Waitara
At 10,288 people per km2, Waitara is the densest suburb in this batch, yet its $760,000 median sits far below neighbouring Hornsby prices, because 89.3% of stock is apartments. University qualifications at 65.9% are 35.8 points above the national average, placing Waitara in the top tier of educated suburbs nationally (IEO decile 10). Simultaneously, the IER decile of 4 indicates below-average economic resources, creating a paradox where highly educated residents, many recently migrated (67.3% born overseas), are accumulating human capital before financial capital. Chinese (1,998) and Indian (1,331) ancestry groups together exceed English (961), reshaping the suburb's cultural identity.
Population
7,837
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,106/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$760K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $760,000 median moved from $750,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025 (3.3% growth). Two-bedroom apartments at 60.7% dominate the stock, with studios/one-bedrooms at 18.6% and three-bedrooms at 16.3%. Separate houses at just 8.8% are rare. Monthly mortgage at $2,200 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1%, below the stress threshold. Public transport at 22.2% is exceptional, reflecting Waitara station's T1 North Shore line access. Our Lady of the Rosary (ICSEA 1,153, 337 students) scores 153 points above the national benchmark, ranking among the top primary schools in northern Sydney.
For Buyers
The $760,000 median moved from $750,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025 (3.3% growth). Two-bedroom apartments at 60.7% dominate the stock, with studios/one-bedrooms at 18.6% and three-bedrooms at 16.3%. Separate houses at just 8.8% are rare. Monthly mortgage at $2,200 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1%, below the stress threshold. Public transport at 22.2% is exceptional, reflecting Waitara station's T1 North Shore line access. Our Lady of the Rosary (ICSEA 1,153, 337 students) scores 153 points above the national benchmark, ranking among the top primary schools in northern Sydney.
For Investors
The 51.3% renter share provides a deep tenant pool, the second-highest in this batch. Weekly rent of $490 against the $760,000 median produces gross yield of approximately 3.4%. Vacancy at 7.0% is elevated, suggesting some oversupply in the apartment market. Turnover at 31.8% is very high, consistent with a mobile, migrant-heavy population. Population grows at 2.11% annually (265 persons), projected to reach 14,392 by 2031. Overseas migration at 377/year is the primary driver, though internal outflow of 191/year partially offsets this. Development at 12 DAs in 12 months includes demolition and subdivision, signalling ongoing densification.
Development Activity
Total DAs
68
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+62.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Waitara iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School
K-6 · 337 students
Demographics
The 67.3% overseas-born share is 45.7 points above the national average, the highest in this batch. Chinese ancestry (1,998) leads, followed by Indian (1,331) and English (961). Mandarin (544 speakers), Hindi (283), Cantonese (211), Korean (158), and Persian (154) reflect a multilingual suburb. University qualifications at 65.9% are 35.8 points above national, earning IEO decile 10. The median age of 36 is 4 years below national. Couples with children (3,525) outnumber childless couples (1,482) at a 2.4:1 ratio, indicating that despite the apartment-dominant form, families, particularly migrant families, predominate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
8.8%
Houses
1.7%
Townhouse
89.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Renters at 51.3% dominate, with mortgage holders at 29.9% and outright owners at just 18.9%. Apartments at 89.3% overwhelmingly define the housing form. Two-bedrooms at 60.7% are the standard unit, with studios/one-bedrooms at 18.6%. Houses at 8.8% and 4+ bedroom dwellings at 4.5% are scarce. Prices moved from $750,000 to $775,000 over one year (3.3%). The IRSAD decile of 9 against IER decile 4 creates a stark split: high overall advantage but low economic resources, because high-education migrant populations have not yet converted qualifications into wealth accumulation. Mortgage stress at 24.1% and rent stress at 23.3% remain manageable.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,200
Rent / wk
$490
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,055
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
233
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.5%
Couples, no children
6,306
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Tech leads at 21.0% (679 workers), followed by Healthcare at 17.6% (571), Finance at 13.7% (443), Education at 7.9% (257), and Retail at 6.8% (220). This knowledge-economy concentration is consistent with the IEO decile 10. Professionals (1,639) overwhelmingly lead occupations, with Managers (533) and Clerical/Admin (461) distant seconds. Full-time employment at 75.0% is above average, but unemployment at 5.6% is also slightly elevated, reflecting new migrants seeking initial positions. Participation at 60.1% is moderate, with 1,837 not in the labour force, some likely international students at nearby institutions.
