Riverwood, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Riverwood NSW is 12,793 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Riverwood is $564 per week ($29,328 per year). Median rent in Riverwood is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Riverwood has a median age of 40 years, older than the national median of 38. Riverwood has a population density of 3,312 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Riverwood is China. The most common religion is No religion (30.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Riverwood is $2,167.

There were 511 recorded offences in Riverwood in 2025-26, a rate of 40 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was traffic (137 offences).

Population
12,793
Census 2021
Median income
$564/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$300/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
40years
Census 2021

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

Riverwood vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Riverwood is $564 a week, 26% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,875th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $300 a week, $85 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 24.8% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 40, 3 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.
MeasureRiverwoodTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$564/wk$765/wk −26%$766/wk
Household income$1,210/wk$1,704/wk −29%$1,637/wk
Rent$300/wk$385/wk −22%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,167/mo$1,965/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age4043 −3 yrs42
Rent share of household income24.8%22.6% +2.2 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 Riverwood, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Riverwood Population

12,793 residents at the 2021 Census.

Riverwood Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$564/wk
$29,328 per year
Ranked 7,560 of 14,663
Median Rent
$300/wk
$1,300 per month
Ranked 4,529 of 14,663
Median Age
40years
2 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,167/mo
Avg household size: 2.5 · 1 per bedroom

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

Riverwood Rent Prices & Affordability

25% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,210/wk
Median rent $300/wk
Rent to income 24.8%

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

Median rent in Riverwood against your income

About $5,243 a month
Median rent $300/wk
Left after rent $910/wk
Rent share 24.8%

Riverwood Schools

40
schools nearby
26
government
1019
avg ICSEA score
14,747
total students
Southside Montessori School Independent
Primary · K-6 · 32 students
1110
ICSEA
Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 637 students
1100
ICSEA
Mortdale Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 350 students
1096
ICSEA
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 450 students
1083
ICSEA
St Therese Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 200 students
1079
ICSEA
Aspect South East Sydney School Independent
Primary · U · 209 students
1067
ICSEA
Peakhurst South Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 313 students
1061
ICSEA
St Charbel's College Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,198 students
1054
ICSEA
Padstow Heights Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 297 students
1053
ICSEA
Al Hikma College Independent
Primary · K-6 · 399 students
1049
ICSEA
Penshurst West Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 220 students
1047
ICSEA
Mount Lewis Infants School Government
Primary · K-2 · 173 students
1047
ICSEA
Peakhurst Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 412 students
1043
ICSEA
St Euphemia College Independent
Combined · K-12 · 622 students
1038
ICSEA
Padstow North Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 305 students
1036
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 40 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 Riverwood, with a map

Riverwood Map

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

Riverwood, New South Wales: 33.9451°S, 151.0530°E

Riverwood Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (40)

People in Riverwood

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.8% (6,372) Female 50.2% (6,423)

Population Density

3,312
people per km²
12,793 people · 3.9 km²

Households

2.5
Avg household size
1
Persons per bedroom
$1,563
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

China
18.3%
Philippines
3.0%
Lebanon
2.8%
Vietnam
2.8%
Hong Kong
2.7%
Indonesia
2.5%
New Zealand
2.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
14.8%
Cantonese
13.0%
Arabic
7.5%
Vietnamese
2.9%
Indonesian
2.4%
Greek
2.1%
Nepali
1.8%

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

Ancestry

Chinese
32.4%
Australian
10.8%
English
10.5%
Lebanese
5.5%
Filipino
3.9%
Vietnamese
3.2%
Irish
3.1%
Greek
3.0%
Italian
2.6%
Scottish
2.3%
Indian
2.2%

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

No religion
30.3%
Catholic
19.6%
Islam
10.7%
Not stated
7.8%
Buddhism
7.0%
Anglican
4.9%
Eastern Orthodox
4.9%
Hinduism
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.8%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
44.9% 4,863
Separated
3.8% 414
Divorced
11.1% 1,196
Widowed
5.8% 627
Never married
34.4% 3,720

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
36.3%
Couple: no children
23.7%
Couple: no children under 15
20.0%
One parent: no children under 15
11.3%
One parent: children under 15
8.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
30.2%
2 persons
29.3%
3 persons
16.9%
4 persons
13.1%
5 persons
6.0%
6+ persons
4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Riverwood

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,777 occupied private dwellings in Riverwood at the 2021 Census, 54.2% were rented, 19.1% owned outright and 23.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 69 dwellings
Owned outright
19.1% 913 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
23.1% 1,104 dwellings
Rented
54.2% 2,589 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.1% 101 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
74.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
19.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
12.0%
2 bedrooms
36.4%
3 bedrooms
34.5%
4 bedrooms
11.9%
5 bedrooms
4.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.0%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.5%
$300-$449/mo
1.2%
$450-$599/mo
2.0%
$600-$799/mo
2.2%
$800-$999/mo
3.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
9.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
14.7%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
24.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.4%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
20.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
22.2%
1 vehicle
44.0%
2 vehicles
24.2%
3 vehicles
6.4%
4+ vehicles
3.1%

