Haberfield - Summer Hill
Statistical Area - sa2

Haberfield - Summer Hill has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

The population of Haberfield - Summer Hill, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 13,996 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase from the 13,520 people counted in the 2021 Census, indicating a growth of 476 individuals (3.5%). The estimated resident population of 14,007 from the ABS by June 2024, along with an additional 42 validated new addresses since the Census date, supports this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 4,033 persons per square kilometer, placing Haberfield - Summer Hill within the top 10% nationally assessed areas by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 3.5% since the census is within 2.8 percentage points of its SA4 region's growth rate of 6.3%, demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods for Haberfield - Summer Hill.

AreaSearch bases its projections on ABS/Geoscience Australia data 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 former. Future population trends indicate a decline overall, with the area's population projected to decrease by 319 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, which is projected to expand by 368 people over this period.

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

Haberfield-Summer Hill has seen around 34 new homes approved each year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 172 homes approved over the past five financial years (between FY-20 and FY-25), including two so far in FY-26. On average, only 0.1 person per year has moved to the area for each dwelling built over these five financial years. This suggests new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $974,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26 alone, $43.6 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, showing strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney, Haberfield-Summer Hill records markedly lower building activity (82.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity shows 20.0% detached houses and 80.0% medium and high-density housing. This trend toward denser development provides accessible entry options and appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers, marking a notable shift from the area's existing housing (currently 45.0% houses). With around 4472 people per dwelling approval, Haberfield-Summer Hill reflects a highly mature market with stable or declining population projections, suggesting reduced housing demand pressures that could benefit potential buyers.

With population projections showing stability or decline, Haberfield - Summer Hill should see reduced housing demand pressures, benefiting potential buyers.

Haberfield - Summer Hill has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly impact performance. AreaSearch identified 52 projects likely affecting the area. Notable ones include Sydney Metro Sydenham to Bankstown Conversion - Dulwich Hill Station, Inner West GreenWay (Cooks to Cove), Amici Apartments, and Sydenham to Bankstown Transport Oriented Development. The following list details those most relevant.

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

AreaSearch assessment positions Haberfield - Summer Hill ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Haberfield-Summer Hill has an educated workforce with a notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

In June 2025, 8,756 residents are employed, with a participation rate of 66.6% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries include professional & technical (1.4 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training. Construction shows lower representation at 5.6% versus the regional average of 8.6%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally based on Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.0%, with a corresponding rise in unemployment rate to 3.8%. In contrast, Greater Sydney's employment growth was 2.6% over the same period. As of Sep-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%. National forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Haberfield-Summer Hill's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.5% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Haberfield - Summer Hill had a median income among taxpayers of $68,214 and an average income of $107,074. These figures are exceptionally high nationally compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $75,445 (median) and $118,424 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Haberfield - Summer Hill rank highly nationally, between the 87th and 90th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the $4000+ bracket dominates with 28.9% of residents (4,044 people), unlike regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates at 30.9%. Economic strength is evident with 40.8% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 15.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 86th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Haberfield - Summer Hill displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Haberfield-Summer Hill, as per the latest Census, 45.2% were houses while 54.8% comprised semi-detached dwellings, apartments, and others. This differs from Sydney metro's 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Haberfield-Summer Hill stood at 33.6%, with mortgaged properties at 30.0% and rented ones at 36.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, exceeding Sydney metro's average of $2,436. Median weekly rent in the area was $470, slightly higher than Sydney metro's $465. Nationally, Haberfield-Summer Hill's mortgage repayments and rents were significantly higher at $1,863 and $375 respectively.

Haberfield - Summer Hill features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.2% of all households, consisting of 31.5% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.8%, with lone person households at 28.2% and group households comprising 4.6% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Haberfield-Summer Hill is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. 50.3% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational pathways account for 21.7% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.9% and certificates at 11.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.0% in primary, 7.9% in tertiary, and 7.2% pursuing secondary education. Haberfield-Summer Hill's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,649 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1130. All five schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 11.8 compared to 15.9, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

The analysis of public transport in Haberfield - Summer Hill shows that there are currently 58 active transport stops operating. These include a mix of train and bus services. The area is served by 36 individual routes which together facilitate 5,614 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent with residents typically located within 158 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes stands at 802 trips per day, equating to approximately 96 weekly trips per individual stop.

Haberfield - Summer Hill's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data for Haberfield-Summer Hill shows positive outcomes, with low prevalence of common health conditions across both younger and older age groups. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 75% (10,455 people), compared to 57.3% in Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 9.4% of residents, with arthritis impacting 6.9%, while 69.9% report no medical ailments, compared to 77.0% in Greater Sydney.

The area has 17.0% (2,376 people) aged 65 and over, higher than the 14.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

Haberfield - Summer Hill 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

Haberfield-Summer Hill was found to be more culturally diverse than most local areas, with 31.2% of its population born overseas and 27.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Haberfield-Summer Hill, comprising 48.3%. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 0.2% regionally.

For ancestry, the top three groups are English (19.7%), Australian (17.3%), and Italian (12.9%), each substantially higher than regional averages. Some other ethnic groups also show notable differences: Hungarian is overrepresented at 0.5%, Korean underrepresented at 0.9% compared to 2.8% regionally, and Spanish shows no significant difference at 0.7%.

Haberfield - Summer Hill's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Haberfield - Summer Hill is 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38 years. Compared to the Greater Sydney average, the 55-64 age group is notably over-represented at 12.4% locally, while the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 9.5%. Between 2021 and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 11.3% to 12.7% of the population. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has decreased from 10.6% to 9.5%, and the 45 to 54 age group has dropped from 14.8% to 13.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Haberfield - Summer Hill's age profile will change significantly. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to expand by 346 people (45%) from 772 to 1,119. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 97% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.