St Marys
At 13,256 residents, St Marys combines a young median age of 34 with a renter-majority tenure profile: 53.6% rent, compared with 18.2% owning outright and 27.1% paying a mortgage. Its overseas-born share is 36.9%, 15.3 percentage points above the national figure, helping explain the mix of Filipino, English and other ancestries. Growth is forecast at 1.3% annually and is driven by overseas migration. Compared with nearby Penrith, St Marys has a more rental-oriented, everyday-services role, while its 7.6% vacancy rate points to more available stock than a tightly constrained market.
Population
13,256
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,437/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
127
For homebuyers, the strongest case is choice across dwelling formats rather than a single detached-house market. Separate houses account for 51.3%, semi-detached homes 30.0% and apartments 18.6%, while 3-bedroom dwellings dominate at 48.8%. The $1,847 monthly mortgage figure sits alongside $365 weekly rent. Mortgage-to-income is 29.7%, compared with rent-to-income at 25.4%, and neither stress flag is raised. Compared with nearby Penrith, the mix is more renter-oriented, so buyers should compare strata costs, parking and renovation needs as carefully as the purchase price. A 7.6% vacancy rate may also make the suburb less pressured for tenants than tighter markets.
For Buyers
For homebuyers, the strongest case is choice across dwelling formats rather than a single detached-house market. Separate houses account for 51.3%, semi-detached homes 30.0% and apartments 18.6%, while 3-bedroom dwellings dominate at 48.8%. The $1,847 monthly mortgage figure sits alongside $365 weekly rent. Mortgage-to-income is 29.7%, compared with rent-to-income at 25.4%, and neither stress flag is raised. Compared with nearby Penrith, the mix is more renter-oriented, so buyers should compare strata costs, parking and renovation needs as carefully as the purchase price. A 7.6% vacancy rate may also make the suburb less pressured for tenants than tighter markets.
For Investors
Investors are entering a renter-majority market: 53.6% of dwellings are rented, weekly rent is $365 and vacancy is 7.6%. That vacancy level is higher than in a tightly supplied market, so tenant demand may be more price-sensitive even as the renter pool is large. Development activity is substantial at 125 applications in 12 months, which can add attached dwellings and compete with older stock. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, and the trend is 1.3% annually; together, those factors support demand but argue for careful property selection. Recorded rent growth of 33.3% is positive, but investors should stress-test returns against supply, maintenance and financing costs rather than assume past growth repeats.
Development Activity
Total DAs
596
Last 12 Months
127
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+6.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in St Marys
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
St Marys has a median age of 34, six years below the national comparison, and 36.9% of residents were born overseas, 15.3 percentage points above the national figure. The largest listed ancestries are Other at 3,037, English at 2,916 and Filipino at 825, while Christianity counts 6,874 and no religion 3,052. University attainment is 26.6%, 3.5 points below the national comparison, which aligns with a workforce led by machinery/drivers, clerical/admin and professionals. Household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, and 75.0% stayed at the same address, suggesting a younger but not highly transient community. Compared with nearby Werrington, St Marys presents a more established, renter-led multicultural profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
51.3%
Houses
30.0%
Townhouse
18.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing in St Marys is notably mixed. Separate houses make up 51.3% of stock, but semi-detached dwellings reach 30.0% and apartments 18.6%, giving the suburb a broader format mix than a detached-only district. Three-bedroom homes account for 48.8%, followed by 2-bedroom dwellings at 26.6% and 4-plus bedrooms at 19.7%. Tenure is renter-heavy: 53.6% rent, compared with 27.1% paying a mortgage and 18.2% owning outright. Weekly rent is $365, rent-to-income is 25.4%, and mortgage-to-income is 29.7%, with neither stress flag raised. Compared with nearby Penrith, this profile is more rental-oriented, so dwelling type, strata exposure and holding costs matter as much as land size.
Mortgage / mo
$1,847
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $365.
$590
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $600 · units $500
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$754
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
391
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
41.6%
Couples with children
28.7%
Couples, no children
26.3%
Single parent
3,211
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the standout industry at 20.6% or 634 workers, followed by construction at 10.0% and 308, retail at 8.7% and 267, education at 8.6% and 266, and transport at 8.2% and 254. This spread gives St Marys exposure to essential services and blue-collar work rather than one narrow employer base. Occupations rank machinery/drivers first at 923, clerical/admin at 810, professionals at 713, community/personal at 654 and trades at 634. Labour-force participation is 54.2%, full-time employment 57.7% and unemployment 7.2%, while household income sits at the 42.6th percentile. All four SEIFA measures are in decile 1, signalling disadvantage below higher socioeconomic deciles nationally despite the healthcare and transport base.
