Darlington suburb profile
Darlington is a vibrant and eclectic inner-city suburb of Sydney, nestled just 3km south of the CBD. Known for its youthful energy and creative spirit, Darlington is home to a diverse community, including students, artists, and professionals. The suburb is adjacent to the University of Sydney, contributing to its lively atmosphere and cultural vibrancy. With a mix of historic terrace houses and modern apartments, Darlington offers a unique urban living experience. Its proximity to bustling Newtown and Redfern, along with excellent public transport options, makes it a convenient and attractive location for those seeking a dynamic city lifestyle.
Darlington property market performance
Current median dwelling price$1,535,000Past 3 months
Property growth-5.1%Past 12 months
Darlington's property market shows interesting trends over the last year. House values have increased by 10.5%, while unit prices have remained stagnant. No median house or unit prices are available, indicating limited data or transactions. Only seven houses and one unit were sold in the past year, suggesting low market activity or availability. Interestingly, no median days on the market were recorded recently for these property types.
The rental market tells a different story, with house rents increasing by 10.5%, reaching an average of $1,050 per month. Unit rents saw a smaller rise of 2.9%, averaging $700, reflecting steady demand for rental properties despite limited sales activity. This indicates a potentially competitive rental market in Darlington.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | N/A | N/A |
Change in value Past 12 months | 10.5% | N/A |
Sold Past 3 months | 7 | 1 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | N/A | N/A |
Average rent Past 12 months | $1050 | $700 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 10.5% | 2.9% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Darlington demographics
Darlington, nestled in the heart of Sydney, is a vibrant and youthful suburb known for its close proximity to the University of Sydney and the bustling Newtown area. With a median age of just 27, it is a hub for students and young professionals who are drawn to its dynamic atmosphere and convenient location. The suburb's small population of 2,597 contributes to a tight-knit community feel, while its eclectic mix of cafes, bars, and cultural venues offers plenty of entertainment options.
Housing in Darlington is predominantly rental-based, with 60.9% of properties being rented, reflecting its appeal to those seeking flexible living arrangements. This high rental rate is indicative of the transient student population and young professionals who prefer the convenience of renting. The suburb also has a significant proportion of couple families without children, making up 61.9% of the family demographic, which aligns with the lifestyle preferences of many residents.
Despite its urban setting, Darlington maintains a sense of community with its mix of family households, including 24% couple families with children and 10.9% one-parent families. The suburb's property market is balanced, with 17.7% of homes owned outright and 21.4% owned with a mortgage, indicating a stable yet accessible housing market. Darlington's unique blend of youthful energy, cultural vibrancy, and community spirit makes it a desirable location for those seeking an engaging urban lifestyle.
Darlington infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Darlington continues to benefit from its close integration with the University of Sydney, with ongoing campus upgrades and student accommodation projects helping to support steady rental demand and a strong café and retail presence along key local streets.[1][6][7] The suburb’s walkable access to Redfern and Macdonaldtown train stations and nearby employment hubs in the CBD and Tech Central precinct reinforces its appeal to students and young professionals, underpinning both rental and resale demand.[1][6]
Local planning by the City of Sydney emphasises higher-density living around transport and university edges while retaining heritage terraces, which is likely to limit detached housing supply and support values for existing stock over time.[1][6] With no major new transport corridors or greenfield land releases available within such a compact footprint, most change is occurring via infill redevelopment and refurbishment of existing buildings, enhancing overall amenity rather than dramatically increasing supply, which generally supports price growth and long-term desirability.[1][6]
Darlington rental market trends
The rental market in Darlington has experienced growth, with house rents increasing 10.5% over the past year to $1,050 per week, while unit rents edged up 2.9% to $700 per week. With ongoing demand and investment in local infrastructure, Darlington offers promising opportunities for both renters and investors in a vibrant city setting.
Suburbs near Darlington
Some popular suburbs near Darlington include:
How does Darlington compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Darlington’s median house price is 12.3% lower than Redfern’s.
- Median unit prices: Darlington’s median unit price is 10.2% higher than Waterloo’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Darlington have grown 1.6% higher than in Waterloo.
- Unit price growth: Property prices in nearby Redfern have risen 33.5% more than in Darlington over the past year.
- Investment considerations: In Darlington, the rental yield for house is 16.3% higher than the Sydney average, while the rental yield for units is 14.8% lower.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Darlington have grown 3.8% higher than the average rate of growth across Sydney.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Darlington have grown 16.6% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Sydney.

