NSW 2036 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Matraville

At $2,350,000 median with household incomes at the 78th percentile ($2,075/week), Matraville sits in a price bracket that is high in absolute terms but moderate relative to surrounding eastern-suburbs postcodes. The suburb is actively gentrifying (score 52, active stage), with real income growing 24.9% over the decade while mortgage-to-income has pushed to 31.4%, above the stress threshold. Chinese ancestry ranks 4th (1,018 residents), higher than the typical Anglo-Celtic suburb, and 36.6% were born overseas. Construction employs 11.4% of workers, well above the national average, reflecting the ongoing redevelopment visible in 132 DAs lodged in 12 months.

Matraville urban fabric map

Population

9,925

Median Age

42.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,075/wk

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

138

Median House

$2.4M

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

3.93 km²· 2,523.5 people/km²· Family income $2,521/wk

The $2,350,000 median rose 6.3% from $2,257,500 in 2024 to $2,400,000 in 2025. The dwelling mix provides genuine variety: 47.7% houses, 21.3% apartments and 30.9% semi-detached. Three-bedroom (37.2%) and four-bedroom (32.1%) dominate, with studios/one-bedrooms at 8.9% for downsizers. However, mortgage-to-income at 31.4% exceeds the 30% stress boundary, making this a stretch market for median-income households. Schools are clustered near the benchmark: Sacred Heart (ICSEA 1,078, 369 students) and Matraville Public (1,046, 222) sit above, while Matraville Soldiers Settlement (934, 114) is well below. The 81.4% residency stability rate indicates a settled community.

For Buyers

The $2,350,000 median rose 6.3% from $2,257,500 in 2024 to $2,400,000 in 2025. The dwelling mix provides genuine variety: 47.7% houses, 21.3% apartments and 30.9% semi-detached. Three-bedroom (37.2%) and four-bedroom (32.1%) dominate, with studios/one-bedrooms at 8.9% for downsizers. However, mortgage-to-income at 31.4% exceeds the 30% stress boundary, making this a stretch market for median-income households. Schools are clustered near the benchmark: Sacred Heart (ICSEA 1,078, 369 students) and Matraville Public (1,046, 222) sit above, while Matraville Soldiers Settlement (934, 114) is well below. The 81.4% residency stability rate indicates a settled community.

For Investors

Renters at 35.6% sit slightly above the national average. Median weekly rent of $480 against a $2,350,000 median produces a gross yield of just 1.1%, very low. Rent growth of 53.2% over the decade is strong, but the starting yield is so compressed that income-oriented investors will find limited returns. The vacancy rate of 5.6% is moderate. With 132 DAs in 12 months, development activity is among the highest in this batch, indicating ongoing densification. Net overseas migration of +192 per year drives growth, while internal migration shows a slight outflow of -25, reflecting the affordability squeeze pushing some residents out.

Development Activity

Total DAs

666

Last 12 Months

138

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+16.9%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
85
Demolition
42
Subdivision
41
Swimming Pool / Spa
27
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
14
Change of Use
9
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
9
New Dwelling
9

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

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Matraville

ICSEA 1078 Primary Catholic

K-6 · 369 students

Matraville Public School

ICSEA 1046 Primary Government

K-6 · 222 students

Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School

ICSEA 934 Primary Government

P-6 · 114 students

Demographics

The suburb's 36.6% overseas-born share is 15.0 percentage points above national. Chinese ancestry (1,018) ranks 4th after English (2,309), 'Other' (1,762) and Irish (1,193), producing a distinctly multicultural eastern-suburbs profile. University qualifications at 40.2% are 10.1 points above the national average. The median age of 42 sits 2 years above national, and couples with children (3,205) significantly outnumber couples without (1,535), signaling a family suburb. Cantonese (152), Mandarin (129) and Greek (119) lead non-English languages, reflecting both established European and growing Asian communities. Average household size of 2.7 is slightly above the national average.

Age Distribution

0-14
18.3%
15-24
11.6%
25-44
23.8%
45-64
27.7%
65+
18.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
8.9%
2 bed
21.7%
3 bed
37.2%
4+ bed
32.1%

Dwelling Structure

47.7%

Houses

30.9%

Townhouse

21.3%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 32.5% Mortgage 31.8% Rent 35.6%

Ownership is relatively balanced: 32.5% own outright, 31.8% carry mortgages and 35.6% rent. The dwelling mix of 47.7% houses, 30.9% semi-detached and 21.3% apartments offers breadth rarely found in eastern suburbs at this price point. Three-bedroom (37.2%) and four-bedroom (32.1%) homes dominate the stock. The median rose from $2,257,500 in 2024 to $2,400,000 in 2025, a 6.3% gain. Mortgage-to-income at 31.4% exceeds the stress threshold, meaning a typical household must allocate more than the recommended 30% of income to loan repayments. Rent-to-income at 23.1% remains comfortable for tenants.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,817

Rent / wk

$480

HH Size

2.7

Personal Income / wk

$865

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

5.6%

Unoccupied

205

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

23.1%

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

31.4% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Canton
152
Mandarin
129
Greek
119
Italian
81
French
59
Russian
58

Ancestry

English
2,309
Other
1,762
Irish
1,193
Chinese
1,018
Scottish
587
Italian
581

Household Composition

19.0%

Couples, no children

8,079

Total families

Economy & Employment

Employment is diversified: Healthcare leads at 14.3% (454), followed by Education (13.3%, 422), Construction (11.4%, 362), Professional/Tech (10.6%, 336) and Finance (7.4%, 236). The Construction share is notably high, consistent with the 132 DAs lodged and ongoing eastern-suburbs redevelopment. Professionals (1,172), Clerical/Admin (719) and Managers (695) lead occupations. Unemployment at 5.0% is slightly above the national baseline. The SEIFA readings (IRSAD decile 8, IEO decile 7) place the suburb in the upper-middle range of advantage, below the premium eastern-suburbs neighbours but above the national median.