Unemployment
7.2%
Labour Force
5,658
Unemployed
408
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.7%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
54.2%
Employed
5,250
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.6%
Postgraduate
7.2%
Born Overseas
36.9%
Dwellings
4,763
Transport to Work
Daily life is practical but car-oriented. Car drivers account for 62.5% of travel, compared with 3.7% using public transport and 1.9% walking or cycling; 25.7% work from home. That pattern means access is likely strongest for households with a vehicle, while station and bus connections should be checked for anyone seeking lower car dependence. Five nearby government schools cover 3 primary and 2 secondary settings, including options in St Marys and adjoining Oxley Park and Colyton; exact enrolment zones matter by address. Density is 1,367.2 people per square kilometre across 9.7 square kilometres. IRSAD is in decile 1, indicating materially greater disadvantage than higher-decile locations. No crime rate is quoted, so verify current safety conditions locally.
Drive
62.5%
Public Transport
3.7%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
25.7%
Population Forecast
+1.3%/yr
(+243 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth looks steady rather than speculative. The annual trend is 1.3%, the wider-area population change is 18.3% over 10 years, and the trajectory is Stable. Overseas migration is the primary driver, which fits the suburb's 36.9% overseas-born share and supports demand for rental housing. Rent growth is recorded at 33.3%, while affordability improved from 56.2 in 2011 to 50.3 in 2021, indicating a changing but still established market. Gentrification signals are mixed: the shift reading scores 41 at Early signs, but the dedicated gentrification score is 18 and labelled Not gentrifying. Compared with a rapid redevelopment corridor, St Marys appears more likely to evolve incrementally than reset its identity.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+206
Net Internal / yr
-8
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +24% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +206/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How St Marys compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Marys a good suburb to live in?
St Marys can suit households seeking established services and a younger, renter-led setting. The median age is 34, 53.6% of dwellings are rented and 62.5% of commuters drive, so it is better matched to residents who value road access than a car-free lifestyle. Check the exact street for parking, noise and enrolment zones.
What is the median house price in St Marys?
A current median house price is not quoted. The suburb has a weekly rent of $365 and a monthly mortgage figure of $1,847, but neither replaces a sale-price median. Recent settled sales should be compared by dwelling type, because 51.3% of homes are separate houses and 30.0% are semi-detached.
What schools are in St Marys?
Nearby education access includes 5 government schools across primary and secondary years: 3 primary and 2 secondary. The group includes schools in St Marys plus options in adjoining Oxley Park and Colyton. Compared with a suburb offering only one school phase, this gives families more choice across years, but enrolment zones still depend on the exact address.
Is St Marys safe?
No suburb-level crime rate is quoted, so the absence of a figure should not be treated as a safety rating. Check current NSW Police information and ask about the exact pocket, lighting and evening activity rather than assuming conditions are uniform. St Marys has 13,256 residents across 9.7 square kilometres, so conditions can differ around major roads, station areas and quieter streets.
Is St Marys good for property investment?
St Marys has investment fundamentals shaped by renters: 53.6% rent, weekly rent is $365 and vacancy is 7.6%. Vacancy is higher than in a tightly supplied market, while 125 development applications in 12 months may add competing stock. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver and annual growth is 1.3%, supporting demand but requiring careful checks on supply, financing and maintenance.
How is St Marys's population changing?
St Marys has 13,256 residents today. Across the wider area, the forecast points to 1.3% annual growth, 18.3% population change over 10 years and a Stable trajectory, with Overseas migration the primary driver. The dedicated gentrification score is 18 and labelled Not gentrifying, so change looks more established than transformational.
What languages are spoken in St Marys?
Arabic, Samoan, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu are among the recorded languages, with counts of 192, 116, 96, 95 and 78 respectively. The overseas-born share is 36.9%, which is 15.3 percentage points above the national figure. Compared with the national mix, translated services and culturally specific community connections may be particularly relevant.
How much development is happening in St Marys?
Development activity is material, with 125 applications recorded over 12 months. That volume is higher than a low-change established suburb and may increase attached-dwelling supply, construction disruption or future competition for tenants. Review approvals, dwelling counts and the exact street before buying, because the 7.6% vacancy rate already gives renters more choice.
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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