Riverwood Suburb Guide 2025
Riverwood is a residential suburb in Southern Sydney, located approx. 23.9km from the CBD in the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area. According to ABS Census 2021, 32.4% of Riverwood's 12,793 residents are of Chinese ancestry, placing it in the top 2% of all Sydney suburbs for Chinese population concentration. The suburb has its own train station on the T8 Airport and South Line, with an approx. 47-minute commute to the city by public transit. The median house price sits at approx. $1.6M, while units are considerably more accessible at approx. $700K. According to BOCSAR 2025 data, the crime rate is 11,256 per 100,000 residents, which is above the NSW state average. Nearby secondary schools include Marist Catholic College Penshurst and Beverly Hills Girls High School.
Riverwood — Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern Sydney, approx. 23.9km from CBD |
| Population | 12,793 (ABS Census 2021) |
| Chinese Population | 32.4% (4,141 residents) — top 2% in Sydney |
| Median House Price | Approx. $1.6M |
| Median Unit Price | Approx. $700K |
| Crime Rate | 11,256 per 100K (BOCSAR 2025) |
Nearby Secondary Schools:
- Marist Catholic College Penshurst — Catholic, Co-ed, Year 7-12
- Beverly Hills Girls High School — Government, Girls, Year 6-12
Community and Demographics
Riverwood is one of Sydney's most significant Chinese-Australian communities. According to ABS Census 2021, 32.4% of the suburb's 12,793 residents identify as being of Chinese ancestry, equating to approx. 4,141 people. This places Riverwood in the top 2% of all Sydney suburbs by Chinese population share, making it a well-established hub for Chinese-speaking families and individuals.
The suburb's strong Chinese community is reflected in its local amenities and retail character. The Riverwood Plaza shopping area along Belmore Road serves as a focal point for daily life, with a range of Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and services catering to the local demographic. Chinese-language signage is common throughout the commercial strip, and residents have convenient access to culturally specific goods and services without needing to travel to larger centres like Hurstville.
Beyond the Chinese community, Riverwood is a multicultural suburb with residents from a wide range of backgrounds, including Vietnamese, Arabic-speaking, and Indian communities. The suburb has a mix of housing types, from older detached houses on generous blocks to newer apartment developments near the station. The area has a suburban, family-oriented feel, with several parks and recreational spaces including M.J. Bennett Reserve and Salt Pan Creek Reserve along the Georges River. The suburb covers an area of 3.86 square kilometres with a total population of 12,793 (ABS Census 2021), providing a moderate population density that retains a residential character while still supporting a range of local shops and services.
The Riverwood shopping precinct along Belmore Road is the commercial heart of the suburb. It provides day-to-day conveniences including grocery shopping, banking, medical services, and a public library. The area around Riverwood station has seen some urban renewal in recent years, with newer apartment developments adding to the housing mix. The suburb sits within the broader Canterbury-Bankstown local government area, which has invested in infrastructure upgrades and public space improvements across the region.
Riverwood's location in the Canterbury-Bankstown area places it within easy reach of neighbouring suburbs such as Narwee, Penshurst, and Beverly Hills, all of which contribute to the broader Southern Sydney corridor that is popular with Chinese-Australian families.
Schools and Education
Riverwood itself does not have a large number of secondary schools within its boundaries. Families in the area typically access schools in neighbouring suburbs. Based on available data, two nearby secondary schools serve the area:
Marist Catholic College Penshurst
- Type: Catholic, Co-ed
- Year Range: Year 7-12
- Location: Mortdale (neighbouring suburb)
- 2025 HSC: DA 146 students
Marist Catholic College Penshurst is a Catholic co-educational school located in nearby Mortdale. It is a sizeable school with 146 students achieving Distinguished Achievers (HSC mark of 90 or above) in 2025, indicating a solid cohort of high-performing students. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum within the Catholic education framework and is accessible from Riverwood by a short drive or bus ride.
Beverly Hills Girls High School
- Type: Government, Girls
- Year Range: Year 6-12
- Location: Beverly Hills (neighbouring suburb)
- 2025 HSC: DA 24 students
Beverly Hills Girls High School is a government school for girls located in the neighbouring suburb of Beverly Hills. It accepts students from Year 6, offering a pathway from upper primary through to the HSC. In 2025, 24 students achieved Distinguished Achievers results.
It is worth noting that Riverwood's immediate area has limited secondary school options compared to suburbs like Hurstville, which is a major education hub in Southern Sydney with multiple high-performing schools and selective school options. Families with strong academic priorities may also consider schools further afield in areas such as Strathfield or the Inner West, both accessible via the T8 train line from Riverwood station.
