Darlinghurst

An assessment of population growth drivers in Darlinghurst reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Darlinghurst's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 11,458. This figure reflects a growth of 843 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,615. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2025 and May 2026. Darlinghurst's population density is around 13,323 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally. The area's growth of 7.9% since the 2021 Census exceeds the state average of 7.1%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 98.2% of Darlinghurst's population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, 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 from 2022 using the 2021 Census as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Darlinghurst's population is projected to increase by approximately 1,282 persons, reflecting an overall gain of 11.2% over the 16-year period.

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

Darlinghurst has averaged approximately seven new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 37 homes were approved, with an additional 14 approved so far in FY26. Despite a falling population during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost of new dwellings is $118,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. This financial year has seen $142.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has significantly less development activity, at 88.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New developments consist of 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies (1.0% at Census), reflecting strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Darlinghurst is projected to add 1,282 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Darlinghurst has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 52 projects that could affect this particular region. Notable initiatives include Oxford & Foley, SCEGGS Darlinghurst Concept and Stage 1, St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst Campus Redevelopment, and East Sydney Collection. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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.

Darlinghurst has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Darlinghurst has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 4.9%. As of December 2025, 7897 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.9%, which is 0.7% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation stands at 76.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 61.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical services (2.1 times the regional average), finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. The construction sector has limited presence with 2.9% employment compared to 8.6% regionally.

There are 1.3 workers for every resident, indicating Darlinghurst functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.2%, with employment decreasing by 0.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.5 percentage points. National employment forecasts suggest Darlinghurst's employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 14.9% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The Darlinghurst SA2 had a high national income level according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $77,039 and the average income stood at $117,209, compared to Greater Sydney's figures of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $84,989 (median) and $129,305 (average). Census data shows individual earnings at the 98th percentile nationally were $1,535 weekly. The earnings profile reveals that 30.2% of residents earned over $4,000 weekly (3,460 people), contrasting with the broader area where the $1,500 - $2,999 category predominated at 30.9%. Notably, 40.6% earned above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consumed 21.2% of income, yet strong earnings placed disposable income at the 74th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking was in the 10th decile.

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

Darlinghurst's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 0.9% houses and 99.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Darlinghurst was at 17.1%, lower than Sydney metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.7% and rented ones at 63.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Darlinghurst was $2,964, higher than the Sydney metro average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Darlinghurst was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Darlinghurst's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,964 against Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 39.2% of all households, including 6.6% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 3.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 60.8%, with lone person households at 51.7% and group households comprising 9.1%. The median household size is 1.7 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Darlinghurst demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Darlinghurst's educational attainment is notably higher than national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 63.9% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. This high level of attainment positions Darlinghurst favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 41.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%).

Vocational pathways account for 18.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.5%. A substantial 23.7% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.1% in tertiary education, 3.0% in primary education, and 1.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Darlinghurst has 42 active public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 17 individual routes, collectively handling 11,632 weekly passenger trips. Residents' access to transport is rated excellent, with an average distance of 92 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Walking is common at 36%, with train use at 14%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.2 per dwelling, below the regional average.

In 2021 Census data, 61.1% of residents worked from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,661 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 276 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Darlinghurst is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Darlinghurst shows above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts have low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 78% of Darlinghurst's total population (8,994 people) has private health cover, compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 9.6% of residents and asthma impacting 7.1%, while 74.1% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Darlinghurst has 12.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,450 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, ranking higher than the general population nationally.

Darlinghurst was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Darlinghurst has a high level of cultural diversity, with 22.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 43.4% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Darlinghurst, comprising 30.3% of the population. Judaism is overrepresented in Darlinghurst compared to Greater Sydney, with 2.2% of the population identifying as Jewish, while the regional average is 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups in Darlinghurst are English (25.2%), Australian (14.6%), and Other (13.9%). Some ethnic groups show notable divergences: French is overrepresented at 1.5% compared to 0.5% regionally, Spanish at 1.0% versus 0.6%, and Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.3%.

Darlinghurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Darlinghurst's median age is nearly matching the Greater Sydney average of 37, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (33.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.4%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.6%. Since the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, younger residents have shifted the median age down by 1.3 years to 36. Key changes show that the percentage of residents aged 25 to 34 has grown from 30.8% to 33.9%, while the percentage of residents aged 45 to 54 has declined from 13.2% to 11.1%. Similarly, the percentage of residents aged 55 to 64 has dropped from 11.3% to 9.9%. Population forecasts for Darlinghurst indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The number of residents aged 75-84 is projected to rise substantially, expanding by 327 people (67%) from 488 to 816. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.