Marrickville
A population of 26,570 sits in just 5.77 square kilometres, giving Marrickville a density of 4,603.7 people per square kilometre. Its median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, while 36.5% of residents were born overseas, 14.9 percentage points above the national level. University attainment is 57.7%, 27.6 points above national, and household income sits at the 82.7th percentile. The housing profile is apartment-dominant, with 47.2% apartments and 32.0% separate houses. Compared with nearby Dulwich Hill, Marrickville reads as a denser, more employment-oriented inner-west market, with professional, healthcare and education work prominent. That combination supports cafes, services and public life, but also means smaller homes, active development and stronger competition for well-located stock.
Population
26,570
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,170/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
277
Homebuyers need to match their budget to a compact, apartment-led housing mix. Apartments account for 47.2% of dwellings, compared with 32.0% separate houses and 18.5% semi-detached homes; 42.0% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 27.7% have 3 bedrooms. Weekly rent is $480, while a mortgage payment of $2,600 per month makes borrowing capacity and strata costs important checks. Mortgage costs equal 27.7% of household income, below the 47.2% renter share, and the mortgage-stress flag is false. Marrickville suits buyers prioritising proximity, services and lower-maintenance stock over large lots. Compared with Dulwich Hill, the 4,603.7 people per square kilometre density points to a tighter urban form, so inspect noise, parking, orientation and owners-corporation records before choosing between an apartment, terrace or semi.
For Buyers
Homebuyers need to match their budget to a compact, apartment-led housing mix. Apartments account for 47.2% of dwellings, compared with 32.0% separate houses and 18.5% semi-detached homes; 42.0% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 27.7% have 3 bedrooms. Weekly rent is $480, while a mortgage payment of $2,600 per month makes borrowing capacity and strata costs important checks. Mortgage costs equal 27.7% of household income, below the 47.2% renter share, and the mortgage-stress flag is false. Marrickville suits buyers prioritising proximity, services and lower-maintenance stock over large lots. Compared with Dulwich Hill, the 4,603.7 people per square kilometre density points to a tighter urban form, so inspect noise, parking, orientation and owners-corporation records before choosing between an apartment, terrace or semi.
For Investors
Investors have a large tenant pool: the renter share is 47.2%, compared with 24.0% owning outright, and weekly rent is $480. The 9.0% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a very tight market would, so returns should be tested against leasing periods, maintenance and owners-corporation costs rather than rent alone. Marrickville recorded 284 development applications in 12 months, increasing the chance of future competition in some pockets, although applications do not guarantee completed dwellings. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, and the forecast trend is 0.73% annually. That demand profile supports apartments and smaller homes because 42.0% of dwellings have 2 bedrooms, but the 47.2% apartment share also makes building quality and strata levies central to due diligence. Compared with owner-heavy suburbs, the renter base is a clear strength, while vacancy and pipeline risk require pricing discipline.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1,456
Last 12 Months
277
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+6.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Marrickville
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Marrickville combines a younger-than-national age profile with strong education and overseas representation. Median age is 37, 3 years below national, and 57.7% of residents have university qualifications, 27.6 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 36.5%, 14.9 points above the national share. English, Irish, Greek and Scottish are leading ancestries, with counts of 6,741, 3,166, 2,337 and 2,285; Greek is also the most common listed language at 883 speakers, followed by Arabic at 307. No religion is the largest recorded affiliation at 12,992, ahead of Christianity at 8,887. Average household size is 2.3, or 0.2 below national, consistent with the 43.5% share of couples without children. Compared with nearby Newtown, Marrickville's 26,570 residents and apartment supply support a broad mix of long-term residents, renters and newer arrivals.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
32.0%
Houses
18.5%
Townhouse
47.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Marrickville's housing is shaped by density and smaller dwellings. Apartments make up 47.2% of homes, above the 32.0% separate-house share, while semi-detached stock contributes 18.5%. Two-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 42.0%, followed by 3-bedroom homes at 27.7%; 0 to 1-bedroom dwellings account for 15.9% and 4-plus bedrooms 14.5%. Tenure is renter-heavy: 47.2% rent, 27.9% have a mortgage and 24.0% own outright. Rent equals 22.1% of household income and mortgage costs equal 27.7%, with neither stress flag activated. Household income sits at the 82.7th percentile, yet ownership is lower than renting because compact stock, inner-west prices and frequent moves raise the entry hurdle. Compared with Dulwich Hill, the 4,603.7 people per square kilometre profile points to less land per dwelling and greater importance for lift access, storage, parking and strata finances.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $480.
$750
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $998 · units $718
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,077
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.0%
Unoccupied
1,048
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
43.5%
Couples, no children
16.1%
Single parent
6,678
Total families
Economy & Employment
Marrickville has a knowledge and service-oriented employment base. Professional/Tech leads with 1,890 workers, or 16.7%, followed by Healthcare at 1,563 and 13.8%, Education at 1,427 and 12.6%, Public Administration at 951 and 8.4%, and Finance at 823 and 7.3%. The occupation mix reinforces that pattern, with 5,749 Professionals and 2,383 Managers ahead of 1,728 Clerical/Admin and 1,312 Trades workers. Participation is 66.0%, unemployment 4.6% and full-time employment 63.4%, while household income ranks at the 82.7th percentile. SEIFA results are uneven: education and occupation reach decile 9, IRSAD is decile 8, IRSD decile 6, but economic resources sit at decile 4. That gap suggests strong human capital alongside more mixed financial capacity, consistent with 47.2% renting and 24.0% outright ownership.
