Menai
Household income at the 93rd percentile nationally ($2,575/week) and IRSAD decile 9 place Menai among Sydney's most advantaged suburbs, yet the population is contracting at -0.32% per year, losing 67 residents annually. This paradox, affluence without growth, stems from a net internal outflow of 236 residents per year, the largest in this analysis, partially offset by overseas arrivals of 134. Mortgage holders account for 48.4% of households, the highest mortgage rate in this analysis, reflecting families who bought into the $1,360,000 median during the recent cycle. The 3.9% unemployment rate sits below the national average, and 54.0% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, signalling entrenched family-sized housing stock.
Population
10,419
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,575/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
37
Median House
$1.4M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $1,360,000 edged from $1,357,500 in 2024 to $1,380,000 in 2025, a modest 1.7% gain suggesting a mature market near its price ceiling. Detached houses make up 75.3% of stock, with semi-detached at 21.5% and apartments at just 3.1%. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 54.0%, with three-bedroom at 40.7%. Monthly mortgage of $2,600 on household income of $2,575/week produces a 23.3% mortgage-to-income ratio, comfortable for a $1.3M+ market. Schools are consistently above benchmark: Holy Family Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,098, 803 students), Tharawal Public (1,085, 328), Aquinas Catholic College (1,082, 1,140), Menai High (1,046, 1,062), and Menai Public (1,036, 154). All five score above 1,000.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,360,000 edged from $1,357,500 in 2024 to $1,380,000 in 2025, a modest 1.7% gain suggesting a mature market near its price ceiling. Detached houses make up 75.3% of stock, with semi-detached at 21.5% and apartments at just 3.1%. Four-plus bedroom homes dominate at 54.0%, with three-bedroom at 40.7%. Monthly mortgage of $2,600 on household income of $2,575/week produces a 23.3% mortgage-to-income ratio, comfortable for a $1.3M+ market. Schools are consistently above benchmark: Holy Family Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,098, 803 students), Tharawal Public (1,085, 328), Aquinas Catholic College (1,082, 1,140), Menai High (1,046, 1,062), and Menai Public (1,036, 154). All five score above 1,000.
For Investors
Renters make up just 15.0% of households, one of the lowest renter shares in this analysis, severely limiting the investor tenant pool. Median weekly rent of $560 against the $1,360,000 median produces a gross yield of about 2.1%. The vacancy rate of 2.9% is tight, the lowest in this analysis, meaning available stock gets absorbed quickly despite the small renter base. Only 40 development applications were lodged in 12 months, mostly swimming pools and single-dwelling projects, not multi-unit supply. The population is shrinking at -0.32% per year with the largest internal outflow in this analysis (-236/yr), suggesting families are leaving, possibly downsizing as children leave home given the aging trajectory.
Development Activity
Total DAs
274
Last 12 Months
37
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-31.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Menai iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 803 students
Tharawal Public School
K-6 · 328 students
Aquinas Catholic College
7-12 · 1140 students
Menai High School
7-12 · 1062 students
Menai Public School
K-6 · 154 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 3,487, followed by Irish (1,060), Scottish (871), and Italian (645), a classic Anglo-Celtic profile. Greek (115 speakers), Arabic (101), Macedonian (87), Mandarin (83), and Italian (44) lead the non-English languages. The 19.9% overseas-born share sits 1.7 points below the national average, one of the lowest in this analysis. University qualifications at 37.6% are 7.5 points above the national average, consistent with IEO decile 8. Christianity dominates religious affiliation at 7,077, with Islam (170) and Buddhism (86) small by comparison. The median age of 39 runs 1 year below the national figure. The aging trajectory is sharp: senior share rose 7.8 points and working-age share dropped 2.9 points in a decade.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.3%
Houses
21.5%
Townhouse
3.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split shows 36.7% outright owners, 48.4% mortgage holders, and just 15.0% renters, one of the most ownership-dominated profiles in Sydney. Detached houses at 75.3%, semi-detached at 21.5%, and apartments at 3.1% reflect a low-density suburb where the semi-detached share has grown through recent subdivisions. Four-plus bedrooms at 54.0% and three-bedroom at 40.7% account for nearly all stock. The median edged from $1,357,500 to $1,380,000 (1.7% in one year). Monthly mortgage of $2,600 on $2,575/week income gives a 23.3% mortgage-to-income ratio, among the lowest stress ratios in this price bracket. The 10-year population change of -0.6% confirms this is a mature, stable-stock suburb.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$560
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$994
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
103
