Waterview Heights
At 49 years, the median age in Waterview Heights sits 9 years above the national figure, making age the suburb's clearest defining feature. Its 1,364 residents are spread across 58.33 square kilometres at 23.4 people per square kilometre, while 100.0% of dwellings are separate houses. Ownership is strong, with 49.8% owned outright and 43.8% mortgaged, and car use reaches 82.2%. Compared with the built-up parts of Grafton and South Grafton, the locality has a lower-density form because demand is shaped by space, commuting and long tenure rather than apartment turnover.
Local council: Clarence Valley
Population
1,364
Median Age
49.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,485/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Homebuyers are looking at a fully detached market: 100.0% of dwellings are separate houses, with 51.8% containing 4 or more bedrooms and 42.0% containing 3 bedrooms. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,517 against weekly household income of $1,485, producing a mortgage-to-income measure of 23.6%, below a high-stress profile. That relative affordability is supported by 49.8% outright ownership and only 5.8% renting. Compared with denser housing markets, Waterview Heights suits buyers prioritising land and larger homes because the stock is not diversified by apartments. Its median age of 49, 9 years above national, also points to a settled buyer base.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are looking at a fully detached market: 100.0% of dwellings are separate houses, with 51.8% containing 4 or more bedrooms and 42.0% containing 3 bedrooms. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,517 against weekly household income of $1,485, producing a mortgage-to-income measure of 23.6%, below a high-stress profile. That relative affordability is supported by 49.8% outright ownership and only 5.8% renting. Compared with denser housing markets, Waterview Heights suits buyers prioritising land and larger homes because the stock is not diversified by apartments. Its median age of 49, 9 years above national, also points to a settled buyer base.
For Investors
Investor conditions are shaped by a very small rental pool: just 5.8% of households rent, compared with 49.8% owning outright and 43.8% paying a mortgage. Weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 6.0%, so tenant demand should be tested carefully rather than assumed from low rental supply. Nineteen development applications in 12 months indicate ongoing property activity, but the sampled projects point to sheds, carports and alterations rather than a clear wave of new dwellings. With 100.0% separate houses and 51.8% of homes at 4 or more bedrooms, the likely appeal is family-oriented detached stock. Investors should compare gross yield, insurance, maintenance and local leasing times with Grafton before buying because low turnover can limit resale speed.
Development Activity
Total DAs
107
Last 12 Months
17
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-15.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Waterview Heights has an older, locally settled profile. Median age is 49, which is 9 years above the national figure, while university attainment is 17.3%, or 12.8 percentage points below national. Only 7.0% of residents were born overseas, 14.6 points below national, and average household size is 2.7, just 0.2 above national. English, Scottish and Irish ancestries account for 616, 157 and 139 responses, while Christianity records 779 people against 472 reporting no religion. Mobility is low, with 86.3% staying and 13.7% turning over. Compared with Grafton and South Grafton, this suggests a more stable, Anglo-leaning community because long tenure and older households reduce rapid demographic churn.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached family housing dominates every visible measure: 100.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 51.8% have 4 or more bedrooms and 42.0% have 3 bedrooms. Tenure is ownership-heavy, with 49.8% owned outright and 43.8% mortgaged, versus only 5.8% rented. The monthly mortgage figure is $1,517, while mortgage commitments equal 23.6% of household income and rent equals 20.2%, with neither marked as housing stress. Compared with apartment or renter-heavy markets, Waterview Heights has less tenure flexibility but more housing continuity. That structure suits households seeking space around Grafton and South Grafton because a 58.33-square-kilometre, 23.4-density locality supports larger detached lots rather than compact infill.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $300.
$500
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $520 · units $415
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$582
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.0%
Unoccupied
30
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.6%
Couples with children
51.6%
Couples, no children
12.6%
Single parent
405
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is spread across essential services and practical trades. Healthcare leads with 19.0% and 68 workers, followed by Public Administration at 15.4% and 55, Education at 12.9% and 46, Construction at 8.7% and 31, and Retail at 7.8% and 28. The labour force numbers 608 people, participation is 53.6% and unemployment is 5.8%; among employed residents, 56.9% work full-time and 213 work part-time. Clerical and administrative roles lead occupations at 91, ahead of Community and Personal at 87 and Professionals at 76. Household income sits at the 46.3 percentile, below the midpoint, because the economy mixes stable public and care services with lower-paid part-time and local roles.
