Annandale (NSW)

Annandale is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Annandale stands at approximately 10,004 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 540 residents (5.7%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 9,464 people. This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 10,004 alongside 39 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 6,714 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top 10% of all areas evaluated nationwide and highlighting the high demand for local land. The 5.7% growth rate recorded in Annandale since the 2021 census outpaced the broader SA3 region (4.1%), establishing it as a local growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 79.1% of the overall population rise in recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, issued in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 area. For locations where this dataset is unavailable, SA2 projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied instead. Age cohort growth rates derived from these sources are also projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic trends, the methodology forecasts a contraction in the overall population, with the number of residents projected to drop by 154 individuals by 2041. In contrast, certain age brackets are set to expand, particularly the 75 to 84 cohort, which is expected to grow by 206 people. Refer to the age section for further details.

The level of residential development activity in Annandale is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

On average, Annandale registers approximately 20 new residential approvals annually, with a total of 100 dwellings approved over the preceding 5 financial years (spanning FY-21 to FY-25) and 9 approvals recorded so far during FY-26. With an average of only 0.8 additional residents per year for each built dwelling over those same 5 financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), housing supply is matching or exceeding demand, widening options for buyers and allowing for potential population growth beyond current forecasts, with new dwellings being constructed at an average cost of $279,000—below the regional average—offering more affordable entry points for purchasers. Furthermore, commercial development approvals have reached $1.3 million this financial year, reinforcing the predominantly residential character of the suburb.

Annandale generates about 69% of the per capita building activity seen in Greater Sydney, placing it in the 6th percentile of all analyzed locations across the country, which translates to fewer options for buyers and supports demand for established homes. This level is also below the national average, reflecting the mature nature of the suburb and suggesting the presence of planning restrictions. Residential pipeline additions consist of 23.0% detached houses and 77.0% medium and high-density formats. This orientation toward denser living arrangements offers affordable entry points and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. Recording roughly 3323 people per approval, Annandale shows the profile of a mature, settled community.

As the population is projected to stabilize or contract, Annandale is likely to experience less pressure on its housing stock, potentially opening up opportunities for prospective buyers.

Annandale has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Local infrastructure, major projects, and planning changes have a significant influence on an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects expected to affect the suburb. Key developments include The Joinery Annandale, West End Residences, OTTO Annandale Student Accommodation (45-57 Parramatta Road), and the Annandale Mixed Use Build-to-Rent Development, with the list below highlighting the most relevant projects.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The employment landscape in Annandale shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

The local workforce in Annandale is highly qualified, with strong representation in the technology industry, and shows an unemployment rate of 4.2%. As of March 2026, there are 6,318 employed residents, matching the Greater Sydney unemployment rate of 4.1%, while the participation rate is significantly higher than the regional average (77.5% compared to 69.1% in Greater Sydney). Census data indicates that a high proportion of residents, 63.3%, worked from home, though this figure should be considered in light of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The suburb exhibits a strong concentration in professional & technical services, with its share of employment reaching 1.5 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, the construction sector is underrepresented, employing only 5.7% of the Annandale workforce compared to 8.6% across Greater Sydney. Comparing the number of local jobs in the Census to the resident workforce indicates that this heavily residential suburb offers limited employment opportunities within its own boundaries.

