Silverwater
Nearly half of Silverwater households rent at 49.6%, while apartments account for 48.2% of dwellings, giving the suburb a denser and more mobile profile than a conventional detached-home district. Its 3,600 residents have a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national figure, and 42.3% were born overseas, 20.7 percentage points above national. Household income sits at the 68.2nd percentile, helping explain why Silverwater can support professional and family demand despite a 10.8% vacancy rate. Compared with nearby Auburn and Newington, its 2.7 sq km footprint and density of 1,333.3 people per sq km make land use especially intensive.
Population
3,600
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,875/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
51
Buyers in Silverwater are choosing a compact, mixed housing market rather than a detached-home-only setting. Separate houses account for 30.6% of dwellings, compared with 48.2% apartments and 21.2% semi-detached homes. The largest bedroom groups are 2-bedroom homes at 35.9% and 3-bedroom homes at 34.9%. That mix creates more entry points for singles, couples and smaller families, while limiting the supply of traditional backyards compared with outer suburban markets. Monthly mortgage commitments are $2,167, equal to 26.7% of household income, with mortgage stress not flagged. Compare strata fees, parking and renovation rules carefully because apartment ownership can carry expenses that a house budget does not.
For Buyers
Buyers in Silverwater are choosing a compact, mixed housing market rather than a detached-home-only setting. Separate houses account for 30.6% of dwellings, compared with 48.2% apartments and 21.2% semi-detached homes. The largest bedroom groups are 2-bedroom homes at 35.9% and 3-bedroom homes at 34.9%. That mix creates more entry points for singles, couples and smaller families, while limiting the supply of traditional backyards compared with outer suburban markets. Monthly mortgage commitments are $2,167, equal to 26.7% of household income, with mortgage stress not flagged. Compare strata fees, parking and renovation rules carefully because apartment ownership can carry expenses that a house budget does not.
For Investors
Silverwater has a renter-heavy base, with 49.6% of households renting and weekly rent at $450, which can support tenant demand but also makes vacancy the key risk. Vacancy is 10.8%, so investors should allow for longer reletting periods and test returns below full occupancy rather than relying on headline rent alone. Development activity is material at 50 applications in 12 months, including industrial, warehouse and distribution projects; this can alter employment access, traffic and amenity conditions. Rent growth across the established area reached 42.9%, but migration is classified as Balanced, so future demand is less one-directional than in a strongly inflow-led market. Compared with lower-vacancy suburbs, Silverwater needs tighter property selection and conservative cash-flow assumptions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
233
Last 12 Months
51
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+41.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Silverwater is younger than the national profile, with a median age of 35, or 5 years below national, but its trajectory is ageing: the senior share rose 3.2 percentage points while the young share fell 1.3 points. Overseas-born residents account for 42.3%, which is 20.7 points above national, with Korean, Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu and Canton among the recorded languages. Korean ancestry counts 453 people and Chinese ancestry 285, while Christianity counts 979 and Islam 465. University attainment is 22.0%, or 8.1 points below national, suggesting a population shaped by varied migration and vocational pathways rather than one dominant education profile. Compared with a lower-migration suburban profile, Silverwater's household size of 2.7 is 0.2 above national, supporting both couple and family demand.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
30.6%
Houses
21.2%
Townhouse
48.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Silverwater's tenure pattern points to affordability and density pressures: 49.6% of households rent, compared with 13.0% who own outright and 36.0% paying a mortgage. Apartments represent 48.2% of dwellings, above separate houses at 30.6%, while 2-bedroom homes lead at 35.9%, just above 3-bedroom homes at 34.9%. Weekly rent is $450 and the rent-to-income ratio is 24.0%, below the mortgage ratio of 26.7%; neither measure is flagged as stress. Household income ranks at the 68.2nd percentile, which helps explain why demand can coexist with a high 10.8% vacancy rate. Compared with house-dominant suburbs, Silverwater's apartment concentration makes strata fees, parking and building quality central to value.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $450.
$640
Bond data Jun 2026 · units $640
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$857
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.8%
Unoccupied
96
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
50.2%
Couples with children
33.3%
Couples, no children
14.7%
Single parent
598
Total families
Economy & Employment
Silverwater's employment base is led by healthcare at 16.2% of local industry, followed by construction at 10.0%, professional and technical services at 9.8%, education at 8.0% and retail at 7.4%. The occupation mix is headed by professionals with 263 people, clerical and administrative workers with 170, trades with 137 and managers with 134. Labour force participation is 36.2%, unemployment is 6.3%, and 573 people work full time compared with 322 part time. SEIFA sits at decile 6 across IEO, IER, IRSAD and IRSD, indicating a middle position rather than a top-decile advantage. Household income at the 68.2nd percentile sits above the national midpoint while university attainment is 22.0%, or 8.1 points below national, suggesting income is not driven solely by university-qualified jobs. Compared with a single-industry suburb, this spread gives Silverwater more employment diversity, though 165 employed residents work away from the suburb.
