Fairfield - West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of August 2025, Fairfield - West's population is approximately 22,072. This figure represents an increase of 823 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,249. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 22,025 in June 2024 and an additional 57 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 4,706 persons per square kilometer, placing Fairfield - West among the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 3.9% since the Census exceeded the SA3 average of 2.0%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.7% to recent population gains in Fairfield - West.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections where applicable, with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Based on current trends, Fairfield - West is expected to increase by approximately 1,097 persons by 2041, representing a growth rate of about 4.8%.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Fairfield - West among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Fairfield-West has recorded approximately 133 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis: 666 homes over the past five financial years, from FY2021 to FY2025, and 25 so far in FY2026. On average, 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY2021 and FY2025, indicating a balanced supply-demand market with stable conditions. The average construction cost value of new dwellings was $321,000 during this period, lower than regional levels, suggesting more accessible housing choices for buyers.

This financial year has seen $914,000 in commercial approvals registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield-West had 34.0% more development per person over the five-year period from FY2021 to FY2025, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The new development consists of an equal split between detached dwellings and medium/high-density housing (50.0% each), creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift reflects the reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, differing from the current housing mix of 76.0% houses.

Fairfield-West has approximately 211 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. Future projections suggest an addition of 1,050 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 32 projects potentially impacting the region. Major initiatives include EVO Fairfield, Fairfield Showground Community and Events Centre, Endeavour Sports Park Upgrade, and Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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

Employment drivers in Fairfield - West are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Fairfield-West has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs, dominated by manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 9.9% in June 2025, decreasing from an estimated 11.4% the previous year.

Employment growth over the past year was 6.7%. As of June 2025, 7,491 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 5.7%, higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Fairfield-West lags at 36.1% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Manufacturing is particularly dominant with an employment share of 2.2 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services are under-represented at 5.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 6.7% while the labour force grew by 4.9%, reducing unemployment by 1.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney had employment growth of 2.6% with unemployment rising slightly to 4.3%. Statewide in NSW, employment contracted by 0.41% between Sep-24 and Sep-25, losing 19,270 jobs, while the state unemployment rate was 4.3%, lagging the national rate of 4.5% but ahead of national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections from May 2025 forecast national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with variations across sectors. Applying these projections to Fairfield-West's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that in Fairfield - West median income is $40,190 and average income is $48,729. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Fairfield - West would be approximately $44,450 (median) and $53,894 (average) as of March 2025. The 2021 Census reports individual incomes at the 2nd percentile ($457 weekly), while household income is at the 26th percentile. Income distribution shows that 30.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (6,687 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 77.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 18th percentile.

Fairfield - West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Fairfield - West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 76.0% houses and 24.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Sydney metro had 73.3% houses and 26.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield - West was 31.4%, with the rest either mortgaged (27.1%) or rented (41.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,057, higher than Sydney metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Fairfield - West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Fairfield - West features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.3% of all households, which include couples with children (47.4%), couples without children (16.5%), and single parent families (17.7%). Non-family households account for 16.7%, comprising lone person households at 15.0% and group households at 1.6%. The median household size is 3.4 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.2.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 14.5%, significantly lower than the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 2.1% and graduate diplomas at 0.7%. Vocational pathways account for 23.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.9% and certificates at 15.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.7% in secondary education, 10.6% in primary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education. Fairfield - West's three schools have a combined enrollment of 3,364 students. Educational provision follows conventional lines, with one primary institution and two secondary institutions serving the area.

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

Public transport analysis indicates that as of July 2021, there are 77 active transport stops operating within Fairfield - West. These stops primarily serve buses, with a total of 44 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes facilitate 1,724 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located approximately 185 meters from their nearest transport stop. Service frequency across all routes averages around 246 trips per day, equating to roughly 22 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Fairfield - West is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Fairfield-West shows better-than-average health outcomes, with fewer common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages for at-risk older cohorts. Private health insurance is low here, covering about 46% of the total population (~10,131 people), compared to Australia's average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 7.0 and 6.2% of residents respectively. About 76.0% of residents claim to be free from medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 75.6%. Residents aged 65 and over make up 16.5% of the population (3,630 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 19.0%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those in the broader population.

Fairfield - West 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-West is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 63.2% of its population born overseas and 77.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairfield-West, making up 65.5% of the population. However, Buddhism is notably lower compared to Greater Sydney's average, comprising only 14.3%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (44.8%), Vietnamese (14.2%), and Chinese (8.3%). There are also notable differences in the representation of Serbian (1.5% vs regional 1.8%), Croatian (1.4% vs 1.7%), and Spanish (0.9% vs 1.0%) ethnic groups compared to regional averages.

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

Fairfield-West has a median age of 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely aligning with Australia's median age of 38. The 15-24 age group is strongly represented at 16.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's percentage. However, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent in Fairfield-West at 12.3%. Between 2021 and now, the 15-24 age group has increased from 14.4% to 16.6%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.8% to 11.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Fairfield-West's age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 52%, reaching 1,942 people from the current figure of 1,280. This growth is part of a broader aging population trend, with those aged 65 and above comprising 75% of projected growth. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to experience population declines.