Wakeley
Overseas-born residents account for 60.8% of Wakeley's 4,893 people, which is 39.2 percentage points above the national figure. Compared with nearby Greenfield and Edensor Park, Wakeley has a strongly detached, family-scaled housing profile, with 85.7% of dwellings separate houses, 50.6% containing 3 bedrooms and 42.1% containing 4 or more. Average household size is 3.2, or 0.7 above national, while the median age of 41 is 1.0 year higher. The established suburb is changing slowly, with an annual trend of -0.02% and an aging trajectory.
Population
4,893
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,553/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
20
Wakeley can suit buyers seeking established family housing rather than apartment stock. Separate houses represent 85.7% of dwellings, while 50.6% have 3 bedrooms and 42.1% have 4 or more, supporting households with an average size of 3.2 people, 0.7 above national. A monthly mortgage of $2,058 equals 30.6% of household income, higher than the 29.0% rent-to-income measure, so borrowing capacity needs careful testing. Compared with nearby Greenfield and Edensor Park, the detached format may appeal to buyers prioritising space, but a current median sale price should be checked against recent settled transactions.
For Buyers
Wakeley can suit buyers seeking established family housing rather than apartment stock. Separate houses represent 85.7% of dwellings, while 50.6% have 3 bedrooms and 42.1% have 4 or more, supporting households with an average size of 3.2 people, 0.7 above national. A monthly mortgage of $2,058 equals 30.6% of household income, higher than the 29.0% rent-to-income measure, so borrowing capacity needs careful testing. Compared with nearby Greenfield and Edensor Park, the detached format may appeal to buyers prioritising space, but a current median sale price should be checked against recent settled transactions.
For Investors
Wakeley presents a mixed investment case. Median rent is $450 per week, the vacancy rate is 2.9%, and renters account for 24.8% of households, lower than the 41.8% outright ownership share. The relatively tight vacancy measure may support leasing of well-presented homes, particularly because 85.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 42.1% have 4 or more bedrooms. However, the annual growth trend is -0.02%, below zero, so investors should prioritise cash flow and property condition over short-term price appreciation. Twenty development records in 12 months, including secondary-dwelling activity, warrant checks on future local competition.
Development Activity
Total DAs
122
Last 12 Months
20
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
Demographics
Wakeley's demographic profile is shaped by overseas migration and larger family households. The overseas-born share is 60.8%, 39.2 percentage points above national, while university participation is 33.5%, or 3.4 points higher than national. Vietnamese ancestry counts 860 people and Chinese ancestry 643, alongside Christianity at 2,908, Buddhism at 933 and no religion at 636. Arabic is recorded for 160 people and Khmer for 87. Couples with children make up 51.6% of families, helping explain the 3.2 average household size and detached housing preference. Compared with the national age profile, Wakeley's median age of 41 is 1.0 year higher, consistent with an established rather than youthful market.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
85.7%
Houses
13.0%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Wakeley's housing stock is dominated by conventional family homes: 85.7% are separate houses, 13.0% are semi-detached and 1.3% are apartments. The bedroom mix is similarly spacious, with 50.6% of homes containing 3 bedrooms and 42.1% containing 4 or more. Tenure is split between 41.8% owned outright, 32.2% mortgaged and 24.8% rented, so outright ownership is higher than renting. The $450 weekly rent provides a useful leasing reference, while the $2,058 monthly mortgage and 30.6% mortgage-to-income ratio indicate greater repayment pressure than the 29.0% rent-to-income measure. Compared with denser housing markets around Fairfield, Wakeley is more suited to buyers seeking land and family floorplans.
Mortgage / mo
$2,058
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $450.
