Strathfield
A 62.8% overseas-born population, 58.9% university-educated share and 25,915 residents packed into 6.55 sq km give Strathfield a distinctly urban, internationally connected character. The median age is 32, or 8 years below the national figure, while household income sits at the 87.1st percentile. Compared with nearby Burwood's more town-centre-oriented setting, Strathfield retains a substantial 45.5% separate-house component alongside 49.4% apartments. That mix helps explain why the suburb attracts renters, professionals and established families at the same time, with 2.8 people per household and 41.0% working from home.
Population
25,915
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,262/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
205
Homebuyers need to choose between apartment convenience and low-rise space: 49.4% of dwellings are apartments, compared with 45.5% separate houses, while 33.8% have 4 or more bedrooms and 35.7% have 2 bedrooms. A $2,765 monthly mortgage equals 28.2% of household income, with the mortgage stress flag recorded as false, although individual borrowing capacity varies. Weekly rent of $480 gives buyers a useful holding-cost comparison, especially when assessing an apartment. Strathfield suits households that value access and amenity over large blocks, while nearby Homebush can be considered when newer apartment stock is the priority. Check strata fees, parking, school catchments and renovation rules before committing.
For Buyers
Homebuyers need to choose between apartment convenience and low-rise space: 49.4% of dwellings are apartments, compared with 45.5% separate houses, while 33.8% have 4 or more bedrooms and 35.7% have 2 bedrooms. A $2,765 monthly mortgage equals 28.2% of household income, with the mortgage stress flag recorded as false, although individual borrowing capacity varies. Weekly rent of $480 gives buyers a useful holding-cost comparison, especially when assessing an apartment. Strathfield suits households that value access and amenity over large blocks, while nearby Homebush can be considered when newer apartment stock is the priority. Check strata fees, parking, school catchments and renovation rules before committing.
For Investors
Investors get a renter-heavy market, with 44.6% of households renting and weekly rent at $480. Vacancy is 9.9%, so tenant demand should not be assumed from the renter share alone; a higher vacancy rate can mean longer letting periods or more choice for tenants. The 49.4% apartment share, higher than the 45.5% separate-house share, points to a sizeable unit investment pool, while 200 development matters lodged in 12 months increase the need to assess competing supply. Growth is forecast at 2.79% annually and is driven by internal migration, which supports a medium-term demand case. Compare building quality, strata levies and transport access across streets, because rental performance can vary sharply between older units and newer projects.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1,164
Last 12 Months
205
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-3.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Strathfield
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Strathfield is younger than Australia overall but is also moving toward an older age profile. Its median age of 32 is 8 years below the national figure, while the overseas-born share is 62.8%, 41.2 percentage points above the national comparison. University attainment reaches 58.9%, or 28.8 points above national, helping explain the strong professional presence. Chinese ancestry counts 5,635, Korean 1,998 and Indian 1,925, while Nepali is the largest listed language at 2,089 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 1,059. Couples with children represent 45.3% of families, compared with 39.5% couples without children, and average household size is 2.8, 0.3 above national. These patterns support demand for both compact rentals and larger family homes.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
45.5%
Houses
4.6%
Townhouse
49.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Strathfield's housing is unusually split between apartments and detached stock: 49.4% apartments versus 45.5% separate houses, with semi-detached homes at 4.6%. Tenure is also mixed, with 44.6% renting, 29.2% owned outright and 24.0% mortgaged. The bedroom profile reflects both compact units and larger family homes: 35.7% have 2 bedrooms, 33.8% have 4 or more, and 19.9% have 3. Rent at $480 a week and mortgage costs of $2,765 a month represent 21.2% and 28.2% of household income, respectively, with both stress flags recorded as false. Compared with nearby Homebush's apartment-led feel, Strathfield provides more visible low-rise choice, but buyers should price strata, parking and maintenance because tenure and building type can change within a few blocks.
Mortgage / mo
$2,765
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $480.
$740
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,100 · units $700
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$815
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.9%
Unoccupied
939
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
45.3%
Couples with children
39.5%
Couples, no children
10.7%
Single parent
6,169
Total families
Economy & Employment
Strathfield's economic base is led by healthcare, 22.2% or 2,246 workers, followed by professional and technical services at 13.2% and finance at 8.3%. Retail contributes 9.0% and hospitality 7.6%, giving the local employment mix both high-skill and customer-facing roles. Professionals number 4,396 and managers 1,650, consistent with household income at the 87.1st percentile. Participation is 62.2%, unemployment 6.7% and full-time employment 51.2%, while 7,473 people are outside the labour force. The SEIFA education and occupation decile is 10 and IRSAD is 9, both higher than the IRSD decile of 6. That gap suggests strong skills and income alongside pockets of broader disadvantage, so economic outcomes are more uneven than the top deciles alone imply.
