Wheeler Heights
A median house price of $2,275,000 on a suburb of just 0.85 km2 tells the core story of Wheeler Heights: compact, expensive, and firmly established at the upper end of Sydney's northern beaches market. Household income sits at the 96.8th percentile nationally, and IRSAD scores at decile 9, among the top 10% of suburbs for socio-economic advantage. Separate houses account for 91.2% of dwellings, well above state norms, and 56.2% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, reflecting a family-oriented ownership base. The suburb's 3,232 residents are relatively stable, with 81.4% having stayed at the same address for the prior year.
Population
3,232
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,914/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
31
Median House
$2.3M
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The median house price stands at $2,275,000, a figure that rose from $2,255,000 in 2024 to $2,275,000 in 2025, a 0.9% gain over the period. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 91.2% are separate houses, with apartments at just 6.3% and semi-detached at 2.5%. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 56.2% of dwellings, which is the dominant configuration, making this suburb better suited to families than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,198 and mortgage-to-income sits at 25.3%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price, because household incomes run at the 96.8th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 35.3% are outnumbered by mortgage holders at 49.6%, a sign that recent buyers are still paying down debt on properties acquired at premium prices.
For Buyers
The median house price stands at $2,275,000, a figure that rose from $2,255,000 in 2024 to $2,275,000 in 2025, a 0.9% gain over the period. The housing stock is overwhelmingly detached: 91.2% are separate houses, with apartments at just 6.3% and semi-detached at 2.5%. Four-plus bedroom homes make up 56.2% of dwellings, which is the dominant configuration, making this suburb better suited to families than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,198 and mortgage-to-income sits at 25.3%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the high purchase price, because household incomes run at the 96.8th percentile nationally. Outright owners at 35.3% are outnumbered by mortgage holders at 49.6%, a sign that recent buyers are still paying down debt on properties acquired at premium prices.
For Investors
With only 15.1% of residents renting, Wheeler Heights has a thin rental pool by Sydney standards, which reflects the owner-occupier character of this premium area. Weekly rent averages $750, and against a $2,275,000 median house price the gross yield is approximately 1.7%, low compared to typical investment benchmarks. Vacancy sits at 3.4%, a modest signal of available stock. Development activity shows 28 applications in the past 12 months, including dwelling houses, earthworks, and one subdivision, consistent with an established suburb undergoing incremental improvement rather than major new supply. Overseas migration drives net population growth of about 159 arrivals per year in the broader SA2, while internal migration runs negative at minus 78, so demand is supported more by international newcomers than by domestic movement.
Development Activity
Total DAs
144
Last 12 Months
31
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age is 40, level with the national average, but the demographic trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 3.2 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.2 points. University qualifications reach 37.1%, which is 7.0 percentage points above the national figure, pointing to a well-educated resident base. The overseas-born share is 23.4%, about 1.8 points above the national average. Ancestry is predominantly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (1,461 residents), Irish (402), and Scottish (339), with Italian (186) rounding out the top five. Average household size of 3.2 persons is 0.7 above national, consistent with the family-home character and couples-with-children dominance at 1,489 families versus 491 couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
91.2%
Houses
2.5%
Townhouse
6.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The tenure split leans heavily toward mortgaged owners: 49.6% carry a mortgage, 35.3% own outright, and only 15.1% rent, a configuration typical of a premium family suburb where most buyers are relatively recent. Price history over the observed period shows a $2,255,000 median in 2024 rising to $2,275,000 in 2025, a 0.9% gain with a CAGR of 0.9% over the one-year window available. The stock profile reinforces the family orientation: 91.2% are separate houses and 56.2% have 4 or more bedrooms. By comparison, the 6.3% apartment share is well below typical suburban norms. Mortgage-to-income at 25.3% and rent-to-income at 25.7% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, an unusual position for a suburb at this price point and a direct result of income levels in the 96.8th percentile nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$3,198
Rent / wk
$750
HH Size
3.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,027
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
25.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
16.9%
Couples, no children
2,899
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads local employment at 13.4% (164 workers), closely followed by Professional/Tech at 13.3% (163) and Healthcare at 12.7% (156), with Education at 10.1% and Retail at 6.8%. By occupation, Professionals dominate at 426 workers, ahead of Managers (305), Clerical/Admin (252), and Sales (172). The unemployment rate is 2.4%, well below national averages, with a full-time employment rate of 61.5%. SEIFA scores underline the economic standing: IRSAD decile 9, IEO decile 8, and IRSD decile 8, placing the suburb well above the national median on all four indexes. Real income growth of 9.2% over the decade indicates modest but steady improvement, and participation at 63.8% reflects a working-age population with reasonable labour market attachment.