Unemployment
4.6%
Labour Force
15,181
Unemployed
705
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.4%
Part-time
26.6%
Participation
66.0%
Employed
14,476
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
57.7%
Postgraduate
17.0%
Born Overseas
36.5%
Dwellings
10,629
Transport to Work
Daily life benefits from a compact inner-west setting, but density changes what convenience means. Marrickville covers 5.77 square kilometres at 4,603.7 people per square kilometre, and 59.4% of residents work from home. Public transport accounts for 6.6% of commuting, compared with 26.1% driving a car and 6.0% walking or cycling, so the best experience depends heavily on the exact distance to rail, buses, shops and local services. Five local schools provide a government-only mix of 4 primary schools and 1 secondary school; families should check enrolment zones because boundaries can cut across suburb streets. The IRSAD score sits in decile 8, above the middle of the national distribution, while 13.6% volunteer. For safety, inspect lighting, routes and late-night activity at the property rather than assuming every pocket feels the same. Compared with lower-density outer suburbs, apartment living makes storage, parking and shared-building management more important.
Drive
26.1%
Public Transport
6.6%
Walk / Cycle
6.0%
Work from Home
59.4%
Population Forecast
+0.73%/yr
(+97 people/yr)
EstablishedMarrickville's growth outlook is steady rather than explosive. The forecast trend is 0.73% a year, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 13.4% over 10 years and the shift trajectory is Mixed, reflecting a suburb where established housing and new demand coexist. The gentrification measure is scored 15 and labelled Not gentrifying, although another shift indicator records a score of 45 and an Active stage, so the signals are not uniform. Rents have grown 41.0%, while real income growth is 35.7%; affordability moved from 56.1 in 2011 to 47.4 in 2021 and is labelled Improving. A 1.4-point rise in the senior share and a 1.5-point rise in the working share point to gradual change rather than a wholesale reset. Compared with faster greenfield corridors, Marrickville's established 5.77 square kilometre footprint means infill and redevelopment are more likely growth channels than broad land release.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+215
Net Internal / yr
-55
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +15% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +215/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Marrickville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marrickville a good suburb to live in?
Marrickville suits buyers and renters who value inner-west access, services and a dense apartment-led setting. It has 26,570 residents, 59.4% working from home and 5 local schools. Compared with lower-density suburbs, parking, noise and strata arrangements matter more, so inspect the exact street and building before committing.
What is the median house price in Marrickville?
A reliable current median house price should be checked against recent sales, because Marrickville has 32.0% separate houses, 47.2% apartments and 18.5% semi-detached homes. Weekly rent is $480, but a house median can differ sharply from a unit median. Compare 12 months of sales by dwelling type and bedroom count.
What schools are in Marrickville?
Marrickville has 5 local schools: 4 government primary schools and 1 government secondary school. School choice is practical for families, but enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address because boundaries can cross nearby streets. Apartment households make up 47.2% of dwellings, so confirm whether a property suits the relevant school commute.
Is Marrickville safe?
Safety is best assessed at street level using current NSW Police crime mapping, evening visits and the route to transport. Marrickville is a dense suburb of 4,603.7 people per square kilometre with 26,570 residents, so lighting, foot traffic, parking areas and shared-building access can vary between pockets. Check the exact address rather than relying on a suburb-wide assumption.
Is Marrickville good for property investment?
Marrickville can suit an investment strategy focused on tenant demand, but the numbers require discipline. The renter share is 47.2%, weekly rent is $480 and vacancy is 9.0%. There were 284 development applications in 12 months, while annual growth is forecast at 0.73% and overseas migration is the primary driver. Compare yield with strata, maintenance and vacancy costs.
How is Marrickville's population changing?
Population change is gradual rather than explosive. The forecast trend is 0.73% annually, overseas migration is the primary driver, and population change across the wider area is 13.4% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed, while the gentrification stage is Not gentrifying with a score of 15. Rents have grown 41.0%, indicating continued housing pressure.
What languages are spoken in Marrickville?
English ancestry is prominent, while 36.5% of residents were born overseas. Greek is the most common listed language at 883 speakers, followed by Arabic at 307, Portuguese at 233, Cantonese at 214 and Mandarin at 162. The ancestry profile also includes 2,337 people identifying Greek ancestry, supporting a strong multicultural service and food presence.
Is Marrickville experiencing a lot of development?
Yes. Marrickville recorded 284 development applications in 12 months, covering dwelling houses, light industry, signage, building alterations and indoor recreation. This indicates an active pipeline, although an application is not a completed project. Apartment residents should check nearby approvals, construction timing, parking changes and building impacts before buying, because 47.2% of dwellings are already apartments.
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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