Summer Hill
A 1.2 km2 pocket 7 km from the Sydney CBD, Summer Hill packs 7,288 residents at a density of 6,058 per km2 and a university qualification rate of 63.6%, which is 33.5 percentage points above the national figure. The suburb is renter-majority: 50.3% of households rent, well above state averages, while only 19.6% of dwellings are separate houses. Household income sits in the 87.1st percentile nationally, meaning residents earn well above average despite a median age of 36, four years younger than the national figure. The combination of high density, high education and high rental share gives Summer Hill the profile of an urban knowledge-worker suburb rather than a family ownership market.
Population
7,288
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,260/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
61
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $1,232,000 reflects strong demand in a suburb where separate houses make up only 19.6% of dwellings, creating scarcity that keeps detached prices elevated compared to more apartment-heavy inner-west peers. Price history shows a modest softening from $1,245,000 in 2024 to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 3.6% decline, giving buyers some negotiating room against the recent peak. Apartments dominate at 63.2% of stock, with 2-bedroom dwellings at 49.3% forming the largest segment. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,708, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.7%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold, making Summer Hill more serviceable than many inner-Sydney alternatives. Outright owners at 21.4% are outnumbered by mortgage holders at 28.2%, indicating the suburb is still in an accumulation phase rather than one dominated by debt-free wealth.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,232,000 reflects strong demand in a suburb where separate houses make up only 19.6% of dwellings, creating scarcity that keeps detached prices elevated compared to more apartment-heavy inner-west peers. Price history shows a modest softening from $1,245,000 in 2024 to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 3.6% decline, giving buyers some negotiating room against the recent peak. Apartments dominate at 63.2% of stock, with 2-bedroom dwellings at 49.3% forming the largest segment. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,708, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.7%, which sits below the 30% stress threshold, making Summer Hill more serviceable than many inner-Sydney alternatives. Outright owners at 21.4% are outnumbered by mortgage holders at 28.2%, indicating the suburb is still in an accumulation phase rather than one dominated by debt-free wealth.
For Investors
A 50.3% renter share is the headline figure for investors, well above NSW averages and reflecting the apartment-dominant, younger professional character of Summer Hill. Weekly rent of $460 against a $1,232,000 median implies a gross yield around 1.9%, low by national standards but typical for inner-west Sydney. The 10.8% vacancy rate is elevated and signals genuine oversupply in the apartment segment, which makes it the key risk to weigh. Development activity is solid at 57 applications in 12 months, mostly alterations and complying development rather than large new supply, limiting future stock competition. Demand support comes from proximity to the CBD and appeal to knowledge workers, with household incomes in the 87.1st percentile nationally providing a cushion against prolonged vacancy.
Development Activity
Total DAs
343
Last 12 Months
61
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-12.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Summer Hill iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Trinity Grammar School
K-12 · 2296 students
Summer Hill Public School
K-6 · 662 students
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 163 students
Demographics
At a median age of 36, Summer Hill residents are 4 years younger than the national figure, consistent with the working-age professional profile. University qualifications reach 63.6%, which is 33.5 percentage points above the national average, among the highest rates in inner-west Sydney. Overseas-born residents account for 33.5% of the population, 11.9 points above national, with English (2,100), Irish (1,030) and Chinese (752) the leading ancestries. Mandarin is the most common non-English language at 145 speakers, followed by Cantonese (56) and Nepali (46). Average household size is 2.1, which is 0.4 below the national figure, consistent with the high proportion of couples without children (33.5% of families) and the apartment-heavy, renter-majority character of the suburb.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
19.6%
Houses
17.0%
Townhouse
63.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Summer Hill's housing stock reflects its inner-urban identity: 63.2% apartments, 17.0% semi-detached and only 19.6% separate houses, a composition more concentrated toward apartments than most Sydney inner-west suburbs. The 2-bedroom segment dominates at 49.3%, with 3-bedroom at 20.6% and studios or 1-bedrooms at 18.2%. Tenure splits across 50.3% renters, 28.2% mortgage holders and 21.4% outright owners. The latest median house price of $1,200,000 in 2025 is down 3.6% from the 2024 peak of $1,245,000. Rent-to-income at 20.4% keeps renters below the 30% stress threshold, while the mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.7% also sits comfortably below stress levels, meaning that despite high prices, incomes in the 87.1st percentile nationally keep repayments manageable for buyers.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,708
