and young share fell 1.3 points. Gentrification is rated Active with a score of 57, so renewal is stronger than the aging label alone suggests.
What development is happening in Killara?
Development activity is notable, with 87 matters in the past 12 months. Examples include alterations and additions, solar or electricity works, and a dual occupancy application for 2 dwellings. The mix points to incremental renewal rather than one single project type, so buyers should compare planning controls, construction impacts and future outlooks street by street. Compared with a no-change market, 87 matters signal active redevelopment pressure.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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