Suffolk Park
An 11.3% vacancy rate is the standout feature of Suffolk Park's housing market, alongside a population of 4,222 and a compact 4.16 sq km footprint. The suburb has a strong remote-work presence, with 31.7% working from home, while household income sits at the 75.6th percentile nationally. Compared with Byron Bay, Suffolk Park presents a more residential housing mix, with 69.2% separate houses and 28.2% semi-detached dwellings. Its median age of 39 is slightly below the national figure, while university attainment is 44.1%, or 14 percentage points above the national comparison. These traits support demand from professionals, established couples and households seeking space without moving far from the Byron region.
Population
4,222
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,020/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
59
Suffolk Park suits buyers prioritising 3 and 4-plus bedroom homes, which account for 45.8% and 34.5% of occupied dwellings respectively. The stock is mainly separate houses at 69.2%, followed by semi-detached homes at 28.2%, while apartments represent only 1.4%. Mortgage repayments average $2,383 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 27.2%, below the 34.7% rent-to-income ratio. That difference makes ownership look more manageable than renting for households able to meet the deposit and lending tests. Couples with children represent 40.6% of families, while the average household size is 2.6, helping explain the preference for larger floorplans. Compared with Byron Bay's more established town-centre market, Suffolk Park may appeal to buyers seeking a lower-rise residential setting.
For Buyers
Suffolk Park suits buyers prioritising 3 and 4-plus bedroom homes, which account for 45.8% and 34.5% of occupied dwellings respectively. The stock is mainly separate houses at 69.2%, followed by semi-detached homes at 28.2%, while apartments represent only 1.4%. Mortgage repayments average $2,383 per month, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 27.2%, below the 34.7% rent-to-income ratio. That difference makes ownership look more manageable than renting for households able to meet the deposit and lending tests. Couples with children represent 40.6% of families, while the average household size is 2.6, helping explain the preference for larger floorplans. Compared with Byron Bay's more established town-centre market, Suffolk Park may appeal to buyers seeking a lower-rise residential setting.
For Investors
Rental investment requires a careful vacancy assessment. Weekly rent is $700, but the vacancy rate is 11.3%, which can create longer letting periods or require sharper pricing than a tightly occupied market. Renters make up 33.2% of households, almost level with outright owners at 33.8%, so the tenant base is material but not dominant. Compared with owner-occupied tenure, the rental share supports demand for well-presented homes, particularly where three-bedroom properties represent 45.8% of the stock. Development activity is also notable, with 60 applications recorded over 12 months, including sampled alterations, fences and swimming pools. This suggests ongoing property-level investment rather than a clear pipeline of large apartment projects. Investors should stress-test vacancy, insurance, maintenance and achievable rent before relying on the $700 weekly figure.
Development Activity
Total DAs
347
Last 12 Months
59
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-4.8%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Suffolk Park has a median age of 39, one year below the national comparison, and a university attainment rate of 44.1%, which is 14 percentage points above the national figure. The overseas-born share is 27.3%, or 5.7 percentage points above the national comparison, while average household size is 2.6, just 0.1 above the national level. English ancestry is recorded for 1,714 residents, followed by Irish at 630 and Scottish at 505. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 2,538 people, compared with 1,074 identifying with Christianity and 81 with Buddhism. These figures point to a relatively educated, mobile population with a strong secular profile. Compared with a more tourism-focused Byron Bay setting, Suffolk Park's household composition is anchored by couples, families and long-term residents, with 70.9% staying at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
69.2%
Houses
28.2%
Townhouse
1.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Suffolk Park's housing is predominantly low-rise and family-oriented. Separate houses account for 69.2% of dwellings, semi-detached homes 28.2% and apartments 1.4%. Three-bedroom properties are the largest bedroom category at 45.8%, while 4-plus bedroom homes make up 34.5%; smaller 2-bedroom dwellings account for 14.4%. Tenure is comparatively balanced, with 33.8% owned outright, 31.2% under mortgage and 33.2% rented. Compared with renting, outright ownership is slightly more common, indicating a settled base alongside a sizeable tenant market. Household income is $2,020 per week, while mortgage repayments average $2,383 monthly. Mortgage stress is reported at 27.2%, below rent stress at 34.7%, so the main affordability pressure falls more heavily on renters. The housing mix supports demand for outdoor space and larger homes rather than apartment-led living.
