The Oaks
With 97% of dwellings being separate houses and 62% having four or more bedrooms, The Oaks is one of the most detached-dominant residential areas in NSW. Household income sits in the 87.2nd percentile nationally, yet the median house price of $1,160,000 is paired with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb spans 38.92 km2 at a density of just 77 people per km2, with a population of 2,982 that is aging, with the senior share up 6.3 points over the decade.
Population
2,982
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,265/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
44
Median House
$1.2M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price of $1,160,000 represents the dominant detached stock, with 97% separate houses and 62% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms. That large-home bias suits family buyers more than investors. Price history shows a peak of $1,170,000 in 2024 that softened to $1,072,500 by 2025, an 8.3% pullback from peak. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite the seven-figure entry price. Outright ownership at 35.3% exceeds the renter share of 12.7%, indicating long-term, low-turnover resident base. Only 19.1% of residents moved in the past year, versus 80.9% who stayed, which reflects low churn typical of established rural-fringe communities.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,160,000 represents the dominant detached stock, with 97% separate houses and 62% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms. That large-home bias suits family buyers more than investors. Price history shows a peak of $1,170,000 in 2024 that softened to $1,072,500 by 2025, an 8.3% pullback from peak. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold despite the seven-figure entry price. Outright ownership at 35.3% exceeds the renter share of 12.7%, indicating long-term, low-turnover resident base. Only 19.1% of residents moved in the past year, versus 80.9% who stayed, which reflects low churn typical of established rural-fringe communities.
For Investors
The investor case is thin at current prices. A weekly rent of $400 against a $1,160,000 median implies a gross yield of approximately 1.8%, low for a rural-fringe location. The 3.4% vacancy rate sits above the typical landlord-friendly threshold of 3%, and only 12.7% of residents rent, meaning the tenant pool is structurally shallow. Development activity ran at 41 applications in the past 12 months, mostly pool installations and complying development certificates rather than new dwelling supply. Net overseas migration averages 43 per year and net internal migration 19, providing modest but steady demand support. Rent grew 34.4% over the decade, which is a stronger signal than the current yield suggests, and the gentrification score of 21 shows early-stage uplift rather than a plateau.
Development Activity
Total DAs
294
Last 12 Months
44
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-20.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in The Oaks iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
The Oaks Public School
K-6 · 308 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure, which is unusual for a suburb with an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 6.3 points and the working-age share fell 3.6 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents at 10.5% are 11.1 points below the national figure, reflecting an Anglo-leaning profile led by English (1,185 residents), Irish (349) and Scottish (257) ancestry. Average household size of 3.1 is 0.6 above national, consistent with the large-family, detached-house typology. University qualifications at 22.6% run 7.5 points below the national rate, while the full-time employment rate of 63.5% and unemployment rate of 2.9% indicate a workforce oriented toward trades and services rather than knowledge roles. Volunteering reaches 14.1% of residents.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.0%
Houses
2.6%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 97%, with semi-detached at 2.6% and apartments at just 0.3%, making apartment options near non-existent. Four-or-more-bedroom homes dominate at 62% of dwellings, followed by three-bedroom at 30.5%. Tenure is split 35.3% outright ownership, 51.9% with a mortgage and 12.7% renting, with mortgage holders outnumbering outright owners, typical of a suburb where most buyers are still paying down loans on recently purchased family homes. Prices moved from $1,170,000 in 2024 to $1,072,500 in 2025, an 8.3% decline over one year. Rent-to-income at 17.7% keeps tenants well below stress levels compared to the NSW median. Monthly mortgage cost averages $2,383, and at 24.3% of household income this remains manageable by national standards.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
3.1
Personal Income / wk
$910
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.4%
Unoccupied
34
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.6%
Couples, no children
2,672
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the largest employing industry at 19.2% (187 workers), reflecting the area's rural-fringe and tradesperson character. Education follows at 14.3% (139 workers) and Healthcare at 13.0% (127 workers), suggesting many residents commute to Camden or Campbelltown for professional services jobs. Public Administration employs 8.4% and Other Services 5.9%. By occupation, Professionals (234) and Managers (232) lead, followed by Clerical/Admin (198), Community/Personal (175) and Machinery/Drivers (145). The IRSD decile of 8 indicates relatively low disadvantage compared to the NSW average, while the IRSAD decile of 7 and IEO decile of 5 place the suburb at midrange for education and advantage indicators. Real income grew 11.6% over the decade. The labour force participation rate of 58.1% is moderate, with 683 residents not in the labour force.
