NSW 2168 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Sadleir

With household income sitting at the 10.3rd percentile nationally, Sadleir ranks among Sydney's lower-income pockets, yet the median house price has reached $930,000, a combination that creates significant mortgage pressure for buyers who enter. The suburb is predominantly a renter community: 54.7% of households rent, well above the national average, and 85.2% of dwellings are separate houses. At a median age of 33, residents are 7 years younger than the national figure, and the overseas-born share of 39.9% is 18.3 percentage points above the national rate. These signals point to a young, working-class, multicultural area where housing affordability is the central tension.

Sadleir urban fabric map

Population

3,243

Median Age

33.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$946/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

29

Median House

$930K

2024-2025 (PSI derived)

0.9 km²· 3,606.5 people/km²· Family income $1,154/wk

The $930,000 median house price is a significant commitment given that household income sits at the 10.3rd percentile nationally. Based on price history, prices moved from $880,000 in 2024 to $956,000 in 2025, an 8.6% annual gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,878, which produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 45.8%, well above the 30% stress threshold. The stock is overwhelmingly detached: 85.2% are separate houses, with apartments at just 11.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 58.2% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.8%, making Sadleir suited to family buyers rather than downsizers or singles.

For Buyers

The $930,000 median house price is a significant commitment given that household income sits at the 10.3rd percentile nationally. Based on price history, prices moved from $880,000 in 2024 to $956,000 in 2025, an 8.6% annual gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,878, which produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 45.8%, well above the 30% stress threshold. The stock is overwhelmingly detached: 85.2% are separate houses, with apartments at just 11.8%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 58.2% of dwellings, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 24.8%, making Sadleir suited to family buyers rather than downsizers or singles.

For Investors

A 54.7% renter share is well above the national average, giving landlords a large and stable tenant pool in this suburb. Weekly rent of $250 against a $930,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.4%, which is low, reflecting that prices have risen faster than rents. The 7.2% vacancy rate is moderate, signalling reasonable rental demand without oversupply. Development activity recorded 23 applications in the past 12 months, including secondary dwelling approvals, suggesting some incremental supply growth. Income at the 10.3rd percentile nationally means rental affordability is a structural constraint, so rent increases beyond current levels face resistance from a cost-sensitive tenant base.

Development Activity

Total DAs

128

Last 12 Months

29

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+11.5%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
32
Demolition
6
Renovation / Extension
5
Commercial / Industrial
5
Garage / Carport / Shed
3
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
2
Swimming Pool / Spa
2

Schools in Sadleir iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Sadleir Public School

ICSEA 883 Primary Government

P-6 · 351 students

Demographics

The median age of 33 is 7 years below the national figure, reflecting a young resident base that skews toward families with children. The overseas-born share of 39.9% is 18.3 percentage points higher than the national rate, driven by communities from Lebanon, Vietnam and the broader Arab-speaking world, with Arabic the most common non-English language at 373 speakers. Christianity (1,042 residents) and Islam (838 residents) are the two dominant religions, the latter being higher than typical for NSW suburbs. University qualifications reach only 14.6%, which is 15.5 percentage points below the national average, consistent with the trade and manual occupation profile. Average household size is 3.0, which is 0.5 above the national figure, pointing toward multi-person family households.

Age Distribution

0-14
24.1%
15-24
15.7%
25-44
25.2%
45-64
23.5%
65+
11.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
7.5%
2 bed
9.5%
3 bed
58.2%
4+ bed
24.8%

Dwelling Structure

85.2%

Houses

3.0%

Townhouse

11.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 19.7% Mortgage 25.6% Rent 54.7%

Tenure in Sadleir is dominated by renters at 54.7%, compared to the national norm where owners typically outnumber renters. Outright owners account for 19.7% and mortgage holders 25.6%, the latter facing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 45.8%, a stress level that limits new buyer entry. Separate houses make up 85.2% of stock, a high proportion that reflects suburban development patterns typical of outer south-west Sydney. Three-bedroom homes represent 58.2% of all dwellings and 4-plus bedroom homes 24.8%, meaning large family homes dominate. Prices rose from $880,000 in 2024 to $956,000 in 2025, an 8.6% gain, and the current median sits at $930,000. At $250 per week, rent-to-income runs at 26.4%, just below the 30% stress benchmark.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,878

Rent / wk

$250

HH Size

3.0

Personal Income / wk

$446

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.2%

Unoccupied

76

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

26.4%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

45.8% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic
373
Khmer
35
Samoan
31
Hindi
21