Unemployment
6.7%
Labour Force
14,302
Unemployed
959
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
51.2%
Part-time
37.9%
Participation
62.2%
Employed
13,343
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
58.9%
Postgraduate
17.8%
Born Overseas
62.8%
Dwellings
8,553
Transport to Work
Daily life benefits from a dense setting of 3,956.7 residents per sq km, with 17.7% using public transport, 35.3% driving and 41.0% working from home. This split means access needs vary: households near frequent services can reduce car dependence, while families with school-aged children may still value parking and a simple road route. Four local schools cover 2 government primary schools, 1 government secondary school and 1 government school for specific purposes. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can cut across nearby streets. Socioeconomic advantage is high at IRSAD decile 9, above the middle deciles, although the IRSD decile is 6, so amenity and household experience may differ by pocket. For safety decisions, inspect recent local alerts, lighting, station routes and building access at different times.
Drive
35.3%
Public Transport
17.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.8%
Work from Home
41.0%
Population Forecast
+2.79%/yr
(+327 people/yr)
EstablishedStrathfield is an established suburb with a forecast annual growth trend of 2.79%, driven primarily by internal migration. That is a stronger signal than a flat-growth outlook, but the trajectory is also labelled Aging: the senior share rose 8.0 points while the young share fell 2.9 points and the working share declined 5.5 points. Population change across the wider area is 52.5% over 10 years, reinforcing long-run momentum. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 34, while rent growth reached 33.3%. Together, these figures point to continued demand, increasing rental pressure and a changing age mix rather than a simple young-professional story. Planning and investment decisions should allow for both infill activity and ageing households.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+20
Net Internal / yr
+151
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +151/yr, Accelerating: 24% → 33%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Strathfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strathfield a good suburb to live in?
Strathfield suits people who value density, education and transport access. It has 25,915 residents, 49.4% apartments, 17.7% public transport use and IRSAD decile 9. The trade-off is a mixed housing and age profile, with 44.6% renters and an Aging trajectory, so inspect the exact street and building.
What is the median house price in Strathfield?
Check a live sales series for Strathfield's current median house price rather than relying on a broad suburb estimate. The housing mix is 45.5% separate houses and 49.4% apartments, while the monthly mortgage figure is $2,765. Compare settled sales by bedroom count, land size and condition because a single median can conceal major differences between apartment and house stock.
What schools are in Strathfield?
Strathfield has 4 local schools: 2 government primary schools, 1 government secondary school and 1 government school for specific purposes. School access depends on the exact address, so check enrolment zones and current intake rules before signing a lease or contract. The school mix supports both primary and secondary needs, but location alone does not establish school performance.
Is Strathfield safe?
Assess safety street by street: visit at different times, review recent local police alerts, and check lighting, station routes and building access. With 3,956.7 residents per sq km and 49.4% apartments, conditions can vary between busy centres, apartment blocks and quieter residential streets. Building entry controls and the walk home after dark also deserve attention.
Is Strathfield good for property investment?
Strathfield can suit investors seeking a deep rental pool, with 44.6% renting, $480 weekly rent and 9.9% vacancy. The forecast trend is 2.79% annually and is driven by internal migration, but 200 development matters in 12 months may increase competition. Compare strata costs, vacancy by building, maintenance and achieved rents before buying, because apartment returns can differ from suburb-wide averages.
How is Strathfield's population changing?
Strathfield's current population is 25,915. Population change across the wider area is 52.5% over 10 years, while the annual growth trend is 2.79% and internal migration is the primary driver. The age trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 8.0 points and young share down 2.9 points, so demand may grow while household needs shift.
What languages are spoken in Strathfield?
The largest listed language is Nepali, spoken by 2,089 people, followed by Mandarin at 1,059, Korean at 882, Canton at 846 and Arabic at 615. The 62.8% overseas-born share helps explain why local services, schools and businesses may need to accommodate several language groups.
What development is happening in Strathfield?
Development activity is substantial, with 200 matters lodged in 12 months. Examples include demolition and erection of a new co-living structure, complying development certificates and a dwelling house with swimming pool. Check council approvals and construction timing for the exact street because new supply can affect parking, noise, privacy and rental competition.
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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