Parkwood
The standout feature of Parkwood is its combination of 5,995 residents, a compact 3.66 sq km footprint and an established, detached-house setting. At 1,636.8 residents per sq km, it is a fairly concentrated suburban area, while the median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 48.0%, or 26.4 percentage points above the national comparison, with Chinese ancestry numbering 1,266 and English ancestry 1,825. The 84.0% separate-house share and 42.3% outright ownership point to a settled base rather than rapid turnover. Compared with nearby Willetton and Riverton, Parkwood presents a mature residential profile, with growth forecast at 0.32% annually and a 3.4% ten-year population change across the wider area.
Population
5,995
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,599/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Parkwood suits buyers prioritising established detached housing, predictable household costs and a mature suburban environment. Separate houses make up 84.0% of dwellings, while 47.6% have 4 or more bedrooms and 46.9% have 3 bedrooms, so the stock leans toward family-sized homes rather than apartments. The typical monthly mortgage commitment is $1,677, with mortgage costs at 24.2% of household income and mortgage stress not flagged. Outright ownership is 42.3% and mortgage ownership 37.4%, indicating a substantial settled base. Compared with the 5.0% apartment share, Parkwood's housing is strongly detached, although buyers should allow for car dependence, with 83.6% driving to work. Where a current sale figure is unavailable, recent comparable sales by bedroom count and land size are especially important.
For Buyers
Parkwood suits buyers prioritising established detached housing, predictable household costs and a mature suburban environment. Separate houses make up 84.0% of dwellings, while 47.6% have 4 or more bedrooms and 46.9% have 3 bedrooms, so the stock leans toward family-sized homes rather than apartments. The typical monthly mortgage commitment is $1,677, with mortgage costs at 24.2% of household income and mortgage stress not flagged. Outright ownership is 42.3% and mortgage ownership 37.4%, indicating a substantial settled base. Compared with the 5.0% apartment share, Parkwood's housing is strongly detached, although buyers should allow for car dependence, with 83.6% driving to work. Where a current sale figure is unavailable, recent comparable sales by bedroom count and land size are especially important.
For Investors
Parkwood offers a lower-growth, established investment profile rather than a development-led play. Weekly rent is $350 and renters represent 19.5% of occupied tenure, while the 6.4% vacancy rate may give tenants more choice than in tighter markets. Gross yield cannot be assessed responsibly without a current median house price, so investors should compare recent sales with achievable rents instead of relying on a headline return. Annual growth is forecast at 0.32%, and population change across the wider area is 3.4% over ten years, pointing to measured demand. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the trajectory is Aging and the gentrification stage is Not gentrifying. Compared with a high-growth redevelopment suburb, Parkwood is more dependent on stable rental demand, transport access and maintenance of established homes, with 0 development projects in the past 12 months.
Schools in Parkwood
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
PARKWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
LYNWOOD SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Demographics
Parkwood's demographic profile combines an older-than-national age structure with high overseas representation. Median age is 42, which is 2 years above the national comparison, while 48.0% of residents were born overseas, 26.4 percentage points above the national figure. Chinese ancestry is reported by 1,266 people and English ancestry by 1,825; Mandarin is spoken by 281 residents and Canton by 166. Household size averages 2.5 people, matching the national comparison, but family households remain important: 44.4% are couples with children, 37.9% couples without children and 16.4% one-parent families. Christianity counts 2,417 people and no religion 2,343, with Buddhism at 461. The senior share has risen 6.0 percentage points while the working share has fallen 2.5 points, explaining the suburb's aging trajectory.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.0%
Houses
10.9%
Townhouse
5.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Parkwood's tenure pattern points to a settled market: 42.3% of households own outright, 37.4% hold a mortgage and 19.5% rent. That ownership mix helps explain the suburb's established feel, while the 84.0% separate-house share limits exposure to apartment-heavy stock. Bedrooms are concentrated in 3-bedroom homes at 46.9% and 4-plus-bedroom homes at 47.6%; only 5.0% of dwellings are apartments and 10.9% are semi-detached. The mortgage commitment is $1,677 a month, with mortgage costs at 24.2% of household income; rent is $350 weekly and 21.9% of income. For buyers comparing Parkwood with nearby Willetton or Riverton, the defining feature is its detached stock, so the actual dwelling and lot should matter more than a suburb-wide median that is currently unavailable.
