Rosebery
At 7,019.6 people per sq km, Rosebery is one of Sydney's most densely settled inner suburbs, with 13,533 residents across 1.93 sq km. Apartments account for 71.1% of dwellings and renting reaches 51.3%, because compact housing attracts mobile professionals, students and newer arrivals. Overseas-born residents represent 53.8%, which is 32.2 percentage points above the national figure, while household income sits at the 87.4th percentile. The median age of 33 is 7 years below national levels. Compared with nearby Zetland and Alexandria, Rosebery has a similarly urban setting but a particularly strong combination of apartment living, overseas migration and high development activity.
Population
13,533
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,274/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
110
Rosebery suits buyers who prioritise apartment access, smaller floorplans and proximity to inner-Sydney employment over a large detached block. Separate houses make up 23.1% of dwellings, compared with 71.1% apartments, while two-bedroom homes account for 45.4% and four-bedroom-plus homes only 10.4%. The weekly rent of $580 provides a useful benchmark for buyers weighing ownership against leasing, while the typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,600. Mortgage repayments equal 26.4% of household income, below the 51.3% renting share but still material for highly leveraged buyers. Compared with detached-house markets, Rosebery requires closer attention to strata costs, building quality, parking and owners corporation records.
For Buyers
Rosebery suits buyers who prioritise apartment access, smaller floorplans and proximity to inner-Sydney employment over a large detached block. Separate houses make up 23.1% of dwellings, compared with 71.1% apartments, while two-bedroom homes account for 45.4% and four-bedroom-plus homes only 10.4%. The weekly rent of $580 provides a useful benchmark for buyers weighing ownership against leasing, while the typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,600. Mortgage repayments equal 26.4% of household income, below the 51.3% renting share but still material for highly leveraged buyers. Compared with detached-house markets, Rosebery requires closer attention to strata costs, building quality, parking and owners corporation records.
For Investors
Rosebery has a renter-majority market, with 51.3% renting compared with 20.3% owning outright, creating a broad tenant pool for well-located apartments. Weekly rent is $580 and vacancy is 10.7%, so leasing assumptions should remain conservative because available stock can compete for tenants. The apartment share of 71.1% is higher than the separate-house share of 23.1%, making dwelling selection and strata management central to returns. Overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver, while the annual trend is 3.33%. A total of 109 development applications in 12 months signals substantial planning activity, which can improve amenity but also increase competition. Compare gross rent with purchase costs, levies, maintenance and vacancy before committing.
Development Activity
Total DAs
576
Last 12 Months
110
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-6.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rosebery
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Rosebery has a younger and more internationally connected population than Australia overall. The median age is 33, or 7 years below the national figure, and 53.8% of residents were born overseas, 32.2 percentage points above the national share. University attainment reaches 58.7%, which is 28.6 percentage points above national levels, helping explain the concentration of professionals and managers. Chinese, English, Irish and Greek ancestry are prominent, with counts of 2,686, 2,350, 1,309 and 1,111 respectively. Mandarin is spoken by 724 residents and Greek by 370. Couples without children make up 50.3% of families, while average household size is 2.3, below the national comparison by 0.2 people. Compared with nearby Alexandria, Rosebery has a similarly mobile inner-city social mix shaped by migration and apartments.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
23.1%
Houses
4.8%
Townhouse
71.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Rosebery's housing mix is more apartment-led than house-led, with 71.1% apartments, 23.1% separate houses and 4.8% semi-detached dwellings. Two-bedroom homes dominate at 45.4%, followed by three-bedroom dwellings at 24.4%, while 19.8% have zero or one bedroom. Renting reaches 51.3%, higher than the 20.3% outright ownership share and the 27.1% mortgage share combined individually. Weekly rent is $580, vacancy is 10.7% and the rent-to-income ratio is 25.5%; mortgage repayments represent 26.4% of household income. Compared with nearby Alexandria and Zetland, Rosebery's apartment concentration makes strata fees, building maintenance and redevelopment risk more important to housing decisions than land size alone.
Mortgage / mo
$2,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $580.