Unemployment
4.7%
Labour Force
6,131
Unemployed
291
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.5%
Part-time
36.1%
Participation
63.8%
Employed
1,563
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.1%
Postgraduate
7.6%
Born Overseas
23.4%
Dwellings
985
Transport to Work
Wheeler Heights is a car-dependent suburb: 90.5% of residents drive to work, compared to a much lower proportion in inner-city areas, and only 2.8% use public transport. Walking and cycling account for 2.1%. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the top tier for socio-economic advantage, and IRSD decile 8 indicates low relative disadvantage. Volunteering runs at 16.0% and only 3.0% of residents (95 people) need daily assistance, suggesting a healthy and capable population. No schools are recorded within the 0.85 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on institutions in adjacent suburbs. Housing stress is absent on both dimensions: mortgage-to-income at 25.3% and rent-to-income at 25.7% both remain below the 30% threshold.
Drive
90.5%
Public Transport
2.8%
Walk / Cycle
2.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.43%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedWheeler Heights grows slowly but consistently: the annual growth rate is 0.43%, adding roughly 49 persons per year, and the 10-year population change is 11.5%. At that pace the SA2 population is forecast to reach approximately 11,742 by 2031 under the medium scenario, up from 11,297 in 2025. The suburb experienced a mild COVID dip of minus 2.5% and has not fully recovered to the pre-COVID level of 11,544. Overseas migration at 159 net arrivals per year is the primary growth driver, partially offset by internal outmigration of minus 78. Gentrification is classified as not gentrifying, which fits a suburb already at decile 9 advantage with affordability stable between 2011 and 2021. The aging trajectory, with rent growth of 34.9% over the period, suggests rental demand is rising even as owner-occupier stock remains dominant.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+159
Net Internal / yr
-78
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wheeler Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wheeler Heights a good suburb to live in?
Wheeler Heights ranks at IRSAD decile 9 nationally, placing it in the top 10% for socio-economic advantage. Household income sits at the 96.8th percentile nationally, and mortgage-to-income at 25.3% stays below the 30% stress threshold. The trade-off is a $2,275,000 median house price and limited rental and apartment options.
What is the median house price in Wheeler Heights?
The median house price is $2,275,000, up from $2,255,000 in 2024, a 0.9% gain. Monthly mortgage repayments average $3,198. The 91.2% separate-house stock and 56.2% share of 4-plus bedroom homes reflect a family-oriented premium market.
What schools are in Wheeler Heights?
No schools are recorded within the 0.85 km2 Wheeler Heights boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent northern beaches suburbs. University qualifications among residents reach 37.1%, which is 7.0 percentage points above the national figure, indicating a highly educated local population.
Is Wheeler Heights safe?
Detailed suburb-level crime statistics are not available for Wheeler Heights in this dataset. As indirect indicators, the suburb scores IRSD decile 8 nationally, placing it well above the median for low disadvantage, and only 3.0% of its 3,232 residents need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable community.
Is Wheeler Heights good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $750 against a $2,275,000 median house price implies a gross yield near 1.7%, low by investment benchmarks. The renter share is just 15.1% and vacancy sits at 3.4%. Net overseas migration of 159 per year supports demand, but annual population growth of 0.43% means returns depend primarily on capital appreciation.
How is Wheeler Heights's population changing?
The local SA2 population is growing at 0.43% annually, adding about 49 persons per year, with a 10-year increase of 11.5%. Overseas migration of 159 net arrivals per year is the main driver, offset by internal outmigration of minus 78. Medium forecasts project the SA2 reaching roughly 11,742 residents by 2031.
How much development is happening in Wheeler Heights?
There were 28 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including dwelling houses, earthworks and retaining walls, and one subdivision. Activity is modest, consistent with an established suburb at 0.43% annual growth where most works involve renovation and site improvement rather than large-scale new supply.
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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