Rockdale NSW 2216

Suburb

Suburb Summary

Rockdale is a multicultural suburb in Sydney’s St George region, 13 km south of the CBD, within the Bayside Council area. It has postcode 2216, covers about 2.48 sq km, and is served by the T4 train line, frequent buses, and average CBD travel times of about 30 minutes by public transport or 20 minutes by car. Housing is dominated by apartments, with separate houses in the minority. The suburb has strong walkability, retail and cultural appeal, and is served by Westfield Hurstville as a major regional shopping destination. Household income is generally below average. Rockdale also experiences notable aircraft noise exposure.

PART 1
Geographic Profile

Property Type Mix

The mix of houses and apartments that make up the Rockdale NSW 2216 property market, and the sale price range each achieved over the past 12 months.

Houses vs Apartments
22.7%
71.6%
5.7%
Houses (22.7%)
Apartments (71.6%)
Townhouses/Villas/Unclassified (5.7%)
House Price Range$815k–$3.5MPast 12 months
Apartment Price Range$140k–$1.5MPast 12 months

Major Road Frontage & Noise

How close Rockdale NSW 2216 properties sit to major roads or rail, and how much traffic noise that brings compared to properties set back from them.

Road & rail proximity
25.2%
50.1%
24.7%
On a major road (25.2%)
Near a major road
Away from major road or rail
Major Roads in Rockdale
PRINCES HWY12.3% of suburb properties
BAY ST5% of suburb properties
FREDERICK ST2.8% of suburb properties
SUBWAY RD1.8% of suburb properties
TYRRELL ST1.6% of suburb properties
BESTIC ST1.1% of suburb properties
HEGERTY ST0.5% of suburb properties

Public Transport

Train, metro, light rail, ferry and B-Line services accessible from Rockdale NSW 2216.

Services in Rockdale NSW 2216
Banksia
Kogarah
Rockdale

Schools

Primary and secondary school catchments serving Rockdale NSW 2216, with star ratings and the share of suburb dwellings each catchment covers.

Primary School
Rockdale Public School
Good level79% of suburb properties in catchment
Primary School
Kogarah Public School
Good level12.4% of suburb properties in catchment
Primary School
Bexley Public School
Developing level5.9% of suburb properties in catchment
Primary School
Kyeemagh Public School
Developing level2.2% of suburb properties in catchment
Primary School
Brighton-Le-Sands Public School
Good level0.6% of suburb properties in catchment
Secondary School
Kogarah High School
Developing level100% of suburb properties in catchment
Secondary School
Moorefield Girls High School
Good level57.3% of suburb properties in catchment
Secondary School
James Cook Boys High School
Developing level57.3% of suburb properties in catchment
PART 2
Houses

"Houses" in this report includes detached houses, duplexes, and terraces.

Land Topography

How house lots across Rockdale NSW 2216 sit relative to street level — topography that affects drainage, flood risk, privacy, and build cost.

High-side vs low-side lots
High-sideFlatLow-side
19%
66.7%
14.4%
High-side (1m above)
Flat
Low-side (1m below)

Risks & Overlays

See which key planning overlays and environmental risks affect this suburb before you buy.

Heritage
1%
Of houses affected
Bushfire
0%
Of houses affected
Flood
1.9%
Of houses affected
High voltage power line
0%
Of houses affected

Train Station Proximity

The share of Rockdale NSW 2216 houses within easy walking distance (1.2km) of a train station.

Houses within 1.2km of train station84.9%Of all houses

Median Price Trend - Houses

The 20-year trend in median house sale prices across Rockdale NSW 2216, tracked separately from apartments.

Rockdale House Median
$500k$1M$1.5M$2M$215k · 1996$238k · 1997$279k · 1998$302k · 1999$323k · 2000$388k · 2001$460k · 2002$557k · 2003$518k · 2004$495k · 2005$498k · 2006$500k · 2007$520k · 2008$551k · 2009$664k · 2010$647k · 2011$683k · 2012$733k · 2013$960k · 2014$1.2M · 2015$1.1M · 2016$1.3M · 2017$1.1M · 2018$1.1M · 2019$1.2M · 2020$1.5M · 2021$1.6M · 2022$1.5M · 2023$1.7M · 2024$1.8M · 202519962003201120182026

Land & Property Feature Metrics

Typical land characteristics and common property features across Rockdale NSW 2216.

