Melrose Park is a middle-ring metropolitan suburb of Sydney, in Parramatta Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development. The Parramatta River is part of the surrounding geography.
Employment rates are stronger than in comparable places, with employment 12% above the peer median. Rents are relatively affordable, with median rents 14% below the peer median. Population growth is an exceptional strength, placing it among the highest-ranked middle-ring metropolitan suburbs, and university qualifications are a relative strength, with university qualifications 26% above the peer median. The clearer weaknesses are limited walkability and thinner dining and café options.
Melrose Park is a better fit for people who value lower rents and employment more than getting around without a car.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Middle-ring metropolitan suburb · compared with middle-ring metropolitan suburbs in New South Wales (139)
Strengths
Population growth is a relative strength
Rents are relatively affordable
Employment rates are stronger than in comparable places
University qualifications are a relative strength
Weaknesses
Getting around on foot is harder than in comparable places
Dining and café options are thinner than in comparable places
What stands out
Parramatta River
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★★★★
Professionals★★★☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★☆☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Melrose Park compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$2.48M
+10% change
Median rent
$700/wk
Houses $825 · Units $688
Population (ERP)
2,212
+1.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.8%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#89
among Metro Sydney · Emerging
Crime rate
9th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
81st
percentile in NSW
Rented dwellings
27%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
81st
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
50.8/100 — Average
State standing
Top 30% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
1827th in Australia
State rank
638th in NSW
Peer rank
#89 among Metro Sydney · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#403 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data confidence
95%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$688
Houses (January to March 2026)
$825
All types (January to March 2026)
$700
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
382
Median house price (October to December 2025)
$2,480,000
Median price change
+10.2%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
+1.6% annual · +8.4% over 5 years · 81th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.6%
5-year growth
+8.4%
Change in 1 year
+35
Change in 5 years
+172
Growth rank in NSW
81th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~2,450), extrapolated at +1.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
2,059
Median age
37
Median household income / week
$2,182
Dwelling vacancy
7.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
63 of 808
Median monthly mortgage
$2,600
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$490
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
30.9% / 42.1% / 27%
Employment rate
63.5%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
40% / 1.6% / 38.8%
Walked or cycled to work
1.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
480 / 37 / 228
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
40.8% of adults have a university degree, compared with 27.8% across New South Wales. 11.6% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified40.8% · 27.8% NSW
Diploma qualified11.4% · 9.3% NSW
Trade / vocational11.6% · 15% NSW
Year 12 or below36.3% · 47.9% NSW
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce31.6%
Engineering and related technologies13.5%
Society and culture10.5%
Health9.5%
Education6.5%
Information technology6.3%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$62,748
71st percentile in NSW · +7% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$72,243
77th percentile in NSW · +11% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
21.0%
88th percentile in NSW · +52% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$56,199
29th percentile in NSW · -11% vs Australia
Residents with business income
10.0%
50th percentile in NSW · -4% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 2114 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
18,262
Taxpayers reporting net rent
3,805
Median net rent
-$2,187
Taxpayers reporting business income
1,817
Taxable income vs state median
+12%
Salary / wages vs state median
+15%
Rental investment vs state median
+50%
Super vs state median
-20%
Business income vs state median
0%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in NSW, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
43.6% speak a language other than English at home; 41.6% born overseas
Language at home
1,120 English only · 867 other
Non-English at home
43.6%
Born overseas
831 (41.6%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
9 (0.4%)
Australian citizens
1,682
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
25
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Mandarin98 · 25.7%
Korean75 · 19.6%
Cantonese51 · 13.4%
Arabic21 · 5.5%
Indonesian17 · 4.5%
Persian16 · 4.2%
Hindi13 · 3.4%
Turkish10 · 2.6%
Religion
54.7%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 54.7%, while 31.1% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
31.1%
32.8%
Christianity
54.7%
47.6%
Islam
3.4%
4.3%
Buddhism
3.2%
2.8%
Other / not stated
7.5%
12.5%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
31.2%
22.4%
Anglican
7.4%
11.9%
Presbyterian and Reformed
3.7%
1.9%
Christian (not further defined)
3.3%
2.4%
Eastern Orthodox
2.7%
2.5%
Uniting Church
2.3%
2.1%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Offence counts are estimated for this suburb from postcode 2114, which is shared with other suburbs.
