NSW 2122 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Marsfield

Overseas-born residents are the defining feature in Marsfield: 55.3% were born overseas, which is 33.7 percentage points above the national share, and 61.4% have a university qualification. Sitting between Macquarie Park and Eastwood, it reads less like a detached-house suburb than many nearby pockets because semi-detached homes make up 46.7% of dwellings and apartments another 21.6%. Household income sits at the 73rd percentile, supporting a median house price of $1,253,000 and a renter share of 39.6%.

Marsfield urban fabric map

Population

12,492

Median Age

39.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,943/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

101

Median House

$1.3M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

3.86 km²· 3,233.6 people/km²· Family income $2,346/wk

Marsfield suits buyers who want Ryde-area access at a price point below many prime Lower North Shore benchmarks, but it is not a low-cost entry. The median house price is $1,253,000, with the latest price series rising 1.3% from $1,250,000 in 2024 to $1,266,500 in 2025. Housing choice is broader than a typical detached-house suburb: 31.7% separate houses, 46.7% semi-detached and 21.6% apartments. Mortgage pressure is moderate because mortgage costs take 28.3% of income, below common stress thresholds.

For Buyers

Marsfield suits buyers who want Ryde-area access at a price point below many prime Lower North Shore benchmarks, but it is not a low-cost entry. The median house price is $1,253,000, with the latest price series rising 1.3% from $1,250,000 in 2024 to $1,266,500 in 2025. Housing choice is broader than a typical detached-house suburb: 31.7% separate houses, 46.7% semi-detached and 21.6% apartments. Mortgage pressure is moderate because mortgage costs take 28.3% of income, below common stress thresholds.

For Investors

Marsfield has a large rental base, with 39.6% of homes rented compared with 31.3% owned outright and 29.1% mortgaged. Weekly rent is $475, while vacancy is 7.2%, so investors should price conservatively because availability is higher than in tighter inner markets. Development activity is also notable, with 84 applications in 12 months and recent dual-occupancy certificates adding supply. Demand is supported by overseas migration and nearby employment nodes, but rent growth needs to outpace new stock.

Development Activity

Total DAs

395

Last 12 Months

101

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+38.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Demolition
58
Subdivision
28
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
22
Renovation / Extension
20
New Dwelling
11
Commercial / Industrial
9
Swimming Pool / Spa
7
Other
5

Schools in Marsfield iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

St Anthony's Catholic Primary School

ICSEA 1142 Primary Catholic

K-6 · 284 students

Demographics

Marsfield is highly educated and internationally connected. The median age is 39, which is 1 year below the national benchmark, while university attainment is 61.4%, or 31.3 percentage points above national. Chinese ancestry is the largest recorded group at 4,000 people, followed by English at 2,029 and Indian at 686. Mandarin has 897 speakers and Cantonese 558, reflecting the suburb's Eastwood and Macquarie Park links. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national comparison.

Age Distribution

0-14
15.7%
15-24
11.0%
25-44
31.7%
45-64
22.6%
65+
19.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.1%
2 bed
44.4%
3 bed
26.1%
4+ bed
24.4%

Dwelling Structure

31.7%

Houses

46.7%

Townhouse

21.6%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 31.3% Mortgage 29.1% Rent 39.6%

The housing mix is more medium-density than many suburban Ryde addresses, because semi-detached dwellings account for 46.7% compared with 31.7% separate houses. The price series is short but steady: the median moved from $1,250,000 in 2024 to $1,266,500 in 2025, a 1.3% lift, with the latest price also the peak. Ownership is split between 31.3% owned outright, 29.1% with a mortgage and 39.6% renting. Two-bedroom homes dominate at 44.4%, above 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.4%.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,383

Rent / wk

$475

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$829

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.2%

Unoccupied

369

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

24.4%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

28.3%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
897
Canton
558
Korean
193
Hindi
128
Italian
114
Persian ED
77

Ancestry

Chinese
4,000
Other
2,256
English
2,029
Irish
701
Indian
686
Italian
618

Household Composition

27.3%

Couples, no children

9,188

Total families

Economy & Employment

Marsfield's workforce is tilted toward high-skill industries, which explains the strong education profile and above-average income ranking. Healthcare employs 736 people, Professional/Tech 733, Education 625, Finance 399 and Retail 359. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 2,299, well above Managers at 807 and Clerical/Admin at 847. SEIFA is mixed: IEO is decile 10 and IRSAD decile 9, but IER is decile 2, suggesting high education and advantage alongside uneven economic resources.