$950
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,300 · units $945
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$1,158
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.7%
Unoccupied
680
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
36.0%
Couples with children
50.3%
Couples, no children
11.0%
Single parent
3,683
Total families
Economy & Employment
Rosebery combines high household earnings with a strongly professional employment base. Weekly household income is $2,274, placing the suburb at the 87.4th percentile, while the labour force contains 8,137 people and unemployment is 4.1%. Professional and technical industries lead at 16.4%, followed by healthcare at 11.7%, finance at 9.6%, education at 9.3% and construction at 8.7%. Professionals number 2,705 and managers 1,374, which helps explain the high income position and the 58.7% university-educated share. SEIFA results are uneven: education and occupation rank in decile 10, disadvantage ranks in decile 9, economic resources rank in decile 4, and overall advantage ranks in decile 10. Compared with lower-income areas, this combination indicates strong skills and earnings alongside pockets of economic pressure.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
8,137
Unemployed
337
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.6%
Part-time
24.0%
Participation
68.4%
Employed
7,800
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
58.7%
Postgraduate
19.0%
Born Overseas
53.8%
Dwellings
5,647
Transport to Work
Rosebery's dense urban form supports apartment living, local services and working from home, with 54.7% of residents working from home. Travel patterns include 5.2% using public transport, 31.0% driving a car and 5.8% walking or cycling, so transport choices are more mixed than a simple car-dependent suburb. One local government primary school is identified, while families needing secondary schooling should check nearby options and exact enrolment zones. Compared with lower-density suburbs, the 7,019.6 people per sq km density means street noise, parking and shared-building management deserve practical inspection. The IRSAD score sits in decile 10 and the IRSD score in decile 9, indicating higher advantage than most areas, although 3.9% of residents need assistance. For safety decisions, compare recent NSW Police incidents by street and category over 12 months rather than relying on a single suburb-wide average.
Drive
31.0%
Public Transport
5.2%
Walk / Cycle
5.8%
Work from Home
54.7%
Population Forecast
+3.33%/yr
(+466 people/yr)
EstablishedRosebery's wider-area growth trend is 3.33% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area reaches 85.7% over 10 years, while rent growth is 17.6%, supporting continued demand for well-positioned rental housing. The forecast trajectory is labelled Declining young: the young share has fallen by 3.5 percentage points, while the working share has risen by 5.6 points. The gentrification assessment is at an Early signs stage with a score of 25, although the separate shift assessment is marked Active at 52. The 109 development applications recorded over 12 months add to the change already visible in the apartment-heavy suburb. The 3.33% annual trend is higher than the 2.2 percentage-point decline in the senior share, showing that growth and ageing patterns are moving differently.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+395
Net Internal / yr
-141
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal outflow -141/yr, Strong overseas inflow +395/yr, Accelerating: 26% → 57%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rosebery compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosebery a good suburb to live in?
Rosebery can suit residents who value inner-city access, apartments and a professional, international setting. It has 13,533 residents, a median age of 33, 71.1% apartments and 54.7% working from home. Compared with lower-density suburbs, it has less detached housing, more rental turnover and greater need to check noise, parking and strata conditions.
What is the median house price in Rosebery?
Check recent Rosebery sales for the current median house price, particularly by dwelling type. Apartments represent 71.1% of dwellings, separate houses 23.1% and two-bedroom homes 45.4%, so a house-only median can differ substantially from the broader suburb market. Recent comparable sales should also account for land size, renovation, parking and strata costs.
What schools are in Rosebery?
Rosebery has 1 identified local school, Gardeners Road Public School, a government primary school. Families seeking secondary schooling should compare nearby options and check the exact enrolment zone because catchments can cross suburb boundaries. Confirm current placement rules before signing a lease or purchasing, especially when comparing addresses near Rosebery's edges.
Is Rosebery safe?
A current suburb-wide crime rate should not be assumed, so check recent NSW Police incidents for the exact street and compare categories across 12 months. Rosebery's density is 7,019.6 people per sq km, meaning activity and reported incidents can vary between apartment precincts, retail areas and quieter residential streets. Inspect lighting, building access and parking at different times.
Is Rosebery good for property investment?
Rosebery may suit investors seeking apartment rental demand, with 51.3% of households renting and weekly rent of $580. However, vacancy is 10.7% and apartments make up 71.1% of dwellings, so competition and strata costs matter. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, the annual trend is 3.33%, and 109 development applications in 12 months warrant careful supply and building-quality checks.
How is Rosebery's population changing?
Rosebery has 13,533 residents today, while population change across the wider area is 85.7% over 10 years. The forecast annual trend is 3.33% and overseas migration is the primary driver. The trajectory is labelled Declining young, with the young share down 3.5 percentage points and the working share up 5.6 points, so growth is strong while the age mix is shifting.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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