Oatley
A 43-year median age and a household income at the 92.7th percentile place Oatley among Sydney's established, higher-income suburbs. Its 10,664 residents occupy a compact 4.37 square kilometres at a density of 2,438.2 people per square kilometre, while 53.3% hold a university qualification, 23.2 percentage points above the national figure. Compared with the denser apartment settings around Hurstville, Oatley is more detached-house oriented, with 70.9% of dwellings separate houses. The profile is ageing rather than youthful because the senior share has risen by 3.1 percentage points and the working share has fallen by 2.4 points.
Population
10,664
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,537/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
124
Oatley suits buyers seeking established family housing, but the dwelling mix points to a higher entry commitment than in apartment-oriented markets. Separate houses account for 70.9% of homes, and 44.8% have four or more bedrooms, higher than the 35.5% share for three-bedroom dwellings. A typical mortgage commitment is $3,000 per month, compared with weekly rent of $490, while mortgage costs equal 27.3% of household income. The 45.6% outright-ownership rate is higher than the 32.7% mortgage-held share, suggesting many homes are held by established owners. Buyers should compare renovation scope, block size and proximity to services because the larger-household stock can vary sharply between streets.
For Buyers
Oatley suits buyers seeking established family housing, but the dwelling mix points to a higher entry commitment than in apartment-oriented markets. Separate houses account for 70.9% of homes, and 44.8% have four or more bedrooms, higher than the 35.5% share for three-bedroom dwellings. A typical mortgage commitment is $3,000 per month, compared with weekly rent of $490, while mortgage costs equal 27.3% of household income. The 45.6% outright-ownership rate is higher than the 32.7% mortgage-held share, suggesting many homes are held by established owners. Buyers should compare renovation scope, block size and proximity to services because the larger-household stock can vary sharply between streets.
For Investors
Oatley presents an owner-heavy investment market with a smaller rental pool than its established owner base. Renting accounts for 20.5% of occupied dwellings, below the 45.6% outright-owned share, while weekly rent is $490 and vacancy is 5.7%. That combination can support tenant choice and reduce the urgency to discount, although investors should test property-specific demand rather than assume uniform performance. Development activity is material, with 122 applications recorded over 12 months, creating potential for ongoing alterations and additions rather than only new apartment supply. Growth is forecast at 0.54% annually, driven primarily by overseas migration, so the investment case is steadier than a high-growth development corridor.
Development Activity
Total DAs
659
Last 12 Months
124
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Oatley
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Oatley has an older and more highly educated profile than Australia overall: the median age is 43, three years above the national figure, and 53.3% of residents have university qualifications, 23.2 percentage points above national levels. Overseas-born residents make up 27.2%, also 5.6 points above the national comparison, with English ancestry recorded for 3,116 people and Chinese ancestry for 1,714. Mandarin is spoken by 368 residents and Cantonese by 223. Families with children represent 52.4% of families, while couples without children account for 35.1%, helping explain the 2.8-person average household size. Compared with nearby Hurstville, Oatley presents a more settled, family-oriented pattern because 83.0% of residents stayed at the same address five years earlier.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
70.9%
Houses
11.4%
Townhouse
16.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Oatley's housing is predominantly detached and long-held. Separate houses make up 70.9% of dwellings, higher than the combined apartment share of 16.7% and semi-detached share of 11.4%. Four or more bedrooms account for 44.8%, higher than the 35.5% three-bedroom category, which reflects the suburb's family-house orientation. Ownership is also stronger than renting, with 45.6% owned outright, 32.7% held with a mortgage and 20.5% rented. Mortgage costs equal 27.3% of household income, compared with rent at 19.3%, and neither tenure is flagged for stress. Compared with apartment-heavy parts of Hurstville, Oatley requires buyers to weigh larger dwellings and upkeep against a more established ownership base. Affordability shifted from 50.4% in 2011 to 44.9% in 2021.
Mortgage / mo
$3,000
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $490.
