Park Ridge South
Ownership rates in Park Ridge South tell a striking story: 40.7% of residents own their home outright, well above what you would expect in a suburb with a $542,000 median house price. Combined with a household income in the 73.8th percentile nationally and an average household size of 3.1 persons, this is a large-family, debt-light area where stability runs deep. The suburb covers 9.42 sq km with only 1,680 residents, giving a density of 178 per sq km, far below typical suburban averages. Population has declined 3.5% over 10 years, and the median age of 46 is 6 years above the national figure, pointing to an established, aging community rather than a growth corridor.
Population
1,680
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,965/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
19
Median House
$542K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The median house price sits at $542,000, with a monthly mortgage repayment of approximately $1,800 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability reflects the outer-suburban location and low density. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.4%, with apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers are choosing from a uniform detached-dwelling market. Bedrooms skew large: 70.6% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 27.1% have 3 bedrooms, which is consistent with the average household size of 3.1 persons, higher than the national average. Rent-to-income is 23.1%, also below stress levels. The combination of affordable mortgage servicing and large-format homes makes this a practical choice for families who prioritise space over proximity.
For Buyers
The median house price sits at $542,000, with a monthly mortgage repayment of approximately $1,800 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. That affordability reflects the outer-suburban location and low density. The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.4%, with apartments at just 0.6%, so buyers are choosing from a uniform detached-dwelling market. Bedrooms skew large: 70.6% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 27.1% have 3 bedrooms, which is consistent with the average household size of 3.1 persons, higher than the national average. Rent-to-income is 23.1%, also below stress levels. The combination of affordable mortgage servicing and large-format homes makes this a practical choice for families who prioritise space over proximity.
For Investors
The rental market is thin: only 13.3% of dwellings are rented, well below the national average, and weekly rent is $453. Against the $542,000 median that implies a gross yield around 4.3%, which is reasonable but not exceptional. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is elevated, suggesting the small rental pool has some excess supply. Development activity runs at 18 applications in the past 12 months, mostly building works rather than new dwellings, so no significant supply pressure is expected. Migration trends show net overseas arrivals of 24 per year offset by net internal outflows of 20, leaving the population nearly flat. Population is forecast to decline gradually to around 4,449 by 2031 under the medium scenario, which limits rental demand growth. Investors should factor the aging trajectory and 82.9% resident stability rate into hold-period assumptions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
50
Last 12 Months
19
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+171.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 46 is 6.0 years above the national figure, and the senior share has risen 6.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 1.3 points, confirming a clear aging trajectory. The overseas-born share is 22.8%, which is 1.2 percentage points above national, a modest international mix. Ancestry leans strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (693), Scottish (169) and Irish (158) are the top three groups. University qualification rates reach 20.3%, which is 9.8 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the blue-collar occupational profile. Average household size of 3.1 persons is 0.6 above the national average, and 30.5% of families are couples with children. Volunteering runs at 12.9% and 6.1% of residents require daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.4%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
0.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Ownership dominates tenure: 40.7% own outright and 46.0% hold mortgages, leaving just 13.3% as renters, a ratio that reflects a settled, long-term resident base compared to the national mix. Separate houses account for 99.4% of all dwellings, making this one of the most detached-dominant suburbs in the dataset. The bedroom distribution confirms family scale: 70.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, compared to a national 4-plus rate well below that level. The median house price of $542,000 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% keeps purchase entry accessible for households earning at the 73.8th income percentile. Weekly rent of $453 and a rent-to-income ratio of 23.1% mean tenants are not under financial pressure. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is the main caution signal in the housing market.
