Parklea
Household income ranks at the 96.2 percentile nationally, yet Parklea remains a compact, high-density mortgage-led suburb with 3,684 residents across 1.06 sq km. Its 35 median age is 5 years below the national average, while 61.8% of homes carry a mortgage and 74.2% have 4 or more bedrooms. Compared with nearby Kellyville and Glenwood, Parklea's 1.06 sq km footprint creates a more concentrated suburban setting. Overseas-born residents account for 44.7%, or 23.1 percentage points above national, with overseas migration the main growth driver.
Population
3,684
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,832/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Parklea suits buyers seeking larger dwellings and established family housing, although the high mortgage share makes borrowing capacity important. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,600 sits alongside a $550 weekly rent, while 61.8% of households are paying a mortgage compared with 15.1% owning outright. The average household has 3.5 people, 1.0 above the national average, helping explain why 74.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms. Separate houses account for 67.6% and semi-detached homes 32.4%, creating more choice than a fully detached-only market. Mortgage payments equal 21.2% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag recorded.
For Buyers
Parklea suits buyers seeking larger dwellings and established family housing, although the high mortgage share makes borrowing capacity important. A monthly mortgage figure of $2,600 sits alongside a $550 weekly rent, while 61.8% of households are paying a mortgage compared with 15.1% owning outright. The average household has 3.5 people, 1.0 above the national average, helping explain why 74.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms. Separate houses account for 67.6% and semi-detached homes 32.4%, creating more choice than a fully detached-only market. Mortgage payments equal 21.2% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag recorded.
For Investors
Parklea presents a family-oriented rental profile rather than a suburb dominated by short-term or investor-owned stock. Renters comprise 23.1% of households, smaller than the 61.8% mortgaged share, while weekly rent is $550 and vacancy is 2.6%. That combination supports tenant demand because larger homes are aligned with the suburb's 3.5-person average household and 74.2% share of 4 or more bedroom dwellings. Rent growth is forecast at 18.4%, and overseas migration is the primary growth driver. Six development applications were recorded over 12 months, so the pipeline is visible but limited; investors should still test purchase yield, insurance and maintenance costs against the 21.2% mortgage-to-income ratio.
Development Activity
Total DAs
24
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Parklea has a strong overseas-born presence at 44.7%, which is 23.1 percentage points above the national figure. The 35 median age is 5 years below national, but the 3.5-person average household is 1.0 above national, reflecting a relatively family-sized household structure. Couples with children account for 65.8% of families, while couples without children make up 21.5% and one-parent families 12.2%. Recorded ancestry counts include 585 Indian and 180 Filipino responses, while Punjabi is spoken by 127 residents and Hindi by 96. Christianity is recorded for 961 residents, Hinduism for 479 and no religion for 373. Compared with a more age-balanced national population, Parklea's household and migration mix supports demand for larger homes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.6%
Houses
32.4%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Parklea's housing stock is concentrated in family-sized dwellings and mortgage tenure. Separate houses represent 67.6% of homes and semi-detached dwellings 32.4%, while 74.2% have 4 or more bedrooms and 15.8% have 3 bedrooms. Mortgage ownership is much higher than outright ownership, at 61.8% versus 15.1%, with renting at 23.1%. The typical mortgage payment is $2,600 per month and weekly rent is $550. Household income is $2,832 per week, placing it at the 96.2 percentile nationally. Mortgage costs equal 21.2% of household income and rent equals 19.4%, both without a recorded stress flag. This structure makes Parklea more sensitive to interest-rate changes than an outright-owner suburb, but it also reflects established family demand.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $550.
