Grafton vs South Grafton

South Grafton is the younger of the two, with a median age of 40 against 44 in Grafton. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Grafton, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Grafton: a median of $530,000, against $470,000 in South Grafton, and rent is higher there too.

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

South Grafton

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (90% vs 76%)
  • But Grafton has more childcare (11 vs 5)

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

First-home buyers

Grafton

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($420,000 vs $660,000)
  • has cheaper units ($390,000 vs $475,800)
  • But South Grafton has cheaper houses ($470,000 vs $530,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land 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

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Grafton is more walkable (83/100 vs 35/100)
  • South Grafton sits closer to the CBD (608.7 km vs 610.9 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Grafton

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (7 vs 2)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (24% vs 10%)
  • is more walkable (83/100 vs 35/100)

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 house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Grafton South Grafton
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.

Grafton South Grafton
Walkability 83 / 35
Grafton — Walkability: 83/100 South Grafton — Walkability: 35/100
Safety 8 / 5
Grafton — Safety: 8/100 South Grafton — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 100 / 54
Grafton — Low fire risk: 100/100 South Grafton — Low fire risk: 54/100

Demographics

Grafton has more residents (10,563 vs 6,288); Grafton has higher household incomes ($61,308 vs $50,700).

Grafton South Grafton
Population 10,563
+40% vs other
 6,288
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.5% +3.6%
Median age 44 40
Median household income $61,308/yr
+17% vs other
 $50,700/yr
Median weekly rent $300/wk
+7% vs other
 $280/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Grafton South Grafton
0-4 5.6% / 6.3%
Grafton — 0-4: 5.6% South Grafton — 0-4: 6.3%
5-14 12.1% / 15.0%
Grafton — 5-14: 12.1% South Grafton — 5-14: 15.0%
15-19 5.5% / 6.1%
Grafton — 15-19: 5.5% South Grafton — 15-19: 6.1%
20-24 5.6% / 6.2%
Grafton — 20-24: 5.6% South Grafton — 20-24: 6.2%
25-34 11.4% / 11.0%
Grafton — 25-34: 11.4% South Grafton — 25-34: 11.0%
35-44 10.6% / 10.5%
Grafton — 35-44: 10.6% South Grafton — 35-44: 10.5%
45-54 11.1% / 11.6%
Grafton — 45-54: 11.1% South Grafton — 45-54: 11.6%
55-64 12.5% / 12.1%
Grafton — 55-64: 12.5% South Grafton — 55-64: 12.1%
65-74 11.9% / 11.1%
Grafton — 65-74: 11.9% South Grafton — 65-74: 11.1%
75-84 8.7% / 7.3%
Grafton — 75-84: 8.7% South Grafton — 75-84: 7.3%
85+ 4.9% / 2.8%
Grafton — 85+: 4.9% South Grafton — 85+: 2.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Grafton 46.9% lone person
Grafton — Lone Person: 46.9% Grafton — Couple Families: 27.2% Grafton — One Parent Families: 19.8% Grafton — Group Household: 4.3% Grafton — Other Families: 1.8%
South Grafton 41.7% lone person
South Grafton — Lone Person: 41.7% South Grafton — Couple Families: 25.1% South Grafton — One Parent Families: 26.7% South Grafton — Group Household: 4.6% South Grafton — Other Families: 1.9%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Grafton 35.0% renting
Grafton — Owned Outright: 36.3% Grafton — Mortgage: 28.7% Grafton — Renting: 35.0%
South Grafton 37.4% renting
South Grafton — Owned Outright: 35.7% South Grafton — Mortgage: 26.8% South Grafton — Renting: 37.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

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.

Grafton South Grafton
England 1.3% / 1.3%
Grafton — England: 1.3% South Grafton — England: 1.3%
New Zealand 0.8% / 0.7%
Grafton — New Zealand: 0.8% South Grafton — New Zealand: 0.7%
India 0.7% / 0.2%
Grafton — India: 0.7% South Grafton — India: 0.2%
Philippines 0.4% / 0.3%
Grafton — Philippines: 0.4% South Grafton — Philippines: 0.3%
Scotland 0.2% / 0.3%
Grafton — Scotland: 0.2% South Grafton — Scotland: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (1.3%).

Qualifications

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

Grafton South Grafton
Certificate III & IV 17.8% / 16.8%
Grafton — Certificate III & IV: 17.8% South Grafton — Certificate III & IV: 16.8%
Bachelor Degree 7.4% / 3.8%
Grafton — Bachelor Degree: 7.4% South Grafton — Bachelor Degree: 3.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.0% / 4.8%
Grafton — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.0% South Grafton — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.8%
Postgraduate Degree 1.5% / 1.0%
Grafton — Postgraduate Degree: 1.5% South Grafton — Postgraduate Degree: 1.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.3% / 0.6%
Grafton — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.3% South Grafton — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Grafton 76.1% houses
Grafton — Houses: 76.1% Grafton — Flats / Apartments: 13.3% Grafton — Townhouses: 10.6%
South Grafton 90.2% houses
South Grafton — Houses: 90.2% South Grafton — Flats / Apartments: 6.1% South Grafton — Townhouses: 3.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Grafton South Grafton
Median house price $530,000 $470,000
Median unit price $390,000 $475,800
Median land price $420,000 $660,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 179 sales
 26 days
from 61 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.