Unemployment

8.2%

Labour Force

7,655

Unemployed

629

Quarterly Trend

Jun-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
8
Disadvantage
6
Economic resources
7
Education & occupation
7

Full-time

65.4%

Part-time

29.6%

Participation

53.5%

Employed

4,114

Occupations

Professionals 1,172
Clerical/Admin 719
Managers 695
Community/Personal 459
Sales 378
Labourers 310
Machinery/Drivers 260

Top Industries

Healthcare 14.3%
Education 13.3%
Construction 11.4%
Professional/Tech 10.6%
Finance 7.4%

University

40.2%

Postgraduate

11.2%

Born Overseas

36.6%

Dwellings

3,451

Transport to Work

Car driving at 81.3% is typical for a middle-ring suburb. Public transport captures 6.3%, and walking/cycling 4.9%. Schools range from Sacred Heart (ICSEA 1,078, 369 students) and Matraville Public (1,046, 222) above the benchmark to Matraville Soldiers Settlement (934, 114) below it. The IRSAD decile 8 confirms above-average socio-economic advantage. The 132 DAs in 12 months signal significant redevelopment activity, which may bring short-term construction disruption but long-term neighbourhood improvement. Rent-to-income at 23.1% is comfortable, though mortgage-to-income at 31.4% indicates buyer stress.

Drive

81.3%

Public Transport

6.3%

Walk / Cycle

4.9%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.53%/yr

(+76 people/yr)

Established

Population grows at just 0.53% per year (76 persons), reflecting physical constraints in an established area. The 10.1% gain over the past decade is below the national average. Overseas migration at +192 per year is the primary driver, with a slight net internal outflow of -25, a pattern of international arrivals replacing departing locals pushed by affordability. Medium projections forecast 14,491 by 2031, up from 14,280 in 2025. The gentrification score of 52 (active stage) indicates ongoing socio-economic upgrading, though the senior share expanded 2.1 percentage points, suggesting some aging alongside the gentrification.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+192

Net Internal / yr

-25

3

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +10% since 2011

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

How Matraville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 5%
Household Income
Top 22%
Rent Level
Top 7%
Apartments
Top 17%
Renters
Top 20%
Uni Educated
Top 18%
Public Transport
Top 26%
Born Overseas
Top 8%
Density
Top 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matraville a good suburb to live in?

Matraville offers eastern-suburbs living with a $2,350,000 median and IRSAD decile 8. Schools range from ICSEA 934 to 1,078. The 36.6% overseas-born population creates a multicultural community. Mortgage-to-income at 31.4% exceeds the stress threshold, so buyers need above-median incomes. The 81.4% residency stability rate signals a settled community.

What is the median house price in Matraville?

The median is $2,350,000 (PSI-derived), rising 6.3% from $2,257,500 in 2024 to $2,400,000 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,817 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 31.4%, above the stress threshold. Median weekly rent is $480 with rent-to-income at 23.1%.

What schools are in Matraville?

Matraville has 3 schools. Sacred Heart Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,078, 369 students) leads, followed by Matraville Public (1,046, 222). Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public (934, 114) sits below the national benchmark. No secondary schools are located within the suburb boundaries.

Is Matraville safe?

Crime data is not available for Matraville in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 6 and IRSAD decile 8 indicate above-average socio-economic conditions. The 81.4% residency stability rate and 5.0% unemployment are factors typically associated with moderate safety profiles in urban areas.

Is Matraville good for property investment?

The gross yield of roughly 1.1% ($480/week on $2,350,000) is very low, making this a capital-growth play. Price growth of 6.3% over one year is solid. The 35.6% renter share provides a reasonable tenant pool, and vacancy at 5.6% is moderate. With 132 DAs in 12 months, new supply is being added. Rent grew 53.2% over the decade.

How is Matraville's population changing?

Population grows slowly at 0.53% (76 people) per year, with 10.1% growth over the decade, below the national average. Overseas migration at +192/year is the primary driver, with a slight internal outflow of -25. The gentrification score of 52 (active) indicates ongoing socio-economic upgrading. Medium projections forecast 14,491 by 2031.

What languages are spoken in Matraville?

With 36.6% born overseas (15.0 points above national), Matraville has a multilingual profile. Cantonese (152 speakers), Mandarin (129), Greek (119), Italian (81) and French (59) lead. The mix of East Asian and Southern European languages reflects both post-war and contemporary migration waves into the eastern suburbs.

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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