Best Suburbs for Chinese Families in NSW 2025 Ranking

Which suburbs in New South Wales have the largest Chinese communities? Using ABS Census 2021 data, AU Guide ranks the top 20 NSW suburbs by Chinese population percentage — ranging from 48.8% in Eastwood down to 32.0% in Marsfield. Across these 20 suburbs, median house prices span from approx. $1.6M (Riverwood) to approx. $4.0M (East Killara), while unit prices range from approx. $700K to approx. $1.2M. Crime rates vary dramatically, from just 794 per 100,000 in East Killara to 37,134 per 100,000 in Haymarket — compared to the NSW average of 6,635 per 100,000 (BOCSAR 2025). This data report provides a comprehensive, numbers-first guide for Chinese families evaluating suburbs across Sydney.

Key Findings

• Eastwood leads at 48.8% Chinese population — nearly 10 times the Sydney-wide average of approximately 5% (ABS Census 2021). With approx. 9,129 Chinese residents, a crime rate of 4,033 per 100,000, and median house prices at approx. $2.7M, it offers a well-established Chinese community with below-average crime. Explore Eastwood's full suburb profile on AU Guide.
• Hurstville has the largest Chinese population in absolute terms — 14,691 Chinese residents (47.1%), making it the biggest Chinese community hub by headcount among the top 20.
• East Killara is the safest suburb on this list — a crime rate of just 794 per 100,000 (88% below the NSW average), though it comes with a premium: median house prices at approx. $4.0M.
• Budget-friendly options exist — Riverwood (32.4% Chinese, approx. $1.6M house, approx. $700K unit) and Campsie (34.5% Chinese, approx. $1.7M house, approx. $700K unit) offer significantly lower entry prices than the top-ranked suburbs while still hosting sizable Chinese communities.
• Three suburbs have no house price data — Haymarket, Gordon, and Zetland are predominantly apartment/unit markets. Families seeking houses should look at alternatives. Browse all NSW suburb profiles for detailed data.

Data Overview

The table below ranks all 20 suburbs by Chinese population percentage. All property prices are median values rounded to the nearest $100K (Domain 2025). Crime rates are per 100,000 population (BOCSAR 2025). The NSW average crime rate is 6,635 per 100,000.

Data sources: Chinese population percentage — ABS Census 2021; property prices — Domain 2025 median; crime rate — BOCSAR September 2025, per 100,000 population. N/A indicates insufficient house sales data (apartment-dominated suburb). Note: Clyde (88.9% Chinese) was excluded due to its total population of only 9 residents, making percentage data statistically unreliable.

In-Depth Analysis

Geographic Clusters

The top 20 suburbs form three distinct geographic clusters across Sydney, each with different characteristics in terms of pricing, safety, and community size.

North Shore and Upper North Shore (7 suburbs): East Killara, Chatswood, Epping, Carlingford, Denistone East, Gordon, and Marsfield form the largest cluster. This corridor runs along the Northern Line and Epping-to-Chatswood rail link, offering strong public transport connectivity. Chinese populations here range from 32.0% (Marsfield) to 46.7% (East Killara). Crime rates in this cluster are generally well below the NSW average of 6,635 per 100,000 — Epping records just 2,345, Marsfield 2,225, and Denistone East 1,091. The trade-off is price: median houses range from approx. $2.1M (Carlingford) to approx. $4.0M (East Killara).

Inner West and Central (6 suburbs): Eastwood, Burwood, Rhodes, Haymarket, Chippendale, and Wolli Creek. This cluster spans from Eastwood in the west through to the CBD fringe. It includes the two highest-ranked suburbs (Eastwood at 48.8%, Burwood at 48.3%) and the most urban options (Haymarket, Chippendale). Crime rates vary enormously — Haymarket's 37,134 per 100,000 reflects its status as a CBD-adjacent commercial district with high foot traffic, while Eastwood records a modest 4,033. House prices range from approx. $1.8M (Chippendale) to approx. $3.3M (Burwood).

Southern Sydney (7 suburbs): Hurstville, South Hurstville, Berala, Campsie, Narwee, Riverwood, and Zetland. This southern corridor offers some of the most affordable entry points on the list. Riverwood (approx. $1.6M house) and Campsie (approx. $1.7M house) sit significantly below the top 20 average. Hurstville anchors this cluster as the suburb with the highest absolute Chinese population (14,691 residents). Safety varies — South Hurstville is relatively safe at 2,911 per 100,000, while Riverwood records 11,256 per 100,000, well above the NSW average.

