Riverstone
With 212 development applications in 12 months, Riverstone has one of the heaviest construction pipelines in Sydney's northwest growth corridor. Population doubled over the decade (103.9% growth), reaching 20,068 by 2025, driven by 1,096 net internal migrants per year. The $1,000,000 median house price sits at Sydney's entry-level threshold, yet household income at the 82nd percentile ($2,138/week) keeps mortgage stress at 27.1%. The demographic rejuvenation is striking: the senior share dropped 4.0 points while the young share rose 3.7 points, the inverse of national aging trends.
Population
8,627
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,138/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
220
Median House
$1,000K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median of roughly $1,000,000 (PSI-derived) rose 10.2% from $935,000 in 2024 to $1,030,000 in 2025. Detached houses at 94.9% dominate, with 4+ bedrooms (50.2%) and 3-bedrooms (40.2%) accounting for 90.4% of stock. Monthly mortgage of $2,513 produces a 27.1% mortgage-to-income ratio, approaching but not exceeding the 30% stress line. Turnover at 32.3% is high, reflecting new-build churn. Five schools operate in the suburb, with ICSEA scores ranging from 979 to 1,113. Norwest Christian College (ICSEA 1,109) and Australian Christian College Marsden Park (ICSEA 1,101, 2,523 students) provide strong private options.
For Buyers
The median of roughly $1,000,000 (PSI-derived) rose 10.2% from $935,000 in 2024 to $1,030,000 in 2025. Detached houses at 94.9% dominate, with 4+ bedrooms (50.2%) and 3-bedrooms (40.2%) accounting for 90.4% of stock. Monthly mortgage of $2,513 produces a 27.1% mortgage-to-income ratio, approaching but not exceeding the 30% stress line. Turnover at 32.3% is high, reflecting new-build churn. Five schools operate in the suburb, with ICSEA scores ranging from 979 to 1,113. Norwest Christian College (ICSEA 1,109) and Australian Christian College Marsden Park (ICSEA 1,101, 2,523 students) provide strong private options.
For Investors
The 35.9% renter share is well above the national average, and the 5.1% vacancy rate is manageable for a growth corridor. Weekly rent of $450 on the $1,000,000 median produces roughly 2.3% gross yield. Rent grew 63.3% over the decade, nearly 4x the rate of real income growth (40.2%), indicating rental demand consistently outpaces supply. With 212 DAs in 12 months, supply is coming, but population growth at 4.03% per year (809 persons) and 1,096 net internal migrants suggest absorption will keep pace. The gentrification stage is classified as 'new development', not displacement.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1,014
Last 12 Months
220
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+29.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Riverstone iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St John's Primary School
K-6 · 228 students
Norwest Christian College
K-12 · 1187 students
Australian Christian College - Marsden Park
K-12 · 2523 students
Riverstone Public School
P-6 · 599 students
Riverstone High School
7-12 · 861 students
Demographics
The median age of 32 sits 8 years below national, consistent with the rejuvenating trajectory (young share up 3.7 points, senior share down 4.0 points). University qualifications at 38.3% are 8.2 points above national. English ancestry leads (2,258), with Indian (583), Irish (566) and Scottish (519) following. Born-overseas at 30.7% is 9.1 points above national. Punjabi (123), Nepali (113) and Urdu (95) are the leading non-English languages, reflecting South Asian migration. Hinduism (715) and Islam (484) are significant alongside Christianity (4,116). Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.9%
Houses
3.9%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Mortgaged at 45.2% and renting at 35.9% dominate tenure, with only 18.9% owning outright, reflecting the new-build demographics. The median rose from $935,000 to $1,030,000 (10.2% in one year). Detached homes at 94.9% with 50.2% having 4+ bedrooms define the stock. The 27.1% mortgage-to-income ratio is manageable at 82nd-percentile incomes. Affordability improved from 53.7% to 50.8% over the decade, driven by strong real income growth of 40.2%. The IRSD decile 6 and IRSAD decile 7 sit in the upper-middle band, consistent with a mortgage-belt growth area.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,513
Rent / wk
$450
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$898
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.1%
Unoccupied
150
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
17.7%
Couples, no children
7,353
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (18.6%, 510 workers) leads employment, followed by Construction (11.9%, 325), Education (9.7%, 265), Professional/Tech (9.0%, 246) and Retail (8.0%, 218). The construction share reflects the active building pipeline. Professionals (895) lead occupations, with Clerical/Admin (598) and Managers (447) following. Machinery/Drivers (354) rank in the top five, consistent with the logistics corridor. Full-time employment at 68.8% is above national, but unemployment at 6.3% is also elevated. The participation rate of 54.6% is lowered by the 1,945 not in the labour force.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
11,368
Unemployed
369
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.8%
Part-time
24.9%
Participation
54.6%
Employed
3,344
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.3%
Postgraduate
11.2%
Born Overseas
30.7%
Dwellings
2,783
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the suburb. Norwest Christian College (Independent Combined, ICSEA 1,109, 1,187 students) and Australian Christian College Marsden Park (Independent Combined, ICSEA 1,101, 2,523 students) lead. St John's Primary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,113, 228 students) also scores well. Riverstone Public School (Government, ICSEA 986, 599 students) and Riverstone High School (Government, ICSEA 979, 861 students) sit slightly below benchmark. Public transport at 6.6% is moderate for outer Sydney. The IRSAD decile 7 confirms upper-middle-band conditions.
