Padstow
With 41.1% born overseas and Chinese (2,432) nearly matching English (2,389) as the largest ancestry group, Padstow has become one of Sydney's most culturally layered middle-ring suburbs. Arabic (546), Cantonese (471) and Mandarin (440) lead non-English languages, reflecting Lebanese, Chinese and broader Middle Eastern migration waves. Despite this diversity, the $1,461,750 median house price sits well above the Sydney median, while household income at the 70.6 percentile and IRSAD decile 7 place it in the upper-middle tier rather than the premium band. The 136 development applications in 12 months signal active infill, and the low 4.9% vacancy rate suggests genuine supply tightness. The low 45.9% labour force participation rate stands out, sitting well below the national average and likely reflecting cultural household structures where one partner does not work.
Population
14,017
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,891/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
152
Median House
$1.5M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $1,461,750 median house price as of 2025 reflects an 11.0% gain from $1,386,250 in 2024. Detached houses at 67.7% dominate, with semi-detached at 26.0% showing substantial subdivision activity and apartments at just 6.1%. Three-bedroom homes account for 40.6% and four-plus bedrooms 39.7%, together making up 80.3% of stock, a heavily family-oriented housing mix. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,400 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.3%, close to but still below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 33.0% and mortgage holders at 33.7% split evenly, with renters at 33.3%. Average household size of 2.8 is above the national figure, consistent with the family-heavy demographic. Couples with children (4,512) far outnumber couples without (2,431), and only 20.7% of families are childless couples, well below the national average.
For Buyers
The $1,461,750 median house price as of 2025 reflects an 11.0% gain from $1,386,250 in 2024. Detached houses at 67.7% dominate, with semi-detached at 26.0% showing substantial subdivision activity and apartments at just 6.1%. Three-bedroom homes account for 40.6% and four-plus bedrooms 39.7%, together making up 80.3% of stock, a heavily family-oriented housing mix. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,400 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.3%, close to but still below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 33.0% and mortgage holders at 33.7% split evenly, with renters at 33.3%. Average household size of 2.8 is above the national figure, consistent with the family-heavy demographic. Couples with children (4,512) far outnumber couples without (2,431), and only 20.7% of families are childless couples, well below the national average.
For Investors
Renters make up 33.3% of households, a moderate share for middle-ring Sydney. Median weekly rent of $470 against the $1,461,750 median produces a gross yield around 1.7%, below the national average. The 4.9% vacancy rate is tight by Sydney standards, indicating genuine rental demand. The 136 development applications lodged in 12 months include subdivisions and dual occupancy projects, adding new supply but also attracting investors to the dual-income potential. Rent growth of 38.2% over the decade sits above the national average, pointing to structural supply tightness. Net overseas migration averages 200 per year, with a net internal outflow of 140 per year. The 41.1% overseas-born population creates a cultural rental corridor, as many migrant families rent before buying. Islam (1,244) and Buddhism (814) religious communities alongside Christianity (7,098) indicate established migrant tenant networks.
Development Activity
Total DAs
757
Last 12 Months
152
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-8.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Padstow iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Therese Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 200 students
Padstow Heights Public School
K-6 · 297 students
Padstow North Public School
K-6 · 305 students
Padstow Park Public School
K-6 · 334 students
Demographics
Chinese (2,432) and English (2,389) ancestries run nearly level as the largest groups, with Lebanese (899) providing a distinctive Middle Eastern layer. Arabic (546), Cantonese (471), Mandarin (440), Greek (209) and Macedonian (123) lead non-English languages, giving Padstow one of the most linguistically diverse profiles in this cohort. With 41.1% born overseas, 19.5 points above the national baseline, the suburb sits firmly in migrant-majority territory. The 41.0% university qualification rate sits 10.9 points above the national average. Median age of 40 matches the national figure. The 45.9% participation rate is notably low, well below the national average, likely driven by household structures where one partner is not in the labour force. Religious diversity is high: Christianity (7,098), Islam (1,244) and Buddhism (814). The 10.1% volunteering rate is below the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.7%
Houses
26.0%
Townhouse
6.1%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split is remarkably even: 33.0% own outright, 33.7% hold mortgages and 33.3% rent. Three-bedroom (40.6%) and four-plus bedroom (39.7%) homes account for over 80% of stock, reflecting a housing fabric built for larger families. Semi-detached at 26.0% is notably high, indicating active subdivision of original detached lots. Prices rose from $1,386,250 in 2024 to $1,461,750 in 2025, an 11.0% gain. Rent-to-income at 24.9% and mortgage-to-income at 29.3% both sit below but near the 30% stress threshold, the tightest readings in this cohort. The affordability ratio has remained stable over the decade (61.0% to 61.5%), meaning housing costs as a share of income have not worsened, but they started from an already high base. The 4.9% vacancy rate is among the lowest here, confirming strong demand for the existing stock.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,400
Rent / wk
$470
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$743
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
246
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
20.7%
Couples, no children
11,770
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 14.9%, followed by Education at 11.6%, Professional/Tech at 10.2%, Finance at 8.5% and Public Administration at 7.5%. The employment mix is diversified without a single dominant sector, reflecting Padstow's role as a residential suburb for workers commuting across Sydney. Professionals lead occupations at 1,530, with Clerical/Admin at 1,058 (the highest clerical share in this cohort) and Managers at 751. The SEIFA profile shows IRSAD decile 7 with IEO decile 7 and IER decile 6, a consistent mid-upper reading. The IRSD decile 5 (at the national median for disadvantage) runs below the others, partly because the 6.0% unemployment rate and 45.9% participation rate create pockets of economic inactivity. The low participation rate is the most distinctive labour market feature, well below the national average and likely reflecting cultural factors in the Lebanese and Chinese communities.
