Loftus
Household income is Loftus's standout feature, sitting at the 91.2 percentile nationally, while the suburb retains an established, detached-house profile. Its 4,190 residents have a median age of 39, 88.1% of dwellings are separate houses, and 43.6% are owned outright. The mortgage belt is substantial, with 44.6% of homes owned with a mortgage, but reported mortgage stress remains moderate at 24.8% of household income. The age profile is 1 year below the national figure, while university attainment is 6.9 percentage points above it. For buyers weighing Loftus against nearby Engadine or Sutherland, the decision is more about established house stock and long-term ownership than apartment choice.
Population
4,190
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,425/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
34
Loftus suits buyers seeking established family housing, because 88.1% of dwellings are separate houses and 47.6% have 3 bedrooms, while another 43.8% have 4 or more bedrooms. Ownership is split between 43.6% owned outright and 44.6% with a mortgage, indicating a settled market with a strong owner base. The reported mortgage commitment is $2,600 per month, and mortgage payments equal 24.8% of household income, below a level that would typically signal severe stress. The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national profile, which may appeal to households wanting family-oriented stock without an exclusively older demographic. A current price assessment should focus on recent house sales, because apartment supply is only 0.4%.
For Buyers
Loftus suits buyers seeking established family housing, because 88.1% of dwellings are separate houses and 47.6% have 3 bedrooms, while another 43.8% have 4 or more bedrooms. Ownership is split between 43.6% owned outright and 44.6% with a mortgage, indicating a settled market with a strong owner base. The reported mortgage commitment is $2,600 per month, and mortgage payments equal 24.8% of household income, below a level that would typically signal severe stress. The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national profile, which may appeal to households wanting family-oriented stock without an exclusively older demographic. A current price assessment should focus on recent house sales, because apartment supply is only 0.4%.
For Investors
Loftus presents a lower-turnover rental proposition, with only 11.2% of households renting and a vacancy rate of 2.9%. Weekly rent is $550, while rent accounts for 22.7% of household income, suggesting tenants are not broadly exposed to extreme rental stress. The 34 development matters lodged over 12 months show ongoing property activity, although the detached housing base means much of it is likely to involve existing homes and small-scale additions rather than large apartment supply. Household income sits at the 91.2 percentile nationally, above the national benchmark, which can support tenant and buyer purchasing power. The trade-off is growth: the annual trend is -0.07%, the gentrification score is 0, and the area is classified as Not gentrifying, so investors should prioritise durable rental demand over rapid capital-growth assumptions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
209
Last 12 Months
34
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+6.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Loftus
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Loftus has a median age of 39, which is 1 year below the national figure, and an average household size of 2.9 people, 0.4 above the national comparison. The suburb is less overseas-born than Australia overall at 11.9%, sitting 9.7 percentage points below the national level, while university attainment is 37.0%, 6.9 percentage points above it. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry are prominent, with counts of 1,827, 665 and 457 respectively, although ancestry responses can overlap. Christianity is recorded for 2,328 residents and no religion for 1,634. Residential stability is high: 88.1% stayed at the same address, compared with an 11.9% turnover rate. These patterns point to an established, Anglo-leaning population with relatively high education and long-term housing attachment.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.1%
Houses
11.6%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Loftus is overwhelmingly a detached-house market, with 88.1% separate houses, 11.6% semi-detached dwellings and only 0.4% apartments. Bedroom supply is similarly family-oriented: 47.6% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 43.8% have 4 or more, compared with just 7.4% with 2 bedrooms and 1.2% with 0 or 1 bedroom. Tenure is concentrated among owners, with 43.6% owning outright and 44.6% paying a mortgage, while renting accounts for 11.2%. Compared with apartment-led locations, this mix creates fewer compact rental options but more scope for households seeking yards, storage and additional bedrooms. The reported weekly rent is $550 and the monthly mortgage figure is $2,600, while mortgage and rent stress measures remain below their respective stress flags at 24.8% and 22.7% of income.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $550.