Unemployment
6.3%
Labour Force
6,675
Unemployed
421
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
75.0%
Part-time
19.4%
Participation
60.1%
Employed
3,500
Occupations
Top Industries
University
65.9%
Postgraduate
24.4%
Born Overseas
67.3%
Dwellings
3,086
Transport to Work
Public transport at 22.2% is exceptional for a Sydney suburb, reflecting direct train access via Waitara station. Walking/cycling at 12.5% is also well above the national average. Car driving at 59.9% is low compared to this dataset. One school serves the suburb: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary (ICSEA 1,153, 337 students, Catholic), scoring 153 points above the national benchmark, placing it in the elite educational tier. The IRSAD decile 9 confirms top-tier socioeconomic advantage. Rent-to-income at 23.3% and mortgage-to-income at 24.1% are both below stress thresholds.
Drive
59.9%
Public Transport
22.2%
Walk / Cycle
12.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.11%/yr
(+265 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 2.11% annually (265 persons), with a 37.1% increase over 10 years. Medium forecasts project 14,392 by 2031. Overseas migration at 377/year is the primary driver, while internal outflow of 191/year indicates some residents leave once established. The gentrification score of 38 (early signs) reflects population growth and rent increases (14.0%) rather than displacement of existing residents. Affordability improved from 62.3% in 2011 to 50.0% in 2021. Real income grew 15.5% over the decade. The trajectory is growing across all ages, with working-age share declining only 1.0 point, suggesting balanced rather than skewed age dynamics.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+377
Net Internal / yr
-191
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +38% since 2011, Net internal outflow -191/yr, Strong overseas inflow +377/yr, Accelerating: 9% → 27%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Waitara compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waitara a good suburb to live in?
Waitara suits educated professionals valuing transit access (22.2% public transport, 12.5% walking/cycling) and proximity to Hornsby CBD. University qualifications at 65.9% place it in the IEO decile 10. Our Lady of the Rosary school scores 1,153 ICSEA, 153 points above benchmark. The trade-off is apartment-dominant living (89.3%) with limited house options and a 7.0% vacancy rate.
What is the median house price in Waitara?
The median is $760,000, rising from $750,000 in 2024 to $775,000 in 2025 (3.3% growth). This reflects the apartment-dominant market (89.3%). Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,200 with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1%. Weekly rent is $490, producing a gross yield of approximately 3.4%.
What schools are in Waitara?
One school serves the suburb: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (ICSEA 1,153, 337 students). Its ICSEA score is 153 points above the national benchmark of 1,000, placing it among the top primary schools in northern Sydney. Secondary schooling options are available in adjacent suburbs like Hornsby.
Is Waitara safe?
Crime data is not published at the suburb level for NSW. The IRSAD decile 9 and IRSD decile 7 indicate above-average socioeconomic conditions. The 67.3% overseas-born population and high turnover at 31.8% create a dynamic community profile. The university qualification rate of 65.9% and 75.0% full-time employment suggest a professionally oriented population.
Is Waitara good for property investment?
The 51.3% renter share provides a large tenant pool, and gross yield at 3.4% ($490/week on $760,000) is moderate. However, the 7.0% vacancy rate indicates oversupply in the apartment market. Population growth at 2.11% annually supports long-term demand, driven by overseas migration at 377/year. Medium projections forecast 14,392 residents by 2031. Turnover at 31.8% means frequent tenant changes.
How is Waitara's population changing?
Growth runs at 2.11% annually (265 persons), with a 37.1% increase over 10 years. Overseas migration at 377/year is the engine, while 191/year leave for other areas. The 67.3% overseas-born share is 45.7 points above national. Chinese (1,998) and Indian (1,331) ancestry groups together make up nearly half the population. Medium forecasts project 14,392 residents by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Waitara?
With 67.3% born overseas, Waitara is intensely multilingual. Mandarin (544 speakers) leads, followed by Hindi (283), Cantonese (211), Korean (158), and Persian (154). Chinese and Indian ancestry groups are the two largest, together exceeding English ancestry (961). This language diversity reflects the suburb's role as a primary settlement point for skilled migrants in northern Sydney.
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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