Lake Heights
With a SEIFA disadvantage decile of 1 nationally and household income sitting at the 35th percentile, Lake Heights occupies the lower end of socioeconomic standing for a suburb with an $850,000 median house price. That tension between asset values and resident incomes is the defining characteristic here. The suburb is car-dependent to an extreme: 89.6% of workers drive, compared to a national average well above 70%, and only 2.4% use public transport. Overseas-born residents reach 30.5%, which is 8.9 points above the national figure, and Italian and Macedonian ancestries are notable alongside English, giving the area a multi-generational migrant character.
Population
4,105
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,356/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
32
Median House
$850K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price sits at $850,000, with recorded prices moving from $800,000 in 2024 to $872,500 in 2025, a 9.1% gain in one year. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 82.7%, and three-bedroom homes account for 51.7% of all dwellings, so buyers get good choice in the most common configuration. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold. Affordability has worsened compared to 2011, when the ratio was 50.3%, climbing to 62.5% by 2021, meaning purchase costs have eaten deeper into incomes over the decade. Outright owners at 38.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 31.7%, a sign of long-established ownership rather than recent buy-in.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $850,000, with recorded prices moving from $800,000 in 2024 to $872,500 in 2025, a 9.1% gain in one year. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 82.7%, and three-bedroom homes account for 51.7% of all dwellings, so buyers get good choice in the most common configuration. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold. Affordability has worsened compared to 2011, when the ratio was 50.3%, climbing to 62.5% by 2021, meaning purchase costs have eaten deeper into incomes over the decade. Outright owners at 38.7% outnumber mortgage holders at 31.7%, a sign of long-established ownership rather than recent buy-in.
For Investors
Renters make up 29.6% of households, with a weekly rent of $400. Against the $850,000 median, that implies a gross yield near 2.5%, low but not unusual for NSW coastal markets. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is elevated and warrants caution before purchasing. Overseas net migration of 89 per year provides some tenant demand, partly offset by net internal outflow of 120 annually, so population growth is thin at 0.22% per year. Development activity produced 29 applications in 12 months, a moderate level for a 1.63 km2 suburb. Rent grew 84.2% over the measured period, significantly above income growth of 20.4%, which may support ongoing rent escalation but reduces affordability for existing tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
170
Last 12 Months
32
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-3.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lake Heights iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lake Heights Public School
K-6 · 147 students
Demographics
The median age is 36, which is 4 years below the national figure, pointing to a younger resident profile than most established suburbs. Overseas-born residents stand at 30.5%, which is 8.9 points above national. English (911) is the dominant ancestry, followed by Italian (387) and Macedonian (330), reflecting substantial southern-European settlement alongside more recent Arabic speakers (129). University qualifications reach only 23%, which is 7.1 points below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's trade and healthcare workforce profile. Average household size is 2.6, which is 0.1 above the national figure. Couples with children represent 42.3% of all families, higher than many urban comparison suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.7%
Houses
5.9%
Townhouse
11.2%
Apartment
Tenure
The stock is detached-house dominant at 82.7%, with apartments at just 11.2% and semi-detached at 5.9%. Three-bedroom homes account for 51.7% of dwellings and four-plus bedroom homes for 28.8%, giving Lake Heights one of the higher shares of larger homes compared to higher-density Sydney suburbs. Prices rose from $800,000 in 2024 to $872,500 in 2025, a 9.1% one-year move. Tenure splits as follows: 38.7% own outright, 31.7% hold a mortgage, and 29.6% rent. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2% flags stress, while rent-to-income at 29.5% sits just below the 30% stress threshold. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is high for a suburb of this size, suggesting some softness in rental demand.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,950
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$623
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.9%
Unoccupied
111
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
33.2% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.0%
Couples, no children
3,369
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads all industries at 23.2% (238 workers), nearly double the next sector. Construction follows at 13.0% (133) and Education at 9.4% (96), with Professional/Tech at 7.8% (80) and Retail at 7.6% (78). By occupation, Professionals top the list at 261 workers, followed by Community and Personal service workers at 226 and Clerical/Admin at 214, with Labourers at 180. The unemployment rate is 7.3%, notably higher than the national rate, and the labour force participation rate is just 47.8%, meaning a large share of residents are outside the workforce. Personal weekly income averages $623, reflecting incomes below the national median. All four SEIFA indexes place Lake Heights in decile 1 or 2, confirming systemic disadvantage relative to other Australian suburbs.