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.1%
Couples, no children
9,485
Total families
Economy & Employment
Education (15.1%, 593 workers) and Healthcare (14.9%, 587) are nearly tied as the top employment sectors, followed by Construction (10.2%, 403), Professional/Technical (9.3%, 365), and Public Administration (7.8%, 308). Professionals lead occupations at 1,430, with Clerical/Administrative at 983 and Managers at 893. The 3.9% unemployment rate sits below the national average, and the 61.3% participation rate is above average. SEIFA confirms broad advantage: IEO decile 8, IER decile 10, IRSD decile 10, IRSAD decile 9. The IER decile 10 (highest economic resources) aligns with the 93rd percentile household income, while IEO decile 8 suggests education attainment, though high, slightly trails the income bracket.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
12,441
Unemployed
267
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.0%
Part-time
30.1%
Participation
61.3%
Employed
4,930
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.6%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
19.9%
Dwellings
3,430
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme at 91.0%, with only 2.2% using public transport and 2.2% walking or cycling. Menai lacks a train station, relying on bus services. The 5-school cluster is a standout: all schools score ICSEA above 1,036. Holy Family Catholic Primary leads at 1,098 (803 students), Tharawal Public at 1,085 (328), Aquinas Catholic College at 1,082 (1,140, secondary), Menai High at 1,046 (1,062), and Menai Public at 1,036 (154). IRSAD decile 9 and IRSD decile 10 confirm that Menai ranks in the top 10-20% nationally for advantage. The 4.4% needing-assistance rate and 3.9% unemployment rate both sit below the national average.
Drive
91.0%
Public Transport
2.2%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.32%/yr
(-67 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is contracting at -0.32% per year, losing about 67 persons annually. The net internal outflow of 236 per year, the largest negative flow in this analysis, is partially offset by overseas arrivals of 134. Historical data shows population slipping from 20,932 in 2023 to 20,917 in 2025. Medium projections forecast approximately 20,492 by 2031. The 10-year population change of -0.6% confirms sustained mild decline. Gentrification score is 0 with no gentrifying signals, as expected for a suburb already at IRSAD decile 9. The aging trajectory is among the sharpest: senior share rose 7.8 points while young share dropped 2.2 points, consistent with empty-nesters remaining while adult children move to more affordable areas.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+134
Net Internal / yr
-236
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -236/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Menai compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Menai a good suburb to live in?
Menai ranks IRSAD decile 9 with household income at the 93rd percentile ($2,575/week). All 5 schools score ICSEA above 1,036. Mortgage-to-income ratio is a comfortable 23.3%. Trade-offs include extreme car dependence (91.0%), no train station, and a contracting population at -0.32% per year. The vacancy rate of 2.9% is the tightest in this analysis.
What is the median house price in Menai?
The median house price in Menai is $1,360,000 (2024-2025 PSI derived). Prices edged from $1,357,500 in 2024 to $1,380,000 in 2025, a modest 1.7% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600, producing a 23.3% mortgage-to-income ratio, comfortable given the 93rd percentile household income. Weekly rent averages $560.
What schools are in Menai?
Menai has 5 schools, all above the national ICSEA benchmark. Holy Family Catholic Primary (1,098, 803 students), Tharawal Public (1,085, 328), Aquinas Catholic College (1,082, 1,140 students, secondary), Menai High (1,046, 1,062 students), and Menai Public (1,036, 154 students). The IEO decile 8 confirms above-average adult education attainment.
Is Menai safe?
Menai's IRSD decile 10 places it among the least disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs. The 3.9% unemployment rate is below the national average, and the 4.4% needing-assistance rate is low. Specific crime data is not available, but the socioeconomic profile aligns with lower crime rates typical of IER decile 10 suburbs in Sydney.
Is Menai good for property investment?
Menai's 15.0% renter share severely limits tenant pool, making it a poor yield play. Rent of $560/week against $1,360,000 median gives roughly 2.1% gross yield. The 2.9% vacancy is tight but on a shallow base. Population is contracting at -0.32% per year with -236 internal outflow annually. This is a capital-preservation suburb at IRSAD decile 9, not a growth or yield investment.
How is Menai's population changing?
Population is contracting at -0.32% per year, losing 67 persons annually. Internal outflow of 236/year, the largest in this analysis, is partly offset by overseas arrivals (134/yr). Senior share has risen 7.8 points in a decade, the steepest aging shift. The 10-year change of -0.6% is mild, but projections forecast continued decline to roughly 20,492 by 2031.
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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