$690
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $950 · units $650
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,064
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.7%
Unoccupied
226
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
52.4%
Couples with children
35.1%
Couples, no children
11.6%
Single parent
3,038
Total families
Economy & Employment
Oatley's economy is concentrated in professional and service industries, led by Professional and Tech at 15.1% with 607 workers, Healthcare at 15.0% with 603, Education at 12.6% with 506, Finance at 10.5% with 422 and Construction at 7.4% with 298. The occupational profile is similarly skilled, including 1,809 professionals and 943 managers, compared with 775 clerical and administrative workers. Unemployment is 3.2%, participation is 60.8% and full-time employment is 56.5%, supporting household income at the 92.7th percentile. Oatley ranks above average on socioeconomic measures: IEO, IER and IRSD are all decile 8, while IRSAD reaches decile 9. The one-decile lift in IRSAD reflects stronger overall advantage because economic resources and social conditions reinforce the suburb's professional employment base.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
5,280
Unemployed
171
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.5%
Part-time
30.8%
Participation
60.8%
Employed
5,109
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
53.3%
Postgraduate
15.5%
Born Overseas
27.2%
Dwellings
3,726
Transport to Work
Oatley has practical access to three local government schools: two primary campuses and one secondary senior campus. Families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because school catchments can cross local streets. Daily travel is more home-based than transit-led, with 60.0% working from home, compared with 32.6% driving as a car driver, 2.9% using public transport and 2.2% walking or cycling. That pattern supports local errands and flexible work, but commuters should assess rail and bus connections for their specific destination. Livability is reinforced by a high IRSAD decile of 9 and a 2.8-person average household size, while the median age of 43 is above the national figure. Compared with younger, denser centres, Oatley is better suited to households prioritising established homes, schools and quieter routines.
Drive
32.6%
Public Transport
2.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
60.0%
Population Forecast
+0.54%/yr
(+82 people/yr)
EstablishedOatley's forecast is established rather than high-growth, with annual growth of 0.54% and population change across the wider area of 10.0% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, which can refresh demand even as the local age profile moves towards an Aging trajectory. The senior share has increased by 3.1 percentage points, while the working share has declined by 2.4 points, so future demand is likely to favour accessibility, maintenance-friendly housing and established services. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage, with a score of 20, rather than a mature transformation cycle. Rents have grown by 20.0%, and the area recovered 3.5% after a COVID dip of 3.2%, indicating resilience but a measured pace compared with faster-changing precincts.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+269
Net Internal / yr
-175
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -175/yr, Strong overseas inflow +269/yr, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Oatley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oatley a good suburb to live in?
Oatley suits households seeking established homes, local schools and a high-income community. The median age is 43, work-from-home participation is 60.0% and IRSAD sits in decile 9. Compared with denser nearby centres, its 70.9% separate-house share supports a quieter family setting, although buyers should assess transport needs and renovation costs.
What is the median house price in Oatley?
Check recent Oatley sales for the current median house price, because the suburb contains 70.9% separate houses and 44.8% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms. The 45.6% outright-ownership rate and $3,000 monthly mortgage figure indicate an established, higher-income market, but prices can vary by street, land size and dwelling condition.
What schools are in Oatley?
Oatley has 3 listed government schools: 2 primary schools, Oatley Public School and Oatley West Public School, plus 1 secondary senior campus, Georges River College, Oatley Senior Campus. Check the exact enrolment zone before purchasing or renting, as boundaries can differ from the suburb boundary.
Is Oatley safe?
Use the latest NSW Police crime statistics and compare the exact address with nearby streets before making a decision, since conditions can vary within a suburb of 10,664 residents. Also inspect lighting, station access and evening activity in person. A current suburb-wide crime rate should not be assumed without checking the latest figures.
Is Oatley good for property investment?
Oatley may suit investors seeking an established owner-heavy market. Weekly rent is $490, vacancy is 5.7% and renting accounts for 20.5% of dwellings, below outright ownership at 45.6%. There were 122 development applications in 12 months, while forecast growth is 0.54% annually, so the case is steadier than a high-growth corridor.
How is Oatley's population changing?
The wider-area forecast records 10.0% population change over 10 years and annual growth of 0.54%, with overseas migration as the primary driver. Oatley's trajectory is Aging: the senior share has risen 3.1 percentage points, while the working share has fallen 2.4 points. This points to gradual change rather than rapid turnover.
What development is occurring in Oatley?
Oatley recorded 122 development applications over 12 months. Recent examples include dwelling houses and alterations or additions lodged through both Development Applications and Complying Development Certificates. The activity suggests ongoing renovation and infill pressure, so buyers should check planning controls, site constraints and nearby approvals before committing.
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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