West Albury
A 46-year median age is the clearest signal in West Albury, sitting 6.0 years above the national figure and aligning with an aging resident base. The suburb houses 3,872 people across 5.41 sq km, with density of 715.6 people per sq km and 79.4% separate houses. Household income sits at the 35.3rd percentile, below the midpoint, so the profile is more established and less affluent than higher-income parts of Albury. Compared with nearby Lavington, West Albury reads as a smaller, older, owner-oriented pocket, although its 30.3% renting share still supports tenant demand.
Population
3,872
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,363/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
24
For owner-occupiers, West Albury provides a predominantly detached housing setting, with 79.4% separate houses and 20.6% semi-detached dwellings. The bedroom mix suits established households: 39.7% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 34.1% have 4 or more. A weekly rent of $255 and monthly mortgage figure of $1,365 provide useful holding-cost reference points, while mortgage repayments equal 23.1% of household income and rent equals 18.7%, both below common stress thresholds. Compared with the national average, the 2.2-person household size is 0.3 lower, which helps explain the presence of smaller homes alongside family stock. Buyers should compare West Albury with Albury and Lavington on condition, block size and renovation needs rather than assuming all detached homes carry the same value.
For Buyers
For owner-occupiers, West Albury provides a predominantly detached housing setting, with 79.4% separate houses and 20.6% semi-detached dwellings. The bedroom mix suits established households: 39.7% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 34.1% have 4 or more. A weekly rent of $255 and monthly mortgage figure of $1,365 provide useful holding-cost reference points, while mortgage repayments equal 23.1% of household income and rent equals 18.7%, both below common stress thresholds. Compared with the national average, the 2.2-person household size is 0.3 lower, which helps explain the presence of smaller homes alongside family stock. Buyers should compare West Albury with Albury and Lavington on condition, block size and renovation needs rather than assuming all detached homes carry the same value.
For Investors
West Albury presents an established rental market rather than a high-density apartment play. Renters account for 30.3% of households compared with 40.3% owning outright, while the 8.7% vacancy rate indicates that tenant demand should be tested carefully at property level. Development activity is visible, with 23 applications recorded over 12 months, including alterations, a swimming pool and health-related works. The resident workforce is concentrated in healthcare at 24.1% and education at 14.3%, ahead of construction at 9.6%, which can support demand from service-sector employees. Compared with a tightly held owner market, the 30.3% rental share offers a meaningful tenant base, but investors should allow for vacancy variation and avoid relying on rent alone without a purchase-price assessment.
Development Activity
Total DAs
148
Last 12 Months
24
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+14.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
West Albury has an older demographic profile, with a median age of 46, which is 6.0 years above the national figure. Only 13.1% of residents were born overseas, 8.5 percentage points below the national level, while university attainment is 31.2%, 1.1 points above the national comparison. English ancestry is reported by 1,558 people, followed by Irish at 521, Scottish at 425 and German at 283. Christianity counts 2,022 residents and no religion 1,411, indicating a settled population with varied personal beliefs. Household size averages 2.2 people, 0.3 below the national figure, and 80.2% stayed at the same address compared with 19.8% turnover. Compared with nearby Lavington and central Albury, this points to a quieter, more settled household base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.4%
Houses
20.6%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
West Albury is dominated by detached housing, with separate houses at 79.4% compared with 20.6% semi-detached dwellings. The stock is weighted toward established family formats: 39.7% of homes have 3 bedrooms and 34.1% have 4 or more, while only 1.6% are studios or 1-bedroom homes. Tenure is split between 40.3% owned outright, 26.4% with a mortgage and 30.3% rented. Compared with mortgaged households, outright ownership is notably more common, reflecting the suburb's older age profile and longer residential stays. Mortgage costs equal 23.1% of household income, higher than the 18.7% rent-to-income share, while density is 715.6 people per sq km across 5.41 sq km. The housing pattern is therefore more established and house-based than an apartment-led inner suburb.
Mortgage / mo
$1,365
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $255.
$510
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $543 · units $380
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$794
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
148
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.1%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.9%
Couples with children
45.6%
Couples, no children
18.6%
Single parent
1,009
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is West Albury's largest resident industry at 24.1%, representing 271 workers, followed by education at 14.3% and 161 workers. Construction accounts for 9.6% and 108 workers, manufacturing 8.6% and 97, and public administration 8.4% and 94. Healthcare's share is higher than construction's, helping explain the suburb's connection to stable service employment. The main occupations are professionals at 394 people, managers at 220, clerical and administrative workers at 215, trades at 200 and community or personal service workers at 194. The labour force totals 1,725, with unemployment at 5.7%, participation at 53.6% and full-time employment at 58.2%. Weekly household income is $1,363, placing West Albury at the 35.3rd percentile, below the midpoint, so household budgets may be more sensitive to major renovation or borrowing costs than in higher-income areas.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
1,725
Unemployed
98
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.2%
Part-time
36.6%
Participation
53.6%
Employed
1,627
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
31.2%
Postgraduate
6.5%
Born Overseas
13.1%
Dwellings
1,552
Transport to Work
Daily life in West Albury is strongly car-oriented: 80.5% of commuters drive, compared with just 0.3% using public transport and 2.6% walking or cycling. That makes access to employment, shopping and services more practical by car, while households without one may need to plan trips carefully. Working from home accounts for 11.8%, offering some flexibility for residents in the 79.4% of separate houses. The suburb's 3,872 residents live at a density of 715.6 people per sq km, and the average household size is 2.2 people. Volunteering is reported by 19.1% of residents, while 10.2% need assistance with daily activities, factors that matter for community services and accessibility. Compared with a transit-oriented suburb, West Albury provides a quieter, lower-rise setting but depends more heavily on private vehicles.
Drive
80.5%
Public Transport
0.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.6%
Work from Home
11.8%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How West Albury compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Albury a good suburb to live in?
West Albury suits residents seeking established houses, a quieter setting and strong owner occupancy. It has 79.4% separate houses, a 46-year median age and 80.5% car-driver commuting, so it is better suited to households comfortable with driving than those seeking frequent public transport.
What is the median house price in West Albury?
A current median house price should be checked against recent West Albury sales. The suburb is 79.4% separate houses, with 39.7% three-bedroom and 34.1% four-bedroom-or-larger homes, so buyers should compare like-for-like properties and separate detached stock from the 20.6% semi-detached share.
What schools are in West Albury?
School choice should be checked by exact address rather than assumed from the suburb name. West Albury has 3,872 residents and a 2.2-person average household, while enrolment boundaries can extend into nearby Albury-area suburbs. Confirm catchment, transport and sector details directly before buying or renting.
Is West Albury safe?
Safety should be assessed using current local police information and a visit at different times of day. West Albury has 3,872 residents and 80.5% car-driver commuting, so traffic conditions, lighting, parking and walking routes are practical factors to inspect alongside any official crime information.
Is West Albury good for property investment?
West Albury has a meaningful rental base, with 30.3% of households renting, weekly rent of $255 and an 8.7% vacancy rate. There were 23 development applications in 12 months. Investors should test current rents, maintenance needs and purchase prices carefully because vacancy can vary between streets and property types.
How is West Albury's population changing?
The resident base appears relatively stable and older rather than highly transient. West Albury has 3,872 residents, a median age of 46, 80.2% staying at the same address and 19.8% turnover. The 23 development applications in 12 months suggest gradual renewal, while the housing mix remains mainly detached.
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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