Mortgage / mo
$1,800
Rent / wk
$453
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$706
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
28
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
1,431
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the dominant industry at 17.2% of employed residents (74 workers), followed by Healthcare at 13.8% (59 workers) and Education at 11.0% (47 workers). Manufacturing accounts for 8.4% and Transport 6.8%, pointing to a trades and services workforce rather than a professional one. By occupation, Clerical/Admin leads at 136 workers, followed by Machinery/Drivers (103) and Managers (99), which aligns with the blue-collar and trades profile. The unemployment rate is 6.6%, above typical suburban rates, and the participation rate is 56.5%, weighed down by 493 residents not in the labour force, consistent with the high median age of 46. SEIFA shows a split: the IEO score is in decile 2, indicating low education and occupation advantage, while the IER score reaches decile 9, reflecting high physical resource endowment such as dwelling ownership and rooms per person. IRSD sits at decile 6, a mid-range disadvantage position.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
2,683
Unemployed
64
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.8%
Part-time
28.6%
Participation
56.5%
Employed
748
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.3%
Postgraduate
3.2%
Born Overseas
22.8%
Dwellings
521
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near-absolute: 93.8% of residents drive to work, compared to a national figure closer to 70%, and public transport figures are not recorded, indicating little to no service. Walking or cycling accounts for just 2.4%. The suburb's 9.42 sq km footprint and 178 persons per sq km density mean distances between services are substantial. Schools are not recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on neighbouring suburbs. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 5, a mid-range position nationally, while the IEO score at decile 2 signals limited educational and professional opportunity within the local area. The aging population profile, with 6.1% requiring daily assistance, suggests growing demand for care services. Mortgage and rent stress indicators are both low, which contributes to a stable household environment, even if commute and services infrastructure lags higher-density suburbs.
Drive
93.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.28%/yr
(-13 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation has fallen 3.5% over the past decade at a rate of approximately 0.28% per year, losing about 13 people annually. The SA2-level population sits at 4,565 in 2025, below the pre-COVID level of 4,633, and medium forecasts point to further decline toward 4,449 by 2031. The area took a 3.3% COVID dip to 4,479 and has technically recovered to 4,547, though the broader trend remains negative. Internal migration runs at a net outflow of 20 per year while overseas migration adds 24, leaving near-zero net change. The gentrification score is 0 and the stage is not gentrifying, which is consistent with the aging population, low university rates and zero gentrification signals. Rent growth of 14.5% over the measured period is the strongest positive number, though real income growth fell 1.1%, compressing affordability slightly from 63.2% in 2011 to 59.5% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+24
Net Internal / yr
-20
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Park Ridge South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Park Ridge South a good suburb to live in?
Park Ridge South suits families and established households who prioritise space and low housing costs over urban amenity. The median house price of $542,000 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2% make it accessible at the 73.8th income percentile nationally. The trade-off is near-total car dependence at 93.8% and an SEIFA IEO score in decile 2, indicating limited local professional opportunity.
What is the median house price in Park Ridge South?
The median house price is $542,000, with monthly mortgage repayments around $1,800 and a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.2%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $453, giving a gross yield of approximately 4.3% for investors. The vacancy rate is 5.1%.
What schools are in Park Ridge South?
No schools are recorded inside the Park Ridge South boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 20.3%, which is 9.8 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the area's trades and services workforce profile.
Is Park Ridge South safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Park Ridge South in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, SEIFA IRSD sits at decile 6 nationally, a mid-range position on relative disadvantage. The high owner-occupier rate of 86.7% (owned outright plus mortgage) and low residential turnover, with 82.9% of residents staying put, are generally associated with stable, low-crime neighbourhoods.
Is Park Ridge South good for property investment?
Gross yield is around 4.3% based on $453 weekly rent against the $542,000 median, which is moderate. The vacancy rate of 5.1% is elevated for a thin rental market of only 13.3% renters. Population is forecast to decline from 4,565 to about 4,449 by 2031, which limits rental demand growth. Rent grew 14.5% over the measured period, a positive offset, but internal net outmigration of 20 per year is a caution.
How is Park Ridge South's population changing?
The population has declined 3.5% over the past decade, losing about 13 people per year. The SA2-level count sits at 4,565 in 2025 and is forecast to drop to around 4,449 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 24 people annually while internal migration removes 20, leaving near-zero net change. The aging trajectory, with the senior share up 6.2 points over the decade, will continue to shape the resident mix.
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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