Swansea
A median age of 53 makes Swansea 13 years older than the national median, a defining feature of its established resident base. The suburb has 5,044 people across 4.37 square kilometres, with density at 1,154.3 residents per square kilometre. Housing is predominantly separate houses at 68.2%, while 42.9% of dwellings are owned outright. Household income is $1,037 weekly and sits at the 14.3rd percentile, helping explain why affordability remains important despite strong outright ownership. Compared with nearby Belmont and Caves Beach, Swansea's housing mix makes street-level inspection valuable because tenure, dwelling type and access can vary substantially.
Population
5,044
Median Age
53.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,037/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
48
Swansea suits buyers who value established housing and a high share of outright ownership, but borrowing costs need careful testing. The monthly mortgage indicator is $1,908, while mortgage payments represent 42.5% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 31.8%. Separate houses account for 68.2% of homes, compared with 21.8% apartments and 8.8% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 39.3%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 31.9%. A current sale median should be checked against recent settled transactions because the mixed stock makes like-for-like comparisons more useful than a single suburb figure.
For Buyers
Swansea suits buyers who value established housing and a high share of outright ownership, but borrowing costs need careful testing. The monthly mortgage indicator is $1,908, while mortgage payments represent 42.5% of household income, higher than rent-to-income at 31.8%. Separate houses account for 68.2% of homes, compared with 21.8% apartments and 8.8% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom homes are the largest bedroom group at 39.3%, followed by two-bedroom homes at 31.9%. A current sale median should be checked against recent settled transactions because the mixed stock makes like-for-like comparisons more useful than a single suburb figure.
For Investors
Investment prospects depend on balancing tenant choice, moderate growth and ongoing redevelopment. Weekly rent is $330 and 28.5% of households rent, below the 42.9% who own outright, while the vacancy rate is 9.5%. That vacancy level can give renters more choice than a tightly constrained market, so rental demand should be tested by dwelling type and location. Forty-eight development applications were recorded over 12 months, creating potential for additional supply through subdivision, additions and multi-dwelling work. Forecast growth is 0.94% annually and is driven by internal migration, so the case is more about patient holding than assuming faster gains than established suburbs.
Development Activity
Total DAs
317
Last 12 Months
48
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Swansea
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Swansea has an older and less university-oriented population than Australia overall. The median age is 53, which is 13 years above the national figure, while university attendance or completion is 14.4%, 15.7 percentage points below the national comparison. Only 9.6% of residents were born overseas, 12 percentage points below the national result, and average household size is 2.2, or 0.3 below the national figure. English ancestry is reported by 2,395 people, followed by Scottish at 602 and Irish at 579. Christianity accounts for 2,632 responses and no religion for 2,036. Residential stability is high, with 82.1% staying at the same address and turnover at 17.9%, because an aging base generally produces fewer moves than a younger, more mobile population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
68.2%
Houses
8.8%
Townhouse
21.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Swansea's housing profile is weighted toward established, lower-density dwellings, although apartments form a meaningful secondary segment. Separate houses represent 68.2% of homes, compared with 21.8% apartments and 8.8% semi-detached dwellings. Three-bedroom properties account for 39.3%, two-bedroom homes for 31.9%, four-bedroom homes for 20.1% and zero or one-bedroom dwellings for 8.7%. Outright ownership at 42.9% is higher than mortgage ownership at 25.1%, while renting reaches 28.5%. Compared with apartments, separate houses provide more family-oriented space, but the 42.5% mortgage-to-income ratio is higher than rent-to-income at 31.8%, making borrowing capacity a key constraint.
Mortgage / mo
$1,908
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $330.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $550
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$569
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.5%
Unoccupied
233
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
31.8% stressed
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
42.5% stressed
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.9%
Couples with children
47.7%
Couples, no children
21.3%
Single parent
1,406
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Swansea's largest employment industry at 23.4%, representing 255 workers, followed by construction at 16.8% or 184, education at 10.7% or 117, retail at 5.9% or 64, and manufacturing at 5.7% or 62. The main occupations are trades at 331, community and personal services at 292, professionals at 244, clerical and administration at 232, and labourers at 221. Unemployment is 6.2%, participation is 44.3% and the full-time rate is 54.8%. Lower participation is consistent with a median age of 53 and an aging trajectory. SEIFA IEO is decile 4, below the midpoint, IER is decile 6, above it, and IRSD and IRSAD both sit at decile 5, indicating mixed socioeconomic conditions rather than a uniformly high or low result.
