Chippendale
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Chippendale are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Chippendale's population is 9,511 as of Aug 2025. This reflects a growth of 1,708 people (21.9%) since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 7,803. The increase is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 9,490 in June 2024 and an additional 17 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 20,676 persons per square kilometer, placing Chippendale in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The area's growth exceeded both state (6.4%) and metropolitan averages, making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 95.4% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population projections indicate exceptional growth, placing Chippendale in the top 10 percent nationally. The area is expected to expand by 4,843 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, with an increase of 50.7% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Chippendale according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Chippendale has recorded approximately 28 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 143 homes were approved, with no approvals yet recorded in FY-26. Each dwelling built over these five years attracted an average of 3.1 people per year, indicating significant demand outpacing supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers.

The average construction value for new properties was $120,000, which is under regional levels, suggesting more affordable housing choices for buyers. This financial year has seen $53.7 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Chippendale shows approximately 56% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the fifth percentile nationally in terms of buyer options, suggesting limited choices while demand for established dwellings strengthens. This activity is also under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Population forecasts indicate Chippendale will gain 4,822 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Toga Central | The Post House, University of Sydney Darlington Terraces Redevelopment, UTS National First Nations College, and Project Remediate 317 - 8 Central Park Ave. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

Employment conditions in Chippendale remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Chippendale's workforce is highly educated with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 5.0% as of June 2024, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 6,032 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Chippendale is 63.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents include professional & technical, accommodation & food, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.8 times the regional level, while construction shows lower representation at 3.3% versus the regional average of 8.6%.

The ratio of 0.7 workers per resident indicates a higher-than-average level of local employment opportunities as of the Census. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 0.6% while labour force increased by 0.6%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. As of Sep-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest a national employment expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chippendale's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

AreaSearch reports median taxpayer income in Chippendale was $47,408 and average income was $68,064 based on postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022. These figures exceed Greater Sydney's averages of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. By March 2025, adjusted for Wage Price Index growth of 10.6%, median income is estimated at $52,433 and average income at $75,279. The 2021 Census shows Chippendale's personal income ranked at the 64th percentile ($882 weekly) and household income at the 42nd percentile. Incomes between $1,500 - 2,999 account for 30.6% of Chippendale's population (2,910 individuals), similar to the metropolitan region's 30.9%. Income remaining after housing costs ranks at the 24th percentile with only 70.3% left. Chippendale's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Chippendale's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 0.1% houses and 100.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chippendale stood at 9.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 13.1% and rented ones at 77.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,409, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,705. Median weekly rent in Chippendale was $520, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Chippendale's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,409 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 37.9% of all households, including 5.1% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 2.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 62.1%, with lone person households at 46.2% and group households comprising 16.0%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

Educational attainment in Chippendale aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Chippendale's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 63.4% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 40.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (21.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational pathways account for 15.1% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 5.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 46.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 32.6% in tertiary education, 1.3% in primary education, and 1.3% pursuing secondary education. Schools are not located within Chippendale's immediate boundaries, requiring families to access educational facilities in neighboring areas.

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

Chippendale has seven operational public transport stops, all of which serve buses. These stops are covered by 42 different routes that together facilitate 11,501 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 143 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency stands at 1,643 trips daily across all routes, translating to around 1643 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chippendale's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Chippendale shows excellent health outcomes with very low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Around 53% (~5,078 people) have private health cover, compared to 69.7% in Greater Sydney.

Mental health issues and asthma are most common, affecting 7.7 and 5.4% respectively. About 84.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 77.4% in Greater Sydney. Only 3.6% (~343 people) of residents are aged 65+, lower than the 9.7% in Greater Sydney. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Chippendale, with 57.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 67.3% born overseas, is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 21.0% of Chippendale's population. However, Buddhism stands out at 10.3%, higher than Greater Sydney's average of 7.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese heritage is significantly overrepresented at 29.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 13.0%. Other ancestry comprises 17.6% and English ancestry is notably lower at 13.3%, below the regional average of 19.8%. Spanish (1.1%), Korean (1.8%), and Russian (0.7%) ethnicities are also overrepresented in Chippendale compared to Greater Sydney averages.

Chippendale hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Chippendale's median age was recorded as 28 years old according to the 2021 Census data, which is younger than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. The population in the 25-34 year-old bracket was notably high at 39.2%, while those aged 5-14 years were relatively low at 1.4%. This concentration of young adults is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Post-Census data reveals that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 28.9% to 30.7%, while the 55 to 64 age cohort has decreased from 4.4% to 3.7%. By the year 2041, significant changes in Chippendale's age composition are projected. The 45-54 age group is expected to grow substantially by 1,527 people, rising from 583 to 2,111. Conversely, the number of individuals aged 25-34 is anticipated to decrease by 909.