Summerland Point
A 15% vacancy rate alongside a $810,000 median house price tells the core story of Summerland Point: a Lake Macquarie-adjacent suburb shaped by sea-change migration rather than local employment. The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, and 44.7% of homes are owned outright, well above the national average, pointing to a retiree-heavy resident base who arrived debt-free. Population grew 20.2% over the decade, driven by internal migration at 98 net arrivals per year. The income base sits at the 31.3rd household income percentile nationally, below average, yet house prices have risen, creating a structural affordability pressure for younger buyers.
Population
2,708
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,312/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
30
Median House
$810K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price reached $850,000 in 2025, up 6.6% from $797,500 in 2024. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 96.7%, with apartments at just 2.6%, so buyers are competing for a single property type. Bedrooms skew large: 43.7% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 42.1% have 3, giving families good options but limiting entry-level stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,730 against a household income at the 31.3rd percentile nationally, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 30.5%, at the stress threshold. Buyers coming from Sydney metro markets will find prices lower than state capital medians, but local income levels mean local buyers face genuine affordability strain.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $850,000 in 2025, up 6.6% from $797,500 in 2024. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 96.7%, with apartments at just 2.6%, so buyers are competing for a single property type. Bedrooms skew large: 43.7% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 42.1% have 3, giving families good options but limiting entry-level stock. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,730 against a household income at the 31.3rd percentile nationally, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 30.5%, at the stress threshold. Buyers coming from Sydney metro markets will find prices lower than state capital medians, but local income levels mean local buyers face genuine affordability strain.
For Investors
Summerland Point's 15% vacancy rate is the defining investor risk. Weekly rent of $400 against an $810,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, below the threshold most investors target. The renter share is low at 20.4%, because the suburb skews toward outright owners and mortgagors, so tenant demand is thin. On the positive side, internal migration is adding 98 net residents per year, and population grew 20.2% over the decade. Development activity saw 27 applications in the past 12 months, mostly alterations rather than new supply. The rent-to-income ratio of 30.5% means sitting tenants are already at stress levels, limiting rent growth potential. Investment here suits a patient capital-growth strategy rather than yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
128
Last 12 Months
30
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 48 sits 8 years above the national figure, and the aging trajectory is confirmed: the senior share rose 3.3 points while the working-age share fell 1.1 points over the decade. The overseas-born share is 12.2%, which is 9.4 points below national, consistent with a predominantly Australian-born population. English ancestry leads at 1,176 residents, followed by Scottish (329) and Irish (325). University qualifications reach just 14.6%, which is 15.5 points below the national average, pointing to a trades and services workforce. The average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. Couples without children make up 34.8% of families, the dominant household type, which aligns with the older resident profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
0.3%
Townhouse
2.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is strongly weighted toward ownership: 44.7% own outright and 35% carry a mortgage, leaving only 20.4% renting. The outright owner share is well above national averages, reflecting the sea-change retiree cohort who sold metropolitan properties and paid cash. Separate houses account for 96.7% of dwellings, making this one of the most detached-dominant suburbs in NSW. Bedroom distribution is concentrated at 3 and 4-plus bedrooms (42.1% and 43.7% respectively), with minimal 1-2 bedroom stock at 14.1% combined. Price moved from $797,500 in 2024 to $850,000 in 2025, a 6.6% gain. The mortgage stress flag is active, with mortgage-to-income and rent-to-income both at 30.5%, meaning residents at both ends of the tenure spectrum are stretched.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,730
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$646
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.0%
Unoccupied
184
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.5% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.5% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
34.8%
Couples, no children
2,188
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest industry at 20.2% of employed residents (140 workers), above what a suburb of 2,708 people would typically generate, suggesting outcommuting to regional health facilities nearby. Construction follows at 16.2% (112 workers), then Education at 9.2% (64), Retail at 7.9% (55) and Manufacturing at 7.1% (49). The participation rate is 44.1%, well below the national benchmark, because the older age profile pushes a large share of residents into retirement: 1,019 people are not in the labour force. Unemployment stands at 6.1%. The SEIFA IEO decile of 1 places Summerland Point in the bottom tenth nationally for education and occupation, while the IRSD decile of 4 indicates below-average relative disadvantage, a divergence explained by the outright-owner wealth that income metrics do not capture.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
3,371
Unemployed
106
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.9%
Part-time
33.0%
Participation
44.1%
Employed
942
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.6%
Postgraduate
2.8%
Born Overseas
12.2%
Dwellings
1,039
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme: 92.6% of residents drive to work, above the national average, and only 1.8% walk or cycle. Public transport data is not available for this suburb, consistent with a low-density lakeside setting far from rail. No schools are recorded within the Summerland Point boundary, so families depend on schools in surrounding Lake Macquarie suburbs. Crime statistics are not available at the suburb level. The IRSAD decile of 3 places the suburb in the lower third nationally for relative socio-economic advantage, partly offset by the high outright ownership rate of 44.7% that depresses measured income while reflecting accumulated housing wealth. The volunteering rate is 9.1% and 8.4% of residents (215 people) need daily assistance, a rate above average and linked to the older median age of 48.
