Young
Agriculture at 7.7% of employment makes Young one of the few suburbs in the dataset with a meaningful farming sector, anchoring its identity as a regional service centre for the cherry and stone fruit belt in the Hilltops region. At $455,000 median, Young sits at roughly half the Sydney metro figure, yet household income at the 22.3 percentile nationally means even this price point stretches local buyers. The IRSAD decile 2 and IEO decile 2 ratings confirm deep regional disadvantage, though a gentrification score of 22 with early signs and accelerating population growth (from negative 4% to positive 12% between intercensal periods) suggest bottom-up demographic change from tree-changers.
Population
10,610
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,157/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
129
Median House
$455K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $455,000 median (PSI derived, average of 2024-2025 data) rose from $430,000 in 2024 to $470,000 in 2025, a 9.3% single-year gain signalling renewed demand. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 42.6%, with four-plus bedrooms at 37.9% providing family-sized options for the regional market. Detached houses at 87.5% and semi-detached at 9.1% reflect the traditional country-town housing fabric. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9% is below the 30% stress threshold but tight for the 22.3 percentile household income. Rent-to-income at 21.6% is more comfortable. At 367 square kilometres, the catchment area is large, meaning the median covers everything from town-centre cottages to rural properties.
For Buyers
The $455,000 median (PSI derived, average of 2024-2025 data) rose from $430,000 in 2024 to $470,000 in 2025, a 9.3% single-year gain signalling renewed demand. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 42.6%, with four-plus bedrooms at 37.9% providing family-sized options for the regional market. Detached houses at 87.5% and semi-detached at 9.1% reflect the traditional country-town housing fabric. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9% is below the 30% stress threshold but tight for the 22.3 percentile household income. Rent-to-income at 21.6% is more comfortable. At 367 square kilometres, the catchment area is large, meaning the median covers everything from town-centre cottages to rural properties.
For Investors
Renters make up 30.8% of households, near the national average, with $250 weekly rent producing a gross yield around 2.9% on the $455,000 median. The 9.8% vacancy rate is very elevated, the highest among comparable regional NSW suburbs, reflecting limited rental demand relative to stock. Rent grew 34.1% over the decade, though from a low base. With 122 DAs in 12 months, development activity is strong for a regional town, including dwelling construction and agricultural structures. Population growth is modest at 0.87% annually (46 persons), driven by balanced internal (54 per year) and overseas (8 per year) migration.
Development Activity
Total DAs
735
Last 12 Months
129
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-13.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Young iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Mary's Primary School
K-6 · 222 students
Hennessy Catholic College
7-12 · 426 students
Young Public School
K-6 · 524 students
New Madinah College
K-10 · 100 students
Young High School
7-12 · 495 students
Demographics
English (4,223), Irish (1,359) and Scottish (913) ancestries dominate, with just 8.9% born overseas, sitting 12.7 points below the national baseline, the most Anglo-leaning suburb in this batch. Arabic (150 speakers) is the largest non-English language, followed distantly by Mandarin (40) and Punjabi (18). The 19.0% university rate runs 11.1 points below the national average. Islam (471) is the second largest religion after Christianity (6,350), suggesting a small but visible migrant community, likely linked to agricultural labour. The median age of 41 is 1 year above the national figure, and 28.5% of families are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.5%
Houses
9.1%
Townhouse
2.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Price data shows movement from $430,000 to $470,000 over the latest year, a 9.3% gain. Tenure splits at 39.5% outright owners, 29.7% mortgage holders and 30.8% renters. The high outright ownership reflects the older population and lower historic price levels. Three-bedroom homes (42.6%) and four-plus bedrooms (37.9%) account for 80.5% of stock. At 87.5% detached houses, the housing fabric is traditional country-town. The 9.1% semi-detached share suggests some recent infill. Rent-to-income at 21.6% and mortgage-to-income at 25.9% are both manageable. The 16.3% two-bedroom share provides downsizer options. The 9.8% vacancy rate is a significant concern for owners.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,300
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$656
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.8%
Unoccupied
440
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.5%
Couples, no children
7,966