Median land value$1.2MOf houses affected
Median lot frontage12.2mOf houses affected
Median land size468m²Of houses affected
Houses with a pool4.1%Of houses affected

Pocket Price Distribution

How property prices vary across the different pockets of Rockdale NSW 2216, and how each pocket compares.

Median house priceDerived from sales
House sales36Past 12 months
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PART 3
Apartments

Median Price Trend - Apartments

The 20-year trend in median apartment sale prices across Rockdale NSW 2216, tracked separately from houses.

Rockdale Apartment Median
$250k$500k$750k$1M$178k · 1996$183k · 1997$235k · 1998$246k · 1999$236k · 2000$299k · 2001$331k · 2002$345k · 2003$375k · 2004$345k · 2005$358k · 2006$348k · 2007$355k · 2008$375k · 2009$413k · 2010$430k · 2011$450k · 2012$496k · 2013$563k · 2014$629k · 2015$630k · 2016$673k · 2017$670k · 2018$620k · 2019$655k · 2020$640k · 2021$672k · 2022$675k · 2023$690k · 2024$705k · 2025$720k · 202619962003201120182026

Apartment Projects

Where apartment projects are concentrated across Rockdale NSW 2216, with project-level sales context.

Median apartment price$720kDerived from sales
Apartment sales197Past 12 months

Median Rent

The median weekly rent for apartments in Rockdale NSW 2216.

Median apartment rent$685Per week

Largest Apartment Projects

The largest apartment projects in Rockdale NSW 2216, ranked by number of lots.

1
3 KEATS AVE, ROCKDALE NSW 2216Large project (100+ lots)
2
5 KEATS AVE, ROCKDALE NSW 2216Large project (100+ lots)
3
7 KEATS AVE, ROCKDALE NSW 2216Large project (100+ lots)
4
1 CHAPEL LANE, ROCKDALE NSW 2216Large project (100+ lots)
5
555 PRINCES HWY, ROCKDALE NSW 2216Large project (100+ lots)
PART 4
Community Profile

Top 3 Occupations

The most common occupations among Rockdale NSW 2216 residents.

Professionals20%
Managers10%
Technicians and Trades Workers10%

Key Demographics & Tenure

Median age, household income, and the renter-versus-owner split that shape the Rockdale NSW 2216 community.

Median age34Years
Median income$2,024Household / week
Renters vs owner-occupiers
RentersOwner-occupiers
50%
50%
Renters
Owner-occupiers

Household Composition

How households are made up across Rockdale NSW 2216 — from families with children to couples and single-person homes.

Household type
Married with children55.3%
Married without children41.6%
Other3.2%

Top 5 Birth Countries

The leading countries of birth among Rockdale NSW 2216 residents, reflecting the suburb's cultural diversity.

Country of birth
Australia30.9%
Nepal12.8%
China9.7%
Bangladesh5%
FYROM3.8%

Religion

The most common religious affiliations reported by Rockdale NSW 2216 residents.

Top 3 religious affiliations
Christianity38.7%
Hinduism14.6%
Islam10.5%

Crime in Rockdale NSW 2216

How safe is Rockdale NSW 2216? A local safety rating based on recorded crime rates in the area.

Suburb safety rating
The suburb safety rating is calculated by knest.ai based on crime statistics in NSW by BOCSAR.

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Living in Rockdale NSW 2216: Suburb Profile & FAQs

Common questions about living in and buying property in Rockdale NSW 2216 — lifestyle, transport, schools, and the housing market.

Note: Data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census data and knest.ai internal statistical data.

Is Rockdale NSW 2216 a good suburb for families?

Rockdale NSW 2216 is a mixed but still solid option for families, especially for buyers who value convenience more than a quiet, house-dominated setting. The suburb has a reasonable share of children, with about 5.9% aged 0 to 4 and 7.5% aged 5 to 14, and the average household size of 2.8 suggests plenty of family households still live here. Day-to-day practicality also helps: walkability is 4 out of 5, retail is 4 out of 5, and public transport is strong, which can make school runs and after-school activities easier. Safety sits at 3 out of 5, so it is not the kind of suburb buyers usually choose for a particularly calm or secluded family environment. Housing mix matters too. Rockdale has a much higher apartment share at 61% versus 24% separate houses, so families wanting a backyard and more space may feel more constrained. It suits families who prioritise access and convenience, but less so those chasing a quieter, more traditionally family-oriented suburb.

