Sutton
A population of 1,556 is spread across 144.81 sq km, giving Sutton a low density of 10.7 people per sq km and a distinctly rural-residential pattern. Household income sits at the 97.4th percentile nationally, while the median age of 44 is 4 years above the national figure. Almost every dwelling is a separate house at 98.9%, and 59.5% have four or more bedrooms. Compared with nearby Gundaroo's village setting, Sutton's larger footprint and lower density point to a more dispersed acreage lifestyle, supported by a 16.4% work-from-home rate and 77.5% car commuting.
Local council: Yass Valley (74% of the suburb; the rest sits in a neighbouring council)
Population
1,556
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$3,044/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
38
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market because 98.9% of occupied dwellings are separate houses and 59.5% contain four or more bedrooms. The housing cost profile is relatively manageable for local incomes, with mortgage repayments of $2,668 per month equal to 20.2% of household income, while weekly rent is $450. Ownership is split between 45.6% owning outright and 35.1% with a mortgage, compared with only 15.4% renting. Compared with nearby Gundaroo, buyers should assess acreage access, commuting distance and services as carefully as the dwelling itself.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly detached market because 98.9% of occupied dwellings are separate houses and 59.5% contain four or more bedrooms. The housing cost profile is relatively manageable for local incomes, with mortgage repayments of $2,668 per month equal to 20.2% of household income, while weekly rent is $450. Ownership is split between 45.6% owning outright and 35.1% with a mortgage, compared with only 15.4% renting. Compared with nearby Gundaroo, buyers should assess acreage access, commuting distance and services as carefully as the dwelling itself.
For Investors
Sutton's investor case is tied to scarce detached supply, household capacity and a modest rental pool. Renting accounts for 15.4% of households, typical rent is $450 a week and vacancy is 3.6%, so tenant demand should be tested against the small rural housing stock rather than assumed from a broad market. The 37 development applications recorded across the latest 12-month count indicate ongoing activity, although examples include sheds, a dwelling house and subdivision rather than a confirmed pipeline of investment dwellings. Compared with a higher-density suburb, the 98.9% separate-house share can mean fewer entry-priced rentals and more property-specific maintenance.
Development Activity
Total DAs
180
Last 12 Months
38
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-19.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sutton
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Sutton has a mature, largely Australian-born demographic profile: the median age is 44, which is 4 years above the national figure, and 15.7% of residents were born overseas, 5.9 percentage points below the national share. University attainment is 34.5%, or 4.4 points above the national comparison, suggesting a professional element alongside rural and trade employment. English ancestry is reported by 552 residents, followed by Irish at 204 and Scottish at 172. Couples with children make up 48.3% of families, while average household size is 2.9, 0.4 above national. Compared with nearby Gundaroo, Sutton points to a settled family and acreage community, reinforced by 82.8% staying at the same address.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.9%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Sutton's housing is concentrated in detached stock: 98.9% of homes are separate houses, 59.5% have four or more bedrooms and 22.8% have three bedrooms. Tenure is weighted to owners, with 45.6% owning outright and 35.1% paying a mortgage; only 15.4% rent and 3.9% fall into other tenure categories. Mortgage repayments average $2,668 monthly, while the mortgage-to-income ratio is 20.2%, below the level flagged for stress in many lending assessments. Compared with nearby Gundaroo, Sutton's large-lot, detached profile matters more than apartment living. The 3.6% vacancy rate suggests some turnover without a deep rental market.
Mortgage / mo
$2,668
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $450.
$590
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $695 · units $433
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,182
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.6%
Unoccupied
17
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
14.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
48.3%
Couples with children
43.3%
Couples, no children
7.4%
Single parent
406
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is anchored by public administration, which accounts for 23.8% of industry employment and 137 workers, followed by construction at 13.9% and 80, professional and technical services at 12.2% and 70. Education contributes 11.1% and 64 workers, while healthcare represents 9.0% and 52. This mix matters because it combines government and knowledge work with trades and essential services, rather than relying on one rural industry. The unemployment rate is 1.8%, participation is 64.8% and full-time employment is 64.1%. Compared with a purely agricultural economy, Sutton's occupational base is broader, with 192 professionals, 191 managers and 125 trades workers.
