Lewisham
At 6,326 residents per square kilometre, Lewisham packs more density into its 0.64 km2 than most Sydney suburbs, and the economics match that intensity. Household incomes sit in the 90.7th percentile nationally, yet 48.1% of residents rent rather than own, because apartments make up 57.2% of the housing stock and entry prices are steep. The median age of 34 is 6 years below the national figure, reflecting a young, highly-educated workforce: university qualifications reach 61.9%, which is 31.8 percentage points above the national average. The suburb scores decile 10 on the IEO index of education and occupation, signalling an unusually concentrated professional class in a compact, high-density setting.
Population
4,060
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,405/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
33
Median House
$960K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $960,000, based on 2024-2025 data, representing a significant entry cost for buyers. The stock composition shapes what that buys: only 28.7% of dwellings are separate houses, while 57.2% are apartments and 13.2% are semi-detached, so buyers competing for a freestanding home face limited supply. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 39.4%, with three-bedroom at 26.9% and four-plus at 12.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,817, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the competitive price point. Outright owners account for only 19.3% compared to 32.6% carrying mortgages, indicating a market still driven by active buyers rather than long-held, debt-free wealth.
For Buyers
The median house price is $960,000, based on 2024-2025 data, representing a significant entry cost for buyers. The stock composition shapes what that buys: only 28.7% of dwellings are separate houses, while 57.2% are apartments and 13.2% are semi-detached, so buyers competing for a freestanding home face limited supply. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 39.4%, with three-bedroom at 26.9% and four-plus at 12.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,817, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the competitive price point. Outright owners account for only 19.3% compared to 32.6% carrying mortgages, indicating a market still driven by active buyers rather than long-held, debt-free wealth.
For Investors
A 48.1% renter share is well above state norms and indicates sustained tenant demand, supported by weekly rent of $520 and a professional workforce with household incomes in the 90.7th percentile nationally. Against the $960,000 median, that rent implies a gross yield of approximately 2.8%, modest but more viable than many comparable inner-Sydney markets. The vacancy rate of 9.7% is elevated and warrants attention, reflecting the apartment-dominant stock where 57.2% of dwellings are units. Development activity recorded 29 applications in the past 12 months, including modifications and new dwelling works. The suburb's youth profile, with a median age of 34, and high proportion of renters at 48.1% support ongoing demand, though the vacancy rate signals some near-term supply pressure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
122
Last 12 Months
33
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+32.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Lewisham iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Lewisham Public School
K-6 · 198 students
Christian Brothers' High School Lewisham
5-12 · 1231 students
Demographics
The median age of 34 is 6.0 years below the national average, positioning Lewisham firmly in the young professional bracket. Overseas-born residents reach 34.3%, which is 12.7 percentage points above the national figure. Ancestry is led by English (1,149), with Irish (562) and Chinese (426) also significant. Non-English languages include Mandarin (75 speakers), Cantonese (53), Italian (44) and Greek (37), consistent with the 34.3% overseas-born share. University qualifications at 61.9% run 31.8 points above national, placing the suburb among the most highly qualified in NSW. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below the national figure, and 36.2% of families are couples without children, reflecting the young, pre-family composition of the resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
28.7%
Houses
13.2%
Townhouse
57.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure splits sharply toward renting: 48.1% of residents rent, 32.6% carry a mortgage and only 19.3% own outright. That renter majority is high compared to national norms and reflects the apartment-dominant stock, where 57.2% of dwellings are units. Semi-detached homes account for 13.2% and separate houses just 28.7%, making freestanding dwellings scarce relative to demand. Two-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 39.4%, followed by three-bedroom at 26.9% and studios or one-bedroom at 21.7%. Price history shows growth from $920,000 in 2024 to $1,050,000 in 2025, a 14.1% rise over a single year, though the PSI-derived $960,000 median reflects the broader 2024-2025 period. Rent-to-income sits at 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, so the tenant base is not under pressure despite high rents of $520 per week.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,817