For primary school education, the area is better served, with several primary schools in the surrounding suburbs. The suburb's train connectivity makes commuting to secondary schools in other areas feasible — Hurstville is just a few stops south on the T8 line, and Strathfield is accessible via a change at Wolli Creek or Sydenham. This is a factor parents should weigh when considering Riverwood as a family base: while the suburb offers strong community infrastructure and affordability, the daily school commute may be a consideration for families with secondary-age children. For a full overview of school options across the region, see the AU Guide NSW School Rankings page.
Property and Rental Market
Riverwood's property market offers a relatively affordable entry point compared to many other suburbs with comparable Chinese population concentrations in Sydney. The median house price is approx. $1.6M, which is slightly above the broader Sydney median of approx. $1.5M. For unit buyers, the median sits at approx. $700K, offering a significantly more accessible option for first-home buyers or downsizers.
In terms of price positioning, Riverwood's house prices rank at the 0.63 percentile across Sydney suburbs, placing it in the mid-range. Unit prices rank at the 0.34 percentile, indicating they are in the more affordable third of the market. This price differential between houses and units is notable — units in Riverwood are priced well below the Sydney median, making them attractive for budget-conscious buyers who still want to be part of a well-established Chinese community.
The rental market in Riverwood provides several options across different property types. Current median weekly rents are as follows:
| Property Type | Median Weekly Rent |
|---|---|
| 2-Bedroom Unit | Approx. $670/wk |
| 3-Bedroom Unit | Approx. $770/wk |
| 3-Bedroom House | Approx. $795/wk |
The rental data shows a relatively narrow gap between 3-bedroom units and 3-bedroom houses, with houses commanding only approx. $25 per week more. This suggests that for renters, the value proposition of a house over a unit at the 3-bedroom level is modest in terms of additional cost, though houses will generally offer more outdoor space and parking.
For families looking to rent a 2-bedroom unit at approx. $670 per week, Riverwood offers reasonable value given its train station access and proximity to the CBD. The suburb's strong Chinese community infrastructure — grocery stores, restaurants, and services — adds practical lifestyle value that is not reflected in the rental figure alone.
Comparing Riverwood to neighbouring suburbs provides useful context. Narwee and Penshurst offer a similar price bracket and proximity to the T8 line, while Hurstville, a few stops south, has higher median prices but offers a significantly larger range of schools, shops, and services. For buyers, the key value proposition in Riverwood is the combination of a strong Chinese community, train access, and pricing that remains accessible relative to the Sydney median — particularly for unit buyers at the $700K level.
Safety and Transport
According to BOCSAR 2025 data, Riverwood recorded a crime rate of 11,256 incidents per 100,000 residents, based on 1,440 recorded incidents across the reporting period. This is approx. 1.7 times the NSW state average of 6,635 per 100,000, placing the suburb in the "above average crime" category. The safety rank percentile of 0.83 (where higher indicates more crime relative to other suburbs) confirms that Riverwood has a higher-than-typical crime rate compared to most NSW suburbs.
Families considering Riverwood should be aware of this factor, though it is worth noting that crime rates can vary significantly between different parts of a suburb and between different types of offences. The commercial area around Belmore Road and the train station may account for a disproportionate share of reported incidents compared to the quieter residential streets further from the town centre. By comparison, neighbouring Narwee and Penshurst have somewhat lower crime rates, which is worth considering if safety is a primary concern. For a broader view of crime data across NSW suburbs, BOCSAR provides detailed breakdowns by offence type and location.
On the transport front, Riverwood benefits from having its own train station on the T8 Airport and South Line. Key travel times include:
- Drive to CBD: approx. 27 minutes
- Public transit to CBD: approx. 47 minutes
- Distance to CBD: approx. 23.9km
The train station is a significant asset, providing direct rail access to the CBD, Sydney Airport, and connecting services. For commuters, the approx. 47-minute transit time is reasonable for a suburb at this distance from the city centre. Driving takes approx. 27 minutes under typical conditions, though this can increase considerably during peak hours on the M5 corridor. Neighbouring suburbs such as Narwee and Penshurst are also on the same rail line, making the corridor well-connected.
Road access is also reasonable, with the M5 Motorway and King Georges Road providing major arterial connections. Riverwood is approx. 23.9 km from the CBD, positioning it as a middle-ring suburb that balances city access with suburban residential character. For families with children attending schools in other suburbs, the train line and road network make the daily commute manageable, though the above-average crime rate in the area is a factor that may influence some families' decisions about walking routes and after-school activities.
