Rosemeadow
Rosemeadow's SEIFA IRSD decile of 2 places it among Sydney's most disadvantaged suburbs, yet house prices still climbed 9.5% in one year to $931,000 (2025), driven by Macarthur region demand spillover. University education at 22.2% runs 7.9 points below the national average, and Machinery/Drivers (423) outnumber Professionals (446) by only a slim margin, reflecting a working-class employment base. With 47 DAs in 12 months, secondary dwelling applications dominate, as residents add granny flats to generate income or house extended families. Rent grew 37.0% over the past decade, the highest figure in this analysis, squeezing the 59th-percentile income households.
Population
8,007
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,708/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
49
Median House
$889K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
At $931,000 (2025), Rosemeadow sits below the Sydney metro median but represents a significant stretch for local incomes, with mortgage-to-income at 26.1% on only $1,708/week household earnings. The stock is 84.4% separate houses with 54.2% three-bedroom, limiting options for those wanting larger homes (38.5% four-plus). Outright owners at 23.7% and mortgage holders at 42.1% are joined by a significant 34.1% renter share. Four schools serve the area: Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,045, 202 students) tops the range, while Ambarvale High School (925, 807 students) sits well below the 1,000 benchmark. Public transport at 2.7% is low.
For Buyers
At $931,000 (2025), Rosemeadow sits below the Sydney metro median but represents a significant stretch for local incomes, with mortgage-to-income at 26.1% on only $1,708/week household earnings. The stock is 84.4% separate houses with 54.2% three-bedroom, limiting options for those wanting larger homes (38.5% four-plus). Outright owners at 23.7% and mortgage holders at 42.1% are joined by a significant 34.1% renter share. Four schools serve the area: Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,045, 202 students) tops the range, while Ambarvale High School (925, 807 students) sits well below the 1,000 benchmark. Public transport at 2.7% is low.
For Investors
The 34.1% renter share and tight 2.8% vacancy rate create solid tenant demand. Weekly rent of $380 on $931,000 gives a gross yield of about 2.1%. The 47 DAs in 12 months, dominated by secondary dwelling applications, signal increasing granny flat supply that could dilute rental returns. Prices grew 9.5% in one year, so capital gain compensates for modest yield. Population in the SA2 grew from 21,600 in 2023 to 22,758 in 2025. Both internal migration (+75/year) and overseas migration (+164/year) are positive. However, the SEIFA IRSD decile of 2 means tenant default and vacancy risk are higher than SEIFA decile 7+ suburbs.
Development Activity
Total DAs
358
Last 12 Months
49
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-21.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rosemeadow iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 202 students
John Therry Catholic College
7-12 · 1057 students
Rosemeadow Public School
K-6 · 724 students
Ambarvale High School
7-12 · 807 students
Demographics
University education at 22.2% sits 7.9 points below national, and the occupational mix is distinctive: Clerical/Admin (487), Professionals (446), Machinery/Drivers (423), Labourers (411), and Community/Personal (386) are tightly clustered, unlike most suburbs where one group dominates. English ancestry leads (2,172), with a large unspecified group (1,810), Irish (485), and Scottish (466). Arabic (119 speakers) and Samoan (84) are the top non-English languages, reflecting the Western Sydney multicultural pattern. Born-overseas at 27.7% is 6.1 points above national. The median age of 34 is 6 years below national. Participation at 47.1% is low, with 2,385 not in the labour force, suggesting many residents face barriers to employment.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.4%
Houses
14.2%
Townhouse
1.4%
Apartment
Tenure
From $850,000 to $931,000 in one year (9.5% growth), Rosemeadow prices continue climbing. Mortgage holders at 42.1% and renters at 34.1% are the dominant tenures, with outright owners at 23.7%. Stock is 84.4% separate houses with 14.2% semi-detached and minimal apartments (1.4%). Three-bedroom homes dominate at 54.2%. Mortgage stress at 26.1% is elevated for a 59th-percentile income suburb, and approaching territory where minor income disruptions could push households past the 30% line. Rent stress at 22.2% is more manageable. The 37.0% rent growth over the decade, the highest in this analysis, reflects Macarthur region demand pressure flowing into Rosemeadow.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,933
Rent / wk
$380
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$703
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.8%
Unoccupied
73
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
16.6%
Couples, no children
6,893
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 20.5% (374 workers), followed by Education (11.2%), Manufacturing (9.8%), Retail (9.0%), and Public Admin (7.8%). The manufacturing and retail shares are higher than average, reflecting the working-class employment base. The occupation spread is unusually even, with no single group exceeding 500 workers. Unemployment at 6.8% is above the national average, and the 47.1% participation rate is concerning, with more people outside the labour force (2,385) than in fulltime work (1,786). The SEIFA IEO decile of 3 (score 925) reflects educational disadvantage. Affordability has worsened over the decade, with housing cost ratios increasing from 48.3% to 53.1%, the only suburb in this analysis with a deteriorating affordability trend.