Unemployment
14.5%
Labour Force
6,330
Unemployed
920
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.9%
Part-time
32.8%
Participation
47.8%
Employed
1,432
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.0%
Postgraduate
5.8%
Born Overseas
30.5%
Dwellings
1,495
Transport to Work
Car dependence is pronounced at Lake Heights: 89.6% of workers drive to work, and only 2.4% use public transport, well below typical rates seen in better-connected NSW suburbs. Walking and cycling combined account for just 0.6%. No schools are recorded within the 1.63 km2 boundary, so families depend on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Crime statistics are not available for this suburb in the dataset; as an indirect indicator, all four SEIFA indexes place Lake Heights in decile 1 or 2, the highest disadvantage tiers nationally. Around 9.1% of residents (357 people) need daily assistance, above the rates seen in lower-disadvantage suburbs. Volunteering sits at 8.1%, and 81% of residents did not move in the previous year, indicating a stable and settled community despite the socioeconomic pressures.
Drive
89.6%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
0.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.22%/yr
(+32 people/yr)
EstablishedLake Heights adds approximately 32 residents per year, a 0.22% annual rate, which classifies it as slow-growth. The SA2-level population tracking shows growth from 14,196 in 2023 to 14,288 in 2025, with medium forecasts projecting a rise to 14,513 by 2031. The primary driver is overseas migration at a net 89 per year, while internal migration runs at negative 120 annually, a net outflow that reflects affordability pressure and limited local opportunity drawing higher-income residents away. The gentrification score is 64 (Active stage), driven by rent growing 84.2% compared to real income growth of just 20.4% over the period. Affordability has worsened compared to 2011 levels, with the ratio rising from 50.3% to 62.5% by 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+89
Net Internal / yr
-120
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -120/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lake Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Heights a good suburb to live in?
Lake Heights offers predominantly detached housing at 82.7% and a median age of 36, which is 4 years below national. However, all four SEIFA indexes place it in decile 1 or 2 nationally, indicating high disadvantage. Unemployment sits at 7.3% and labour force participation at 47.8%, both weaker than national benchmarks. Families without a car may find it challenging as only 2.4% of residents use public transport.
What is the median house price in Lake Heights?
The median house price is approximately $850,000 based on 2024-2025 data, with recorded prices rising from $800,000 in 2024 to $872,500 in 2025, a 9.1% gain. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,950, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 33.2%, above the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Lake Heights?
No schools are recorded within the Lake Heights boundary in this dataset. The suburb covers just 1.63 km2, so families rely on schools in nearby suburbs. Only 23% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 7.1 points below the national figure, reflecting the suburb's trade and healthcare employment base.
Is Lake Heights safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Lake Heights in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores in decile 1 on IRSD, the highest disadvantage tier nationally, and 9.1% of residents (357 people) require daily assistance. These SEIFA metrics suggest below-average socioeconomic conditions relative to most Australian suburbs.
Is Lake Heights good for property investment?
Renters make up 29.6% of households and weekly rent is $400, implying a gross yield near 2.5% against the $850,000 median. The vacancy rate of 6.9% is elevated, which warrants caution. Rent grew 84.2% over the measured period compared to real income growth of only 20.4%, so future rent growth has some structural support. Net overseas migration of 89 per year provides modest tenant demand.
How is Lake Heights's population changing?
Lake Heights grows at 0.22% per year, adding about 32 residents annually. The SA2-level population rose from 14,196 in 2023 to 14,288 in 2025 and is forecast to reach 14,513 by 2031. Overseas migration contributes a net 89 residents per year, offset by net internal outflow of 120, making overseas arrivals the sole positive driver.
What languages are spoken in Lake Heights?
About 30.5% of residents were born overseas, which is 8.9 points above the national figure. Arabic is the most common non-English language with 129 speakers, followed by Macedonian (105), Portuguese (61), Italian (44) and Serbian (22), reflecting the suburb's southern-European and Middle Eastern heritage communities.
How much development activity is there in Lake Heights?
There were 29 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, a moderate volume for a 1.63 km2 suburb. Recent applications include home business approvals, residential accommodation, and subdivision and demolition works, indicating a mix of incremental improvement activity rather than large-scale new 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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