Petersham
Dense inner-west Petersham packs 8,200 residents into 1.29 sq km, producing a density of 6,370.4 people per sq km that is higher than many suburban settings. The profile is renter-majority, with 51.1% renting, 47.5% in apartments and a vacancy rate of 11.7%, while household income sits at the 84.2nd percentile. Its 59.5% university-educated share is 29.4 percentage points above national, helping explain the concentration of professional, education and health workers. Compared with nearby Marrickville and Leichhardt, Petersham has a smaller, more apartment-led footprint and a slower forecast growth rate of 0.33% annually. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while gentrification remains at the early-signs stage with a score of 20.
Local council: Inner West
Population
8,200
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,217/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
83
Homebuyers in Petersham are trading floor area for inner-west access, because only 22.6% of dwellings are separate houses while 47.5% are apartments and 26.7% are semi-detached. Smaller layouts dominate: 34.3% have 2 bedrooms and 26.0% have 0 or 1, compared with 25.0% for 3-bedroom homes and 14.7% for 4 or more. A $2,900 monthly mortgage sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2%, higher than the 20.3% rent-to-income figure. The 19.5% outright ownership share means the market remains renter-oriented, while 28.5% already hold a mortgage. Compared with Leichhardt, Petersham generally suits buyers prioritising compact dwellings over detached-house space.
For Buyers
Homebuyers in Petersham are trading floor area for inner-west access, because only 22.6% of dwellings are separate houses while 47.5% are apartments and 26.7% are semi-detached. Smaller layouts dominate: 34.3% have 2 bedrooms and 26.0% have 0 or 1, compared with 25.0% for 3-bedroom homes and 14.7% for 4 or more. A $2,900 monthly mortgage sits alongside a mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.2%, higher than the 20.3% rent-to-income figure. The 19.5% outright ownership share means the market remains renter-oriented, while 28.5% already hold a mortgage. Compared with Leichhardt, Petersham generally suits buyers prioritising compact dwellings over detached-house space.
For Investors
Investors face a renter-led but unusually available market: 51.1% of households rent, while the vacancy rate reaches 11.7%, which can soften pricing pressure compared with a tighter market. Weekly rent is $450, and rent growth of 23.7% supports income momentum, although current vacancy may lengthen letting times. With 83 development applications in 12 months, ongoing renovation activity deserves scrutiny because upgrades can improve stock but also increase competition. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but annual growth is only 0.33%, so the case leans more on tenant demand and asset quality than rapid capital growth. Petersham's renter share is higher than its 19.5% outright ownership share.
Development Activity
Total DAs
454
Last 12 Months
83
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+7.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Petersham
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
At 36, Petersham's median age is 4.0 years below the national figure, while 59.5% hold university qualifications, 29.4 percentage points above national. The compact average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below national, consistent with 45.2% of families being couples without children and 39.5% being couples with children. English ancestry is recorded for 2,709 people and Irish for 1,270; Portuguese, Greek and Italian are the most visible listed languages, with 104, 79 and 74 speakers. No religion is the largest affiliation at 4,462, compared with 2,610 identifying with Christianity. Compared with Marrickville, Petersham reads as similarly inner-urban but more concentrated in small households and highly educated professionals.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
22.6%
Houses
26.7%
Townhouse
47.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Petersham's housing stock is shaped by density: 47.5% of dwellings are apartments, 26.7% are semi-detached and 22.6% are separate houses across just 1.29 sq km. Two-bedroom homes account for 34.3%, while 26.0% have 0 or 1 bedroom, giving the suburb a smaller-format profile compared with lower-density family markets. Tenure is renter-heavy at 51.1%, versus 19.5% owned outright and 28.5% under mortgage. Weekly rent is $450, vacancy is 11.7% and mortgage costs average $2,900 per month. The 30.2% mortgage-to-income ratio is higher than the 20.3% rent-to-income figure, so buyers need to test repayments against income rather than assuming apartment affordability.
Mortgage / mo
$2,900
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $450.