Unemployment
6.2%
Labour Force
11,736
Unemployed
722
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.9%
Part-time
27.3%
Participation
47.1%
Employed
2,712
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.2%
Postgraduate
4.7%
Born Overseas
27.7%
Dwellings
2,555
Transport to Work
Four schools serve the area with a wide ICSEA spread: Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary (1,045, 202 students) and John Therry Catholic College (1,002, 1,057 students) sit above or at the benchmark, while Rosemeadow Public School (945, 724 students) and Ambarvale High School (925, 807 students) fall below. The 75-point ICSEA gap between the highest and lowest school is significant. Public transport at 2.7% is low. SEIFA IRSAD decile 3 and IRSD decile 2 confirm socioeconomic disadvantage. Need-for-assistance at 8.0% is elevated compared to the national average. Volunteering at 8.2% is low. The 81.9% residential stability rate is solid, suggesting community roots despite the index scores.
Drive
87.8%
Public Transport
2.7%
Walk / Cycle
1.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.35%/yr
(+79 people/yr)
EstablishedThe SA2 grew from 21,600 in 2023 to 22,758 in 2025, adding roughly 79 people/year (0.35% annually). Both internal (+75/year) and overseas (+164/year) migration are positive. The aging trajectory is notable: seniors share up 8.6 points, the largest increase in this analysis, while working share fell 3.3 points. Gentrification score of 9 (not gentrifying) and real income growth of just 1.4% over the decade show the suburb is stagnant economically. Affordability is worsening: the housing cost ratio increased from 48.3% (2011) to 53.1% (2021). The 47 DAs (mostly secondary dwellings) signal resident-led densification rather than developer-driven growth, a bottom-up response to housing costs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+164
Net Internal / yr
+75
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal migration +75/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rosemeadow compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosemeadow a good suburb to live in?
Rosemeadow offers affordability relative to Sydney but sits in SEIFA IRSAD decile 3, among the more disadvantaged suburbs. Four schools serve the area, with Catholic options (ICSEA 1,002-1,045) outperforming government schools (925-945). Mortgage stress at 26.1% is manageable but elevated for a 59th-percentile income area. The 81.9% stability rate shows residents stay.
What is the median house price in Rosemeadow?
The median is $931,000 (2025, PSI derived), up 9.5% from $850,000 in 2024. Monthly mortgage of $1,933 consumes 26.1% of household income. While below the Sydney metro median, this price represents significant stretch for local incomes in the 59th percentile ($1,708/week household).
What schools are in Rosemeadow?
Four schools: Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,045, 202 students), John Therry Catholic College (secondary, 1,002, 1,057 students), Rosemeadow Public School (government, 945, 724 students), and Ambarvale High School (government, 925, 807 students). Catholic schools score above the 1,000 ICSEA benchmark; government schools sit below.
Is Rosemeadow safe?
Crime data is not separately reported for Rosemeadow. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 2, 6.8% unemployment, and 8.0% need-for-assistance rate suggest higher-than-average disadvantage. However, 81.9% residential stability and strong family formation (couples with children at 2,831 families) indicate community cohesion.
Is Rosemeadow good for property investment?
The 2.8% vacancy rate is tight and the 34.1% renter share provides tenants. However, gross yield is only about 2.1% ($380/week on $931,000). Capital growth of 9.5% in one year is attractive. The 47 DAs, mostly secondary dwellings, will add rental supply. SEIFA decile 2 means higher tenant default risk than premium suburbs.
How is Rosemeadow's population changing?
The broader SA2 adds roughly 79 people/year with both internal (+75) and overseas (+164) migration positive. The aging trajectory is steep: seniors share up 8.6 points over the decade, the largest increase in this analysis. Affordability worsened from 48.3% to 53.1% housing cost ratio. Real income grew just 1.4% over the decade, meaning wages barely kept pace with inflation.
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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