Mortgage / mo
$1,677
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$350
Census 2021
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$738
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
159
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
44.4%
Couples with children
37.9%
Couples, no children
16.4%
Single parent
1,742
Total families
Economy & Employment
Parkwood's employment base is anchored by healthcare, which accounts for 343 workers or 17.3% of industry employment, followed by education at 268 or 13.5%. Professional and technical work contributes 189 jobs and 9.5%, while manufacturing has 144 and 7.3%, and construction 143 and 7.2%. The occupational mix reinforces this pattern, led by 680 professionals, 477 trades workers and 409 clerical and administrative workers. Labour-force participation is 63.0%, full-time employment is 58.6% and unemployment is 5.4%, giving the suburb a broad working base. Household income sits at the 52.5th percentile nationally. All four SEIFA measures sit at decile 5: IEO, IER, IRSD and IRSAD, so there is no major divergence between education, resources, disadvantage and advantage. Compared with higher-income areas, Parkwood's economy is more mixed because health, education, trades and administration all have material representation.
Unemployment
5.4%
Labour Force
3,164
Unemployed
171
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.6%
Part-time
36.5%
Participation
63.0%
Employed
2,993
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
39.5%
Postgraduate
9.0%
Born Overseas
48.0%
Dwellings
2,339
Transport to Work
Parkwood is most convenient for households that drive: 83.6% of commuters travel by car, compared with 3.4% using public transport, 1.2% walking or cycling and 6.9% working from home. The local school mix includes 2 government schools, spanning 1 primary school and 1 senior high school; families should check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cross suburb lines. A volunteering rate of 14.8% and need-assistance rate of 4.3% add context to community life. SEIFA's IRSAD and IRSD scores are both in decile 5, placing Parkwood around the middle rather than the top decile for socioeconomic conditions. The median age is 42 and average household size is 2.5 people, supporting an established household profile. Compared with public-transport-oriented areas, Parkwood requires more planning around car access and daily travel.
Drive
83.6%
Public Transport
3.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.2%
Work from Home
6.9%
Population Forecast
+0.32%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedParkwood's outlook is one of gradual change rather than a rapid expansion cycle. Annual growth is forecast at 0.32%, while population change across the wider area is 3.4% over ten years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the trajectory is labelled Aging: the senior share has increased by 6.0 percentage points, the working share has fallen 2.5 points and real income change is -6.5%. Rent growth of 6.2% may support landlord returns, although affordability moved from 49.8 in 2011 to 46.1 in 2021. The gentrification score is 10 and the stage is Not gentrifying, so Parkwood is better understood as an established suburb than a transition market. Compared with faster-growth corridors, its 0.32% annual rate points to steadier demand and gradual demographic change.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+269
Net Internal / yr
-95
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Strong overseas inflow +269/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Parkwood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parkwood a good suburb to live in?
Parkwood can suit households seeking established, detached housing and a settled age profile. The median age is 42, 84.0% of dwellings are separate houses and 83.6% of commuters drive, so a car is useful. Public transport accounts for 3.4% of commuting, which may matter for households without a vehicle.
What is the median house price in Parkwood?
Use recent comparable sales to establish Parkwood's current price because a single suburb-wide figure is unavailable. Compare homes by bedroom count and land size: 46.9% have 3 bedrooms and 47.6% have 4 or more. The typical mortgage commitment is $1,677 per month, but it is not a purchase-price estimate.
What schools are in Parkwood?
Parkwood has 2 government schools, comprising 1 primary school and 1 senior high school. Families should verify the catchment for the exact address, as enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries. School type and sector clarify local access, but location alone should not be treated as evidence of performance.
Is Parkwood safe?
Safety is best assessed at street level, so check recent local incident information, lighting and access around the exact address. Parkwood has 5,995 residents across 3.66 sq km, making an in-person visit at different times useful for judging the immediate street environment and nearby routes.
Is Parkwood good for property investment?
Parkwood is more suited to a steady, established investment strategy than a high-growth redevelopment thesis. Weekly rent is $350, vacancy is 6.4% and annual growth is forecast at 0.32%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the area is on an Aging trajectory and had 0 development projects in the past 12 months.
How is Parkwood's population changing?
Parkwood's population is changing slowly rather than expanding rapidly. The suburb has 5,995 residents today, while population change across the wider area is 3.4% over 10 years and annual growth is forecast at 0.32%. Overseas migration is the primary driver, but the senior share has risen 6.0 percentage points, supporting the Aging trajectory.
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.
Explore Parkwood on the Map
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