Property Price Tiers

Grouping the 20 suburbs by house price reveals clear tiers that can help families match their budget to available options.

Notably, the "affordable" tier still starts at approx. $1.6M — reflecting Sydney's overall property market. However, unit prices in suburbs like Riverwood (approx. $700K) and Campsie (approx. $700K) are among the lowest on the list, offering an accessible entry point for families who prioritise being in a Chinese community.

Safety Profile

Using the NSW average crime rate of 6,635 per 100,000 as a benchmark (BOCSAR 2025), the 20 suburbs split into distinct safety categories:

• Well below average (under 3,000): East Killara (794), Denistone East (1,091), Marsfield (2,225), Epping (2,345), Gordon (2,626), Carlingford (2,828), South Hurstville (2,911) — 7 suburbs, predominantly on the North Shore and in the southern residential belt.
• Below average (3,000–6,635): Berala (3,220), Eastwood (4,033), Wolli Creek (4,815), Rhodes (5,248), Narwee (5,304), Zetland (5,459), Campsie (6,375) — 7 suburbs.
• Above average (6,635–12,000): Hurstville (7,638), Chatswood (7,659), Chippendale (8,381), Burwood (11,309), Riverwood (11,256) — 5 suburbs. Hurstville and Chatswood are major commercial centres, which typically record higher crime due to larger transient populations.
• Significantly above average (12,000+): Haymarket (37,134) — an extreme outlier due to its CBD location, Chinatown precinct, and very high foot traffic relative to its residential population of approximately 8,300.

Regional Comparison

Comparing the three main geographic clusters highlights key trade-offs. The table below summarises key metrics across suburbs in each region.

North Shore / Upper North Shore stands out for safety — six of the seven suburbs in this cluster record crime rates under 3,000 per 100,000 (the exception is Chatswood at 7,659, a major commercial centre). However, this comes at a price premium, with East Killara's median house at approx. $4.0M. For families who prioritise safety and can access North Shore schools, this region offers the strongest overall profile. See AU Guide's NSW school rankings for detailed school data in these areas.

Inner West / Central has the highest Chinese percentages, driven by Eastwood and Burwood both exceeding 48%. However, the crime rate range is wide — from Eastwood's 4,033 to Haymarket's 37,134. Excluding Haymarket, the remaining five suburbs have crime rates between 4,033 and 11,309. This region offers the most established Chinese commercial infrastructure, including restaurants, supermarkets, and community services.

Southern Sydney provides the best value for budget-conscious families. Five of the seven suburbs have median houses under approx. $2.0M, and Riverwood offers the lowest house price on the entire list at approx. $1.6M. Hurstville serves as the regional hub with by far the largest Chinese population (14,691 residents). Safety is mixed — South Hurstville is relatively safe at 2,911 per 100,000, but Riverwood records 11,256 per 100,000.

What This Means for Families

For Budget-Conscious Families

If affordability is the primary concern, Southern Sydney offers the strongest options. Riverwood (approx. $1.6M house, approx. $700K unit) and Campsie (approx. $1.7M house, approx. $700K unit) both provide Chinese communities exceeding 32%, with access to established Chinese shops and services. Berala (approx. $1.7M house) combines a 37.4% Chinese population with a crime rate of 3,220 — well below the NSW average — making it a strong value-for-safety option. For unit buyers specifically, Carlingford and Denistone East both offer units at approx. $700K in suburbs with very low crime rates (2,828 and 1,091 respectively).

For Safety-Focused Families

East Killara (794 per 100,000), Denistone East (1,091), and Marsfield (2,225) are the three safest suburbs on this list, all recording crime rates more than 65% below the NSW average. These suburbs are all located on the North Shore or in the Ryde local government area. Epping (2,345) and Carlingford (2,828) are practical alternatives that combine low crime with more moderate pricing (approx. $2.1M–$2.6M for houses). South Hurstville (2,911) is the safest option in the southern cluster.

