Romsey
Romsey's most distinctive feature is its low-density, detached-house profile: 97.1% of dwellings are separate houses across 81.22 sq km, with 5,797 residents and density of 71.4 people per sq km. The median age is 38, 2 years below the national figure, while 24.2% work from home and 55.8% of dwellings are owned with a mortgage. Compared with nearby Lancefield and Riddells Creek, the broad land area and low density point to a more spread-out market. Household income sits at the 77.8th percentile, helping explain why four-bedroom-plus homes account for 52.1% of stock. The trade-off is car dependence, with 70.2% driving to work and only 0.5% using public transport.
Population
5,797
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,068/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$810K
October to December 2025
Romsey suits buyers seeking land and conventional family housing more than apartment living. A typical mortgage payment is $1,928 per month, equal to 21.5% of income, and median rent is $380 a week. Compared with a smaller-home market, Romsey's 97.1% separate-house share makes detached stock the norm, but the 55.8% mortgage tenure means rate sensitivity remains important.
For Buyers
Romsey suits buyers seeking land and conventional family housing more than apartment living. A typical mortgage payment is $1,928 per month, equal to 21.5% of income, and median rent is $380 a week. Compared with a smaller-home market, Romsey's 97.1% separate-house share makes detached stock the norm, but the 55.8% mortgage tenure means rate sensitivity remains important.
For Investors
Romsey presents an owner-occupier-led investment profile rather than a deep rental market. Only 10.7% of dwellings are rented, while the weekly median rent is $380 and vacancy is 5.4%, so tenant demand should be assessed street by street. The 52.1% share of four-bedroom-plus homes can support family-oriented leasing, but the 97.1% separate-house mix also means larger dwellings dominate the capital required. Eight development matters were recorded over 12 months, a modest pipeline compared with a high-growth estate environment. Growth is forecast at 1.66% annually with migration classified as Balanced, while rent growth is 52.1%. Compared with cheaper rental markets, Romsey may suit investors prioritising land-backed housing and longer holding periods over high rental turnover.
Development Activity
Total DAs
21
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Romsey
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Romsey Primary School
Demographics
Romsey has a settled, mainly Australian-born profile, with 80.6% of residents staying at the same address and a turnover rate of 19.4%. Its median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, but the age trajectory is moving older. University attainment is 23.9%, which is 6.2 percentage points below the national comparison, while 10.5% were born overseas, 11.1 points below the national level. English ancestry is recorded for 2,446 people, followed by Irish at 811, Scottish at 705 and Italian at 338. No religion counts 2,830 people and Christianity 2,527. Average household size is 2.7, or 0.2 above the national figure, helping support the 47.5% share of couples with children. Compared with nearby regional towns, Romsey's lower overseas-born share and stable turnover suggest a more settled social base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.1%
Houses
2.1%
Townhouse
0.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Romsey's housing stock is strongly detached and skewed towards larger homes. Separate houses account for 97.1% of dwellings, compared with 0.7% apartments and 2.1% semi-detached homes; four-bedroom-plus properties make up 52.1%, ahead of three-bedroom homes at 40.3%. Tenure is weighted to mortgages at 55.8%, with 32.2% owned outright and only 10.7% rented. Compared with apartment-oriented markets, Romsey requires buyers to fund more land and building area because detached four-bedroom homes dominate supply.
Mortgage / mo
$1,928
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$380
Census 2021
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$856
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.4%
Unoccupied
115
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.5%
Couples with children
39.5%
Couples, no children
12.3%
Single parent
1,658
Total families
Economy & Employment
Romsey's economy combines trade-heavy work with solid household resources. Construction leads employment at 17.7% or 343 workers, followed by healthcare at 13.6% and 264, education at 12.1% and 235, public administration at 8.7% and 170, and manufacturing at 7.2% and 139. This aligns with 597 trades workers, 493 professionals, 414 clerical and administrative workers, 363 managers and 308 community or personal service workers. The labour force is 3,026, participation is 65.7% and unemployment is 3.2%, while household income ranks at the 77.8th percentile. SEIFA results sit above the national midpoint overall: IEO decile 6, IER decile 9, IRSD decile 7 and IRSAD decile 6. IER ranks higher than IEO, consistent with stronger economic resources than education and occupation measures.
Unemployment
3.2%
Labour Force
3,026
Unemployed
98
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.2%
Part-time
30.9%
Participation
65.7%
Employed
2,928
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.9%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
2,009
Transport to Work
Romsey works best for residents comfortable with driving and a quieter, low-density routine. Car driver share is 70.2%, compared with only 0.5% using public transport, while 24.2% work from home, so daily convenience is tied more to private vehicles and home-based work than frequent transit. A local government primary option is Romsey Primary School; families needing secondary or specialist options should check travel times and enrolment zones against the exact address. Recorded crime is 25.5 incidents per 1,000 people, with 148 total offences, including 88 property and deception offences and 28 crimes against the person. Personal offences are lower in number than property offences, but basic security still matters. IRSAD is decile 6 and IRSD decile 7, above the national midpoint, while volunteering is 15.8%. Compared with more transit-connected town centres, Romsey trades walk-up access for space and a car-oriented lifestyle.
Drive
70.2%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
24.2%
Population Forecast
+1.66%/yr
(+192 people/yr)
EstablishedRomsey's outlook is established but still expanding. The forecast trend is 1.66% annual growth, with migration classified as Balanced, while population change across the wider area is 24.9% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased 4.8 percentage points, the young share has fallen 2.1 points and the working share is down 1.7 points. Affordability worsened from 41.6% in 2011 to 43.6% in 2021, even as real incomes grew 17.9%, because housing costs have become harder to absorb. Rent growth is 52.1%. The current gentrification signal is score 25, labelled Early signs, so change is more gradual than an active redevelopment cycle. Compared with a fast-release fringe estate, Romsey's balanced migration and aging trajectory favour measured demand rather than a sudden population surge.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+42
Net Internal / yr
+46
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +31% since 2011, Accelerating: 9% → 20%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
148
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
25.5
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Romsey compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Romsey a good suburb to live in?
Romsey can suit households wanting detached housing, space and a quieter setting. Separate houses make up 97.1% of dwellings, while 70.2% drive to work and 24.2% work from home. Compared with more transit-oriented suburbs, daily life is more car dependent, but IRSAD sits at decile 6 and recorded crime is 25.5 per 1,000 people.
What schools are in Romsey?
Romsey Primary School is the local government primary option. Families should confirm the exact enrolment zone and travel arrangements before buying, particularly if secondary schooling is required outside the suburb. Romsey's 70.2% car-driver share is relevant because public transport use is only 0.5%.
Is Romsey safe?
Recorded crime was 25.5 incidents per 1,000 people, with 148 offences overall. Property and deception offences accounted for 88 incidents, compared with 28 crimes against the person. These figures do not remove the need to assess the specific street, lighting and property security when choosing a home.
Is Romsey good for property investment?
Romsey is more owner-occupier focused than a tenant-heavy market, with 10.7% of dwellings rented. Median rent is $380 per week, vacancy is 5.4% and 8 development matters were recorded over 12 months. Forecast growth is 1.66% annually with Balanced migration, favouring investors comfortable with longer holding periods.
How is Romsey's population changing?
The wider-area forecast records 24.9% population change over 10 years and annual growth of 1.66%, with migration classified as Balanced. The trajectory is Aging: the senior share is up 4.8 percentage points, while the young share is down 2.1 points. This points to steady growth with an older age profile rather than rapid expansion.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), 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 Romsey on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map