Robertson
A median house price of $1,120,000 in a town of 2,017 people spread across 89.5 square kilometres tells you Robertson is neither dense nor cheap. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD and decile 8 on both IEO and IRSAD, placing it well above the national average on advantage. The standout figure is the 16.2% residential vacancy rate, unusually high compared to the national norm, pointing to a strong second-home and holiday property culture rather than a local rental market. With 99.3% of dwellings being separate houses and 47.2% owned outright, this is firmly owner-occupier territory, anchored by an aging, established community with a median age of 47, which is 7 years above the national figure.
Population
2,017
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,736/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
34
Median House
$1.1M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
Robertson's median house price sits at $1,120,000, having risen from $1,075,000 in 2024 to $1,166,250 in 2025, a gain of 8.5% in one year. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.6% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at the median price are not over-extended relative to local incomes. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.3%, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 51.5% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes another 37.6%. This bedroom-heavy profile suits families and buyers who prioritise space. Outright owners at 47.2% outnumber mortgage holders at 38.7%, signalling a mature, low-churn market where long-held properties trade infrequently, which can limit supply and support prices even in a slow-growth area.
For Buyers
Robertson's median house price sits at $1,120,000, having risen from $1,075,000 in 2024 to $1,166,250 in 2025, a gain of 8.5% in one year. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.6% stays below the 30% stress threshold, meaning buyers at the median price are not over-extended relative to local incomes. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.3%, with 4-plus bedroom homes making up 51.5% of dwellings and 3-bedroom homes another 37.6%. This bedroom-heavy profile suits families and buyers who prioritise space. Outright owners at 47.2% outnumber mortgage holders at 38.7%, signalling a mature, low-churn market where long-held properties trade infrequently, which can limit supply and support prices even in a slow-growth area.
For Investors
Robertson presents a mixed investment case. Weekly rent averages $443 against a $1,120,000 median, implying a gross yield near 2.1%, below the national average. The 16.2% vacancy rate is the most significant constraint, well above typical investment-grade thresholds and reflecting the suburb's holiday and weekender character rather than a deep pool of long-term tenants. Renters make up only 14.1% of the housing stock, so the tenant base is thin. Rent growth of 3.9% annually provides modest upside, and 32 development applications in the past 12 months confirm the suburb is not stagnant. Net overseas migration of 294 residents a year into the wider SA2 supports medium-term demand, but that growth is spread across a large geographic area. Investors seeking yield would find more competitive options; those targeting capital growth benefit from the consistent upward price trend.
Development Activity
Total DAs
202
Last 12 Months
34
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+13.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Robertson iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Robertson Public School
K-6 · 147 students
Demographics
Robertson's median age of 47 sits 7 years above the national figure, one of the most pronounced age gaps across comparable NSW regional towns. The senior share of the population grew by 4.2 points over the decade while the young adult share declined, confirming an aging trajectory rather than a demographic reset. Overseas-born residents at 16.7% are 4.9 points below the national rate, and ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (882), Irish (303) and Scottish (256) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 31.0%, roughly in line with the national average at 0.9 points above. Average household size is 2.5, matching the national figure. The volunteering rate of 22.0% is high, suggesting a community with more retirees and part-time workers who contribute time, consistent with the 54.4% labour force participation rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.3%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Robertson's housing stock is almost entirely separate detached houses at 99.3%, with no meaningful apartment or semi-detached presence. Four-plus bedroom dwellings dominate at 51.5%, followed by three-bedroom homes at 37.6%, reflecting the rural-lifestyle and family-space preferences of the area rather than a typical suburban mix. Tenure is strongly weighted toward outright ownership at 47.2%, compared to 38.7% with mortgages and just 14.1% renting. These ratios sit well above the national ownership norms, indicating an older, asset-rich resident base. The median house price climbed from $1,075,000 to $1,166,250 across 2024 to 2025, an 8.5% annual gain. Mortgage-to-income at 26.6% and rent-to-income at 25.5% both remain below stress thresholds, which is notable given the price level and reflects local household incomes in the 60.9th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$443
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$806
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
16.2%
Unoccupied
143
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.0%
Couples, no children
1,611