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

Work, income and education in Riverwood

Employment

Employed full-time
26.3% 2,398 people
Employed part-time
14.6% 1,333 people
Unemployed
4.3% 393 people
Not in labour force
54.8% 4,990 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
31.5%
Clerical & Administrative
15.4%
Technicians & Trade Workers
11.5%
Community & Personal Service
11.1%
Managers
10.3%
Sales Workers
7.7%
Labourers
6.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
6.0%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
4.1%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
3.2%
$300-$399/wk
6.3%
$400-$499/wk
10.1%
$500-$649/wk
5.0%
$650-$799/wk
7.6%
$800-$999/wk
6.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.1%
$4,000+/wk
6.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
16.4%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
9.2%
$300-$399/wk
6.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.8%
$500-$649/wk
4.3%
$650-$799/wk
10.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.9%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.8%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
50.9%
Did not go to work
27.5%
Train
9.5%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Walked only
2.9%
Bus
1.4%
Truck
1.0%
Other
0.7%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Bicycle
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
74.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
15.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
4.5%

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
39.2%
Certificate III/IV
21.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.3%
Postgraduate Degree
14.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.0%
Certificate I/II
2.2%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
32.2%
Engineering
13.9%
Society & Culture
10.9%
Health
10.0%
Information Technology
9.4%
Education
5.8%
Creative Arts
5.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.9%
Architecture & Building
4.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.0%
Agriculture & Environment
0.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
27.6%
Secondary: Government
24.0%
Vocational Education
17.9%
Pre-school
9.3%
Primary: Catholic
8.5%
Secondary: Catholic
6.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.4%

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
84.5%
Has need for assistance
8.4%
Need for assistance not stated
7.1%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
806
Diabetes
464
Asthma
336
Arthritis
327
Heart disease
309
Lung condition
196
Cancer
149
Kidney disease
144
Stroke
130
Dementia
47

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
10.8% 1,077
Did not provide
89.2% 8,873

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
7.7% 771
Not a volunteer
92.3% 9,221

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 6
Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 4
Previously served
0.7% 68
Never served
99.2% 9,993

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
34.7%
1 child
19.5%
2 children
27.0%
3 children
12.2%
4 children
4.5%
5+ children
2.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
22
1951: 1960
76
1961: 1970
299
1971: 1980
433
1981: 1990
1,143
1991: 2000
1,284
2001: 2010
1,587
2011: 2015
888
2016
187
2017
304
2018
227
2019
215
2020
92
2021
27

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

Population Mobility

14.4%
moved in the last year
40.4%
moved in the last 5 years
7.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
46.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
10,126
Moved from NSW
1,175
Moved: same area (SA2)
326
Moved from overseas
117
Moved from QLD
14
Moved from VIC
14
Moved from SA
11
Moved from ACT
6

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
16.4%
5: 14 hours
21.6%
15: 29 hours
10.4%
30+ hours
8.9%
Did not do domestic work
42.6%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.3%
Step family: no other children
6.9%
Blended family: no other children
3.0%
Intact family: other children present
1.5%
Other couple: children only
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Riverwood Crime Statistics

511 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Traffic
137
Other Against Property
111
Theft
104
Drug Offences
61
Assault
32
Property Damage
26
Other Against Person
17
Weapons
15
Sexual Offences
6
Robbery
2

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Lake Cargelligo
Income: $641/wk Rent: $170/wk $130/wk less rent
Lavington
Income: $647/wk Rent: $250/wk $50/wk less rent
South Grafton
Income: $526/wk Rent: $280/wk $20/wk less rent
Berkeley
Income: $568/wk Rent: $290/wk $10/wk less rent
West Kempsey
Income: $493/wk Rent: $290/wk $10/wk less rent
Bowenfels
Income: $497/wk Rent: $185/wk $115/wk less rent
Condobolin
Income: $668/wk Rent: $200/wk $100/wk less rent
Wellington (NSW)
Income: $552/wk Rent: $230/wk $70/wk less rent

Suburbs near Riverwood

The closest suburb to Riverwood is Narwee, 1.4 km away.

Narwee
1.4 km away · income $647/wk · rent $354/wk
Punchbowl (Canterbury-Bankstown - NSW)
1.8 km away · income $504/wk · rent $380/wk
Peakhurst
1.9 km away · income $777/wk · rent $440/wk
Padstow
2.1 km away · income $743/wk · rent $470/wk
Beverly Hills
2.3 km away · income $701/wk · rent $460/wk
Roselands
2.4 km away · income $666/wk · rent $410/wk

Compare Riverwood

Frequently Asked Questions About Riverwood

What is the population of Riverwood NSW?

The population of Riverwood NSW is 12,793 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 3,312 people per km². Riverwood is ranked #384 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Riverwood?

The median personal income in Riverwood NSW is $564 per week, or $29,328 per year. The median household income is $1,210 per week. Family income is $1,563 per week. Riverwood is ranked #7,560 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Riverwood?

Median rent in Riverwood NSW is $300 per week ($1,300 per month). Rent represents 24.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Riverwood ranks #4,529 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Riverwood?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Riverwood NSW is $2,167. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Riverwood?

The median age in Riverwood NSW is 40 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Riverwood a good suburb to live in?

Riverwood is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 12,793. The median income is $564/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.8% 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: 13386. All dollar figures in AUD.