$740
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,000 · units $700
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$939
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
42
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
54.8%
Couples with children
31.6%
Couples, no children
13.6%
Single parent
1,198
Total families
Economy & Employment
Loftus combines high household earning capacity with a broad service and skilled-work base. Healthcare is the largest industry at 14.5% and 229 workers, followed by Construction at 12.0% and 189, Education at 11.9% and 188, Professional/Tech at 11.3% and 178, and Public Administration at 10.6% and 167. The main occupations are Professionals with 601 people, Clerical/Admin with 299, Managers with 296, Trades with 286 and Community/Personal roles with 213. Unemployment is 2.8%, participation is 64.9%, and 56.1% of workers are full time. Household income ranks above the national benchmark at the 91.2 percentile. SEIFA results are also strong: IEO is decile 8, lower than IER decile 10, while IRSD is decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, indicating high advantage despite a slightly less elevated education and occupation result.
Unemployment
2.8%
Labour Force
2,128
Unemployed
60
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.1%
Part-time
33.5%
Participation
64.9%
Employed
2,068
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.0%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
11.9%
Dwellings
1,406
Transport to Work
Loftus has a compact local school offering, with 2 government schools covering a primary school and a school for specific purposes. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address, since school access can vary across boundaries. Daily travel is strongly car-oriented: 46.7% drive, compared with 3.3% using public transport and 1.2% walking or cycling, while 46.0% work from home. That pattern may suit households with flexible work arrangements but gives active and public transport users fewer dominant travel modes. Socioeconomic conditions are favourable, with IRSAD at decile 9 and IRSD at decile 10, higher than the national midpoint because disadvantage is relatively low. A suburb-wide crime rate is not available for a confident safety comparison, so prospective residents should review current NSW Police incidents, lighting and evening conditions at the street level.
Drive
46.7%
Public Transport
3.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
46.0%
Population Forecast
-0.07%/yr
(-5 people/yr)
EstablishedLoftus has a slow-growth and aging outlook rather than a rapid expansion profile. The annual trend is -0.07%, which is below zero, while population change across the wider area is 2.0% over 10 years. The trajectory is labelled Aging, supported by a 4.8 percentage point rise in the senior share and a 3.4 percentage point decline in the working share. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but that influence has not translated into strong local momentum. Rent growth of 27.9% may improve investor attention, although the gentrification score is 0 and the stage remains Not gentrifying. Real income growth of 14.5% and improving affordability from 62.3 in 2011 to 56.6 in 2021 provide some support, but the suburb is better understood as an established market than a high-growth redevelopment area.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+36
Net Internal / yr
-64
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Loftus compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Loftus a good suburb to live in?
Loftus can suit households wanting established family housing, strong socioeconomic conditions and a stable owner base. Separate houses account for 88.1% of dwellings, household income sits at the 91.2 percentile nationally, and 88.1% of residents stayed at the same address. The main trade-off is car dependence, with 46.7% driving and only 3.3% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Loftus?
A reliable median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and the selected reporting period. Loftus has a strongly detached profile, with 88.1% separate houses, and 43.8% of homes contain 4 or more bedrooms. Those figures mean house type and land size are more useful comparisons than apartment sales, which represent only 0.4% of dwellings.
What schools are in Loftus?
Loftus has 2 government schools: Loftus Public School, a primary school, and Cook School, a school for specific purposes. Families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact address, because boundaries can affect practical access. School-sector choice is therefore concentrated in government provision rather than a broad mix of private and independent schools.
Is Loftus safe?
A simple yes or no should not replace checking current street-level conditions, because a dependable suburb-wide crime rate is not available. Review NSW Police incident information, lighting, transport routes and evening activity before deciding. Loftus has 2 local government schools and 88.1% separate houses, so traffic and activity can vary between residential streets and school areas.
Is Loftus good for property investment?
Loftus may suit investors seeking established houses rather than rapid development exposure. Weekly rent is $550, vacancy is 2.9%, and 34 development matters were recorded over 12 months. However, only 11.2% of households rent, annual growth is -0.07%, and the gentrification score is 0. That combination supports a cautious, income-focused strategy rather than an aggressive growth thesis.
How is Loftus's population changing?
Loftus has an aging trajectory and slow population momentum. The annual trend is -0.07%, while population change across the wider area is 2.0% over 10 years. The senior share has increased by 4.8 percentage points and the working share has fallen by 3.4 points. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the suburb is classified as Not gentrifying with a score of 0.
What development is occurring in Loftus?
There were 34 development matters over 12 months, indicating ongoing activity in an established housing area. Recent examples include dwelling alterations, a demolition and new garage or carport, and a swimming pool application. The pattern points more toward additions and upgrades to existing properties than a large apartment-led transformation, consistent with 88.1% separate houses.
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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