Unemployment
1.7%
Labour Force
6,485
Unemployed
112
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.5%
Part-time
33.6%
Participation
58.1%
Employed
1,320
Occupations
Top Industries
University
22.6%
Postgraduate
4.8%
Born Overseas
10.5%
Dwellings
949
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 91.4% of workers driving, well above national averages, which is typical for a low-density rural-fringe suburb spanning 38.92 km2. Only 2.6% walk or cycle to work. No schools are recorded within The Oaks in this dataset, meaning families depend on facilities in surrounding Camden LGA townships. The IRSAD decile of 7 and IRSD decile of 8 place the suburb above state average for relative advantage and low disadvantage. Rent-to-income at 17.7% and mortgage-to-income at 24.3% both sit below stress thresholds, meaning residents carry manageable housing cost burdens compared to many Sydney-fringe suburbs. About 4.2% of residents (119 people) need daily assistance, and 14.1% volunteer, consistent with a community-oriented, lower-density lifestyle area.
Drive
91.4%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.07%/yr
(+112 people/yr)
EstablishedThe Oaks grew 14.6% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 11,082 residents by 2031 from the current SA2-level population base. Annual growth runs at 1.07% adding around 112 persons per year, with overseas migration contributing 43 net arrivals and internal migration adding 19. The trajectory is classified as aging: young-adult share fell 1.7 points while the senior share rose 6.3 points, narrowing the working-age base. Gentrification is at early-stage with a score of 21 and signals including 18% population growth since 2011 and accelerating university-educated in-migration from 5% to 12%. Affordability has been stable, moving only from 48.2% to 47.2% of income between 2011 and 2021, compared to sharp deterioration in many Sydney surrounds. No COVID dip occurred in the population series.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+43
Net Internal / yr
+19
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +18% since 2011, Accelerating: 5% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How The Oaks compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Oaks a good suburb to live in?
The Oaks suits buyers seeking large family homes on the outer Sydney fringe. Household income is in the 87.2nd percentile nationally and mortgage-to-income sits at 24.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. The suburb scores IRSD decile 8, indicating low disadvantage. The trade-off is high car dependence at 91.4% and limited local services across its 38.92 km2 area.
What is the median house price in The Oaks?
The median house price is $1,160,000 (PSI derived, 2024-2025). Prices peaked at $1,170,000 in 2024 and eased to $1,072,500 by 2025, a pullback of 8.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.3%. Weekly rent averages $400.
What schools are in The Oaks?
No schools are recorded within The Oaks boundary in this dataset. Families in this 38.92 km2 suburb rely on educational facilities in neighbouring Camden LGA townships. University qualifications among residents reach 22.6%, which is 7.5 points below the national figure, consistent with a trades-oriented workforce profile.
Is The Oaks safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for The Oaks in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores IRSD decile 8, placing it in the lower-disadvantage tier nationally. Only 4.2% of residents (119 people) need daily assistance, and the unemployment rate is low at 2.9%, both factors associated with community stability.
Is The Oaks good for property investment?
The investment yield is modest. A weekly rent of $400 against a $1,160,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.8%, and only 12.7% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool. Vacancy sits at 3.4%. However, rent grew 34.4% over the decade and the gentrification score of 21 signals early-stage uplift. Annual population growth of 1.07% and net migration of 62 arrivals per year provide steady underlying demand.
How is The Oaks's population changing?
The population grew 14.6% over the past decade and is forecast to reach approximately 11,082 by 2031 at 1.07% annual growth. Overseas migration contributes 43 net arrivals per year and internal migration adds 19. The suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 6.3 points over 10 years, though the median age of 37 remains 3 years below the national figure.
How much development is happening in The Oaks?
There were 41 development applications lodged in the past 12 months. Most involve swimming pool installations and complying development certificates rather than new dwelling construction, consistent with an established, low-density area with limited subdivision activity. The 97% separate-house composition leaves little opportunity for infill apartment development.
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.
Explore The Oaks on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map