North Rocks
With 50.3% of homes containing four or more bedrooms and household income at the 89.4th percentile, North Rocks reads as an established, detached-home suburb with above-national economic capacity. Its 9,136 residents have a median age of 40, matching the national comparison, while 42.5% were born overseas, 20.9 percentage points above the national level. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, although the annual trend is a measured 0.55%. Compared with nearby Carlingford, North Rocks is best approached as a house-led market, with 78.1% separate houses and 14.1% apartments. The mix suits families and professional households, while the 24.0% renting share and 4.9% vacancy rate still matter for buyers assessing competition.
Population
9,136
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,354/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
61
North Rocks suits buyers prioritising space because 78.1% of dwellings are separate houses, a share substantially higher than the 14.1% apartment proportion, and 50.3% have four or more bedrooms. The trade-off is a higher ownership cost than the weekly rent: mortgage repayments average $2,817 a month, compared with rent of $505 a week. Mortgage repayments equal 27.6% of household income and are not flagged as stress. Outright ownership accounts for 35.9% and mortgage ownership 39.3%, indicating a strong established-owner base. Buyers should compare renovation scope, secondary-dwelling potential and local zoning, because larger homes can require more capital even when household incomes sit above the national norm.
For Buyers
North Rocks suits buyers prioritising space because 78.1% of dwellings are separate houses, a share substantially higher than the 14.1% apartment proportion, and 50.3% have four or more bedrooms. The trade-off is a higher ownership cost than the weekly rent: mortgage repayments average $2,817 a month, compared with rent of $505 a week. Mortgage repayments equal 27.6% of household income and are not flagged as stress. Outright ownership accounts for 35.9% and mortgage ownership 39.3%, indicating a strong established-owner base. Buyers should compare renovation scope, secondary-dwelling potential and local zoning, because larger homes can require more capital even when household incomes sit above the national norm.
For Investors
North Rocks provides a family-oriented rental base because 54.1% of families include children and 78.1% of dwellings are separate houses. Weekly rent is $505, vacancy is 4.9%, and 24.0% of households rent, pointing to demand without the conditions of an exceptionally tight market. Development activity is notable, with 66 applications lodged in 12 months, including new dwellings, secondary dwellings and alterations. That pipeline can improve housing choice but may also add competition for older stock. Overseas migration is the primary forecast driver, while rent growth reached 22.2% in the shift profile. Compared with a lower-income market, North Rocks has a higher household-income position at the 89.4th percentile, although investors should allow for maintenance on larger homes.
Development Activity
Total DAs
419
Last 12 Months
61
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-17.6%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in North Rocks
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
North Rocks combines an age profile close to the national norm with a strong overseas-born presence. Median age is 40, exactly 0.0 years from the national comparison, while 42.5% of residents were born overseas, 20.9 percentage points above the national level. Chinese ancestry counts 2,033 people, followed by English at 1,962, and Mandarin is spoken by 532 residents compared with 260 speaking Canton. University attainment is 53.9%, 23.8 percentage points higher than the national comparison, helping explain the concentration of professionals at 1,442 and managers at 724. Families with children account for 54.1% of households, above couples without children at 33.5%, while average household size is 2.9, or 0.4 higher than the national figure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.1%
Houses
7.8%
Townhouse
14.1%
Apartment
Tenure
North Rocks has a detached-home structure, with separate houses at 78.1%, apartments at 14.1% and semi-detached dwellings at 7.8%. Four or more bedrooms account for 50.3% of homes, above the 34.2% share with three bedrooms, which supports larger households but can narrow entry-level choice. Tenure is split between 35.9% owned outright, 39.3% mortgaged and 24.0% rented. Mortgage repayments average $2,817 monthly, while weekly rent is $505; the mortgage-to-income ratio is 27.6% and rent-to-income is 21.5%, with neither flagged as stress. Compared with apartment-oriented parts of western Sydney, North Rocks has a higher separate-house share and a stronger established-owner profile. Its 4.9% vacancy rate gives renters more choice than a tightly constrained market.
Mortgage / mo
$2,817
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $505.