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (19.4%), Education (12.4%) and Construction (11.8%) lead industry employment, reflecting Young's role as a regional service hub. Retail at 8.6% and Agriculture at 7.7% round out the top five. Labourers (607) are the largest occupational group, ahead of Professionals (572), Community/Personal (571), Managers (550) and Sales (489), producing a blue-collar-weighted workforce. The 5.3% unemployment rate is near the national average. SEIFA shows consistent disadvantage: IEO decile 2, IER decile 3, IRSD decile 2, IRSAD decile 2. The 50.2% participation rate is below the national average, and 3,312 people are not in the labour force, partly reflecting the older and semi-retired population.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
5,005
Unemployed
202
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.2%
Part-time
31.5%
Participation
50.2%
Employed
4,018
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.0%
Postgraduate
3.8%
Born Overseas
8.9%
Dwellings
4,063
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high at 87.0% driving to work, with essentially no public transport (0.2%) and 4.8% walking or cycling. Young has 6 schools: St Mary's Primary (ICSEA 1,016, Catholic, 222 students) and Hennessy Catholic College (ICSEA 1,012, Catholic secondary, 426 students) both exceed the national benchmark. Young Public School (ICSEA 969, 524 students) sits below 1,000. New Madinah College (ICSEA 931, independent combined, 100 students) and Young High School (ICSEA 920, 495 students) represent the lower end. Young North Public (ICSEA 915, 298 students) has the lowest ICSEA in the suburb. The 16.7% volunteering rate runs above the national average.
Drive
87.0%
Public Transport
0.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.87%/yr
(+46 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 4.8% over the past decade, with the estimated 5,294 in 2025 projected to reach 5,531 by 2031 at 0.87% annually. The notable shift is acceleration: growth moved from negative 4% to positive 12% between intercensal periods, suggesting tree-change and remote-work effects. Internal migration adds 54 per year, with overseas arrivals at just 8. A gentrification score of 22 with early signs is modest but notable for a regional town at IRSAD decile 2. Rent grew 34.1% and real income grew 11.0% over the decade, both positive trends. The senior share grew 4.7 points, the largest increase in this batch, consistent with aging in place.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+8
Net Internal / yr
+54
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +54/yr, Accelerating: -4% → 12%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Young compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Young a good suburb to live in?
Young suits buyers wanting affordable regional living in the Hilltops cherry belt at $455,000 median. Two of 6 schools exceed ICSEA 1,000. The 16.7% volunteering rate is above average, indicating community engagement. Trade-offs include IRSAD decile 2, minimal public transport (0.2%), 9.8% vacancy, and the 22.3 percentile household income stretching even modest housing costs.
What is the median house price in Young?
The median house price is $455,000 (PSI derived, 2024-2025 average), rising from $430,000 in 2024 to $470,000 in 2025, a 9.3% gain. Median weekly rent is $250 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,300, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.9%. At $250 weekly rent, this is among the lowest in regional NSW.
What schools are in Young?
Young has 6 schools. St Mary's Primary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,016, 222 students) and Hennessy Catholic College (Catholic secondary, ICSEA 1,012, 426 students) exceed the national benchmark. Young Public School (ICSEA 969, 524 students) and Young High School (ICSEA 920, 495 students) are the main government options. New Madinah College (ICSEA 931, 100 students) and Young North Public (ICSEA 915, 298 students) sit lowest.
Is Young safe?
Crime data is not available for Young. The IRSD decile 2 and 5.3% unemployment rate are moderate risk factors. The 39.5% outright ownership rate and 16.7% volunteering rate suggest a stable, community-oriented population. The low density of just 29 people per square kilometre across 367 square kilometres reflects the rural-urban mix of the Hilltops region.
Is Young good for property investment?
Young's 30.8% renter share is near the national average, but the 9.8% vacancy rate is very high. Weekly rent of $250 on the $455,000 median yields roughly 2.9% gross. Rent grew 34.1% over the decade. Population growth is modest at 0.87% annually (46 persons), and the 122 DAs in 12 months suggest active construction that may add to vacancy pressure.
How is Young's population changing?
Population grew 4.8% over the past decade to 5,294, projected to reach 5,531 by 2031. The key shift is acceleration from negative 4% to positive 12% growth between intercensal periods, suggesting tree-change inflows. Internal migration adds 54 per year. The senior share grew 4.7 points, the largest increase in this batch, consistent with aging at a median age of 41.
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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