Oxley Vale
With a median age of 33, Oxley Vale runs 7 years younger than the national figure, which explains why 92.9% of its 3,935 residents live in separate houses and 45% of dwellings carry 4 or more bedrooms. That family-skewing demand has pushed the median house price to $535,000, still well below the NSW state median, making the suburb one of the more affordable detached-house options in the Tamworth region. Household income sits in the 39th percentile nationally, below average, yet housing cost-to-income ratios remain manageable: mortgage repayments consume just 21.8% of income compared to the 30% stress threshold.
Population
3,935
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,381/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$535K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $535,000 median house price has moved from $500,000 in 2024 to $550,000 in 2025, a 10% gain over a single year. That pace of growth is notable for a regional market because it reflects genuine demand, not speculative pressure: 92.9% of the stock is separate houses, monthly repayments average $1,305, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.8%, well below the national stress threshold of 30%. The bedroom profile is heavily weighted toward family sizes, with 4-plus bedroom homes accounting for 45.0% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes a further 45.5%. That near-symmetry between 3 and 4-bedroom stock is unusual and points to a suburb built for households that need space. Average household size is 2.6, marginally above the national average.
For Buyers
The $535,000 median house price has moved from $500,000 in 2024 to $550,000 in 2025, a 10% gain over a single year. That pace of growth is notable for a regional market because it reflects genuine demand, not speculative pressure: 92.9% of the stock is separate houses, monthly repayments average $1,305, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.8%, well below the national stress threshold of 30%. The bedroom profile is heavily weighted toward family sizes, with 4-plus bedroom homes accounting for 45.0% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes a further 45.5%. That near-symmetry between 3 and 4-bedroom stock is unusual and points to a suburb built for households that need space. Average household size is 2.6, marginally above the national average.
For Investors
The 44.5% renter share is the standout figure for investors, running notably higher than the national average and creating a deep tenant pool in a market where the median house price is only $535,000. Weekly rent of $335 implies a gross yield approaching 3.3%, which is more competitive than most Sydney-adjacent alternatives at this price point. The vacancy rate of 6.8% is elevated and warrants caution: it signals that supply currently exceeds active rental demand, so vacant periods are a real risk. Development activity is low at 6 applications in the past 12 months, mostly shed and pool works rather than new dwelling supply, which limits future stock competition. The rent-to-income ratio of 24.3% keeps tenants financially comfortable, reducing churn risk for landlords.
Development Activity
Total DAs
45
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 33 is 7.0 years below the national figure, positioning Oxley Vale as a notably young suburb by Australian standards. English ancestry dominates at 1,450 residents, followed by Irish (397) and Scottish (302), giving the suburb an Anglo-Celtic character. Overseas-born residents make up just 11.1% of the population, which is 10.5 percentage points below the national average, confirming a predominantly Australian-born community. University qualifications reach 21.4%, sitting 8.7 points below the national figure, consistent with a workforce concentrated in trade, care and hands-on occupations. Average household size is 2.6, above the national average of 2.5, which aligns with the suburb's family-age demographic profile. Volunteering reaches 12.4% of residents, a moderate civic participation rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
92.9%
Houses
6.5%
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses dominate at 92.9% of dwellings, with apartments at just 0.6% and semi-detached at 6.5%, making this one of the most detached-house-intensive suburbs in NSW. The price history shows clear upward movement: $500,000 in 2024 rising to $550,000 in 2025, a 10.0% gain with a CAGR of 10.0% over the measurement period. The tenure split leans toward renting, with 44.5% renting, 28.7% on a mortgage and 26.8% owning outright. That renter-dominant profile is less common in regional detached-house markets and suggests the suburb attracts families who cannot yet commit to purchase alongside a core of long-term owner-occupiers. The monthly mortgage of $1,305 against a median house price of $535,000 is one of the lower repayment burdens compared to capital city equivalents.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,305
Rent / wk
$335
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$731
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.8%
Unoccupied
100
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.0%
Couples, no children
3,030
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads the local employment base at 28.7% of workers (280 people), a share that exceeds the national sectoral average and reflects Tamworth's role as a regional health hub. Education follows at 10.5% (102 workers) and Manufacturing at 9.5% (93 workers), with Retail at 8.4% and Construction at 8.0% rounding out the top five. By occupation, Labourers lead at 301 workers, followed by Community/Personal service workers (262), Professionals (253) and Clerical/Admin (180). The unemployment rate is 5.7%, modestly above the national average, and the full-time employment rate is 66.8%. Household income sits in the 39th percentile nationally, below average, yet housing cost ratios remain manageable because prices are lower than state benchmarks. The participation rate of 55.4% reflects the suburb's family-age structure, with 1,025 residents currently not in the labour force.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.8%
Part-time
27.5%
Participation
55.4%
Employed
1,539
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.4%
Postgraduate
3.6%
Born Overseas
11.1%
Dwellings
1,367
Transport to Work
Transport in Oxley Vale is car-dependent: 90.6% of workers drive, while only 0.3% use public transport and 0.9% walk or cycle, figures consistent with a regional suburb that lacks rail or frequent bus services. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring Tamworth suburbs. Crime data is not available for this suburb in the dataset, so direct comparisons cannot be drawn. Housing cost indicators are positive: the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.8% and the rent-to-income ratio at 24.3%, both below the 30% stress threshold, meaning residents across both tenure types face manageable housing costs compared to most NSW markets. The family composition of the suburb, with 1,241 couples with children and an average household size of 2.6, points to a community structured around raising families rather than high-turnover rental living.
Drive
90.6%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
0.9%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Oxley Vale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxley Vale a good suburb to live in?
Oxley Vale suits families seeking affordable detached housing in regional NSW. The median house price of $535,000 is well below the NSW state median, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.8% is comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb has a young median age of 33, 7 years below the national figure, and 92.9% of homes are separate houses.
What is the median house price in Oxley Vale?
The median house price is $535,000 as of 2024-2025 data. Prices rose from $500,000 in 2024 to $550,000 in 2025, a 10% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,305 and weekly rent averages $335.
What schools are in Oxley Vale?
No schools are recorded within the Oxley Vale suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Tamworth area. University qualification rates locally are 21.4%, which is 8.7 percentage points below the national average.
Is Oxley Vale safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Oxley Vale are not available in this dataset. As a contextual indicator, housing cost-to-income ratios are below stress thresholds, with mortgage-to-income at 21.8% and rent-to-income at 24.3%, consistent with a suburb that does not face significant economic disadvantage pressure. The need-for-assistance rate is 8.7% (317 residents).
Is Oxley Vale good for property investment?
The 44.5% renter share and $335 weekly rent give a gross yield near 3.3% against the $535,000 median, stronger than most capital city alternatives at this price point. The vacancy rate of 6.8% is elevated and signals current oversupply in the rental pool, so investors should factor in potential vacancy periods. Prices rose 10% from 2024 to 2025.
How is Oxley Vale's population changing?
Oxley Vale has a population of 3,935 with a median age of 33, 7 years younger than the national figure. The turnover rate is 26.1%, meaning roughly 1 in 4 residents moved within 5 years, above average for a regional suburb. The young-resident base and affordable prices suggest continued family-driven demand.
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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