Prestons, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Prestons NSW is 15,694 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Prestons is $757 per week ($39,364 per year). Median rent in Prestons is $520 per week ($2,253 per month). Prestons has a median age of 34 years, younger than the national median of 38. Prestons has a population density of 1,703 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Prestons is Fiji. The most common religion is Catholic (23.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Arabic. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Prestons is $2,200.

There were 141 recorded offences in Prestons in 2025-26, a rate of 9 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (46 offences).

Population
15,694
Census 2021
Median income
$757/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$520/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
34years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Prestons vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Prestons is $757 a week, in line with the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,123rd of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $520 a week, $135 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 22.5% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 34, 9 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasurePrestonsTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$757/wk$765/wk −1%$766/wk
Household income$2,310/wk$1,704/wk +36%$1,637/wk
Rent$520/wk$385/wk +35%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,200/mo$1,965/mo +12%$1,733/mo
Median age3443 −9 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.5%22.6% −0.1 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Prestons, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Prestons Population

15,694 residents at the 2021 Census.

Prestons Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$757/wk
$39,364 per year
Ranked 4,390 of 14,663
Median Rent
$520/wk
$2,253 per month
Ranked 502 of 14,663
Median Age
34years
4 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,200/mo
Avg household size: 3.6 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Prestons Rent Prices & Affordability

23% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,310/wk
Median rent $520/wk
Rent to income 22.5%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Prestons against your income

About $10,010 a month
Median rent $520/wk
Left after rent $1,790/wk
Rent share 22.5%

Prestons Schools

32
schools nearby
22
government
980
avg ICSEA score
20,699
total students
Hurlstone Agricultural High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 934 students
1147
ICSEA
William Carey Christian School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,325 students
1105
ICSEA
Amity College Independent
Combined · K-12 · 2,588 students
1096
ICSEA
St Francis Catholic College Catholic
Combined · K-12 · 1,559 students
1088
ICSEA
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 646 students
1088
ICSEA
Edmondson Park Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 897 students
1077
ICSEA
Glenfield Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 470 students
1070
ICSEA
St Francis Xavier's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 400 students
1062
ICSEA
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 669 students
1059
ICSEA
Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 469 students
1037
ICSEA
Dalmeny Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 671 students
1012
ICSEA
Middleton Grange Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 465 students
1010
ICSEA
Good Samaritan Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,297 students
1006
ICSEA
St Therese Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 315 students
1003
ICSEA
Hoxton Park Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 531 students
985
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 32 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Prestons, with a map

Prestons Map

Prestons, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Prestons, New South Wales: 33.9415°S, 150.8733°E

Prestons Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (32)

People in Prestons

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.2% (7,728) Female 50.8% (7,969)

Population Density

1,703
people per km²
15,694 people · 9.2 km²

Households

3.6
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$2,291
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

Fiji
6.1%
Iraq
3.4%
India
3.2%
Philippines
3.0%
Lebanon
2.0%
Pakistan
1.9%
Vietnam
1.9%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Arabic
10.6%
Hindi
6.7%
Turkish
3.3%
Urdu
3.1%
Vietnamese
2.7%
Spanish
2.2%
Serbian
1.8%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
14.3%
English
10.4%
Indian
10.3%
Lebanese
6.3%
Filipino
4.6%
Italian
4.6%
Chinese
4.4%
Vietnamese
3.2%
Irish
2.3%
Serbian
2.3%
Samoan
1.9%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

Catholic
23.7%
Islam
21.7%
No religion
11.0%
Hinduism
8.6%
Not stated
5.9%
Eastern Orthodox
5.6%
Anglican
4.3%
Christian (other)
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
52.9% 6,437
Separated
3.4% 411
Divorced
5.2% 638
Widowed
4.1% 499
Never married
34.4% 4,178

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
48.8%
Couple: no children under 15
26.1%
Couple: no children
11.7%
One parent: children under 15
7.1%
One parent: no children under 15
6.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
8.8%
2 persons
18.7%
3 persons
18.1%
4 persons
27.8%
5 persons
15.9%
6+ persons
10.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Prestons

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,142 occupied private dwellings in Prestons at the 2021 Census, 18.0% were rented, 23.3% owned outright and 54.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.3% 96 dwellings
Owned outright
23.3% 964 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
54.8% 2,269 dwellings
Rented
18.0% 746 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.6% 66 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
93.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
6.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
0.6%
2 bedrooms
3.3%
3 bedrooms
21.4%
4 bedrooms
61.7%
5 bedrooms
11.5%
6+ bedrooms
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.4%
$300-$449/mo
1.5%
$450-$599/mo
1.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.1%
$800-$999/mo
2.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
8.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
11.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
27.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
21.7%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
18.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.6%
1 vehicle
21.3%
2 vehicles
43.2%
3 vehicles
21.2%
4+ vehicles
11.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Prestons