$860
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $878
HH Size
3.5
Personal Income / wk
$975
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.6%
Unoccupied
18
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
65.8%
Couples with children
21.5%
Couples, no children
12.2%
Single parent
646
Total families
Economy & Employment
Parklea combines high household resources with a workforce concentrated in professional and service industries. Healthcare is the largest industry at 16.6%, or 158 workers, followed by Professional and Technical services at 11.9% and 113, Finance at 10.8% and 103, Education at 9.8% and 93, and Retail at 8.6% and 82. The main occupations are Professionals with 386 workers, Clerical and Administrative workers with 205, Managers with 160, Trades with 110 and Community and Personal Service workers with 107. Full-time employment is 63.9%, unemployment is 4.3% and participation is 40.9%. IEO and IRSD both rank in decile 9, while IER and IRSAD rank in decile 10, placing Parklea above most areas for education, resources and advantage. Those top-decile results sit alongside 1,810 people not in the labour force, showing that household wealth is higher than labour-force participation alone would suggest.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
1,288
Unemployed
55
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.9%
Part-time
22.3%
Participation
40.9%
Employed
1,233
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.6%
Postgraduate
8.8%
Born Overseas
44.7%
Dwellings
670
Transport to Work
Parklea offers a compact daily setting, with 3,473.8 people per sq km across 1.06 sq km. Work-from-home arrangements are recorded for 51.2% of residents, which can reduce daily commuting pressure, although transport choices remain car-oriented: 42.0% drive, 2.5% use public transport and 0.7% walk or cycle. That split means buyers should assess parking, road access and the practical commute to employment hubs rather than relying on suburb distance alone. Socioeconomic measures are a clear strength: IEO and IRSD sit in decile 9, while IER and IRSAD reach decile 10, placing Parklea in the top decile for advantage. Compared with lower-decile locations, these results point to stronger household resources, but the dense 1.06 sq km footprint makes local street conditions important.
Drive
42.0%
Public Transport
2.5%
Walk / Cycle
0.7%
Work from Home
51.2%
Population Forecast
+1.63%/yr
(+216 people/yr)
EstablishedParklea's annual growth trend is 1.63%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is forecast at 17.0% over 10 years, supporting continued demand even though the suburb is classified as established. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased by 4.7 percentage points while the young share has fallen by 5.5 percentage points. The 35 median age remains 5 years below the national average, so Parklea is younger than Australia today but moving toward an older household profile. Gentrification is not currently indicated, with a forecast score of 5 and a stage of Not gentrifying. Because growth is migration-led rather than redevelopment-led, demand is more likely to be shaped by incoming households and existing family housing than by rapid tenure change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+167
Net Internal / yr
-211
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +16% since 2011, Net internal outflow -211/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Parklea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parklea a good suburb to live in?
Parklea can suit households wanting larger homes, strong household resources and a compact setting. The median age is 35, average household size is 3.5 and 74.2% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms. Compared with the national average, the suburb is 5 years younger and household size is 1.0 person higher.
What is the median house price in Parklea?
A current median house price should be checked against recent sales rather than inferred from rent or mortgage figures. Parklea has a $550 weekly rent and a $2,600 monthly mortgage figure, while 61.8% of households are paying a mortgage. These are affordability anchors, not a sale-price median.
What schools are in Parklea?
For a Parklea address, check current enrolment zones and nearby government, Catholic and independent campuses before signing a lease or contract. The suburb covers 1.06 sq km, so a catchment boundary can matter more than a short trip. Confirm the school sector, route and eligibility directly because boundaries can extend beyond the suburb.
Is Parklea safe?
Assess safety with current NSW Police crime information and a street-level visit rather than relying on density alone. Parklea has 3,684 residents and density of 3,473.8 people per sq km, so conditions can vary between streets. Compare the exact address with nearby roads, lighting, parking activity and evening access before deciding.
Is Parklea good for property investment?
Parklea may suit investors seeking family rental demand, with $550 weekly rent, 2.6% vacancy and 23.1% of households renting. The rental share is lower than the 61.8% mortgaged share, so it is not an investor-dominated market. Overseas migration and 18.4% forecast rent growth support demand, but purchase yield should be tested carefully.
How is Parklea's population changing?
Growth is running at 1.63% annually and is driven primarily by overseas migration. Population change across the wider area is 17.0% over 10 years, while Parklea's current population is 3,684. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 4.7 percentage points and the young share down 5.5, despite a median age 5 years below national.
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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