Mount Colah
Prices surged 11.0% in a single year, from $1,410,000 to $1,565,000, the fastest growth in this batch, driven by a bushland-fringe premium where 83.8% separate houses sit on 11.06 km2 at a density of just 707 per km2. University qualifications at 48.6% are 18.5 points above the national average, consistent with the IRSAD decile 9. Household income at the 92.4th percentile and mortgage-to-income at 23.5% indicate that buyers comfortably absorb these prices. The suburb added 24.4% population over 10 years, yet maintained 82.8% residential stability, suggesting new arrivals settle permanently rather than cycling through.
Population
7,816
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,505/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
52
Median House
$1.5M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,521,000 median rose from $1,410,000 in 2024 to $1,565,000 in 2025 (11.0% growth). Four-plus bedroom homes at 48.0% and three-bedrooms at 35.2% make up the majority. Monthly mortgage at $2,544 yields a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.5%, well below the stress threshold, reflecting the 92.4th-percentile household income. Separate houses at 83.8% dominate, with apartments at 12.3% (likely around the station precinct) and semi-detached at 3.7%. Mount Colah Public School (ICSEA 1,098, 442 students, government) scores 98 points above the national benchmark. Bushland setting at 707/km2 density is far lower than Sydney's average.
For Buyers
The $1,521,000 median rose from $1,410,000 in 2024 to $1,565,000 in 2025 (11.0% growth). Four-plus bedroom homes at 48.0% and three-bedrooms at 35.2% make up the majority. Monthly mortgage at $2,544 yields a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.5%, well below the stress threshold, reflecting the 92.4th-percentile household income. Separate houses at 83.8% dominate, with apartments at 12.3% (likely around the station precinct) and semi-detached at 3.7%. Mount Colah Public School (ICSEA 1,098, 442 students, government) scores 98 points above the national benchmark. Bushland setting at 707/km2 density is far lower than Sydney's average.
For Investors
The 17.9% renter share is thin. Weekly rent of $525 against the $1,521,000 median produces gross yield of approximately 1.8%, very low. Vacancy at 3.6% is near the 3% equilibrium benchmark. Development activity at 48 DAs in 12 months includes demolition-and-rebuild and secondary dwelling applications, indicating stock renewal rather than greenfield expansion. Population grows at 1.44% annually (339 persons), projected to reach 25,308 by 2031. Internal migration is near-zero (+10/year), with overseas migration at 196/year providing the growth engine. Turnover at 17.2% is low, consistent with the high stability.
Development Activity
Total DAs
291
Last 12 Months
52
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+15.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mount Colah iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mount Colah Public School
K-6 · 442 students
Demographics
The median age of 40 matches the national median. Overseas-born at 33.3% is 11.7 points above the national average. English ancestry (2,640) leads, with Chinese (549) rising to fifth, reflecting gradual diversification of what was traditionally an Anglo-Celtic suburb. Mandarin (135 speakers), Persian (85), Hindi (62), Cantonese (44), and Korean (43) are the top non-English languages. University qualifications at 48.6% are 18.5 points above national, earning IEO decile 9. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above national. Couples with children (3,193) outnumber childless couples (1,477) at a 2.2:1 ratio.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.8%
Houses
3.7%
Townhouse
12.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Mortgage holders at 48.8% dominate, with outright owners at 33.3% and renters at 17.9%. The combined 82.1% owner-occupier share is high. Stock is 83.8% separate houses, 12.3% apartments, and 3.7% semi-detached. Four-plus bedrooms at 48.0% and three-bedrooms at 35.2% suit the family demographic. Prices grew 11.0% from $1,410,000 to $1,565,000 in one year, the fastest appreciation in this dataset. Mortgage-to-income at 23.5% and rent-to-income at 21.0% are both below stress thresholds. The SEIFA profile is uniformly strong at decile 9 across all four indices (IEO, IER, IRSD, IRSAD).