$700
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $750 · units $565
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$502
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
2.9%
Unoccupied
44
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.6% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
51.6%
Couples with children
28.0%
Couples, no children
19.3%
Single parent
1,348
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Wakeley's largest listed industry at 17.5%, or 161 workers, followed by education at 9.5% and 88 workers. Retail and professional or technical services each account for 9.0% and 83 workers, while manufacturing contributes 7.2% and 66 workers. The leading occupations include 339 professionals, 229 clerical and administrative workers, 197 trades workers, 195 machinery or drivers and 181 labourers. Unemployment is 7.7%, compared with a 42.5% participation rate and a 53.8% full-time rate. Household income sits at the 49.5th percentile, just below the midpoint. SEIFA results are uneven: IEO is decile 4 and IER decile 5, but IRSD is decile 1 and IRSAD decile 3, indicating disadvantage below the national middle despite some professional employment.
Unemployment
7.7%
Labour Force
1,727
Unemployed
133
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
53.8%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
42.5%
Employed
1,594
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
33.5%
Postgraduate
4.9%
Born Overseas
60.8%
Dwellings
1,460
Transport to Work
Daily travel in Wakeley is strongly car-oriented: 58.2% drive as their main transport mode, compared with 1.8% using public transport and 1.0% walking or cycling. Work from home is relatively common at 34.1%, which may reduce commuting pressure for some households. At 3,003.3 people per square kilometre across 1.63 square kilometres, services and routes are concentrated within a compact urban setting. Families should check nearby school enrolment zones, sector and travel times against the exact address because local options may sit outside suburb boundaries. Safety decisions should rely on current street-level incident checks rather than assumptions. Compared with the national decile midpoint, Wakeley's IRSD decile 1 and IRSAD decile 3 indicate lower socioeconomic advantage, while IER is decile 5.
Drive
58.2%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
1.0%
Work from Home
34.1%
Population Forecast
-0.02%/yr
(-2 people/yr)
EstablishedWakeley's growth outlook is subdued and shaped more by demographic change than rapid expansion. The forecast annual trend is -0.02%, below zero, while population change across the wider area is 5.3% over 10 years. Overseas migration is the primary driver, which may support demand even as the local trajectory is classified as Aging. The senior share has increased by 8.9 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 1.6 points and the working share has declined 5.3 points. Compared with a high-growth corridor, this is a slower profile. Rent growth of 28.6% and a Stable affordability trend may keep housing relevant, but the gentrification score is 0 and the stage is Not gentrifying.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+112
Net Internal / yr
-112
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -112/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wakeley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wakeley a good suburb to live in?
Wakeley can suit households wanting detached homes and larger floorplans: 85.7% of dwellings are separate houses, 42.1% have 4 or more bedrooms, and average household size is 3.2, which is 0.7 above national. Car travel is more practical than public transport, at 58.2% versus 1.8%.
What is the median house price in Wakeley?
A current median house price should be confirmed from recent settled sales before buying. Wakeley has a $450 weekly median rent, 85.7% separate houses and 32.2% mortgage-held homes, so comparable sales should be used rather than rent alone to set a purchase budget.
What schools are in Wakeley?
School choice should be checked by exact address, since enrolment zones and travel times can extend into neighbouring suburbs. No confirmed in-suburb school listing is available, so compare nearby options by sector, year levels and transport; public transport accounts for 1.8% of journeys.
Is Wakeley safe?
Safety should be checked against current police and council records by street and time. Wakeley has 4,893 residents and a 2.9% vacancy rate, but those figures do not replace recent incident checks. Compare the exact address, lighting, parking and evening activity before committing to a purchase or lease.
Is Wakeley good for property investment?
Wakeley may suit a long-term investor seeking detached family stock, but the outlook is mixed. Median rent is $450 a week, vacancy is 2.9%, and 24.8% of households rent, compared with 41.8% owning outright. Balance that tenant base against a -0.02% annual growth trend and 20 development records.
How is Wakeley's population changing?
Population change across the wider area is 5.3% over 10 years, but the annual trend is -0.02%, below zero. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 8.9 percentage points and the young share down 1.6 points. Overseas migration is the primary driver, so growth may be slow while the age mix changes.
What languages are spoken in Wakeley?
Wakeley has an overseas-born share of 60.8%, which is 39.2 percentage points above national. Recorded languages include Arabic, spoken by 160 people, Khmer by 87, Canton by 79 and Serbian by 67. These figures can help households assess local services, but address-level access should still be checked.
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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