Sydenham
Net internal migration runs at negative 252 people per year while overseas arrivals add 283, creating a suburb that is slowly swapping its established Anglo-Italian base for a newer migrant cohort. At 44.3% born overseas, Sydenham sits 22.7 percentage points above the national baseline, yet the IRSAD decile 4 reading places it below the median Australian suburb on overall advantage. Median house prices have pulled back 7.6% from the 2023 peak of $760,000 to $702,500, a correction that has not yet stabilised. The population grew just 1.7% over the past decade, one of the slowest rates in Melbourne's west, and medium projections show essentially flat growth of 0.1% per year through 2031.
Population
10,578
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,813/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$702K
Apr-Jun 2024
The current median of $702,500 represents a 7.6% decline from the April-June 2023 peak of $760,000, a correction deeper than Melbourne's broader west. Over 14 years, prices have grown at a 3.7% CAGR from $425,000 in 2013, producing 65.3% total appreciation, but the trajectory since 2023 has reversed. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.5% of stock, with four-plus bedrooms at 32.0% offering family-sized inventory. Detached houses still account for 64.7% of dwellings, though semi-detached has grown to 33.4%, reflecting subdivision activity. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.4%, well below the 30% stress threshold, because household income at the 65.5 percentile is strong enough to service the moderate price point.
For Buyers
The current median of $702,500 represents a 7.6% decline from the April-June 2023 peak of $760,000, a correction deeper than Melbourne's broader west. Over 14 years, prices have grown at a 3.7% CAGR from $425,000 in 2013, producing 65.3% total appreciation, but the trajectory since 2023 has reversed. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.5% of stock, with four-plus bedrooms at 32.0% offering family-sized inventory. Detached houses still account for 64.7% of dwellings, though semi-detached has grown to 33.4%, reflecting subdivision activity. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.4%, well below the 30% stress threshold, because household income at the 65.5 percentile is strong enough to service the moderate price point.
For Investors
Renters make up 31.9% of households, close to average, with $369 median weekly rent producing a gross yield around 2.7% on the $702,500 median, below Melbourne thresholds for positive cash flow. Vacancy at 4.8% is moderate but worth monitoring given the net internal outflow of 252 people per year. Only 3 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, signalling a near-complete buildout with minimal new supply entering the market. Rent growth of 22.0% over the decade has outpaced real income growth, which actually contracted 3.9%, meaning renters are absorbing disproportionate cost increases. The flat population trajectory (0.1% annual growth) limits upside from tenant demand expansion.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Sydenham iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Emmaus Catholic Primary School
Prep-6 · 476 students
Catholic Regional College Sydenham
11-12 · 974 students
Sydenham Primary School
Prep-6 · 993 students
Demographics
The ancestry mix reveals layered migration waves: Italian (970), Indian (868) and Maltese (645) sit alongside the largest English group (1,630), producing a multicultural suburb rather than a single ethnic enclave. Punjabi (322 speakers) leads non-English languages, followed by Macedonian (158), Arabic (133) and Italian (115). At 44.3% born overseas, Sydenham is 22.7 percentage points above the national baseline. The 36.8% university rate runs 6.7 points above the national average, higher than the IRSAD decile 4 would suggest. Christianity (5,645) dominates religion, with Islam (569) the second largest affiliation. The 9.8% needing assistance rate is notably elevated compared to the national average, consistent with an aging population trajectory.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
64.7%
Houses
33.4%
Townhouse
1.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Over 14 years, Sydenham's prices compounded at 3.7% annually from $425,000 to $702,500, with a peak of $760,000 in April-June 2023 and a trough of $415,000 in 2014. The current 7.6% pullback from peak suggests the market has not found a floor. Tenure splits at 29.1% outright owners, 39.0% mortgage holders and 31.9% renters, with the mortgage-dominant profile typical of Melbourne's western fringe. Three-bedroom stock at 56.5% and four-plus at 32.0% together account for 88.5% of dwellings, heavily skewed toward family-sized homes. The price-to-household-income ratio works out to roughly 7.5 times annual income, below Melbourne's metro average but still above the historical affordability benchmark of 5 to 6 times.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,680
Rent / wk
$369
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$724
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.8%
Unoccupied
173
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.1%
Couples, no children
8,598
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 16.3% of employment, followed by Construction (10.7%), Education and Transport (both 9.5%) and Retail (8.3%). Transport's prominence at 9.5% exceeds the national industry average and reflects proximity to western logistics corridors. Professionals lead occupations at 884 workers, but Labourers (565) and Machinery/Drivers (500) together outnumber them, consistent with the blue-collar mix that pushes IRSAD to decile 4. The 7.2% unemployment rate sits above the national average. The SEIFA profile shows a flat pattern: IEO decile 5, IER decile 5, IRSD decile 4, all hovering near the low-middle band. Real income declined 3.9% over the decade, one of the sharper contractions in Melbourne's west.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
7,191
Unemployed
410
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.5%
Part-time
27.3%
Participation
58.4%
Employed
4,778
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.8%
Postgraduate
9.0%
Born Overseas
44.3%
Dwellings
3,468
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 84.9% driving to work, with only 7.2% using public transport and 1.6% walking or cycling, despite the Sydenham station on the Sunbury line. Crime totalled 512 incidents at 48.4 per 1,000 residents, well below the Melbourne metropolitan median. Property and deception offences account for 254 incidents (49.6% of total), with 104 crimes against the person and just 20 drug offences. Sydenham has 3 schools: Emmaus Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,067, 476 students), Catholic Regional College Sydenham (ICSEA 1,028, 974 students) and Sydenham Primary (ICSEA 1,012, 993 students), all above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000.