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,544
Rent / wk
$525
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,032
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.6%
Unoccupied
101
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.0%
Couples, no children
7,039
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 17.6% (555 workers), followed by Education at 14.0% (442), Professional/Tech at 13.5% (427), Construction at 8.9% (282), and Finance at 7.3% (231). Professionals (1,323) dominate occupations, with Managers (666) and Clerical/Admin (582) forming a white-collar majority. Unemployment at 3.9% is low, and participation at 63.6% is above average. Full-time employment at 66.0% is solid. The knowledge-economy concentration (Healthcare + Education + Professional/Tech = 45.1%) is consistent with decile-9 socioeconomic standing. Real income grew 18.7% over the decade, above average and sustained by the professional employment base.
Unemployment
7.0%
Labour Force
13,419
Unemployed
936
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
63.6%
Employed
3,826
Occupations
Top Industries
University
48.6%
Postgraduate
13.7%
Born Overseas
33.3%
Dwellings
2,669
Transport to Work
Mount Colah Public School (government, ICSEA 1,098, 442 students) scores 98 points above the national benchmark of 1,000. All four SEIFA indices sit at decile 9, confirming top-20% advantage nationally. The 11.06 km2 area at 707/km2 density provides a spacious bushland setting that is rare this close to Sydney. Car driving at 85.3% dominates, with public transport at 5.7% (Mount Colah station on T1 North Shore line) and walking/cycling at 3.5%. Volunteering at 17.6% is above average. Mortgage stress at 23.5% and rent stress at 21.0% are both well managed.
Drive
85.3%
Public Transport
5.7%
Walk / Cycle
3.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.44%/yr
(+339 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.44% annually (339 persons), with a 24.4% increase over 10 years. Medium forecasts project 25,308 by 2031. Internal migration is near-zero (+10/year), indicating the suburb attracts neither internal inflow nor outflow. Overseas migration at 196/year provides steady growth. The gentrification score of 24 (early signs) reflects gradual upgrading. Affordability improved from 64.9% in 2011 to 49.4% in 2021, a 15.5-point gain. Rent grew 11.1% over the decade, well below the national average, suggesting landlords have limited pricing power. The working-age share contracted just 0.3 points, indicating stable age structure.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+196
Net Internal / yr
+10
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +27% since 2011, Accelerating: 2% → 25%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mount Colah compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Colah a good suburb to live in?
Mount Colah ranks IRSAD decile 9, with household income at the 92.4th percentile and university qualifications 18.5 points above the national average. Mount Colah Public School scores 1,098 ICSEA (98 above benchmark). The bushland setting at 707/km2 density provides space rare in Sydney. The trade-off is the $1,521,000 median, though mortgage stress at 23.5% indicates buyers can afford it.
What is the median house price in Mount Colah?
The median is $1,521,000, surging from $1,410,000 in 2024 to $1,565,000 in 2025 (11.0% growth), the fastest in this dataset. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,544 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.5%. Weekly rent is $525. The strong growth reflects demand for bushland family homes with decile-9 school access and 92.4th-percentile incomes.
What schools are in Mount Colah?
One government school serves the suburb: Mount Colah Public School (primary, ICSEA 1,098, 442 students). It scores 98 points above the national benchmark of 1,000, placing it in the top educational tier. Secondary schooling is available in nearby suburbs along the Upper North Shore corridor, including Hornsby and Asquith.
Is Mount Colah safe?
Crime data is not published at suburb level for NSW. However, all four SEIFA indices at decile 9, 3.9% unemployment, 82.1% owner-occupier share, and 82.8% residential stability are strong proxy indicators that nationally correlate with low crime. The low-density bushland setting (707/km2) and family-dominant demographic further contribute to safety perceptions.
Is Mount Colah good for property investment?
Gross yield at approximately 1.8% ($525/week on $1,521,000) is very low. However, capital growth of 11.0% in one year is the strongest in this dataset. The 3.6% vacancy rate is near equilibrium. The 17.9% renter share is thin but the 48 DAs in 12 months, including secondary dwelling applications, add some supply. Population growth at 1.44% annually supports long-term demand.
How is Mount Colah's population changing?
Population grew 24.4% over 10 years, currently growing at 1.44% annually (339 persons). Internal migration is near-zero (+10/year), indicating residents stay once settled, while overseas migration at 196/year provides growth. Medium forecasts project 25,308 by 2031. Chinese ancestry (549) is rising in a traditionally Anglo-Celtic suburb. The gentrification score of 24 shows early signs of upgrading.
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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