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
66
Against the person
14
Against property
42
Rate per 1,000 residents
29.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 147 residents
State crime-rate percentile
9.2th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-1.2%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
30
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
13.56
Most common offence types
Domestic Violence Related Assault4
Fraud13
Malicious Damage To Property6
Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault3
Steal From Motor Vehicle6
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
Schools within 2 km
11
Median school ICSEA (11 schools)
1,087
Median ICSEA percentile
81th
Primary catchments overlapping suburb
3
Secondary catchments overlapping suburb
2
School list
Melrose Park Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1087 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 59% · 163 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 0.0 km awayView on My School →
Ermington Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1117 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 76% · 472 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
Wentworth Point Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1045 · 66th percentile · LBOTE 88% · 672 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
Rydalmere East Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1007 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 53% · 104 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
Wentworth Point High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1062 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 88% · 188 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
St Michael's Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1125 · 90th percentile · LBOTE 66% · 420 students · Top SEA quarter 47% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
West Ryde Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1117 · 88th percentile · LBOTE 83% · 512 students · Top SEA quarter 46% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
Ermington West Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1022 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 63% · 104 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
Marsden High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1050 · 68th percentile · LBOTE 73% · 1,298 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
Meadowbank Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1095 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 89% · 642 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
Ermington PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Marsden HSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Melrose Park PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Riverside GHSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
West Ryde PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
NSW government school intake zones — NSW Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
Well connected by public transport — 43 public transport stops
Strong local sport and recreation — 9 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.46
Shopping(1)
Melrose CentralShopping centre
Community(1)
Melrose Park Public SchoolSchool
110 Wharf Road, Melrose Park
Sport & outdoors(20)
Eastwood to Strathfield Rail TrailCycling route
Louise Sauvage PathwayCycling route
Parramatta River (South)Cycling route
Parramatta River South PathCycling route
Parramatta Valley CyclewayCycling route
PVC DetourCycling route
Dog Off-Leash AreaDog park
Drinking water
Jennifer ParkPark
Park
Sindel ReservePark
Playground (3)
Public toilets
10 CricketSports field
Meadowbank Park, Field 10Sports field
Meadowbank Park, Field 12Sports field
Meadownbank Park, Field 13Sports field
Sports field
Entertainment(1)
Viewpoint
Transport(20)
20 bus stops
Other(7)
Bench
Bicycle Parking (2)
Foam and Froth Car WashCar wash
1206 Victoria Road
Fish Cleaning
Information (4)
Parking (11)
Shelter (2)
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Nearest hospital
Allowah Presbyterian Children's Hospital (2.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
GP clinics in suburb
0
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Usual max / min
25° / 17°
Rainfall
321 mm · ~40 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
22° / 14°
Rainfall
359 mm · ~45 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
17° / 8°
Rainfall
263 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
21° / 12°
Rainfall
242 mm · ~30 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
38-42 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Additional Information Requested
Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care; Hours of operation and trading
9 Hildergarde Boulevard Melrose Park 2114Under Assessment
August 2026
Subdivision
38 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Additional Information Requested
Subdivision
657 VICTORIA ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Additional Information Requested
Subdivision
659 victoria road melrose parkAdditional Information Requested
Subdivision
657 VICTORIA ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Additional Information Requested
June 2026
Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
25 LANCASTER AVENUE MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
33 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Subdivision
38-42 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
April 2026
Temporary building, structure or use; Portable offices
1222 VICTORIA ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
March 2026
Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
31 CROWLEY CRESCENT MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
February 2026
Demolition; Main road; Secondary road
657-661 Victoria Road melrose park 2114Determined
2025· 33 proposals
November 2025
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
36 CROWLEY CRESCENT MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure
84 wharf road melrose park 2114Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
157 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Restaurant or cafe; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
October 2025
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
124 LANCASTER AVENUE MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
July 2025
Subdivision
38-42 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space
17 CROWLEY CRESCENT MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure
84 wharf road melrose park 2114Determined
Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
June 2025
Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
31 CROWLEY CRESCENT MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
May 2025
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
6 BATTEN AVENUE MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
April 2025
Commercial development; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Demolition; Dwelling house
157 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces
64 LANCASTER AVENUE MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
16 CROWLEY CRESCENT MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Erection of a new structure; Public Reserve
84 Wharf Road, Melrose ParkDetermined
March 2025
Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)
153 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Retail Premise; Residential Accommodation
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
February 2025
Subdivision
153 WHARF ROAD MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Erection of a new structure; Early Education and Care Facility
33 HOPE STREET MELROSE PARK 2114Cancelled
Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
150 LANCASTER AVENUE MELROSE PARK 2114Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping. Flood cover uses NSW flood planning polygons against the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
Parramatta
Member of Parliament
Andrew CHARLTON (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
117,501
Turnout (2025)
90.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+8.8 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 37.5%Labor 62.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.5 km away).
Coalition 34.8%Labor 65.2%
2.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +16.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Melrose Park (Parramatta)Labor 65.2% · Coalition 34.8% TPP (2025)0.0 km away
Ermington CentralLabor 59.9% · Coalition 40.1% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
Ermington WestLabor 61.4% · Coalition 38.6% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
Dundas Valley SouthLabor 61.7% · Coalition 38.3% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
RydalmereLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)