Parklea
Household income in the 96.2nd percentile nationally tells the defining story of Parklea: this is a mortgage-belt suburb where 61.8% of homes carry debt, average household size reaches 3.5 persons (1.0 above national), and the median house price sits at $1,215,000. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD and decile 10 on IER, placing it firmly in the top tier for economic resources. A median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure, and 44.7% of residents were born overseas, which is 23.1 percentage points above national, making Parklea one of the more internationally diverse pockets of north-west Sydney.
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
8
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price is $1,215,000, up 4.7% from $1,160,000 in 2024, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite a price point above the broader Sydney median. Separate houses account for 67.6% of stock and semi-detached for 32.4%, with no apartment share recorded. Bedroom size skews large: 74.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, compared to just 9.9% with 2 bedrooms, reflecting the family-oriented nature of the suburb. Outright owners are 15.1% and mortgage holders 61.8%, signalling that the bulk of residents entered the market relatively recently. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600.
For Buyers
The median house price is $1,215,000, up 4.7% from $1,160,000 in 2024, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite a price point above the broader Sydney median. Separate houses account for 67.6% of stock and semi-detached for 32.4%, with no apartment share recorded. Bedroom size skews large: 74.2% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms, compared to just 9.9% with 2 bedrooms, reflecting the family-oriented nature of the suburb. Outright owners are 15.1% and mortgage holders 61.8%, signalling that the bulk of residents entered the market relatively recently. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600.
For Investors
Renters make up 23.1% of households and weekly rent averages $550, producing a gross yield of roughly 2.4% against the $1,215,000 median, in line with middle-ring Sydney suburban norms. The 2.6% vacancy rate is tight and points to reliable occupancy rather than oversupply. Development activity has been low, with only 8 applications in the past 12 months, so new supply pressure is minimal. Overseas migration is the primary population driver at a net 167 arrivals per year, while internal migration runs at a net outflow of 211, a pattern common to established outer suburbs where younger families arrive from overseas while some locally born residents move further out.
Development Activity
Total DAs
24
Last 12 Months
8
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+166.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 35 sits 5 years below the national figure, making Parklea younger than average despite an aging trajectory where the senior share has risen 4.7 points and the working-age share has fallen 1.2 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 44.7%, which is 23.1 percentage points above national. The leading ancestry groups are Indian (585 residents) and English (298), with Punjabi (127 speakers) and Hindi (96) the most common non-English languages, reflecting strong South Asian representation. Average household size of 3.5 is 1.0 above national, consistent with multi-generational family living. Couples with children account for 1,144 families, while couples without children number only 284.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
67.6%
Houses
32.4%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The stock is split between separate houses (67.6%) and semi-detached dwellings (32.4%), with no apartment component recorded. The bedroom profile is dominated by large homes: 74.2% have 4 or more bedrooms and only 9.9% have 2 bedrooms, reflecting the family-household character signalled by an average household size of 3.5. Median price moved from $1,160,000 in 2024 to $1,215,000 in 2025, a 4.7% annual gain. Mortgage holders at 61.8% significantly outnumber outright owners at 15.1%, which is a lower outright-ownership rate than many comparable Sydney suburbs and indicates a relatively young ownership base. Rent-to-income sits at 19.4%, below the 30% stress threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wk
$550
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
12.9%
Couples, no children
2,210
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 16.6% (158 workers), followed by Professional/Tech at 11.9% (113) and Finance at 10.8% (103), a mix that aligns with the suburb's decile 10 IEO score for education and occupational advantage. By occupation, Professionals (386) form the largest group, well ahead of Clerical/Admin (205) and Managers (160). The unemployment rate is 4.9% and full-time employment accounts for 74.1% of those working. Participation at 35.5% appears low because 1,810 residents are not in the labour force, partly reflecting students and caregivers in a young, family-heavy population. Personal weekly income of $975 sits in the upper range for north-west Sydney, consistent with the 96.2nd percentile household income ranking nationally.
Unemployment
1.8%
Labour Force
7,548
Unemployed
135
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
74.1%
Part-time
21.0%
Participation
35.5%
Employed
1,063
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.6%
Postgraduate
8.8%
Born Overseas
44.7%
Dwellings
670
Transport to Work
Transport reliance is almost entirely car-based: 86.1% drive to work and only 5.1% use public transport, lower than the state average, which is typical for a suburb in the 1.06 km2 north-west pocket where rail access requires connecting trips. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD and IRSD, placing it among the more advantaged areas nationally. Housing stress is contained: mortgage-to-income is 21.2% and rent-to-income 19.4%, both below the 30% threshold. Volunteering reaches 10.1% and 4.6% of residents need daily assistance. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on educational facilities in neighbouring Stanhope Gardens, Glenwood and Kellyville areas.
Drive
86.1%
Public Transport
5.1%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.63%/yr
(+216 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 17% over the 10 years to 2025 and the medium forecast adds a further 15% to around 15,249 by 2031, equivalent to roughly 216 additional residents per year at 1.63% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 167 per year, offsetting an internal net outflow of 211, a pattern typical of established migrant-receiving suburbs in Sydney's north-west corridor. The gentrification score sits at 5 out of a possible scale, classified as not gentrifying, because the suburb is already well-resourced at decile 9-10 across SEIFA measures. Affordability improved marginally from 58.5% in 2011 to 56.0% in 2021. Rent growth reached 18.4% over the measured period, outpacing real income growth of 0.5%.
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 ranks in decile 9 on IRSD and decile 10 on IER, placing it in the top tier for economic resources nationally, and household income sits in the 96.2nd percentile. The median age of 35 is 5 years below national and the suburb is strongly family-oriented with an average household size of 3.5. The main trade-off is car dependence, with 86.1% of residents driving to work and limited public transport at 5.1%.
What is the median house price in Parklea?
The median house price is $1,215,000 as of 2025, up 4.7% from $1,160,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,600 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.2%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $550.
What schools are in Parklea?
No schools are recorded inside the Parklea suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Stanhope Gardens, Glenwood and Kellyville. University qualifications reach 28.6% of residents, which is 1.5 percentage points below the national figure.
Is Parklea safe?
Detailed crime statistics for Parklea are not available in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD, which is the index of relative socio-economic disadvantage, placing it among the lower-disadvantage areas nationally. Only 4.6% of the 3,684 residents need daily assistance, and housing stress indicators are below the stress threshold.
Is Parklea good for property investment?
Rent of $550 per week against a $1,215,000 median gives a gross yield of roughly 2.4%, in line with middle-ring Sydney norms. The 2.6% vacancy rate is tight, supporting reliable occupancy. Overseas migration contributes a net 167 arrivals per year, underpinning rental demand. Prices rose 4.7% in the year to 2025 and the medium population forecast adds around 2,000 residents by 2031.
How is Parklea's population changing?
Population grew 17% over the 10 years to 2025 and sits at 13,262 as of 2025. The medium forecast projects growth to approximately 15,249 by 2031, equivalent to 1.63% annually. Overseas migration at a net 167 per year is the primary driver, while net internal outflow runs at 211 per year. The trajectory is aging, with the senior share up 4.7 points over the decade.
What languages are spoken in Parklea?
About 44.7% of residents were born overseas, which is 23.1 percentage points above the national figure, making Parklea one of the more internationally diverse suburbs in north-west Sydney. Punjabi (127 speakers) and Hindi (96) are the most common non-English languages, followed by Arabic (36) and Mandarin (26), reflecting strong South Asian representation.
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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