Spearwood
At 10,944 residents, Spearwood combines a detached-house majority with an older-than-national age profile and strong overseas-born representation. The median age is 41, one year above the national comparison, while 36.4% of residents were born overseas and 73.6% of dwellings are separate houses. Italian ancestry accounts for 1,625 people. Compared with nearby Hamilton Hill and coastal Coogee, Spearwood presents a more established, detached-house profile. Growth is steady rather than explosive, with an annual trend of 1.47% and Balanced migration. That mix supports demand from established households because the area has family-sized housing, long-term residents and a broad employment base.
Population
10,944
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,448/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
58
Homebuyers face a market where a current median house price is unavailable, so recent comparable sales matter more than a headline benchmark. The stock is practical: 73.6% of dwellings are separate houses, 48.4% have 3 bedrooms and 33.6% have 4 or more. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,733, while weekly rent is $350. Mortgage costs equal 27.6% of household income, higher than the 24.2% rent-to-income ratio but not flagged as mortgage stress. Compared with apartment-led options, Spearwood suits buyers seeking a conventional family layout. Its 35.6% outright ownership points to an established base, although buyers should check renovation needs and exact street conditions.
For Buyers
Homebuyers face a market where a current median house price is unavailable, so recent comparable sales matter more than a headline benchmark. The stock is practical: 73.6% of dwellings are separate houses, 48.4% have 3 bedrooms and 33.6% have 4 or more. Monthly mortgage cost is $1,733, while weekly rent is $350. Mortgage costs equal 27.6% of household income, higher than the 24.2% rent-to-income ratio but not flagged as mortgage stress. Compared with apartment-led options, Spearwood suits buyers seeking a conventional family layout. Its 35.6% outright ownership points to an established base, although buyers should check renovation needs and exact street conditions.
For Investors
Spearwood offers an established rental profile rather than a pure development play. Renting accounts for 29.2% of households and weekly rent is $350, while the 8.6% vacancy rate means investors should stress-test leasing time rather than assume scarcity. Rent growth of 16.7% has been solid, and the annual forecast trend is 1.47%, with migration labelled Balanced. There were 51 development approvals in 12 months, but recent activity includes a pool, carport and dwelling addition, so the total should not be read as 51 new homes. The rent-to-income ratio is 24.2%, lower than mortgage costs at 27.6%, which may support rental affordability. Compared with a high-turnover market, 76.8% same-address retention suggests steadier local demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
58
Last 12 Months
58
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Spearwood
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
NEWTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
SPEARWOOD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL
SPEARWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Demographics
Spearwood has a mature demographic profile: the median age is 41, one year above the national comparison, and the average household size is 2.3, or 0.2 below the national figure. Overseas-born residents make up 36.4%, 14.8 percentage points above the national comparison, while university attainment is 26.0%, 4.1 points lower. English ancestry is recorded for 3,553 people and Italian ancestry for 1,625. Italian, Croatian and Portuguese language counts are 278, 213 and 119. Christianity counts 5,856 people, while 4,029 report no religion. Compared with Hamilton Hill and Coogee, Spearwood's profile suggests an established, culturally varied suburb because 76.8% stayed at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.6%
Houses
21.0%
Townhouse
5.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Spearwood's housing is detached-dominant and tilted toward established ownership. Separate houses account for 73.6% of dwellings, compared with 5.4% apartments and 21.0% semi-detached homes. Ownership is split between 35.6% owned outright and 34.1% with a mortgage, while 29.2% rent. Bedrooms reinforce the family orientation: 3-bedroom homes make up 48.4% and 4-plus-bedroom homes 33.6%, higher than the 2-bedroom share of 14.9%. Mortgage costs of $1,733 per month equal 27.6% of household income, above the 24.2% rent-to-income ratio. Compared with nearby Hamilton Hill, Spearwood is better read as a conventional house-focused market, while Coogee provides a different coastal setting. That structure can appeal to owner-occupiers because larger dwellings support longer-term household use.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$350
Census 2021
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$751
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.6%
Unoccupied
419
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
38.0%
Couples with children
41.6%
Couples, no children
18.5%
Single parent
3,008
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by essential services and practical industries. Healthcare leads at 16.9% with 586 workers, followed by Education at 11.9%, Construction at 10.5%, Manufacturing at 8.2% and Retail at 7.3%. Trades are the largest occupation at 1,006 people, ahead of Professionals at 952, Clerical/Admin at 670, Community/Personal at 629 and Managers at 552. Unemployment is 5.2%, participation is 60.6% and full-time work is 60.7%. Household income is at the 43.9th percentile, below the national midpoint. SEIFA deciles are 4 for education and occupation, 5 for economic resources, 5 for IRSD and 4 for IRSAD, indicating mixed socioeconomic conditions rather than uniformly higher incomes. This variety supports resilience because no single industry dominates.