For School-Focused Families

Several suburbs on this list are located near top-performing schools. The Eastwood-Epping-Carlingford corridor is well-known for its concentration of selective and high-performing schools, with easy access to James Ruse Agricultural High School and Carlingford High School — both among the top-ranked government selective schools in NSW by HSC outcomes. Epping Boys High School also consistently performs above the state average. Chatswood and Gordon on the North Shore provide access to both government and independent schools with strong HSC results, including Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar School for families considering private education. For families targeting government selective school zones, the North Shore and Ryde corridors offer the highest concentration of options. Carlingford and Epping in particular are popular choices for families who want proximity to both selective schools and a strong Chinese community. Families should cross-reference this ranking with individual suburb profiles on AU Guide, which include nearby school data with AU Guide scores. Visit AU Guide NSW Suburbs to see school information for each suburb.

For Families Seeking the Largest Community

The sheer size of the Chinese community matters for access to cultural services, language support, and social networks. By headcount, Hurstville (14,691), Epping (11,927), Carlingford (11,395), and Chatswood (10,836) each have over 10,000 Chinese residents. Eastwood (9,129) and Campsie (9,005) round out the suburbs with the largest absolute Chinese populations. Smaller suburbs like East Killara (1,353) and Denistone East (860) rank high by percentage but have much smaller communities in absolute terms.

FAQ

Which NSW suburb has the highest percentage of Chinese residents?

Eastwood ranks first with 48.8% Chinese population according to ABS Census 2021 data, followed closely by Burwood at 48.3%. Among suburbs with statistically meaningful populations (excluding Clyde, which has only 9 total residents), Eastwood has consistently held the top position. The suburb is home to approximately 9,129 Chinese residents.

Which suburb on this list has the most affordable housing?

Riverwood offers the lowest median house price at approx. $1.6M and a unit price of approx. $700K. It has a 32.4% Chinese population (4,141 residents). For unit buyers on a tighter budget, the most affordable unit options among the top 20 are Campsie, Carlingford, Denistone East, Chippendale, and Riverwood — all at approx. $700K (Domain 2025).

Which suburb is the safest for families?

East Killara has the lowest crime rate at 794 per 100,000 — 88% below the NSW average of 6,635 (BOCSAR 2025). However, its median house price is approx. $4.0M. For a more affordable safe option, Denistone East records a crime rate of 1,091 with houses at approx. $2.7M, while Marsfield has a rate of 2,225 with houses also at approx. $2.7M.

Why is Haymarket's crime rate so high?

Haymarket records a crime rate of 37,134 per 100,000, which is approximately 5.6 times the NSW average. This reflects its unique position as a CBD-adjacent commercial district that includes Sydney's Chinatown. The high rate is driven by the very large number of non-resident visitors, workers, and tourists passing through the area daily relative to its residential population of approximately 8,300. Most reported incidents are property-related rather than violent crimes. The figure should be interpreted in the context of a commercial district rather than a residential suburb.

Which suburbs are best for families who want both safety and an established Chinese community?

Epping and Carlingford offer the best combination: both have Chinese populations above 40%, crime rates well below the NSW average (2,345 and 2,828 respectively), and large absolute communities (11,927 and 11,395 Chinese residents). They are adjacent suburbs in the North-West corridor with good rail connections. Eastwood also performs well — ranked first by Chinese percentage (48.8%) with a below-average crime rate of 4,033, though at a higher house price of approx. $2.7M.

How does Burwood compare to Eastwood?

Both suburbs have nearly identical Chinese percentages (Burwood 48.3%, Eastwood 48.8%). The key differences are: Burwood has a higher median house price (approx. $3.3M vs approx. $2.7M) and a significantly higher crime rate (11,309 vs 4,033 per 100,000). Burwood is closer to the CBD and is a major commercial centre, which contributes to higher foot traffic and crime statistics. Eastwood offers a more suburban residential feel with lower crime but is further from central Sydney.

Are there suburbs with over 30% Chinese population and houses under $2M?

Yes. Five suburbs on this list meet that criteria: Riverwood (32.4%, approx. $1.6M), Berala (37.4%, approx. $1.7M), Campsie (34.5%, approx. $1.7M), Narwee (33.0%, approx. $1.7M), and Chippendale (35.1%, approx. $1.8M). Wolli Creek (35.5%, approx. $1.9M) also comes close. These are predominantly in Sydney's south and inner west.

Data Sources

• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — Census 2021: Chinese population percentage and total population data
• Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) — September 2025: Crime rates per 100,000 population; NSW average crime rate 6,635 per 100,000
• Domain — 2025 Median Property Prices: Median house and unit sale prices
• AU Guide — NSW Suburb Profiles: Comprehensive suburb data including schools, demographics, and safety ratings
• AU Guide — NSW School Rankings: School performance data and AU Guide scores