Ancestry

Other
734
English
449
Lebanese
449
Ancestry NS
423
Vietnamese
406
Samoan
90

Household Composition

11.4%

Couples, no children

2,526

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 21.8% of workers (73 residents), followed by Retail at 9.9% (33), Construction and Education each at 9% (30 each), and Manufacturing at 8.7% (29). By occupation, Machinery and Drivers (125 workers) and Labourers (123) together form the largest groups, consistent with a blue-collar workforce profile rather than a professional or managerial base. The unemployment rate of 15.6% is elevated compared to national averages, and the participation rate of just 26.8% partly reflects a large number of residents not in the labour force (1,400 people). Full-time employment among those working is 59.4%. Income at the 10.3rd percentile nationally underlines that Sadleir sits firmly below the NSW median income level.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

59.4%

Part-time

25.0%

Participation

26.8%

Employed

559

Occupations

Machinery/Drivers 125
Labourers 123
Community/Personal 89
Clerical/Admin 85
Sales 72
Professionals 69
Managers 47

Top Industries

Healthcare 21.8%
Retail 9.9%
Construction 9.0%
Education 9.0%
Manufacturing 8.7%

University

14.6%

Postgraduate

2.9%

Born Overseas

39.9%

Dwellings

983

Transport to Work

Car dependence is very high at 85.1% of workers commuting by car, well above the national average, while only 6.4% use public transport and 2% walk or cycle, reflecting limited transit infrastructure in this outer south-west Sydney location. No schools are recorded within the 0.9 square kilometre Sadleir boundary, so families depend on neighbouring suburbs for schooling. Crime statistics are not available for this suburb. The need-for-assistance rate of 12.2% (352 residents) is notable, indicating a meaningful share of the population with disability or age-related care needs. At a density of 3,607 residents per square kilometre, Sadleir is reasonably dense for a predominantly detached-house suburb, which reflects the compact 0.9 km2 footprint.

Drive

85.1%

Public Transport

6.4%

Walk / Cycle

2.0%

Work from Home

N/A

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Sadleir compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 16%
Household Income
Bottom 10%
Rent Level
Bottom 44%
Apartments
Top 27%
Renters
Top 7%
Uni Educated
Bottom 17%
Public Transport
Top 25%
Born Overseas
Top 6%
Density
Top 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sadleir a good suburb to live in?

Sadleir suits families wanting a detached house in outer south-west Sydney, with 85.2% of stock being separate houses and a median age of 33, which is 7 years below the national figure. The main constraints are high car dependence, household income at the 10.3rd percentile nationally, and mortgage stress of 45.8% for buyers who take on debt at the current $930,000 median.

What is the median house price in Sadleir?

The median house price in Sadleir is $930,000. Prices rose from $880,000 in 2024 to $956,000 in 2025, an 8.6% annual gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,878, and rent averages $250 per week.

What schools are in Sadleir?

No schools are recorded within the Sadleir boundary (0.9 km2) in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The local university qualification rate is 14.6%, which is 15.5 percentage points below the national average.

Is Sadleir safe?

Detailed crime statistics are not available for Sadleir in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the need-for-assistance rate of 12.2% (352 residents out of 3,243) suggests a community with some vulnerability, and the unemployment rate of 15.6% is above national norms, which are factors that can correlate with local disadvantage.

Is Sadleir good for property investment?

The 54.7% renter share, well above the national average, provides a large tenant pool. However, weekly rent of $250 against a $930,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.4%, which is low. The 8.6% price growth from 2024 to 2025 suggests capital growth potential, but mortgage stress at 45.8% limits the buyer pool and may constrain future price rises.

How is Sadleir's population changing?

Detailed population forecasts are not available for Sadleir in this dataset. The suburb has a young median age of 33 (7 years below national), an average household size of 3.0 (0.5 above national), and 39.9% of residents born overseas, all pointing toward a growing family-formation demographic that historically supports steady housing demand.

What languages are spoken in Sadleir?

About 39.9% of residents were born overseas, which is 18.3 percentage points above the national figure. Arabic is the most common non-English language with 373 speakers, followed by Khmer (35) and Samoan (31). Lebanese and Vietnamese ancestries are prominent alongside English ancestry.

How much development is happening in Sadleir?

There were 23 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including secondary dwelling approvals and residential accommodation certificates. This level of activity for a 0.9 km2 suburb indicates incremental densification, with secondary dwellings (granny flats) being a notable application type.

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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