Unemployment

2.9%

Labour Force

18,809

Unemployed

547

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
9
Disadvantage
7
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
10

Full-time

67.1%

Part-time

26.7%

Participation

53.1%

Employed

5,244

Occupations

Professionals 2,299
Clerical/Admin 847
Managers 807
Community/Personal 486
Sales 430
Labourers 255
Machinery/Drivers 183

Top Industries

Healthcare 15.7%
Professional/Tech 15.6%
Education 13.3%
Finance 8.5%
Retail 7.6%

University

61.4%

Postgraduate

23.6%

Born Overseas

55.3%

Dwellings

4,742

Transport to Work

Marsfield is practical for car-based households and nearby study or employment trips, with 78.2% driving to work compared with 10.5% using public transport and 5.7% walking or cycling. Local schooling is limited within the suburb boundary: St Anthony's Catholic Primary School has 284 enrolments and an ICSEA of 1142, giving one Catholic primary option rather than a broad in-suburb school network. Socioeconomic amenity ranks high, with IRSAD in decile 9, while household income sits at the 73rd percentile.

Drive

78.2%

Public Transport

10.5%

Walk / Cycle

5.7%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.91%/yr

(+552 people/yr)

Established

Marsfield's growth outlook is active rather than static. The forecast trend is 1.91% a year, equal to 552 people annually, with the medium series rising from 28,231 in 2026 to 30,989 in 2031. Migration is the main engine because average net overseas migration is 1,116 a year, compared with net internal migration of -8. The shift indicators are mixed: rent growth is 20.5%, real income growth is 31.1%, and the gentrification score is 41 at an Active stage.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+1,116

Net Internal / yr

-8

41

Gentrification Signal

Active

Population +47% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +1116/yr, Accelerating: 16% → 27%

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Marsfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 3%
Household Income
Top 27%
Rent Level
Top 7%
Apartments
Top 17%
Renters
Top 16%
Uni Educated
Top 4%
Public Transport
Top 11%
Born Overseas
Top 1%
Density
Top 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marsfield a good suburb to live in?

Marsfield works well for households wanting Ryde-area access, education links and a multicultural setting. It has 12,492 residents, 61.4% university attainment and household income at the 73rd percentile, above the national middle.

What is the median house price in Marsfield?

The median house price is $1,253,000, with the latest price series showing $1,266,500 in 2025 compared with $1,250,000 in 2024. That is a 1.3% rise and the latest reading is also the peak.

What schools are in Marsfield?

Within Marsfield, St Anthony's Catholic Primary School is the listed local school. It has 284 enrolments and an ICSEA of 1142, so families should compare nearby options in Eastwood, Epping and Macquarie Park as well.

Is Marsfield safe?

Safety is best checked street by street, especially around main roads, townhouse pockets and night-time routes. Marsfield has 12,492 residents, 78.2% car-driver commuting and 10.5% public transport use, so activity levels vary by location.

Is Marsfield good for property investment?

Marsfield has investor appeal because 39.6% of homes are rented and weekly rent is $475. The caution is vacancy at 7.2%, which is higher than tight rental markets, plus 84 development applications adding potential supply.

How is Marsfield's population changing?

Growth is forecast at 1.91% a year, or 552 people annually. The medium population series rises from 28,231 in 2026 to 30,989 in 2031, driven mainly by overseas migration of 1,116 people a year.

What languages are common in Marsfield?

Marsfield has a strong multilingual profile, with 55.3% of residents born overseas, which is 33.7 percentage points above the national share. Mandarin has 897 speakers, Cantonese 558, Korean 193, Hindi 128 and Italian 114.

Is there much development in Marsfield?

Yes. There were 84 development applications in 12 months, including recent dual-occupancy certificates with 2 dwellings. That level of activity is above what buyers would expect in a quiet, fully settled suburb.

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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