Willoughby suburb profile
Willoughby is a charming suburb located on Sydney's Lower North Shore, approximately 8km from the CBD. Known for its leafy streets and family-friendly atmosphere, Willoughby offers a mix of heritage homes and modern residences. The suburb boasts excellent schools, parks, and recreational facilities, making it an ideal location for families. Willoughby Road is a bustling hub with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops, contributing to the suburb's vibrant community feel. With convenient access to public transport and major roads, Willoughby combines suburban tranquility with urban convenience, appealing to a diverse range of residents.
Willoughby property market performance
Current median dwelling price$2,348,875Past 3 months
Property growth+10.0%Past 12 months
Willoughby’s property market has shown robust growth over the past 12 months. The median house price has increased by 12.7% to $3.6 million, while units have seen a 7.4% rise, reaching a median of about $1.1 million. This reflects a continued demand for both property types in the area.
Sales activity has been steady, with 23 houses and 26 units sold recently. Homes and units are spending a similar time on the market, with medians of 56 and 53 days respectively, indicating comparable buyer interest across both segments.
Willoughby’s rental market has also experienced noticeable growth, with house rents up by 8.3% to $1,300 and unit rents surging by 10.4%, averaging $828. The growth suggests rising demand for rentals in the suburb.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $3.60M | $1.10M |
Change in value Past 12 months | 12.7% | 7.4% |
Sold Past 3 months | 23 | 26 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 56 | 53 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $1300 | $828 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 8.3% | 10.4% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Willoughby demographics
Willoughby, located on Sydney's Lower North Shore, is a suburb that offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. With a population of 7,124, it is a family-friendly area characterized by its leafy streets and community-oriented atmosphere. The median age of 40 suggests a mature community, with many residents likely to be established professionals and families who appreciate the suburb's proximity to the city while enjoying a quieter lifestyle.
The suburb's housing market reflects a stable and affluent community, with a significant portion of properties owned outright (33.8%) or with a mortgage (34.7%). This indicates a strong sense of homeownership and investment in the area. Rental properties make up 31.4% of the housing, catering to those who prefer flexibility or are new to the area. The median total household income of $2,995 per week underscores the suburb's affluence and appeal to higher-income families.
Family life is a central aspect of Willoughby, with 53.5% of households being couple families with children, and 30.6% being couple families without children. This demographic composition highlights the suburb's suitability for both growing families and those who enjoy a family-oriented environment. The presence of quality schools, parks, and community facilities further enhances its attractiveness to families. With its blend of convenience, community, and comfort, Willoughby remains a sought-after suburb for those seeking a balanced lifestyle close to Sydney's bustling city center.
Willoughby infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Willoughby has a generally strong local appeal supported by established school catchments and close access to the lower North Shore’s employment, retail and transport network. This combination typically underpins steady buyer demand, particularly from families and professionals seeking convenience and lifestyle.
Willoughby City Council has recently endorsed its submission on the Draft Sydney Plan, which may shape longer-term land use and infrastructure priorities in the area. At present, there are no clearly identified major local projects in the available information that would materially change the suburb’s property market in the immediate term.
Willoughby rental market trends
The rental market in Willoughby has shown robust growth, with house rents increasing 8.3% over the past year to $1,300 per week, and unit rents climbing 10.4% to $828 per week. Willoughby's appeal is boosted by its excellent schools, parks, and proximity to Sydney's CBD, making it a highly sought-after suburb for both renters and investors.
Suburbs near Willoughby
Some popular suburbs near Willoughby include:
How does Willoughby compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Willoughby’s median house price is 10.8% higher than Naremburn’s.
- Median unit prices: Willoughby’s median unit price is 5.4% higher than Artarmon’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Willoughby have grown 8.5% higher than in North Willoughby.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Willoughby have grown 0.1% higher than in Artarmon.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Willoughby are selling 39.8% faster than in Castlecrag.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Willoughby are selling 1.9% faster than in Artarmon.
- Investment considerations: In Willoughby, the rental yield for house is 44.0% higher than the Sydney average, while the rental yield for units is 6.4% higher.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Willoughby have grown 107.6% higher than the average rate of growth across Sydney.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Willoughby have grown 64.5% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Sydney.