Unemployment
6.2%
Labour Force
1,932
Unemployed
119
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.8%
Part-time
36.0%
Participation
44.3%
Employed
1,813
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.4%
Postgraduate
1.8%
Born Overseas
9.6%
Dwellings
2,206
Transport to Work
Daily life is strongly car-oriented because 72.9% of workers drive, compared with only 0.9% using public transport and 2.7% walking or cycling. Working from home is relatively common at 19.9%, which can reduce commuting pressure for some households. Swansea Public School provides one identified local government primary option; families should confirm intake zones against the exact address and compare travel times before enrolling. With 5,044 residents and a median age of 53, services suited to older households are particularly relevant. IRSAD sits at decile 5, around the middle rather than above the highest-access communities. A suburb crime rate is not stated, so current NSW Police mapping and an address visit at different times are more useful than relying on a general label.
Drive
72.9%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.7%
Work from Home
19.9%
Population Forecast
+0.94%/yr
(+124 people/yr)
EstablishedSwansea is on an aging growth path rather than a rapid expansion cycle. The forecast trend is 0.94% annually, while population change across the wider area is 17.1% over 10 years, a higher cumulative result than the annual pace suggests. Internal migration is the primary growth driver, and the shift is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 3.8 percentage points and the working share down 2.1 points. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 37, while the related shift score is 42. Rent growth of 41.2% indicates rising housing pressure, but the gradual trajectory means change is more likely to come through incremental demand and redevelopment than a sudden population surge.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+61
Net Internal / yr
+124
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Net internal migration +124/yr, Accelerating: 6% → 11%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Swansea compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swansea a good suburb to live in?
Swansea can suit buyers seeking an established lake and coastal setting, with 5,044 residents and a median age of 53, which is 13 years above the national median. Car access matters because 72.9% drive to work and only 0.9% use public transport. Compared with younger, denser markets, it may appeal more to downsizers and settled households.
What is the median house price in Swansea?
A current median house price is not stated, so check recent settled sales for the exact dwelling type. Swansea's housing mix is 68.2% separate houses, 21.8% apartments and 39.3% three-bedroom homes, meaning a like-for-like comparison is more useful than relying on one suburb-wide figure. Weekly rent is $330, which helps frame affordability.
What schools are in Swansea?
Swansea Public School is the local government primary school, giving families 1 clearly identified school option within the suburb. Confirm the intake zone against the exact address, then compare travel times and available places before enrolling. Families planning beyond primary years should also check nearby school options because provision is narrower than in a larger regional centre.
Is Swansea safe?
No suburb crime-rate figure is stated, so use current NSW Police crime mapping and inspect the street in daytime and evening before deciding. Swansea has 5,044 residents and a median age of 53, but those figures are not a safety score. Compare the exact address with nearby streets rather than relying on a suburb label alone.
Is Swansea good for property investment?
Swansea may suit a longer-hold strategy, but the 9.5% vacancy rate should be weighed against weekly rent of $330 and the need for a current sale price to calculate yield. Renting accounts for 28.5%, below outright ownership at 42.9%. With 48 development applications in 12 months and forecast growth of 0.94% annually, supply and moderate growth deserve closer checking than headline demand.
How is Swansea's population changing?
Swansea's current population is 5,044, with an aging trajectory and a median age of 53. The forecast trend is 0.94% annually, driven by internal migration, while population change across the wider area is 17.1% over 10 years. Gentrification is at the Early signs stage with a score of 37, so change appears gradual compared with a high-intensity redevelopment cycle.
Is there much development in Swansea?
Development activity is notable, with 48 applications recorded over 12 months. Examples include demolition, subdivision, multi-dwelling housing and additions, suggesting a mix of redevelopment and small-scale changes rather than one clearly defined project pipeline. Compared with a no-activity market, this warrants checking approvals, construction timing and likely effects on parking, traffic and rental 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 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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