Pendle Hill
Hinduism (3,004 adherents) outnumbers Christianity (2,374) as the dominant religion, a demographic marker that sets Pendle Hill apart from virtually every other suburb in Greater Sydney. Indian ancestry (1,839) is the 2nd largest group, and overseas-born residents make up 61.9% of the population, 40.3 percentage points above the national average. Despite this migrant-majority profile, the suburb is actively gentrifying (score 45), with real incomes up 27.5% over the decade and 54 development applications in 12 months, including dual occupancy and medium-density projects that signal a suburb being physically rebuilt.
Population
7,743
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,824/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
55
Median House
$760K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $760,250 median (PSI-derived) sits below Sydney's metropolitan median, with the most recent annual data showing a sharp drop from $881,500 (2024) to $600,000 (2025). This volatility may reflect low transaction volumes distorting the median rather than true market collapse. Housing is mixed: 46.2% detached, 35.7% apartments, and 17.9% semi-detached. Two-bedroom units dominate at 39.7%. Mortgage stress is manageable at 27.3% of income. No schools operate within the suburb boundary, so families must travel to adjacent suburbs for primary and secondary education.
For Buyers
The $760,250 median (PSI-derived) sits below Sydney's metropolitan median, with the most recent annual data showing a sharp drop from $881,500 (2024) to $600,000 (2025). This volatility may reflect low transaction volumes distorting the median rather than true market collapse. Housing is mixed: 46.2% detached, 35.7% apartments, and 17.9% semi-detached. Two-bedroom units dominate at 39.7%. Mortgage stress is manageable at 27.3% of income. No schools operate within the suburb boundary, so families must travel to adjacent suburbs for primary and secondary education.
For Investors
The 50.8% renter majority and $400/week rent on a $760,250 median yield approximately 2.7% gross. The vacancy rate of 9.1% is elevated, reflecting the apartment oversupply. Overseas migration adds +375/year, the highest absolute inflow in this dataset, which structurally supports rental demand. The 54 development applications in 12 months, including medium-density housing, indicate ongoing supply additions. The gentrification score of 45 (Active) and 27.5% real income growth over the decade suggest the suburb is transitioning upward, though internal outflows of -310/year show domestic residents leaving.
Development Activity
Total DAs
299
Last 12 Months
55
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-9.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Indian ancestry (1,839) is the defining demographic feature, making Pendle Hill one of the most concentrated Indian-heritage suburbs in Sydney. Gujarati (279 speakers), Hindi (230), and Punjabi (179) are the top 3 non-English languages. University attainment at 50.0% is 19.9 percentage points above the national average, high for a suburb at the 65th income percentile, indicating educated migrants early in their Australian earnings trajectory. The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure. Couples with children (49.1% of families) dominate the household structure.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
46.2%
Houses
17.9%
Townhouse
35.7%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing mix is genuinely diverse: 46.2% detached, 35.7% apartments, and 17.9% semi-detached, offering entry points across budgets. Two-bedroom dwellings make up 39.7%, the highest 2-bedroom share in this dataset, reflecting the apartment stock. Renters are the majority at 50.8%, with 20.1% owning outright and 29.2% mortgaged. Mortgage costs consume 27.3% of income. The price volatility between $881,500 (2024) and $600,000 (2025) is extreme and likely reflects compositional shifts in what sold rather than actual depreciation of comparable properties.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,160
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$773
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.1%
Unoccupied
252
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
18.9%
Couples, no children
5,780
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (17.4%) and professional/tech (13.1%) lead employment, followed by finance (9.0%) and manufacturing (8.5%). Professionals (931) are the largest occupation group, but machinery/drivers (345) and labourers (337) indicate a broad economic base spanning white-collar and blue-collar. Unemployment at 6.9% is above the national average. The SEIFA profile shows a gap: IEO decile 7 (moderate education advantage) but IER decile 4 (below-average economic resources), the pattern typical of educated migrant populations who have not yet accumulated property wealth.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
8,592
Unemployed
348
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.1%
Part-time
25.0%
Participation
49.5%
Employed
2,920
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.0%
Postgraduate
18.8%
Born Overseas
61.9%
Dwellings
2,500
Transport to Work
No schools operate within Pendle Hill's boundary, which is unusual for a suburb of 7,743 residents. Public transport usage at 12.3% is above the Sydney average, likely reflecting the Pendle Hill train station on the T1 Western Line. Walking and cycling at 5.8% is moderate. Need for assistance at 7.3% (511 people) is above the national average. The 8.6% volunteering rate is the lowest in this dataset, consistent with the high turnover population. SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 indicates moderately above-average socio-economic conditions.
Drive
73.3%
Public Transport
12.3%
Walk / Cycle
5.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.22%/yr
(+176 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is projected to reach 15,706 by 2031 from 14,465 in 2025, growing at 1.22% annually (176 people/year). Overseas migration at +375/year is the dominant driver, while domestic residents leave at -310/year, creating high population churn (25.6% turnover). The suburb grew 22.1% over the past decade. The trajectory is Mixed: young share rose 1.2 percentage points while senior share declined 0.7 percentage points, counter to the national aging trend. Affordability improved from 60.4% to 50.5% mortgage-to-income, partly due to the 27.5% real income growth.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+375
Net Internal / yr
-310
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +20% since 2011, Net internal outflow -310/yr, Strong overseas inflow +375/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Pendle Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pendle Hill a good suburb to live in?
Pendle Hill suits buyers seeking affordable Sydney entry with train access (12.3% use public transport). The $760,250 median is below the metro average, and 61.9% overseas-born residents create a multicultural environment. No schools within the suburb boundary is a notable gap for families. The 50.8% renter rate indicates transience rather than settled community.
What is the median house price in Pendle Hill?
The PSI-derived median is $760,250 for 2024-2025. Recent annual data shows $881,500 in 2024 and $600,000 in 2025, a 31.9% drop that likely reflects low volumes and compositional changes rather than true market-wide depreciation.
What schools are in Pendle Hill?
No schools are located within Pendle Hill's suburb boundary. Families typically access primary and secondary schools in neighbouring Toongabbie, Wentworthville, or Girraween. This is unusual for a suburb with over 7,700 residents.
Is Pendle Hill safe?
Suburb-level crime data is not available for Pendle Hill in the current dataset. SEIFA IRSD decile 5 places it at the national midpoint for disadvantage. The high population turnover (25.6%) and renter majority (50.8%) are contextual factors to consider.
Is Pendle Hill good for property investment?
The 50.8% renter rate ensures tenant demand, and overseas migration of +375/year is the strongest absolute inflow in this dataset. However, 9.1% vacancy and approximately 2.7% gross yield ($400/week on $760,250) are below ideal. The 54 DAs in 12 months indicate active redevelopment. The gentrification score of 45 (Active) and 27.5% real income growth support a medium-term upside thesis.
How is Pendle Hill's population changing?
Population grew 22.1% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 15,706 by 2031. Overseas migration adds +375 people annually, but domestic residents leave at -310/year, creating high churn. Unlike most suburbs, the young share is rising (+1.2pp) and seniors declining (-0.7pp), driven by younger migrant families arriving.
What languages are spoken in Pendle Hill?
With 61.9% born overseas (40.3pp above the national average), Pendle Hill is highly multilingual. Gujarati (279 speakers), Hindi (230), and Punjabi (179) reflect the dominant Indian-heritage population. Arabic (117) and Malayalam (74) are also significant. Hinduism (3,004) outnumbers Christianity (2,374) as the most-practised religion.
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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