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $700.
$1,000
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,300 · units $750
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$894
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
11.3%
Unoccupied
186
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
34.7% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
40.6%
Couples with children
40.7%
Couples, no children
16.9%
Single parent
991
Total families
Economy & Employment
Suffolk Park's employment base combines care, tourism, professional services, construction and education. Healthcare is the largest industry at 17.5%, or 267 workers, followed by hospitality at 14.2% and 216 workers. Professional and technical services account for 12.1% and 185 workers, while construction and education each represent 10.2%, with 156 workers apiece. The leading occupations are professionals at 599, managers at 378 and trades workers at 307. Part-time employment is higher than full-time employment, with 1,051 part-time workers compared with 936 full-time workers, reflecting the influence of hospitality, care and flexible work. Participation is 64.2%, unemployment is 4.9% and the labour force totals 2,259. Compared with a purely tourism-dependent economy, the mix is broader because professional, healthcare, construction and education work provide additional income sources. Personal income is $894 weekly and family income is $2,164.
Unemployment
4.9%
Labour Force
2,259
Unemployed
111
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
43.6%
Part-time
48.9%
Participation
64.2%
Employed
2,148
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.1%
Postgraduate
9.7%
Born Overseas
27.3%
Dwellings
1,456
Transport to Work
Daily mobility in Suffolk Park is strongly car-dependent. Around 60.0% of residents drive to work, compared with only 0.3% using public transport and 5.3% walking or cycling, while 31.7% work from home. This pattern suits households with cars and remote workers, but makes travel planning more important for people without private transport. The suburb's compact 4.16 sq km area and density of 1,014.1 people per sq km support a relatively contained residential environment. Families should check school options, sector, enrolment zones and travel times against the exact address, since practical access can vary across nearby neighbourhoods. Community participation is reflected in a volunteering rate of 19.4%, while 4.1% of residents need assistance with core activities. Compared with public transport, driving is clearly the dominant travel mode. Current local safety information should also be reviewed before purchase or renting, particularly at the street and time-of-day level.
Drive
60.0%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
5.3%
Work from Home
31.7%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Suffolk Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suffolk Park a good suburb to live in?
Suffolk Park can suit households seeking larger homes, remote-work capacity and a residential setting near Byron Bay. It has 4,222 residents, 31.7% working from home and 69.2% separate houses. Renters should budget carefully because weekly rent is $700 and rent-to-income pressure is 34.7%.
What is the median house price in Suffolk Park?
Check recent local sales for the current median house price and compare properties by dwelling type. Suffolk Park has 69.2% separate houses, 28.2% semi-detached homes and 1.4% apartments, so a single median can conceal differences between 3-bedroom and 4-plus-bedroom properties.
What schools are in Suffolk Park?
School choices should be checked against the exact address, including enrolment zones, sector, year levels and travel times. Suffolk Park has 4,222 residents across 4.16 sq km, and 31.7% of workers work from home, so families should assess both school access and daily transport requirements before committing to a property.
Is Suffolk Park safe?
Review current NSW Police crime information and visit the preferred street at different times before deciding. Suffolk Park has 4,222 residents across 4.16 sq km, so local conditions can vary by street, lighting, access routes and proximity to busier activity areas. A direct inspection is more useful than relying on a suburb-wide impression.
Is Suffolk Park good for property investment?
Suffolk Park has investment positives, including weekly rent of $700 and 33.2% renting households, but the 11.3% vacancy rate requires caution. A further 60 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Compare achievable rent, vacancy assumptions, insurance and maintenance costs before purchasing.
How is Suffolk Park's population changing?
The current population is 4,222, with 70.9% of residents staying at the same address and 29.1% turning over. That indicates a stable base alongside regular movement. Sixty development applications in 12 months also point to ongoing property activity, although an 11.3% vacancy rate suggests demand is not uniformly tight.
What development is happening in Suffolk Park?
Development activity includes 60 applications over 12 months. The sampled applications involve dwelling alterations, fences and swimming pools rather than a clearly identified large housing estate. Buyers should check council records, approval conditions and construction impacts for the specific street and property before making a decision.
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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