Rent / wk
$460
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$1,317
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.8%
Unoccupied
378
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.5%
Couples, no children
4,946
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce leans heavily toward professional and knowledge-sector employment. Professional/Tech leads at 16.9% (605 workers), followed by Healthcare at 14.5% (518) and Education at 13.9% (499), with Public Admin at 8.6% and Finance at 8.5% rounding out the top five. By occupation, Professionals are the single largest group at 1,934, followed by Managers at 714 and Clerical/Admin at 543. Personal weekly income averages $1,317 and household income sits at $2,260 per week, placing Summer Hill in the 87.1st percentile nationally. Unemployment is 4.6% and the full-time employment rate is 71.5%, with a participation rate of 66.2%. These figures are consistent with a high-attainment suburb where professional services drive the bulk of earnings.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
71.5%
Part-time
23.9%
Participation
66.2%
Employed
3,970
Occupations
Top Industries
University
63.6%
Postgraduate
20.3%
Born Overseas
33.5%
Dwellings
3,101
Transport to Work
Public transport uptake at 19.7% is strong and reflects Summer Hill's position on the inner-west rail corridor, with walking and cycling accounting for 11.4% of commutes. Car dependence at 65.2% is lower than the national norm, consistent with the high-density urban form at 6,058 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within the 1.2 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs including Ashfield and Ashbury. The volunteering rate of 16.9% reflects reasonable community engagement. Housing stress indicators are favourable: rent-to-income at 20.4% and mortgage-to-income at 27.7% are both below the 30% national stress threshold, making Summer Hill more affordable to actually live in than its $1,232,000 median price implies.
Drive
65.2%
Public Transport
19.7%
Walk / Cycle
11.4%
Work from Home
N/A
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Summer Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summer Hill a good suburb to live in?
Summer Hill offers a high-density inner-city lifestyle 7 km from the Sydney CBD, with household incomes in the 87.1st percentile nationally and 63.6% of residents holding university qualifications, which is 33.5 points above the national figure. Strong public transport access and a 50.3% renter share make it well-suited to professionals. The main trade-offs are a 10.8% apartment vacancy rate and no schools recorded inside the 1.2 km2 boundary.
What is the median house price in Summer Hill?
The median house price in Summer Hill is $1,232,000, with data showing $1,245,000 in 2024 declining to $1,200,000 in 2025, a 3.6% drop from peak. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,708, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 27.7%, below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent averages $460.
What schools are in Summer Hill?
No schools are recorded inside Summer Hill's 1.2 km2 boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Ashfield and Ashbury. Despite this, 63.6% of Summer Hill residents hold university qualifications, which is 33.5 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Summer Hill safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Summer Hill in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb has household incomes in the 87.1st percentile nationally and a 63.6% university qualification rate, both associated with lower-disadvantage environments. Only 5.0% of residents (345 people) need daily assistance, suggesting a generally well-resourced population.
Is Summer Hill good for property investment?
Summer Hill has a 50.3% renter share, providing a deep tenant pool, but the 10.8% vacancy rate signals existing apartment oversupply. Weekly rent of $460 against a $1,200,000 latest median implies a gross yield near 2.0%, low by national standards. With 57 development applications in 12 months and prices down 3.6% from the 2024 peak, investors should weigh income growth potential carefully against the current vacancy risk.
How is Summer Hill's population changing?
Summer Hill's population is 7,288, with a high turnover rate of 32.3% suggesting the suburb attracts mobile, professionally employed residents. The median age of 36 is 4 years below the national figure, indicating continued appeal to younger working-age residents. A 33.5% overseas-born share, which is 11.9 points above national, points to ongoing migration as a demand driver.
What languages are spoken in Summer Hill?
About 33.5% of Summer Hill residents were born overseas, which is 11.9 percentage points above the national figure. Mandarin is the most common non-English language at 145 speakers, followed by Cantonese (56), Nepali (46), Greek (40) and Italian (39). Chinese ancestry accounts for 752 residents, the fourth-largest ancestry group.
How much development is happening in Summer Hill?
Summer Hill recorded 57 development applications in the past 12 months. Activity is dominated by alterations and additions to existing dwellings, including balcony additions and complying development certificates for pools, rather than large new supply. This is consistent with an established inner-city suburb constrained to 1.2 km2 with a density already at 6,058 residents per km2.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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