$650
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $800 · units $620
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$938
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
155
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
54.1%
Couples with children
33.5%
Couples, no children
11.6%
Single parent
2,615
Total families
Economy & Employment
North Rocks has a high-income, professional employment base. Household income is $2,354 per week and sits at the 89.4th percentile, while unemployment is 4.1% and labour-force participation is 61.7%. Healthcare is the largest industry at 16.7% with 559 workers, followed by Professional/Tech at 13.2% and 442, Education at 12.5% and 417, Construction at 7.7% and 258, and Finance at 7.4% and 248. Professionals number 1,442 and managers 724, so the occupational mix is higher-skilled than a trade-led profile. The 54.0% work-from-home share helps explain the relevance of larger homes, while 613 employed residents work away from the suburb. SEIFA results are above most areas, with IEO decile 9 and IER, IRSD and IRSAD all at decile 10.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
4,535
Unemployed
187
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.3%
Part-time
27.6%
Participation
61.7%
Employed
4,348
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
53.9%
Postgraduate
17.0%
Born Overseas
42.5%
Dwellings
3,020
Transport to Work
North Rocks is practical for households that rely on cars or work from home. Car drivers account for 40.2% of commuting, public transport 1.8%, walking or cycling 1.0%, and working from home 54.0%, so daily convenience is more home-and-road based than transit-led. Two local government schools cover both stages, with one primary and one secondary option. Check enrolment zones and transport connections against the exact address because access can change across nearby streets. The suburb's SEIFA IRSAD decile is 10, with an IRS score of 1,092 and IEO decile 9, placing socioeconomic advantage above most areas. Check current NSW Police incident data before deciding, alongside school zones and local travel times. Volunteering is 15.5% and assistance needs affect 4.8% of residents.
Drive
40.2%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
54.0%
Population Forecast
+0.55%/yr
(+48 people/yr)
EstablishedNorth Rocks is an established market with measured momentum rather than a rapid expansion profile. The forecast annual trend is 0.55%, and overseas migration is the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 10.8% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed. Rent growth of 22.2% and real income growth of 10.3% indicate stronger rental and earnings movement than the 0.55% annual trend alone suggests. Gentrification signals are mixed: the shift profile records a score of 27 and stage Early signs, while the separate gentrification indicator is score 0 and stage Not gentrifying. Senior share increased 2.7 percentage points and working share fell 1.9 points, supporting an established, ageing-leaning trajectory compared with a younger growth suburb. Affordability improved from 66.6 in 2011 to 60.0 in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+91
Net Internal / yr
-26
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How North Rocks compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Rocks a good suburb to live in?
North Rocks suits households seeking larger homes, with 78.1% separate houses and 50.3% containing four or more bedrooms. Its 9,136 residents have a median age of 40, while the 54.0% work-from-home rate supports a quieter home-based routine. Household income is above the national position at the 89.4th percentile.
What is the median house price in North Rocks?
A current median house price should be checked against recent sales rather than inferred from rent. North Rocks is 78.1% separate houses, with 50.3% of homes containing four or more bedrooms and weekly rent of $505. Compare recent transactions by bedroom count, land size and renovation condition.
What schools are in North Rocks?
North Rocks has 2 local government schools covering both major stages: North Rocks Public School is primary and Muirfield High School is secondary. Compared with a suburb offering only one stage, this gives families a broader local starting point, but enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address.
Is North Rocks safe?
North Rocks has 9,136 residents and a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 10, which is above most areas socioeconomically, but that does not answer a safety question. Check current NSW Police incident data and compare the exact street, nearby facilities and travel patterns before deciding.
Is North Rocks good for property investment?
North Rocks can suit investors targeting established family rentals. Weekly rent is $505, vacancy is 4.9% and 24.0% of households rent. The 66 development applications lodged in 12 months may expand supply, while the 89.4th household-income percentile is higher than many markets and can support tenant demand.
How is North Rocks's population changing?
North Rocks has 9,136 residents today, while the wider-area forecast records population change of 10.8% over 10 years. Growth is projected at 0.55% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration. The trajectory is Mixed, indicating a steadier pattern compared with rapid-growth corridors rather than a sudden population surge.
What development is occurring in North Rocks?
There were 66 development applications in 12 months, including new dwelling houses, secondary dwellings, alterations and swimming pools. This is notable compared with the established market's 0.55% annual growth trend. Buyers and investors should check how nearby additions affect parking, privacy, construction activity and future rental competition.
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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