Fairfield - East

Population growth drivers in Fairfield - East are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Fairfield - East's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 16,229. This figure represents an increase of 487 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 15,742. The estimated resident population from the ABS in June 2024 was 16,223, with an additional 209 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 2,842 persons per square kilometer, placing Fairfield - East in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 94.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by the ABS data. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Fairfield - East's population is forecasted to increase by 5,772 persons, reflecting a total increase of 35.4% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Fairfield - East has experienced approximately 59 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 297 homes from FY18 to FY22. As of FY26150 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population changes, offering more affordable housing options with an average construction cost value of $201,000 per dwelling, below regional norms. In FY26, $19.1 million in commercial approvals were registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development.

Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield - East has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally for buyer choice, suggesting relatively constrained options and supporting interest in existing homes. New building activity consists of 75% detached houses and 25% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban character while attracting space-seeking buyers. With approximately 373 people per dwelling approval, Fairfield - East exhibits a developed market.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to gain 5,749 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Fairfield - East 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 29 projects that may affect the area. Notable projects include Villawood East Masterplan Precinct (Lansvale & Lansdowne), Villawood Town Centre Redevelopment (Kinara Place), Fairfield Chase Shopping Centre Expansion, and Chester Square Redevelopment. 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 Fairfield - East face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Fairfield - East has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. The unemployment rate was 16.3% as of September 2025.

Employment stability has been relative over the past year. There are 5,536 residents employed currently, but the unemployment rate is higher than Greater Sydney's by 12.1%. Workforce participation lags significantly at 37.3%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among Fairfield - East residents include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.

The area has a notable concentration in manufacturing with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services have limited presence with only 5.8% of employment compared to the regional average of 11.5%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the twelve months leading up to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 3.2%, while employment declined by 0.1%. This resulted in a rise in unemployment rate by 2.8 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and labour force expand by 2.4%, with an increase of only 0.2 percentage points in unemployment. State-level data from NSW up to 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs. The state's unemployment rate was at 3.9% during this period, which compares favourably with the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 offer insight into potential future demand within Fairfield - East. National employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Fairfield - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest data for financial year 2022 shows that in Fairfield - East SA2, median income is $39,645 and average income is $48,073. This is below the national averages of $56,994 (median) and $80,856 (average) for Greater Sydney. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $44,644 (median) and $54,135 (average), based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Fairfield - East fall between the 2nd and 12th percentiles nationally for households, families, and individuals. The largest earnings segment comprises 27.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, with 4,479 residents in this category. This is consistent with broader regional trends where 30.9% fall into the same income bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.2% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 9th percentile nationally.

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

Fairfield - East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 64.9% houses and 35.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 62.1% houses and 37.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield - East was 25.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.2% and rented dwellings at 46.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,850, below Sydney metro's average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Fairfield - East was $300, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Fairfield - East's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Fairfield - East has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.8% of all households, including 36.4% couples with children, 16.2% couples without children, and 16.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.2%, with lone person households at 25.8% and group households comprising 3.3%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 3.1.

Fairfield - East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 39.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.0%). Vocational credentials are held by 27.5% of residents aged 15+, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (17.5%). Educational participation is high, with 35.0% currently enrolled in formal education: 11.3% in primary, 10.1% in secondary, and 6.4% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 10.1% in secondary education, and 6.4% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Fairfield - East has 128 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 45 individual routes, collectively facilitating 5,568 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 138 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 795 trips per day across all routes, resulting in approximately 43 weekly trips per stop.

Fairfield - East's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows Fairfield - East residents have relatively positive health outcomes with low prevalence of common conditions overall but higher among older at-risk groups compared to national averages. Approximately 46% (~7,465 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 6.7% each of residents, while 73.4% report no medical ailments compared to Greater Sydney's 77.0%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 16.3% (2,645 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 13.9%, with health outcomes requiring more attention in this age group.

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

Fairfield-East has a high level of cultural diversity, with 54.9% of its population born overseas and 74.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairfield-East, making up 38.8% of the population. However, Buddhism is significantly higher than the Greater Sydney average, comprising 15.7% of Fairfield-East's population compared to 5.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (27.7%), Vietnamese (16.9%), and Lebanese (12.7%). Notably, Spanish (0.9%) Samoan (1.0%), and Chinese (9.9%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.7%, and 8.0% respectively.

Fairfield - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Fairfield-East has a median age of 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group comprises 16.0% of Fairfield-East's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Meanwhile, the 35-44 cohort makes up 11.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has risen from 14.0% to 16.0%, while the 85+ cohort has decreased from 3.0% to 2.1%. By 2041, projections indicate significant changes in Fairfield-East's age structure. The 15-24 group is expected to grow by 33%, increasing from 2,601 to 3,453 people.