Summary: Who Is This Suburb For?
Riverwood presents a distinctive profile among Sydney suburbs — one that balances affordability, cultural community, and transport access against certain trade-offs in safety and school proximity. Understanding who this suburb best serves helps prospective residents make informed decisions.
Riverwood is best suited for the following types of residents:
- Chinese-Australian families seeking community: With 32.4% Chinese population and well-established cultural infrastructure, Riverwood offers one of the strongest Chinese community environments in Sydney.
- Budget-conscious unit buyers: At approx. $700K for a median unit, the suburb offers affordable entry into a well-connected area with its own train station.
- Renters wanting train access: Competitive rents (from approx. $670/wk for a 2-bedroom unit) combined with direct rail to the CBD make it practical for commuters.
Riverwood may be less suitable for:
- Families prioritising top-tier school proximity: The immediate area has limited secondary school options; families with strong academic priorities may prefer suburbs like Hurstville with more school choices nearby.
- Those prioritising very low crime areas: The above-average crime rate (1.7x NSW average) may concern safety-conscious families.
Overall, Riverwood offers a practical balance of affordability, Chinese community life, and public transport access, though prospective residents should weigh the limited local school options and above-average crime rate against these advantages. For those who value being embedded in one of Sydney's most established Chinese communities at a price point that remains accessible for both buyers and renters, Riverwood deserves serious consideration — particularly for unit buyers at the approx. $700K price point, which is well below the Sydney median. The suburb's position on the T8 train line ensures good connectivity for work commutes and school access, and the broader Southern Sydney corridor offers a range of complementary suburbs for families to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median house price in Riverwood?
The median house price in Riverwood is approx. $1.6M, which is slightly above the broader Sydney median of approx. $1.5M. Units are more affordable at approx. $700K median. Riverwood's house price rank sits at the 0.63 percentile across Sydney, placing it in the mid-range of the market.
Is Riverwood safe?
According to BOCSAR 2025 data, Riverwood has a crime rate of 11,256 per 100,000 residents, which is approx. 1.7 times the NSW state average of 6,635 per 100,000. This places it in the "above average crime" category. The suburb recorded 1,440 incidents in the reporting period. Safety-conscious families should research specific crime types and areas within the suburb.
What schools are near Riverwood?
Nearby secondary schools include Marist Catholic College Penshurst (Catholic, co-ed, Year 7-12, 146 DA students in 2025 HSC) and Beverly Hills Girls High School (Government, girls, Year 6-12, 24 DA students). Families seeking more school options may look to neighbouring areas like Hurstville.
What is the Chinese population in Riverwood?
According to ABS Census 2021, 32.4% of Riverwood's 12,793 residents are of Chinese ancestry, equating to approx. 4,141 people. This ranks Riverwood in the top 2% of all Sydney suburbs for Chinese population concentration, making it one of the most significant Chinese-Australian communities in the city.
How much is rent in Riverwood?
Median weekly rents in Riverwood are approx. $670 for a 2-bedroom unit, approx. $770 for a 3-bedroom unit, and approx. $795 for a 3-bedroom house. The relatively small gap between 3-bedroom unit and house rents (approx. $25/wk) means renters have flexibility between property types at similar price points.
How far is Riverwood from Sydney CBD?
Riverwood is approx. 23.9km from the Sydney CBD. The drive takes approx. 27 minutes under typical conditions, while public transit via the T8 line from Riverwood station takes approx. 47 minutes. The suburb's own train station provides direct rail connectivity to the city centre and Sydney Airport.
How does Riverwood compare to Hurstville for families?
Riverwood and Hurstville are both in Southern Sydney with significant Chinese communities. Hurstville is a larger commercial centre with more school options and a wider range of shops and services. Riverwood offers a quieter residential feel at a lower price point — approx. $1.6M median house versus Hurstville's higher prices. Families who prioritise school proximity and amenities may prefer Hurstville, while those seeking affordability and community may find Riverwood more suitable.
What types of housing are available in Riverwood?
Riverwood has a mix of older detached houses, typically on generous blocks, and newer apartment developments concentrated near the train station. The median house price is approx. $1.6M, while units sit at approx. $700K. The suburb covers 3.86 km², providing a moderate density that supports both family-sized homes and more affordable apartment living. The area around the station has seen increasing apartment development in recent years.