Unemployment
1.8%
Labour Force
853
Unemployed
15
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.1%
Part-time
30.2%
Participation
64.8%
Employed
838
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.5%
Postgraduate
9.6%
Born Overseas
15.7%
Dwellings
455
Transport to Work
Livability in Sutton is shaped by space, driving and local services. The suburb covers 144.81 sq km at 10.7 people per sq km, while 77.5% of workers drive and only 0.4% use public transport, so a car is central to daily access. Work-from-home participation is 16.4%, which may reduce some commuting but does not replace regional travel. Sutton Public School is the local government primary option; families should check enrolment zones and secondary-school travel against the exact address. Compared with a denser Canberra suburb, Sutton provides more low-density living but fewer walkable and transit-based choices. Volunteering reaches 21.7%, adding a practical community connection.
Drive
77.5%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.5%
Work from Home
16.4%
Growth Outlook
Sutton's current growth signal is practical rather than metropolitan: 37 development applications were lodged across the latest 12-month count, including a new dwelling house, subdivision, sheds, driveways and earthworks. With a population of 1,556 across 144.81 sq km, even modest construction can change the local housing mix, but application counts do not equal completed homes. Compared with established urban growth corridors, Sutton's trajectory is more likely to depend on land release, rural-living demand and Canberra-region access than apartment construction. The 3.6% vacancy rate and 16.4% work-from-home share reinforce a low-density market, while 77.5% car use keeps employment and services tied to road access.
Population trend: Yass Valley council area
About 74% of Sutton sits in Yass Valley; the rest is in a neighbouring council. These are the council area's residents, not Sutton's.
Residents 2025
17,663
Growth, 5 yr average
+0.7%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sutton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sutton a good suburb to live in?
Sutton may suit households seeking space, detached housing and a rural-residential setting. The suburb has 1,556 residents across 144.81 sq km, with 98.9% separate houses and 59.5% containing four or more bedrooms. Compared with denser Canberra suburbs, daily life is more car-dependent.
What is the median house price in Sutton?
A current median house price should be confirmed from recent local sales because individual properties can vary considerably by land size and improvements. Sutton is 98.9% separate houses, 59.5% have four or more bedrooms and the typical weekly rent is $450, so broad suburb figures may not describe every rural holding.
What schools are in Sutton?
Sutton Public School is the local government primary school for the suburb. It is 1 school serving primary-aged children, so families should check the exact enrolment zone and secondary-school travel before buying. With 77.5% of workers driving and only 0.4% using public transport, school access is likely to be car-dependent.
Is Sutton safe?
For a current safety check, review recent NSW Police information and visit the area at different times of day. Sutton's low density of 10.7 people per sq km and 144.81 sq km footprint create a different setting from a busy urban centre, while 77.5% car commuting means roads and property access are important practical considerations.
Is Sutton good for property investment?
Sutton may suit investors comfortable with detached, lower-density property. Renting is 15.4%, weekly rent is $450 and vacancy is 3.6%, while 37 development applications indicate active local building interest. Compared with higher-density markets, the 98.9% separate-house mix can limit rental variety and increase property-specific upkeep.
How is Sutton's population changing?
Sutton has 1,556 residents and appears relatively settled, with 82.8% staying at the same address and turnover of 17.2%. Development activity is still present, with 37 applications across 12 months, including a dwelling house and subdivision. That points to gradual housing change rather than evidence of rapid population churn.
Are there many developments in Sutton?
There were 37 development applications across the latest 12-month count. Examples include a new dwelling house, subdivision, sheds, driveways, hardstand areas, earthworks and retaining walls. Application numbers do not confirm completed dwellings, so buyers should check approvals, servicing and the effect of each proposal on nearby rural properties.
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).
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