Unemployment
6.3%
Labour Force
1,131
Unemployed
71
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.1%
Part-time
30.4%
Participation
36.2%
Employed
1,060
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.0%
Postgraduate
6.4%
Born Overseas
42.3%
Dwellings
787
Transport to Work
Silverwater's compact 2.7 sq km footprint supports a practical, car-oriented lifestyle, with 50.7% driving to work compared with 2.4% using public transport and 4.4% walking or cycling. Working from home is high at 38.7%, which can reduce commute pressure for some households, while density reaches 1,333.3 people per sq km. Families should check enrolment zones and nearby school options against the exact address, because a compact suburb can have different access outcomes across its boundaries. SEIFA IRSAD is decile 6, above lower deciles but below top-decile suburbs. Compared with low-density outer suburbs, apartment living and 50 development applications in 12 months make parking, noise and open-space access important day-to-day checks.
Drive
50.7%
Public Transport
2.4%
Walk / Cycle
4.4%
Work from Home
38.7%
Growth Outlook
Silverwater's established-area growth trend is 1.31% a year, with migration classified as Balanced rather than driven by one dominant source. Population change across the wider area is 22.1% over ten years, while the shift trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased 3.2 points and the working share has fallen 1.9 points. Gentrification remains at the Early signs stage, with a score of 30, while the separate shift measure records 39 and also labels the stage Early signs. Rent growth of 42.9% shows stronger pressure in housing costs than the stable affordability trend, which moved from 55.0 in 2011 to 56.4 in 2021. Compared with a rapidly gentrifying market, Silverwater's change is more incremental, but industrial development and apartment concentration could reinforce it.
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Silverwater compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silverwater a good suburb to live in?
Silverwater can suit residents seeking apartments, rental choice and a younger profile: the median age is 35, or 5 years below national. However, 49.6% rent and vacancy is 10.8%, so building quality and street conditions matter. Compare the exact address with nearby Auburn or Newington for parking, noise and services.
What is the median house price in Silverwater?
Check recent settled sales to establish the current median, comparing like-for-like homes because Silverwater has 30.6% separate houses, 48.2% apartments and 21.2% semi-detached dwellings. The monthly mortgage figure is $2,167, so buyers should also test repayments against their own income and compare strata costs where relevant.
What schools are in Silverwater?
For school planning, check enrolment zones and nearby options against the exact address. Silverwater covers 2.7 sq km, and access can differ across boundaries; compare travel times and sector choices with nearby Auburn and Newington rather than assuming every option is local.
Is Silverwater safe?
A blanket safety conclusion is not appropriate without a current street-level check. Silverwater's 3,600 residents occupy 2.7 sq km, so inspect lighting, traffic, building access and evening activity at the address. Compare those conditions with nearby Auburn and Newington before making a final decision.
Is Silverwater good for property investment?
Silverwater can suit investors who understand vacancy risk: 49.6% of households rent, weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 10.8%. There were 50 development applications in 12 months, while rent growth reached 42.9%. Compared with lower-vacancy suburbs, use conservative occupancy assumptions and assess each building carefully.
How is Silverwater's population changing?
Growth is measured at 1.31% annually, with migration classified as Balanced. Population change across the wider area is 22.1% over ten years, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share rose 3.2 points and the young share fell 1.3 points. Compared with a younger growth market, change is steady rather than sharply accelerating.
What development is happening in Silverwater?
Development activity is substantial, with 50 applications recorded over 12 months. Recent examples include demolition, industrial development, warehouses and distribution centres. Compared with a primarily residential suburb, this pipeline may bring employment and services but can also increase construction activity, freight traffic and pressure on parking.
What languages are spoken in Silverwater?
Silverwater has a strong overseas-born profile at 42.3%, which is 20.7 percentage points above national. Korean is recorded for 231 people, followed by Arabic at 98, Mandarin at 69, Urdu at 55 and Canton at 33. Compared with a less migrant-heavy suburb, these language communities are more prominent in daily local life.
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).
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