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 14.2% of the workforce (101 workers), followed by Education at 12.7% (90 workers) and Construction at 10.7% (76 workers). Professional and Technical services employ 9.3% (66 workers), and Manufacturing accounts for 6.5% (46 workers). By occupation, Professionals (220) and Managers (162) lead, consistent with an IRSAD decile 8 suburb where higher-skill roles are more common than the national average. The unemployment rate is low at 2.9% on a labour force participation rate of 54.4%, the latter being suppressed by the large retiree population. Full-time employment among those working runs at 55.4%. Real incomes grew 31.8% over the decade, and household income sits at the 60.9th percentile nationally, which is above average but not high enough to make the $1.1 million median house price easily accessible for local workers.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
2,904
Unemployed
105
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
55.4%
Part-time
41.7%
Participation
54.4%
Employed
873
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.0%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
16.7%
Dwellings
735
Transport to Work
Car use is the dominant transport mode at 86.8% of residents driving to work, consistent with a rural suburb where public transport is limited. Walking and cycling account for 7.2%, which is relatively high for a low-density area and reflects the village-scale geography. Robertson scores decile 9 on IRSD (relative disadvantage) and decile 8 on IRSAD nationally, placing it among the more advantaged communities in NSW. Only 4.1% of residents (77 people) need daily assistance despite the older median age of 47, pointing to a healthy, active population. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on facilities in neighbouring towns such as Moss Vale and Bowral. The 22.0% volunteering rate, compared to typical national rates below 20%, reflects the older, community-oriented resident profile.
Drive
86.8%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
7.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.52%/yr
(+30 people/yr)
EstablishedRobertson's SA2 population grew from 5,323 in 2023 to 5,540 in 2024 and 5,745 in 2025, with medium forecasts tracking to 5,639 by 2031, an annual growth rate of 0.52%. That rate is modest, but it is positive and driven primarily by overseas migration of 294 net arrivals a year, partly offset by net internal outflow of 108 residents. The suburb recovered fully from a COVID-era dip of 5.2%, with the current population 12.1% above the 2020 low. The gentrification score sits at early signs, supported by the population growing 12% since 2011, strong overseas inflows and affordability tightening from 94.6% in 2011 to 60.6% in 2021. The aging trajectory (senior share up 4.2 points over the decade) means natural household formation is slower, but incoming international residents are partially refreshing the demographic mix.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+294
Net Internal / yr
-108
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +12% since 2011, Net internal outflow -108/yr, Strong overseas inflow +294/yr, COVID recovered (-5% dip → full recovery)
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Robertson compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Robertson a good suburb to live in?
Robertson scores decile 9 on IRSD and decile 8 on IRSAD nationally, placing it among more advantaged communities. The median age is 47, reflecting a settled, owner-dominated population where 47.2% own their home outright. Trade-offs include limited public transport and a 16.2% vacancy rate that points to a part-time resident culture.
What is the median house price in Robertson?
The median house price is $1,120,000 based on 2024-2025 data. Prices rose 8.5% from $1,075,000 in 2024 to $1,166,250 in 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.6% stays below the 30% stress threshold for local buyers.
What schools are in Robertson?
No schools are recorded inside the Robertson suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in nearby Southern Highlands towns such as Moss Vale and Bowral. Locally, 31.0% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 0.9 points above the national figure.
Is Robertson safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Robertson in this dataset. As an indirect measure, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD (relative disadvantage), the second-highest advantage tier nationally, and only 4.1% of its 2,017 residents need daily assistance. Both indicators are consistent with a low-disadvantage, low-risk environment.
Is Robertson good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $443 against a $1,120,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.1%, below typical investment benchmarks. The 16.2% vacancy rate is a significant constraint, reflecting holiday and weekender demand rather than a stable long-term tenant pool. Renters make up only 14.1% of dwellings. Capital growth of 8.5% over one year is more encouraging for longer-term holders.
How is Robertson's population changing?
The wider SA2 population grew from 5,323 in 2023 to 5,745 in 2025, adding about 422 residents in two years. Annual growth is 0.52%, driven by net overseas migration of 294 residents a year partially offset by internal outflow of 108. Medium forecasts project the population reaching 5,639 by 2031.
How much development is happening in Robertson?
There were 32 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, mostly alterations and additions to existing dwellings. This level of activity confirms a stable renovation-focused market rather than new supply. Monthly mortgage stress sits at 26.6% of income, below the 30% threshold, suggesting owners have capacity to improve their properties.
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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