Drive
84.9%
Public Transport
7.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.1%/yr
(+12 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew just 1.7% over the past decade, one of the lowest rates for any suburb in Melbourne's outer west. COVID caused a 6.3% population dip to 11,859, and recovery to 11,929 represents only 0.6% of the lost ground regained. The current estimated population of 12,025 sits well below the pre-COVID level of 12,660. Medium projections show near-zero growth at 0.1% annually, reaching 12,195 by 2031. The gentrification score of 10 confirms no demographic upgrading is underway. The internal migration outflow of 252 per year is partially offset by overseas arrivals of 283, but the suburb is essentially treading water on population, a constraint on both rental demand and price growth.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+283
Net Internal / yr
-252
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -252/yr, Strong overseas inflow +283/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
512
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
48.4
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Sydenham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sydenham a good suburb to live in?
Sydenham offers affordable entry to Melbourne's west with a $702,500 median and mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4%, well below the 30% stress line. All 3 local schools exceed the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000. The crime rate of 48.4 per 1,000 is below the Melbourne median. Trade-offs include near-zero population growth and a 7.6% price decline from the 2023 peak.
What is the median house price in Sydenham?
The median house price is $702,500 as of April-June 2024, down 7.6% from the 2023 peak of $760,000. Over 14 years prices grew at a 3.7% CAGR from $425,000 in 2013, a total appreciation of 65.3%. Median weekly rent sits at $369 and monthly mortgage repayments at $1,680, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.4%.
What schools are in Sydenham?
Sydenham has 3 schools, all above the national ICSEA benchmark. Emmaus Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,067, 476 students) leads, followed by Catholic Regional College Sydenham (ICSEA 1,028, secondary, 974 students) and Sydenham Primary School (ICSEA 1,012, government, 993 students). Combined enrolment is approximately 2,443 students.
Is Sydenham safe?
Sydenham recorded 512 offences at a rate of 48.4 per 1,000 residents, sitting below the Melbourne metropolitan median. Property and deception offences dominate at 254 incidents (49.6%), with 104 crimes against the person and just 20 drug offences. The IRSD decile 4 places Sydenham slightly below the national median on relative disadvantage.
Is Sydenham good for property investment?
The 31.9% renter share and $369 weekly rent produce roughly 2.7% gross yield on the $702,500 median, below positive cash-flow thresholds. Only 3 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply, but the 1.7% decade population growth and net internal outflow of 252 per year limit tenant demand expansion. Prices have fallen 7.6% from their 2023 peak.
How is Sydenham's population changing?
Population grew just 1.7% over the past decade and is projected at 0.1% annual growth to 12,195 by 2031. Overseas migration adds 283 people per year, but 252 leave via internal migration. COVID caused a 6.3% dip to 11,859, and the current 12,025 remains below the pre-COVID figure of 12,660. The senior share has grown 6.6 percentage points.
What languages are spoken in Sydenham?
Punjabi (322 speakers) leads non-English languages, followed by Macedonian (158), Arabic (133), Italian (115) and Greek (106). With 44.3% of residents born overseas, 22.7 percentage points above the national baseline, Sydenham is one of western Melbourne's most linguistically diverse suburbs. The Indian (868) and Maltese (645) ancestry groups are distinctive markers of the area's layered migration history.
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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