Ashfield - North

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

Ashfield - North's population is around 12,528 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,072 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,456 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,420 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 101 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 8,030 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Ashfield - North's growth of 9.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (6.4%) and the state, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 94.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a population increase just below the median of national areas, with an expected expansion of 1,180 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 8.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

Ashfield - North has averaged approximately four new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 20 homes were approved, with an additional two approved so far in FY26. The population has been declining recently, suggesting that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average construction cost of new homes is $429,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating a focus on quality construction. In the current financial year, $26.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Ashfield - North shows significantly reduced construction, with 93.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 50.0% detached houses and 50.0% townhouses or apartments, focusing on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (16.0% at Census), reflecting persistent strong demand for family homes amid densification trends.

Ashfield - North reflects a highly mature market with around 3908 people per dwelling approval. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is expected to grow by 1,072 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Ashfield - North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely affecting the area. Notable projects include North Ashfield Urban Design Study and Master Plan, Sydney Metro Sydenham to Bankstown Conversion, NSW Health Infrastructure Program - Inner West, and Inner West Housing Investigation Areas. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Ashfield - North remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Ashfield - North has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 4.9% as of September 2025, which is 0.7% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in the area is 65.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Major employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in health care & social assistance, with an employment share of 1.2 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 4.6% compared to the regional average of 8.6%.

Over the past year, from September 2024 to September 2025, labour force increased by 0.4%, while employment declined by 0.5%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov-25 shows employment contracted by 0.03%, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ashfield - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Ashfield-North SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $51,756 and an average of $67,998 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the national average of $56,994 (median) and $80,856 (average) for Greater Sydney. By September 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $58,282 and an average of $76,573, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. In the 2021 Census, incomes in Ashfield-North clustered around the 63rd percentile nationally. The largest income segment consisted of 36.1% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (4,522 residents), similar to the region where this cohort represented 30.9%. Housing costs consumed 18.5% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 55th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 7th decile.

Ashfield - North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Ashfield - North's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 16.5% houses and 83.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashfield - North was at 21.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.9% and rented dwellings at 55.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,436. The median weekly rent in Ashfield - North was $420, compared to Sydney metro's $465. Nationally, Ashfield - North's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $420 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 58.1% of all households, including 22.1% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 41.9%, with lone person households at 33.1% and group households comprising 8.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Ashfield - North is notably high, with 51.2% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications. This exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 32.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 15.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational pathways account for 23.4% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 11.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 29.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.8% in tertiary education, 5.8% in primary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 36 active stops operating in Ashfield - North, with a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 19 individual routes, providing 1,486 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 128 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 212 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 41 weekly trips per stop.

Ashfield - North's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Ashfield - North, with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is found to be fairly high at approximately 53% of the total population (~6,689 people), compared to 57.3% across Greater Sydney.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.3 and 6.2% of residents respectively, while 74.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Sydney. As of 14th August 2021, the area has 14.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,751 people). Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

Ashfield - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Ashfield-North is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 51.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016 Census data. Additionally, 53.5% of Ashfield-North's residents were born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ashfield-North, comprising 35.2% of the population.

However, Hinduism appears to be overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney figures, making up 13.5% of Ashfield-North's population. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (21.4%), Chinese (15.1%), and English (14.7%). Notably, Filipino (3.3%) and Korean (1.2%) residents are overrepresented compared to regional figures, while Polish residents (1.1%) are also slightly more prevalent than the Greater Sydney average of 0.6%.

Ashfield - North's population is younger than the national pattern

At age 34 years, Ashfield - North's median age is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and considerably younger than Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Ashfield - North has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (26.6%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.6%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has increased from 24.0% to 26.6%, while those aged 15 to 24 have risen from 12.0% to 14.1%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 55 to 64 has declined from 10.1% to 8.5%, and those aged 35 to 44 have decreased from 16.1% to 15.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes for Ashfield - North. The cohort aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow by 75%, adding 408 residents and reaching a total of 955. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 64% of population growth, highlighting trends towards an aging demographic. Conversely, population declines are projected for the cohorts aged 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 years.