Oxley
Household earning power is the standout feature in Oxley: weekly household income is $2,393, placing the suburb at the 90.5th percentile, while 39.8% of adults have university qualifications, 9.7 percentage points above the national figure. Oxley has 1,703 residents across 1.09 sq km, producing a density of 1,567.4 people per sq km, and 92.5% of homes are separate houses. Compared with Kambah and Wanniassa, its defining distinction is a compact, detached-home setting. A 42.6% mortgage share and 44.7% couples-with-children share support an established household profile, while the median age of 39 is 1 year below national.
Local council: Unincorporated ACT
Population
1,703
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,393/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Oxley is suited to buyers who prioritise detached space and family-sized layouts. Separate houses account for 92.5% of dwellings, while 47.1% have 4 or more bedrooms, a higher share than the 42.6% with 3 bedrooms. Monthly mortgage cost is $2,150 and mortgage repayments equal 20.7% of household income, above the 16.7% rent-to-income ratio. This mix supports established owner-occupier demand because larger homes are more common than smaller formats. For buyers weighing Oxley against nearby Kambah or Wanniassa, the smaller 1.09 sq km footprint may appeal to those wanting a more contained streetscape.
For Buyers
Oxley is suited to buyers who prioritise detached space and family-sized layouts. Separate houses account for 92.5% of dwellings, while 47.1% have 4 or more bedrooms, a higher share than the 42.6% with 3 bedrooms. Monthly mortgage cost is $2,150 and mortgage repayments equal 20.7% of household income, above the 16.7% rent-to-income ratio. This mix supports established owner-occupier demand because larger homes are more common than smaller formats. For buyers weighing Oxley against nearby Kambah or Wanniassa, the smaller 1.09 sq km footprint may appeal to those wanting a more contained streetscape.
For Investors
Oxley presents a steady, established-suburb investment case rather than a high-development play. Weekly rent is $400, vacancy is 3.5%, and 23.1% of households rent, a lower share than the 42.6% paying a mortgage. That owner-occupier base can support stable demand because 92.5% of dwellings are separate houses, although detached stock may require more capital than smaller formats. Only 1 development was recorded in the past 12 months, limiting evidence of a major new-supply wave. The wider growth trend is 1.54% annually and is driven by overseas migration, so investors should test cash flow against purchase price, maintenance and insurance rather than rely on rent alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
9
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Oxley has an established, Anglo-leaning ancestry profile, with English ancestry recorded for 620 residents, followed by Irish at 223 and Scottish at 179. Christianity accounts for 773 people and no religion for 721, making the two largest responses close compared with the smaller Buddhism count of 42. The median age is 39, 1 year below the national comparison, while university attainment is 39.8%, 9.7 percentage points above national and overseas-born share is 19.2%, 2.4 points below. Household size averages 2.7, higher than the national comparison by 0.2, because 44.7% of families are couples with children. Residential stability is also notable: 79.7% stayed at the same address, versus 20.3% turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.5%
Houses
7.5%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Oxley's housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 92.5% separate houses compared with 7.5% semi-detached dwellings. The internal mix leans large, with 47.1% of homes containing 4 or more bedrooms, higher than the 42.6% share of 3-bedroom homes and far above the 10.4% share of 2-bedroom homes. Tenure is split between 33.4% owned outright, 42.6% mortgaged and 23.1% rented, so mortgage holders form the largest group. Mortgage costs absorb 20.7% of household income, above the 16.7% rent-to-income ratio, while vacancy is 3.5%. Compared with Kambah or Wanniassa, buyers should focus on Oxley's compact 1.09 sq km footprint and detached format when assessing land, upkeep and resale appeal.
