Dee Why vs Brookvale

Comparing Dee Why and Brookvale, NSW: Brookvale carries more bushfire risk (42 vs 0); Dee Why has more residents (23,354 vs 3,389); and Dee Why scores higher overall (75 vs 59).

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Dee Why

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (12 vs 2)
  • carries lower crime risk (43/100 vs 95/100)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • But Brookvale has more childcare (15 vs 9)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Dee Why

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • carries lower crime risk (43/100 vs 95/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Dee Why and Brookvale drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Dee Why Brookvale
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Dee Why Brookvale
Walkability 90 / 92
Dee Why — Walkability: 90/100 Brookvale — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 57 / 5
Dee Why — Safety: 57/100 Brookvale — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 100 / 58
Dee Why — Low fire risk: 100/100 Brookvale — Low fire risk: 58/100

Demographics

Dee Why has more residents (23,354 vs 3,389).

Dee Why Brookvale
Population 23,354
+85% vs other
 3,389
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +8.5% +7.2%
Median age 36 37
Median household income $109,512/yr $110,604/yr
Median weekly rent $550/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Dee Why Brookvale
0-4 6.3% / 6.7%
Dee Why — 0-4: 6.3% Brookvale — 0-4: 6.7%
5-14 8.7% / 7.9%
Dee Why — 5-14: 8.7% Brookvale — 5-14: 7.9%
15-19 3.7% / 3.8%
Dee Why — 15-19: 3.7% Brookvale — 15-19: 3.8%
20-24 6.3% / 6.5%
Dee Why — 20-24: 6.3% Brookvale — 20-24: 6.5%
25-34 21.1% / 21.4%
Dee Why — 25-34: 21.1% Brookvale — 25-34: 21.4%
35-44 18.0% / 18.3%
Dee Why — 35-44: 18.0% Brookvale — 35-44: 18.3%
45-54 13.0% / 12.6%
Dee Why — 45-54: 13.0% Brookvale — 45-54: 12.6%
55-64 10.9% / 11.3%
Dee Why — 55-64: 10.9% Brookvale — 55-64: 11.3%
65-74 6.8% / 6.7%
Dee Why — 65-74: 6.8% Brookvale — 65-74: 6.7%
75-84 3.7% / 2.6%
Dee Why — 75-84: 3.7% Brookvale — 75-84: 2.6%
85+ 1.5% / 2.7%
Dee Why — 85+: 1.5% Brookvale — 85+: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Dee Why 40.7% lone person
Dee Why — Lone Person: 40.7% Dee Why — Couple Families: 35.7% Dee Why — One Parent Families: 13.9% Dee Why — Group Household: 8.1% Dee Why — Other Families: 1.6%
Brookvale 42.9% lone person
Brookvale — Lone Person: 42.9% Brookvale — Couple Families: 34.2% Brookvale — One Parent Families: 14.5% Brookvale — Group Household: 6.8% Brookvale — Other Families: 1.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Dee Why 48.5% renting
Dee Why — Owned Outright: 21.5% Dee Why — Mortgage: 30.0% Dee Why — Renting: 48.5%
Brookvale 45.4% renting
Brookvale — Owned Outright: 16.4% Brookvale — Mortgage: 38.2% Brookvale — Renting: 45.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Dee Why Brookvale
Bachelor Degree 21.2% / 19.9%
Dee Why — Bachelor Degree: 21.2% Brookvale — Bachelor Degree: 19.9%
Certificate III & IV 11.4% / 12.9%
Dee Why — Certificate III & IV: 11.4% Brookvale — Certificate III & IV: 12.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.5% / 8.8%
Dee Why — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.5% Brookvale — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.8%
Postgraduate Degree 7.5% / 6.1%
Dee Why — Postgraduate Degree: 7.5% Brookvale — Postgraduate Degree: 6.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.1% / 2.2%
Dee Why — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.1% Brookvale — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.2%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Dee Why Brookvale
England 5.9% / 5.9%
Dee Why — England: 5.9% Brookvale — England: 5.9%
China 3.6% / 3.3%
Dee Why — China: 3.6% Brookvale — China: 3.3%
Brazil 4.2% / 2.1%
Dee Why — Brazil: 4.2% Brookvale — Brazil: 2.1%
India 3.2% / 1.8%
Dee Why — India: 3.2% Brookvale — India: 1.8%
New Zealand 2.6% / 2.4%
Dee Why — New Zealand: 2.6% Brookvale — New Zealand: 2.4%
Philippines 2.3% / 2.6%
Dee Why — Philippines: 2.3% Brookvale — Philippines: 2.6%
Nepal 3.2% / —
Dee Why — Nepal: 3.2% Brookvale — Nepal: not among its largest
Italy — / 2.2%
Dee Why — Italy: not among its largest Brookvale — Italy: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Dee Why 82.2% flats / apartments
Dee Why — Flats / Apartments: 82.2% Dee Why — Houses: 15.3% Dee Why — Townhouses: 2.4%
Brookvale 65.5% flats / apartments
Brookvale — Flats / Apartments: 65.5% Brookvale — Houses: 18.3% Brookvale — Townhouses: 16.2%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Dee Why Brookvale
Median house price $2,520,000 $2,302,000
Median unit price $982,500 $1,050,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 21 days
from 37 sales
 23 days
from 4 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Dee Why Brookvale
3 bed $2.33M / $2.2M
Dee Why — 3 bed: $2.33M (20 sales) Brookvale — 3 bed: $2.2M (5 sales)