Drive
85.6%
Public Transport
6.6%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+4.03%/yr
(+809 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation doubled over the decade (103.9% growth), from roughly 9,800 to 20,068 by 2025, far above the national growth rate. The medium forecast projects 22,933 by 2031, growing at 4.03% per year (809 persons). Internal migration of 1,096 per year is the primary engine, with 136 from overseas. The trajectory is 'rejuvenating': the young share rose 3.7 points and the working-age share grew 2.3 points, while the senior share dropped 4.0 points. Real income grew 40.2% over the decade, one of the strongest income growth rates in this batch.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+136
Net Internal / yr
+1,096
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Riverstone compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverstone a good suburb to live in?
Riverstone suits families seeking new-build homes near Sydney's northwest growth corridor. IRSAD decile 7 sits in the upper-middle band. Five schools operate locally, with top ICSEA scores above 1,100. The tradeoff is ongoing construction disruption from 212 DAs in 12 months and 6.3% unemployment.
What is the median house price in Riverstone?
The median is roughly $1,000,000 (PSI-derived, 2024-2025), rising 10.2% from $935,000 to $1,030,000. Monthly mortgage of $2,513 produces a 27.1% mortgage-to-income ratio at 82nd-percentile household income. Weekly rent sits at $450. Detached houses at 94.9% dominate with 50.2% having 4+ bedrooms.
What schools are in Riverstone?
Riverstone has 5 schools. St John's Primary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,113) and Norwest Christian College (Independent, ICSEA 1,109, 1,187 students) lead. Australian Christian College Marsden Park (ICSEA 1,101, 2,523 students) is the largest. Government schools sit slightly below the national benchmark at 986 and 979.
Is Riverstone safe?
Crime statistics are not available for Riverstone in the current dataset. The IRSD decile 6 indicates below-average disadvantage. However, the 6.3% unemployment rate exceeds the national average, and the need-for-assistance rate of 5.3% is moderate. Rapid population growth and construction activity can temporarily elevate property crime.
Is Riverstone good for property investment?
The 35.9% renter share is strong, and rent grew 63.3% over the decade. Gross yield is roughly 2.3% ($450/week on $1,000,000). Population growth of 4.03% per year and 1,096 net internal migrants drive demand. The risk is the 212 DAs in 12 months adding supply, but the 5.1% vacancy rate remains manageable.
How is Riverstone's population changing?
Population doubled over the decade (103.9% growth) to 20,068 by 2025, projected to reach 22,933 by 2031. Internal migration of 1,096 per year drives growth. The suburb is rejuvenating: the young share rose 3.7 points and senior share dropped 4.0 points, the opposite of national aging trends.
What development is happening in Riverstone?
Riverstone logged 212 development applications in 12 months, one of Sydney's most active pipelines. Applications include new dwelling houses, dual occupancies and complying development certificates. The volume reflects 4.03% annual population growth and ongoing greenfield expansion in the northwest corridor.
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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