Mortgage / mo
$2,150
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$400
Census 2021
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,132
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.5%
Unoccupied
22
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.7%
Couples with children
38.0%
Couples, no children
16.1%
Single parent
492
Total families
Economy & Employment
Oxley's economy is closely tied to public-sector and service work. Public administration is the leading industry at 34.4% and 205 workers, followed by healthcare at 14.9% and 89, education at 9.2% and 55, professional and technical services at 9.1% and 54, and construction at 7.0% and 42. Occupations reinforce that pattern: professionals number 224, clerical and administrative workers 152, managers 130 and trades 108. The 64.2% participation rate and 5.1% unemployment rate sit alongside a 65.0% full-time rate. Economic resources and education/occupation both rank in decile 8, higher than IRSAD and IRSD at decile 7, while household income sits at the 90.5th percentile, indicating strong but not uniform advantage.
Unemployment
5.1%
Labour Force
880
Unemployed
45
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.0%
Part-time
29.5%
Participation
64.2%
Employed
835
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.8%
Postgraduate
10.7%
Born Overseas
19.2%
Dwellings
599
Transport to Work
Oxley is compact at 1.09 sq km, with density of 1,567.4 people per sq km, so daily convenience depends heavily on how residents travel. Car use dominates at 75.0%, much higher than public transport at 2.6% or walking and cycling at 2.6%, while 12.8% work from home. That pattern makes off-street parking and direct road access practical priorities for many households. For schools, compare current government, Catholic and independent options against the exact address and enrolment zone rather than relying on the suburb name. Socioeconomic conditions are above the national midpoint, with IRSAD and IRSD both in decile 7, supporting a generally comfortable setting. For safety, check recent ACT incident patterns and visit the specific street at different times.
Drive
75.0%
Public Transport
2.6%
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
12.8%
Growth Outlook
Oxley's growth outlook is positive but measured. The annual trend is 1.54%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver, while population change across the wider area reaches 23.9% over ten years. The shift trajectory is Mixed: rent growth is 15.7%, real income growth is 19.0%, higher than rent growth, and the affordability measure moved from 52.3 in 2011 to 41.4 in 2021 despite an Improving affordability label. Gentrification signals remain restrained, with a score of 10 and a Not gentrifying stage, although the shift profile also records Early signs at 42. With only 1 development in 12 months, the pattern looks more like incremental demand in an established suburb than a construction-led reset.
Population trend: Unincorporated ACT council area
Oxley sits in the Unincorporated ACT council area. These are the council area's residents, not Oxley's.
Residents 2025
484,630
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.3%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Oxley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxley a good suburb to live in?
Oxley can suit households seeking detached housing and a compact setting. Separate houses make up 92.5% of dwellings, household income is at the 90.5th percentile, and the median age is 39, 1 year below national. The 75.0% car-driver share means transport preferences should be checked before choosing a home.
What is the median house price in Oxley?
A current median should be checked against recent ACT sales for the exact street and dwelling type. Oxley is 92.5% separate houses and 47.1% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, so a broad figure can blur differences between larger detached homes and 7.5% semi-detached stock.
What schools are in Oxley?
School choices are address-specific, so check the current ACT directory and enrolment zones for the property you are considering. Oxley's compact 1.09 sq km footprint does not replace a catchment check, and 75.0% of residents drive, which may matter when comparing school travel options.
Is Oxley safe?
Use current ACT Policing incident maps and inspect the exact street at different times before deciding. Oxley has 1,703 residents in 1.09 sq km, so local conditions can vary within a small footprint; do not treat the suburb-wide label as a substitute for address-level checks.
Is Oxley good for property investment?
It can be suitable for a measured investment strategy, provided the purchase price supports the numbers. Weekly rent is $400, vacancy is 3.5%, and the annual growth trend is 1.54%, driven by overseas migration. With 1 development in 12 months, assess maintenance and resale demand for detached stock rather than assuming new supply will lift returns.
How is Oxley's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 23.9% over ten years, with an annual trend of 1.54% driven by overseas migration. Oxley's current population is 1,703, while the forecast trajectory is Mixed rather than uniformly accelerating. The suburb's gentrification stage is Not gentrifying, with a score of 10, pointing to established-suburb growth.
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).
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