Unemployment
3.8%
Labour Force
10,278
Unemployed
394
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.0%
Part-time
27.0%
Participation
45.9%
Employed
5,025
Occupations
Top Industries
University
41.0%
Postgraduate
10.1%
Born Overseas
41.1%
Dwellings
4,769
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 81.3%, with 9.3% using public transport and 3.0% walking or cycling. Padstow station on the T2 Airport and South line provides CBD access. The 4 local schools span a range: St Therese Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,079, 200 students) leads, followed by Padstow Heights Public (1,053, 297 students), Padstow North Public (1,036, 305 students) and Padstow Park Public (1,019, 334 students). All sit above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000 but in the lower portion of above-average, consistent with the IEO decile 7 reading. No crime data is available, but IRSD decile 5 (at the national median) suggests average safety outcomes. The 6.7% needing assistance rate is above the national average, partly reflecting the lower participation rate and older age segments.
Drive
81.3%
Public Transport
9.3%
Walk / Cycle
3.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.53%/yr
(+93 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 0.53% per year, adding about 93 persons annually. The medium forecast projects 18,236 by 2031, up from 17,770 in 2026. The suburb grew 10.1% over the past decade. No COVID population dip was recorded. Net overseas migration averages 200 per year, while internal migration shows a net outflow of 140 per year. The gentrification score is 0 (not gentrifying), indicating stable socioeconomic character. Real income growth of 11.5% was moderate, and the affordability ratio remained essentially flat over the decade at around 61%, meaning housing costs did not worsen but were already stretched. Rent growth of 38.2% has outpaced income growth, tightening the rental market. The mixed trajectory, with the senior share rising only 0.8 points and working-age share growing 0.5 points, gives Padstow a more stable demographic profile than aging suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+200
Net Internal / yr
-140
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -140/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Padstow compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Padstow a good suburb to live in?
Padstow sits at IRSAD decile 7, above the national median. With T2 train access, 4 schools all above ICSEA 1,019, and 67.7% detached houses, it suits multicultural families. The $1,461,750 median house price and 29.3% mortgage-to-income ratio are the main financial considerations. With 41.1% born overseas, 14,017 residents and a 4.9% vacancy rate, it is a well-populated, sought-after middle-ring suburb.
What is the median house price in Padstow?
The median house price is $1,461,750 as of 2025, up 11.0% from $1,386,250 in 2024. Median weekly rent is $470 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $2,400, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 29.3%, near but below the 30% stress threshold. The affordability ratio has been stable at around 61% over the decade.
What schools are in Padstow?
Padstow has 4 schools. St Therese Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,079, 200 students) leads, followed by Padstow Heights Public (1,053, 297 students), Padstow North Public (1,036, 305 students) and Padstow Park Public (1,019, 334 students). All sit above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000, consistent with the suburb's IEO decile 7 rating.
Is Padstow safe?
No crime data is available for Padstow. SEIFA IRSD decile 5 (at the national median for disadvantage) is a neutral proxy. The 6.0% unemployment rate is slightly above the national average. Suburbs at this IRSD level typically record crime rates near the metropolitan median. The 6.7% needing assistance rate is above the national average.
Is Padstow good for property investment?
Renters at 33.3% provide a solid tenant pool. Median weekly rent of $470 on a $1,461,750 median gives roughly 1.7% gross yield, below the national average. The 4.9% vacancy rate is tight. Rent growth of 38.2% over the decade outpaced the national average. With 136 DAs in 12 months including subdivisions and dual occupancies, there is active infill that may attract investors seeking dual-income development plays.
How is Padstow's population changing?
Population grows at 0.53% per year, adding about 93 people annually. The medium forecast projects 18,236 by 2031. The suburb grew 10.1% over the past decade. With 41.1% born overseas and net overseas migration of 200 per year, the cultural composition continues to diversify. The demographic trajectory is stable: senior share rose only 0.8 points and working-age share grew 0.5 points.
What languages are spoken in Padstow?
Arabic (546 speakers) leads, followed by Cantonese (471), Mandarin (440), Greek (209) and Macedonian (123). With 41.1% of residents born overseas, Padstow is 19.5 percentage points above the national baseline for overseas-born population. Chinese (2,432), Lebanese (899) and broader Middle Eastern migration waves have created one of Sydney's most linguistically diverse middle-ring suburbs.
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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