Unemployment
5.2%
Labour Force
5,615
Unemployed
292
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.7%
Part-time
33.5%
Participation
60.6%
Employed
5,323
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.0%
Postgraduate
4.4%
Born Overseas
36.4%
Dwellings
4,467
Transport to Work
Daily life in Spearwood is strongly car-oriented: 82.0% of commuters drive, compared with 3.8% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling. That matters because households needing frequent transit may find the suburb less convenient than a more rail- or bus-led location. Families have access to 3 government primary schools serving the suburb, and enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. The median age is 41, above the national comparison by 1 year, while the average household size is 2.3. IRSAD sits in decile 4, below the middle deciles, so amenity expectations should be matched to budget and street. For safety, review recent incident mapping and visit at different times rather than relying on a suburb-wide assumption. The established setting and 76.8% same-address retention can suit residents who value continuity.
Drive
82.0%
Public Transport
3.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
6.7%
Population Forecast
+1.47%/yr
(+190 people/yr)
EstablishedSpearwood's growth outlook is measured but active. The annual trend is 1.47%, the primary migration driver is Balanced and the trajectory is Mixed, pointing to several demand sources rather than one dominant inflow. Population change across the wider area is 24.0% over 10 years. The gentrification score is 42 with an Active stage, while the shift reading records a score of 44 and Early signs, so change appears gradual and uneven rather than a completed repositioning. Rents grew 16.7%, below real income growth of 17.7%, and affordability is rated Improving. Compared with a fast-redeveloping corridor, Spearwood is more likely to evolve through incremental upgrades because it already has 73.6% separate houses and 51 development approvals in 12 months.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+174
Net Internal / yr
+128
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +32% since 2011, Net internal migration +128/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 23%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Spearwood compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spearwood a good suburb to live in?
Spearwood can suit buyers who want established streets and detached housing. It has 10,944 residents, 73.6% separate houses and 3 government primary schools, while 82.0% drive to work. Compared with a transit-led suburb, it is a better fit for households comfortable with car-based daily travel.
What is the median house price in Spearwood?
No current median house price is available for Spearwood. Buyers should compare recent sales by street and dwelling type, especially because 73.6% of homes are separate houses, 48.4% have 3 bedrooms and 33.6% have 4 or more. A $1,733 monthly mortgage figure provides a cost reference, not a sale-price estimate.
What schools are in Spearwood?
Spearwood has 3 government primary schools: Newton Primary School, Spearwood Alternative School and Spearwood Primary School. Check enrolment zones and current capacity against the exact address, because school access can differ across boundaries. The suburb's median age is 41, above the national comparison by 1 year.
Is Spearwood safe?
Safety should be checked at street level using recent police incident mapping and visits at different times. Spearwood has 10,944 residents and 76.8% of residents stayed at the same address, which describes stability but does not guarantee the same experience on every street. Compare the exact property with nearby streets before deciding.
Is Spearwood good for property investment?
Spearwood may suit a long-term investor seeking established rental demand rather than a new-build growth story. Renting is 29.2%, weekly rent is $350, vacancy is 8.6% and rent growth is 16.7%. The annual trend is 1.47% with Balanced migration, while 51 development approvals indicate active property maintenance and change. Compare yield and vacancy with Hamilton Hill and Coogee.
How is Spearwood's population changing?
Spearwood's wider-area growth outlook is steady: the annual trend is 1.47%, migration is labelled Balanced and the trajectory is Mixed. Population change across the wider area is 24.0% over 10 years. Gentrification is rated Active with a score of 42, while the shift reading is Early signs at 44, suggesting gradual change rather than a sudden population surge.
What languages are spoken in Spearwood?
English and Italian heritage are prominent, with ancestry counts of 3,553 and 1,625. Italian is recorded as a language for 278 residents, followed by Croatian at 213 and Portuguese at 119. Christianity counts 5,856 people, while 4,029 report no religion, giving community life a broad cultural and faith mix.
What development is happening in Spearwood?
Development activity has been noticeable, with 51 approvals in 12 months. Recent examples include a swimming pool, an unauthorised dwelling addition and carport, and a shade sail, so the count includes varied residential works rather than only new dwellings. Buyers should check the exact street and approval history before assuming redevelopment potential.
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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