Rent / wk
$520
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,344
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
180
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.2%
Couples, no children
2,655
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce is concentrated in knowledge and service sectors: Professional/Tech leads at 20.4% (407 workers), Healthcare follows at 14.1% (281) and Education at 12.0% (239), with Finance at 9.2% and Public Admin at 8.5%. By occupation, Professionals (1,091) and Managers (431) dominate, aligning with the decile 10 IEO score for education and occupation advantage. Unemployment is low at 4.0% and the full-time employment rate is 72.9%, with a participation rate of 65.6%. Personal weekly income averages $1,344, and household weekly income reaches $2,405, placing the suburb in the 90.7th percentile nationally. The IRSAD decile of 9 and IRSD decile of 8 confirm broadly high socioeconomic standing, though the IER decile of 4 reflects the large renter base depressing household wealth measures relative to income.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
72.9%
Part-time
23.1%
Participation
65.6%
Employed
2,212
Occupations
Top Industries
University
61.9%
Postgraduate
19.7%
Born Overseas
34.3%
Dwellings
1,672
Transport to Work
Public transport and active travel are both well used: 21.9% of residents commute by public transport and 9.8% walk or cycle, with 64.3% driving, below typical suburban car dependence. The suburb scores decile 10 on IEO nationally and decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it in the top tier for education, occupation and overall socioeconomic advantage. Volunteering runs at 16.8% and only 5.1% of residents (196 people) need daily assistance, consistent with the young, healthy population profile. Rent-to-income at 21.6% is comfortable for tenants, and mortgage-to-income at 27.1% stays below the stress threshold. No schools are recorded within the 0.64 km2 boundary in the data, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs, a practical trade-off in a compact, high-density inner-city setting.
Drive
64.3%
Public Transport
21.9%
Walk / Cycle
9.8%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Lewisham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewisham a good suburb to live in?
Lewisham ranks decile 10 on the IEO index of education and occupation, the top tier nationally, with household incomes in the 90.7th percentile. University qualifications reach 61.9%, 31.8 points above the national figure. The main considerations are high density at 6,326 residents per km2, a 9.7% vacancy rate in the apartment stock and no schools recorded within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Lewisham?
The median house price is $960,000, based on 2024-2025 PSI-derived data. Prices rose 14.1% from $920,000 in 2024 to $1,050,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $520 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $2,817, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.1%.
What schools are in Lewisham?
No schools are recorded within the Lewisham boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local population is highly educated, with university qualifications at 61.9%, which is 31.8 percentage points above the national figure, reflecting the suburb's strong professional workforce.
Is Lewisham safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Lewisham in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores decile 8 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage and decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, consistent with low disadvantage. Only 5.1% of residents (196 people) need daily assistance, and unemployment is low at 4.0%.
Is Lewisham good for property investment?
A 48.1% renter share and weekly rent of $520 provide a deep tenant pool, giving a gross yield of approximately 2.8% against the $960,000 median, higher than comparable inner-Sydney markets. However, the 9.7% vacancy rate in the apartment-heavy stock signals supply pressure. The 14.1% price rise in 2024-2025 shows recent capital growth momentum.
How is Lewisham's population changing?
The current population is 4,060 in a 0.64 km2 footprint. The turnover rate is 35.3%, meaning more than a third of residents moved in the five years to the last Census, indicating an active, high-churn rental market. The median age is 34, which is 6 years below the national average, pointing to ongoing inflow of young professionals.
What languages are spoken in Lewisham?
About 34.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 12.7 percentage points above the national figure. English is dominant, with Mandarin (75 speakers), Cantonese (53), Italian (44), Greek (37) and Portuguese (26) the most common non-English languages, reflecting the suburb's international resident mix.
How much development is happening in Lewisham?
There were 29 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including modifications, new dwelling works and demolitions. For a compact 0.64 km2 suburb of 4,060 residents, that is a meaningful level of activity and reflects ongoing investment in an established inner-Sydney location with a $960,000 median house price.
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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