What is it like to live in Rockdale NSW 2216?

Living in Rockdale NSW 2216 feels urban, practical and multicultural, with a strong everyday convenience factor rather than a quiet village atmosphere. Rockdale sits in the St George region and its character reads as a multicultural commercial centre, which fits well with its strong retail, walkability and culture scores, all at 4 out of 5. In practical terms, that usually means easier access to shops, food, services and daily errands without needing to drive everywhere. For buyers who like an active suburb with a bit of energy, Rockdale can feel efficient and well set up. The trade-off is that it is clearly more built-up than leafy, with canopy cover at 12.5% and an urban environment rather than a green, low-density feel. Safety is a moderate 3 out of 5, so the lifestyle is more convenient than peaceful. Rockdale tends to suit buyers who want connected suburban living, but not those looking for a quiet, leafy retreat.

Is Rockdale NSW 2216 well connected for commuting?

Rockdale NSW 2216 is well connected for commuting, particularly for buyers who want reliable public transport into the city. The suburb has train access on the T4 line, many bus services, and an average public transport commute to the Sydney CBD of about 30 minutes, which is very workable by Sydney standards. Driving is also comparatively efficient at around 20 minutes on average, giving commuters a real choice between car and public transport depending on work patterns. That combination makes Rockdale attractive for city workers and buyers who need flexibility during the week. The limitation is that the transport mix is strong rather than all-encompassing. There is no metro, no light rail and no ferry service, so the suburb relies mainly on its rail and bus network rather than multiple premium transport modes. For most commuters that will still be more than enough, but buyers wanting a broader range of transport options may compare it with a few better-connected inner-city locations.

Who does Rockdale NSW 2216 suit best?

Rockdale NSW 2216 suits best buyers who want an urban, well-connected suburb with a mix of affordability, convenience and everyday amenities. The housing profile is led by apartments, which make up 61% of homes, while separate houses are only 24%, so Rockdale naturally appeals more to apartment buyers, younger households, first-home buyers, and professionals who do not need a large landholding. The median age is 32, which points to a relatively young adult population, and the suburb has a moderate professional presence, with professionals making up 19.4% of workers. Renting is also fairly common at 46.3%, so the area feels more active and mixed than tightly held. That can suit buyers who like movement, diversity and easier entry points. It may suit large families or buyers seeking prestige housing less well, especially if they want a classic detached-home streetscape. Rockdale is strongest for practical buyers who value access, transport and daily convenience over space and exclusivity.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rockdale NSW 2216?

The main trade-off in Rockdale NSW 2216 is that you get strong convenience and transport access, but you give up some peace, greenery and low-density family space. On the plus side, Rockdale performs well for daily life: walkability, retail and culture are all 4 out of 5, there is train access on the T4 line, many bus services, and commuting times to the CBD are quite manageable. That makes the suburb easy to live in for buyers who want shops, services and transport close by. The downside is that Rockdale is a built-up urban suburb, with only 12.5% canopy cover, no beach access, and a housing mix dominated by apartments rather than houses. Safety at 3 out of 5 is middle-of-the-road rather than standout. Buyers who want a quieter, leafier or more house-focused environment will notice those compromises. Even so, Rockdale can still be a very good fit for buyers who prioritise practicality, connectivity and a lively local setting.

What are property prices like in Rockdale NSW 2216?

Property prices in Rockdale NSW 2216 are relatively affordable to mid-range by Sydney standards, especially for apartment buyers, while houses sit in a much more expensive bracket. In the past six months, apartment sales were far more common than house sales, with 73 apartment transactions versus 16 house sales. The median apartment price was about $740,000, which gives Rockdale a more accessible entry point for buyers wanting to get into a well-connected suburb. Houses were a different story, with a median around $1.743 million, reflecting how limited detached stock is in a suburb where apartments dominate. For buyers, that pricing gap is important. Buying property in Rockdale can represent solid value if you are happy with apartment living and want train access, walkability and retail convenience. The trade-off is that buyers chasing a family-sized house will face much higher budget pressure, while apartment buyers may need to accept denser living in exchange for a lower entry price.