Grafton South Grafton
2 bed $414K / $395K
Grafton — 2 bed: $414K (32 sales) South Grafton — 2 bed: $395K (17 sales)

32 vs 17 sales

3 bed $505K / $460K
Grafton — 3 bed: $505K (158 sales) South Grafton — 3 bed: $460K (91 sales)

158 vs 91 sales

4 bed $675K / $560K
Grafton — 4 bed: $675K (73 sales) South Grafton — 4 bed: $560K (45 sales)

73 vs 45 sales

5 bed $740K / $590K
Grafton — 5 bed: $740K (14 sales) South Grafton — 5 bed: $590K (7 sales)

14 vs 7 sales

Zoning mix

South Grafton has more rural and farming land (61% vs 11%); Grafton has more land zoned for conservation (22% vs 3%).

Grafton South Grafton
Rural and farming 11% 61%
Residential 44% 16%
Environmental 22% 3%
Parks and recreation 13% 6%
Industrial 2% 10%
Infrastructure and transport 6% 3%
Commercial 3% 1%
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

Grafton South Grafton
New dwellings approved 246
across Clarence Valley
same for both
Approvals change year on year -80%
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.

Grafton South Grafton
Houses 4.9%
$565/wk on $605K
 4.9%
$520/wk on $550K
Units 5.1%
$400/wk on $405K
 —

Ranking within NSW

Grafton South Grafton
House price Higher than 18% of NSW Higher than 12% of NSW
Income Higher than 23% of NSW Higher than 12% of NSW
Schools Higher than 11% of NSW Higher than 44% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 72% of NSW Higher than 75% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 17% of NSW Higher than 18% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 74% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 96% of NSW
same for both
Rental yield (units) Higher than 71% of NSW —

Liveability

Grafton is more walkable (83 vs 35); Grafton scores higher overall (33 vs 20).

Grafton South Grafton
Grade C D
Score 33/100 20/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 high-need area
decile 1/10

Risk profile

South Grafton carries more bushfire risk (46 vs 0).

Grafton South Grafton
Bushfire None
0/100
 Moderate
46/100
Crime High
92/100
 High
95/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 5
within 5 km

Schools

Grafton South Grafton
Inside the suburb 5
same for both
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 3
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Grafton

  • Grafton Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Mary's Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Westlawn Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Grafton High School Government · Secondary below peers
  • Clarence Valley Anglican School, Grafton Campus Independent · Primary

Schools in South Grafton

  • St Joseph's Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Gillwinga Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • South Grafton High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • South Grafton Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Induna School Government · Secondary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Grafton South Grafton
Supermarkets 3 1
Cafes & restaurants 5 8
Parks & reserves 18 16
Childcare 11 5
GPs 7 2
Pharmacies 5 2
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 9 2
Fuel stations 2 7
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 3 25

Mobility

Grafton sits further from the CBD (610.9 km vs 608.7 km).

Grafton South Grafton
Walkability score 83/100 35/100
Distance to Sydney 610.9 km 608.7 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 402 min 401 min
Public transport score 76/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 93.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 109.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.2%
postcode 2460
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 60
postcode 2460
same for both

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.

Grafton South Grafton
Car (driver) 77.7% / 81.1%
Grafton — Car (driver): 77.7% South Grafton — Car (driver): 81.1%
Worked from Home 8.3% / 6.6%
Grafton — Worked from Home: 8.3% South Grafton — Worked from Home: 6.6%
Car (passenger) 6.7% / 7.1%
Grafton — Car (passenger): 6.7% South Grafton — Car (passenger): 7.1%
Walked Only 5.2% / 3.4%
Grafton — Walked Only: 5.2% South Grafton — Walked Only: 3.4%
Bicycle 1.7% / 1.0%
Grafton — Bicycle: 1.7% South Grafton — Bicycle: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (81.1%).

Setting

Grafton South Grafton
Elevation 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 35.5 km 34.2 km

NBN connectivity

Grafton South Grafton
Connectivity score 79/100 66/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 40%
5,999 premises
 38%
3,280 premises

Climate

Grafton South Grafton
Annual rainfall 1,060 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.0°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.3°C
same for both

Council rates

Grafton South Grafton
Average residential rate $1,380/yr
same for both
Council Clarence Valley
same for both

Federal electorate

Grafton South Grafton
Division Page
same for both
Member Kevin Hogan
same for both
Party The Nationals
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Grafton South Grafton
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Grafton

Affordable Parks Regional Centre Retirees

South Grafton

Acreage Affordable River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Grafton

Grafton vs Clarenza Grafton vs Carrs Creek Grafton vs Great Marlow Grafton vs Waterview

Other comparisons with South Grafton

South Grafton vs Clarenza South Grafton vs Elland South Grafton vs Rushforth South Grafton vs Waterview
Full data on Grafton Full data on South Grafton
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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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