$725
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,088 · units $675
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,223
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.7%
Unoccupied
454
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.2% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.5%
Couples with children
45.2%
Couples, no children
13.0%
Single parent
1,946
Total families
Economy & Employment
Petersham's economy is led by Professional/Tech at 18.5% with 695 workers, followed by Education at 13.8% with 518, Healthcare at 13.4% with 506, Public Administration at 7.9% with 296 and Finance at 7.4% with 279. That mix aligns with 2,047 professionals and 801 managers, helping explain household income at the 84.2nd percentile. Labour-force participation is 69.5%, unemployment is 4.4% and full-time employment is 63.9%, supporting relatively strong earnings. SEIFA results are high for education and occupation, with IEO decile 10 and IRSAD decile 10, while IER is only decile 4 and IRSD is decile 9. The gap likely reflects strong credentials alongside a 51.1% renter share and uneven access to economic resources.
Unemployment
4.4%
Labour Force
4,979
Unemployed
218
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
26.5%
Participation
69.5%
Employed
4,761
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
59.5%
Postgraduate
18.8%
Born Overseas
29.0%
Dwellings
3,403
Transport to Work
Everyday livability is strongest for residents who work from home or can use local services, because 64.0% work from home, compared with 22.0% who drive to work, 7.1% using public transport and 5.1% walking or cycling. Four nearby government schools span infants, primary and secondary provision, with 1 infants school, 1 primary school and 2 secondary schools. Check enrolment zones against the exact address, since they can cross suburb boundaries. Petersham records an IRSAD decile of 10 and an IRSD decile of 9, both higher than average socioeconomic settings. A current suburb-level crime rate is not available to quote, so assess the exact street using current NSW Police information and visits at different times.
Drive
22.0%
Public Transport
7.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.1%
Work from Home
64.0%
Growth Outlook
Growth in Petersham looks established rather than explosive. The annual trend is 0.33%, below the 23.7% rent-growth figure, and the primary driver is overseas migration. The trajectory is Mixed, with population change across the wider area at 5.8% over 10 years. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage, with a score of 20, while the shift measure records 34 and also labels the stage Early signs. The suburb recovered from a 6.1% COVID dip, with recovery of 4.7%, so momentum exists but remains modest. This pattern reflects a mature, high-density market where renter demand and migration matter more than rapid expansion.
Population trend: Inner West council area
Petersham sits in the Inner West council area. These are the council area's residents, not Petersham's.
Residents 2025
193,125
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.3%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.0%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Petersham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petersham a good suburb to live in?
Petersham suits people who value inner-west access, apartment living and a highly educated workforce. It has 8,200 residents at 6,370.4 people per sq km, 59.5% university-qualified residents and 64.0% working from home. Renters make up 51.1%, so check vacancy, noise and strata conditions carefully.
What is the median house price in Petersham?
A current median house price is not stated, so do not treat an apartment median as a house figure. Petersham's stock is mixed, with 47.5% apartments, 26.7% semi-detached homes and 22.6% separate houses. Compare recent sales by dwelling type, bedrooms and street before estimating value.
What schools are in Petersham?
Four government schools are listed in Petersham: Petersham Public School, Taverners Hill Infants School, Fort Street High School and NSW School of Languages. The mix covers 1 infants school, 1 primary school and 2 secondary schools. Check the enrolment zone for the exact address before relying on local access.
Is Petersham safe?
A current suburb-level crime rate is not available to quote, so no numeric safety rating should be assumed. Petersham has 8,200 residents in a dense 1.29 sq km area, making street conditions and activity levels important. Check current NSW Police information and visit the prospective street during daytime and evening.
Is Petersham good for property investment?
Investment demand has support from 51.1% renters, $450 weekly rent and overseas migration as the primary growth driver. However, the 11.7% vacancy rate is high and annual growth is only 0.33%, while 83 development applications in 12 months point to ongoing renovation activity. Returns depend on dwelling type, strata costs and tenant appeal.
How is Petersham's population changing?
Population change is gradual rather than rapid. Petersham has 8,200 residents today, while the wider area records 5.8% change over 10 years and an annual trend of 0.33%. Overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is Mixed, and the gentrification score is 20 at the Early signs stage, so growth is more likely to be incremental than a sharp expansion.
Is there much development in Petersham?
Yes. There were 83 development applications in the past 12 months, with recent examples focused on dwelling-house alterations, additions and internal building work. That volume suggests ongoing renewal rather than a guaranteed surge in new dwellings. Buyers should check approvals, construction timing, strata impacts and local planning controls before committing.
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).
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