AreaSearch's assessment of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months leading up to March 2026, the local labor force contracted by 1.6% and total employment fell by 1.8%, leading to a 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. This pattern diverges from Greater Sydney, where employment increased by 1.9%, the labor force expanded by 1.9%, and unemployment declined slightly. National employment projections released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future demand trends in Annandale. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate potential growth. While national employment is projected to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary by sector. Weighting these national sectoral projections against the local employment distribution suggests that employment in Annandale could rise by 7.4% over five years and 14.9% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The latest postcode-level ATO data processed by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the Annandale SA2 rank in the top percentile nationally, with a median of $80,570 and an average of $120,557. For comparison, Greater Sydney recorded a median income of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be approximately $88,885 for the median and $132,998 for the average as of March 2026. Census data confirms that household, family, and personal incomes in Annandale are highly ranked, falling between the 93rd and 97th percentiles nationally. Looking at the income distribution, 35.0% of the community (3,501 individuals) fall into the $4000+ weekly earnings bracket, whereas the $1,500 - 2,999 range is the most common in the wider region at 30.9%. A substantial 46.5% of residents earn more than $3,000 weekly, pointing to localized wealth that supports local business activity. High housing costs take up 18.4% of total income, but robust earnings keep disposable income in the 91st percentile, with the area's SEIFA income score in the 10th decile.

Annandale displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling composition in Annandale at the time of the latest Census consisted of 22.8% standalone houses and 77.2% other housing types (including semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to the Sydney metro profile of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Annandale was slightly below the Sydney metro benchmark at 26.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (31.4%) or rented (42.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the suburb was $3,467, which is considerably higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent stood at $570, compared to $470 across Sydney metro. On a national level, Annandale's mortgage costs are much higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are significantly higher than the national figure of $375.

Annandale features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households make up the majority of homes at 62.6%, consisting of couples with children at 28.1%, couples without children at 26.3%, and single-parent households at 7.2%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 37.4%, which includes single-person households at 31.6% and group households at 5.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 individuals, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Annandale shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational qualifications in Annandale are significantly higher than broader averages, with 60.8% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationwide and 32.2% across NSW. This high concentration of qualifications positions the community well for professional opportunities in knowledge sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common qualification at 37.8%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 18.9% and graduate diplomas at 4.1%. Vocational pathways account for 19.2% of qualifications among residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (9.8%).

Enrollment rates in education are high, with 29.9% of the population actively participating in formal study. This cohort includes 9.2% in higher education, 9.0% attending primary school, and 6.1% enrolled in secondary education.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

An analysis of public transport reveals 39 active light rail and bus stops operating in Annandale. These stops are served by 19 separate routes, which carry a total of 7,609 passengers weekly. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 166 meters. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the area; driving remains the primary mode of travel at 61%, followed by walking at 12% and bus travel at 11%. Car ownership averages 0.8 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. A high proportion of residents, 63.3%, work from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions).

Service frequency averages 1,087 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 195 weekly trips per stop.

Annandale's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health indicators demonstrate positive trends for Annandale residents, with AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic conditions showing results that align with national averages. The incidence of common illnesses is low across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing approximately 78% of the population (7,833 people). This compares to a rate of 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions recorded in the suburb were mental health issues and asthma, affecting 9.3% and 7.3% of the population, respectively. Additionally, 72.3% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The working-age population is generally healthy, showing low rates of chronic disease. Residents aged 65 and older make up 14.2% of the population (1,420 people), which is lower than the Greater Sydney share of 15.5%. Health outcomes for seniors are above average, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Annandale was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Annandale exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most local areas, with 14.4% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 27.3% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 36.8% of the population. However, the most distinct religious overrepresentation is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.9% of the local population compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

In terms of ancestry, the three largest groups in Annandale are English at 24.8% of the population (significantly higher than the regional average of 19.0%), Australian at 21.4%, and Irish at 10.4%. There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with French ancestry overrepresented at 0.8% of the population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Russian at 0.5% (compared to 0.4%), and Lebanese underrepresented at 1.0% (compared to 2.6% regionally).

Annandale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Annandale is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the wider Sydney region, Annandale has a larger proportion of residents in the 45 - 54 age bracket (14.5%) but a smaller share of 15 - 24 year-olds (11.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 10.0% to 11.2% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 3.6% to 4.7%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 10.9% to 10.0%. Looking toward 2041, the age structure is projected to shift. The 75 to 84 age bracket is expected to grow by 40% (adding 187 people) to reach 662 from 474. This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 70% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age groups.