Employment

Employed full-time
36.7% 3,862 people
Employed part-time
17.3% 1,817 people
Unemployed
4.2% 440 people
Not in labour force
41.8% 4,401 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
31.0%
Clerical & Administrative
16.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
12.4%
Managers
11.8%
Community & Personal Service
10.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
7.4%
Sales Workers
5.6%
Labourers
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.4%
$150-$299/wk
0.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.0%
$400-$499/wk
2.7%
$500-$649/wk
2.3%
$650-$799/wk
4.4%
$800-$999/wk
4.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
13.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
11.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.8%
$4,000+/wk
17.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
17.6%
$1-$149/wk
4.0%
$150-$299/wk
6.5%
$300-$399/wk
3.8%
$400-$499/wk
2.6%
$500-$649/wk
2.8%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
9.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
7.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.3%
$3,500+/wk
1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
67.0%
Did not go to work
22.5%
Car (passenger)
5.8%
Train
1.6%
Truck
0.8%
Bus
0.6%
Walked only
0.6%
Other
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.2%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Bicycle
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
74.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
17.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
4.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
3.4%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
34.2%
Certificate III/IV
28.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
22.1%
Postgraduate Degree
10.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.6%
Certificate I/II
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
27.7%
Engineering
16.6%
Society & Culture
12.7%
Health
11.5%
Education
10.1%
Information Technology
6.0%
Architecture & Building
4.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
3.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.4%
Creative Arts
2.8%
Agriculture & Environment
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
22.5%
Secondary: Government
17.4%
Secondary: Catholic
11.9%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
11.8%
Primary: Catholic
9.9%
Vocational Education
9.4%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
9.1%
Pre-school
8.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
89.7%
Has need for assistance
5.3%
Need for assistance not stated
5.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
644
Diabetes
527
Asthma
443
Arthritis
298
Heart disease
282
Lung condition
128
Kidney disease
121
Stroke
118
Cancer
99
Dementia
19

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
11.3% 1,301
Did not provide
88.7% 10,171

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
8.4% 972
Not a volunteer
91.6% 10,550

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 16
Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 3
Previously served
0.7% 76
Never served
99.2% 11,483

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.7%
1 child
10.2%
2 children
30.4%
3 children
17.3%
4 children
7.0%
5+ children
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
13
1951: 1960
69
1961: 1970
257
1971: 1980
508
1981: 1990
1,345
1991: 2000
1,778
2001: 2010
1,681
2011: 2015
518
2016
104
2017
122
2018
91
2019
78
2020
42
2021
8

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

8.2%
moved in the last year
25.5%
moved in the last 5 years
6.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
58.9%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
13,634
Moved from NSW
970
Moved: same area (SA2)
142
Moved from overseas
54
Moved from QLD
14
Moved from VIC
9
Moved from SA
8
Moved from WA
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
19.1%
5: 14 hours
22.1%
15: 29 hours
11.0%
30+ hours
10.5%
Did not do domestic work
37.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
89.9%
Step family: no other children
5.4%
Blended family: no other children
2.8%
Intact family: other children present
1.4%
Other couple: children only
0.3%
Step family: other children present
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Prestons Crime Statistics

141 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
46
Other Against Person
28
Assault
27
Property Damage
14
Other Against Property
12
Sexual Offences
7
Drug Offences
7

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Tolland
Income: $666/wk Rent: $220/wk $300/wk less rent
West Tamworth
Income: $624/wk Rent: $275/wk $245/wk less rent
Bellbird
Income: $643/wk Rent: $323/wk $197/wk less rent
Ambarvale
Income: $630/wk Rent: $350/wk $170/wk less rent
Kingswood (Penrith - NSW)
Income: $747/wk Rent: $355/wk $165/wk less rent
South Windsor
Income: $763/wk Rent: $360/wk $160/wk less rent
Thurgoona
Income: $906/wk Rent: $360/wk $160/wk less rent
St Marys (NSW)
Income: $754/wk Rent: $365/wk $155/wk less rent

Suburbs near Prestons

The closest suburb to Prestons is Hoxton Park, 1.8 km away.

Hoxton Park
1.8 km away · income $663/wk · rent $490/wk
Cartwright
2.3 km away · income $426/wk · rent $225/wk
Lurnea
2.3 km away · income $486/wk · rent $380/wk
Carnes Hill
2.3 km away · income $932/wk · rent $600/wk
Miller
2.4 km away · income $435/wk · rent $201/wk
Casula
2.4 km away · income $645/wk · rent $450/wk

Compare Prestons

Frequently Asked Questions About Prestons

What is the population of Prestons NSW?

The population of Prestons NSW is 15,694 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,703 people per km². Prestons is ranked #249 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Prestons?

The median personal income in Prestons NSW is $757 per week, or $39,364 per year. The median household income is $2,310 per week. Family income is $2,291 per week. Prestons is ranked #4,390 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Prestons?

Median rent in Prestons NSW is $520 per week ($2,253 per month). Rent represents 22.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. Prestons ranks #502 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Prestons?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Prestons NSW is $2,200. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Prestons?

The median age in Prestons NSW is 34 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Prestons a good suburb to live in?

Prestons is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 15,694. The median income is $757/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 13272. All dollar figures in AUD.