20 vs 5 sales

4 bed $2.69M / $2.37M
Dee Why — 4 bed: $2.69M (14 sales) Brookvale — 4 bed: $2.37M (7 sales)

14 vs 7 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Dee Why Brookvale
1 bed $770K / $805K
Dee Why — 1 bed: $770K (109 sales) Brookvale — 1 bed: $805K (37 sales)

109 vs 37 sales

2 bed $1.05M / $1.14M
Dee Why — 2 bed: $1.05M (285 sales) Brookvale — 2 bed: $1.14M (56 sales)

285 vs 56 sales

3 bed $1.7M / $1.86M
Dee Why — 3 bed: $1.7M (36 sales) Brookvale — 3 bed: $1.86M (10 sales)

36 vs 10 sales

Zoning mix

Brookvale has more industrially zoned land (55% vs 1%).

Dee Why Brookvale
Residential 81% 23%
Industrial 1% 55%
Parks and recreation 15% 6%
Commercial 1% 8%
Environmental 0% 4%
Infrastructure and transport 2% 3%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Dee Why Brookvale
New dwellings approved 620
across Northern Beaches
same for both
Approvals change year on year +51%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Dee Why Brookvale
Houses 4.0%
$1,550/wk on $2M
 —
Units 4.4%
$825/wk on $970K
 4.3%
$732/wk on $890K

Ranking within NSW

Dee Why Brookvale
House price Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 88% of NSW
Income Higher than 75% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Schools Higher than 54% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 96% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 7% of NSW Higher than 15% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 68% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 75% of NSW —
Rental yield (units) Higher than 41% of NSW Higher than 35% of NSW

Liveability

Dee Why scores higher overall (75 vs 59).

Dee Why Brookvale
Grade A B
Score 75/100 59/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Brookvale carries more bushfire risk (42 vs 0); Brookvale carries more crime risk (95 vs 43).

Dee Why Brookvale
Bushfire None
0/100
 Moderate
42/100
Crime Moderate
43/100
 High
95/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion Moderate
42/100
 None
0/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Dee Why Brookvale
Inside the suburb 4 2
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km None 1
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 9.9 km

Schools in Dee Why

  • St Kevin's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Dee Why Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Luke's Grammar School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Fisher Road School Government · Combined · Special school

Schools in Brookvale

  • Brookvale Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Augustine's College Sydney Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Dee Why Brookvale
Supermarkets 8 3
Cafes & restaurants 32 23
Parks & reserves 12 2
Childcare 9 15
GPs 5 6
Pharmacies 9 6
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 6
same for both
Fuel stations 4 3
EV chargers 1 0

Mobility

Dee Why Brookvale
Walkability score 90/100 92/100
Distance to Sydney 18.4 km
+10% vs other
 16.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 30 min 28 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 472.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 300.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.4%
postcode 2099
 2.0%
postcode 2100
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 17
postcode 2099
 33
postcode 2100

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Dee Why Brookvale
Car (driver) 42.5% / 42.1%
Dee Why — Car (driver): 42.5% Brookvale — Car (driver): 42.1%
Worked from Home 38.2% / 38.4%
Dee Why — Worked from Home: 38.2% Brookvale — Worked from Home: 38.4%
Bus 10.0% / 5.8%
Dee Why — Bus: 10.0% Brookvale — Bus: 5.8%
Walked Only 4.7% / 8.6%
Dee Why — Walked Only: 4.7% Brookvale — Walked Only: 8.6%
Car (passenger) 3.2% / 3.5%
Dee Why — Car (passenger): 3.2% Brookvale — Car (passenger): 3.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (42.5%).

Setting

Dee Why Brookvale
Elevation 17 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 26 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 694 m
886 m to a named beach
 2.4 km
2.6 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Dee Why Brookvale
Connectivity score 77/100 56/100
Most common technology Fibre to the curb Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 11%
11,525 premises
 7%
4,530 premises

Climate

Dee Why Brookvale
Annual rainfall 1,176 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Dee Why Brookvale
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 13.8 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.84 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Dee Why Brookvale
Average residential rate $1,696/yr
same for both
Council Northern Beaches
same for both

Federal electorate

Dee Why Brookvale
Division Mackellar Warringah
Member Sophie Scamps Zali Steggall
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Dee Why Brookvale
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Dee Why

Apartments Beach Cafe Culture Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub Urban

Brookvale

Apartments Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Dee Why

Dee Why vs Cromer Dee Why vs Collaroy Dee Why vs Narraweena Dee Why vs North Curl Curl

Other comparisons with Brookvale

Brookvale vs Beacon Hill Brookvale vs Allambie Heights Brookvale vs Narraweena Brookvale vs North Curl Curl Brookvale vs North Manly Brookvale vs Curl Curl
Full data on Dee Why Full data on Brookvale
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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