Unemployment
5.8%
Labour Force
608
Unemployed
35
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
56.9%
Part-time
37.2%
Participation
53.6%
Employed
573
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
17.3%
Postgraduate
2.6%
Born Overseas
7.0%
Dwellings
473
Transport to Work
Waterview Heights suits residents who value space and driving access over walkable urban convenience. Car use is high at 82.2%, while only 1.9% walk or cycle and 10.3% work from home, so daily errands and commuting are likely to depend on a vehicle. The 58.33-square-kilometre area and 23.4 people per square kilometre reinforce that low-density pattern. The median age is 49, 9 years above national, and 16.6% volunteer, supporting a settled local rhythm. Families should check current school options and enrolment zones in Grafton and South Grafton against the exact address. Safety decisions should use current local police statistics before purchase or renting. Compared with denser regional centres, the trade-off is more space but fewer services within walking distance.
Drive
82.2%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
10.3%
Growth Outlook
Growth looks more like gradual consolidation than a rapid demographic surge. The suburb has 1,364 residents, a 13.7% turnover rate and 86.3% staying, so population change is likely to be shaped by retention rather than frequent relocation. Nineteen development applications over 12 months show a continuing pipeline of small-scale building activity, including sheds, carports and home alterations, but no clear evidence of a large new dwelling program. Compared with higher-turnover growth corridors, the 49-year median age and 100.0% detached housing point to incremental change because established owners are likely to remain longer. Track approvals, construction completion and local sales rather than treating application volume as guaranteed population growth.
Population trend: Clarence Valley council area
Waterview Heights sits in the Clarence Valley council area. These are the council area's residents, not Waterview Heights's.
Residents 2025
56,874
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.5%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+1.2%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Waterview Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterview Heights a good suburb to live in?
Waterview Heights can suit buyers seeking a quieter detached setting: 100.0% of dwellings are separate houses, 82.2% drive, and 49.8% are owned outright. Its median age of 49 is 9 years above national, so it may feel more settled than higher-turnover areas. Check commuting, services and school catchments before deciding.
What is the median house price in Waterview Heights?
Use recent settled sales to establish a current median, because the suburb is 100.0% separate houses and 51.8% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms. Compare like-for-like homes with Grafton sales, as land size and bedroom mix can make a nearby median misleading.
What schools are in Waterview Heights?
Schooling should be checked through current Grafton and South Grafton options, with the exact address used to confirm enrolment zones and transport. Waterview Heights covers 58.33 square kilometres and is 100.0% detached, so nearby schools may not serve every pocket equally. Compared with choosing by suburb name alone, an address-level check is more reliable.
Is Waterview Heights safe?
Safety should be judged using current NSW Police statistics and recent street-level enquiries rather than a broad suburb label. The population is 1,364 and 82.2% of residents drive, so traffic conditions and road access matter alongside recorded offences. Compared with dense centres, local risks may be more dispersed, but verify the exact street before committing.
Is Waterview Heights good for property investment?
Investment may suit a detached-house strategy, but the rental base is only 5.8%, weekly rent is $300 and vacancy is 6.0%. That thin rental pool can reduce leasing depth, while 19 development applications in 12 months show some activity without proving new dwelling demand. Compare yield and leasing times with Grafton, and test insurance, maintenance and resale assumptions before buying.
How is Waterview Heights's population changing?
Waterview Heights has 1,364 residents and a settled age profile, with median age 49, 9 years above national. Mobility is modest: 86.3% stayed while turnover was 13.7%, and 19 development applications were recorded over 12 months. Compared with fast-growth corridors, this points to gradual change driven more by retention and small-scale building than rapid churn. Monitor completed dwellings and local approvals.
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).
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