Drive
92.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.47%/yr
(+104 people/yr)
EstablishedThe population reached an estimated 7,094 in 2025, up from 6,756 in 2023, continuing a 10-year growth trend of 20.2%. Annual growth runs at 1.47%, adding roughly 104 people per year. The primary driver is internal migration at 98 net arrivals annually, with overseas migration contributing 18 per year. Medium forecasts project the population reaching approximately 7,599 by 2031. The gentrification score sits at 37 with early signs classification, signalled by population growth of 28% since 2011 and accelerating internal migration. Rent grew 46.3% over the decade, well above income growth of 19.5% in real terms, which is why the rent stress flag is active. Affordability has stayed essentially stable, at 59.3% in 2011 versus 59.0% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+18
Net Internal / yr
+98
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +28% since 2011, Net internal migration +98/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 20%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Summerland Point compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summerland Point a good suburb to live in?
Summerland Point suits sea-change buyers and retirees more than young families. The median age is 48, which is 8 years above the national figure, and 44.7% of homes are owned outright. The IRSAD decile of 3 places it in the lower third nationally for advantage, but the outright ownership rate reflects accumulated wealth that income measures miss. Car dependence is high at 92.6% and no schools are recorded within the suburb boundary.
What is the median house price in Summerland Point?
The median house price is $810,000, having risen 6.6% from $797,500 in 2024 to $850,000 in 2025. Weekly rent averages $400 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,730. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 30.5% sits at the stress threshold given that household income is at the 31.3rd percentile nationally.
What schools are in Summerland Point?
No schools are recorded within the Summerland Point boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring Lake Macquarie suburbs. University qualification rates are 14.6%, which is 15.5 points below the national average, reflecting the older, trades-oriented resident base rather than a lack of access to education for current families.
Is Summerland Point safe?
Suburb-level crime statistics are not available for Summerland Point in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the IRSD decile of 4 places the suburb slightly below the national median for relative disadvantage. The unemployment rate is 6.1% and 8.4% of residents need daily assistance, both above typical low-crime benchmarks, though neither is a direct crime measure.
Is Summerland Point good for property investment?
The 15% vacancy rate is the main caution: with only 20.4% of households renting, tenant demand is thin. Weekly rent of $400 against an $810,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, below most investor targets. Internal migration of 98 net arrivals per year supports long-run capital growth, and prices rose 6.6% in one year, but the yield and vacancy figures make this a capital-growth-only play.
How is Summerland Point's population changing?
The population reached an estimated 7,094 in 2025 after growing 20.2% over the decade, with annual growth at 1.47% (about 104 people per year). Internal migration is the primary driver at 98 net arrivals annually. Medium forecasts project approximately 7,599 residents by 2031. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 3.3 points and the working-age share down 1.1 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Summerland Point?
There were 27 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Most are alterations and additions to existing homes or complying development certificates rather than new dwellings, consistent with an established owner-occupier base. The 96.7% separate house stock and low apartment share of 2.6% suggest new construction is likely to be infill renovation rather than medium-density supply.
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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