Matraville - Chifley

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

According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Matraville - Chifley is approximately 14,305 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 893 residents (6.7%) from the 2021 Census, when 13,412 people were counted. This population shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 14,280 alongside 80 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With this population level, the density stands at 4,195 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of all Australian areas evaluated by AreaSearch, pointing to extremely high land demand. Over the last ten years, Matraville - Chifley has shown steady development with a compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, which is faster than the surrounding SA3 region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this demographic expansion, accounting for roughly 78.1% of the population increase in recent times, though natural increase and interstate movement also contributed positively.

AreaSearch incorporates projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 boundaries, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline. For areas where these figures are unavailable, projections from the NSW State Government released in 2022 with a 2021 baseline are applied. Demographic growth trajectories across different age brackets from these data sets are also utilized for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the population is projected to grow at a pace slightly below the median of all statistical divisions tracked by AreaSearch, with the local population predicted to rise by 618 individuals by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP data, marking a total expansion of 4.2% over the 16 years.

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

Matraville - Chifley has seen an average of roughly 76 new homes authorized for construction each year, with 382 residential approvals recorded over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 54 recorded during the current FY-26 period. Given that an average of 1.7 new inhabitants per home arrived annually over the last 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), demand and supply seem to match closely, leading to balanced market conditions, even though the past 2 financial years have seen this ratio rise to 3.4 individuals per dwelling, indicating growing interest in the area and possible supply bottlenecks. The typical construction value of new residences is $496,000, indicating that builders are targeting the higher-end market with premium homes. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $675,000 this financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential focus of the neighborhood.

Compared to the wider Greater Sydney region, new residential approvals per capita in Matraville - Chifley are 112.0% higher, offering more options for prospective buyers. The mix of new construction consists of 18.0% standalone houses and 82.0% medium-to-high density options like apartments or townhouses. This emphasis on denser housing configurations provides more accessible price points for buyers, making the market attractive to investors, downsizers, and first-time buyers. This trend is a major shift away from the current housing stock (which stands at 50.0% standalone houses), indicating a reduction in vacant land and aligning with changing lifestyle choices and affordability pressures. With approximately 204 residents for every new approval, Matraville - Chifley shows the hallmarks of a developing locality.

Demographic projections estimate that Matraville - Chifley will add 593 new residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly calculations from AreaSearch. Considering ongoing construction volumes, the volume of housing coming online should be sufficient to satisfy incoming demand, keeping conditions favorable for purchasers and potentially supporting a faster rate of growth than current models predict.

Matraville - Chifley has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and zoning plans are primary drivers of neighborhood change. AreaSearch has identified 16 key projects expected to influence this locality. Prominent developments include the Finucane Reserve Upgrade, the Yorktown Parade and Fitzgerald Avenue Affordable Housing Redevelopment, the Prince Henry project at Little Bay, and the Heffron Park Central Amenities Upgrade, with the accompanying list detailing the most significant undertakings.

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

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Matraville - Chifley shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

The labor force in Matraville - Chifley is highly educated, featuring a strong concentration of professional workers, alongside an unemployment rate of 7.4% and an estimated job growth rate of 2.8% over the past year. In March 2026, 7,063 local residents were employed, while the unemployment rate sat 3.3% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, showing potential for improvement, and the participation rate was slightly lower at 65.3% compared to the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census data indicates that a substantial 39.7% of the workforce operated from home, although this figure may be influenced by pandemic restrictions.

Local employment is largely centered around construction, education & training, and health care & social assistance. The community displays a notable specialization in construction, employing workers at a rate of 1.3 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical services are underrepresented locally, making up 8.8% of jobs compared to the regional average of 11.5%. Comparing the resident workforce against locally available positions suggests this is mostly a commuter suburb with limited local employment opportunities.

AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months ending in March 2026, the number of employed residents rose by 2.8% while the overall labor force grew by 2.0%, leading to a decrease in the unemployment rate of 0.7 percentage points. Over the same period, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 1.9% and the labor force grow by 1.9%, with a very small drop in unemployment. Future demand patterns in Matraville - Chifley can be interpreted using national employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25. These forecasts, spanning five and ten years, have been applied to the local workforce mix to model future trajectories. While nationwide employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates of change vary widely across different fields. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against the Matraville - Chifley job profile indicates local employment could grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, assuming local trends follow national patterns without adjusting for local population forecasts.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year show that the Matraville - Chifley SA2 is home to a very high level of income relative to national averages. Taxpayers in the Matraville - Chifley SA2 recorded a median income of $57,700 and an average income of $78,513, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to a median income of roughly $63,655 and an average of $86,616 as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and personal incomes in Matraville - Chifley around the 67th percentile nationally. Income distribution details show that 25.3% of residents (3,619 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the broader regional pattern where 30.9% of people fall in this bracket. Financial prosperity is highlighted by the 35.6% of households with weekly earnings above $3,000, which helps drive local retail spending. High housing expenses account for 18.3% of income, but strong earnings keep disposable income levels at the 70th percentile, with the SEIFA index for income ranking the area in the 7th decile.

Matraville - Chifley displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The mix of housing types in Matraville - Chifley at the time of the last Census consisted of 50.5% standalone houses and 49.5% other options like townhouses and apartments, compared to Greater Sydney's split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Matraville - Chifley was higher than the Sydney metro average at 33.0%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (32.6%) or rented (34.5%). The median mortgage payment in the area was significantly higher than the Sydney average at $3,000 per month, while the median weekly rent was $475, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,427 and $470. On a national level, Matraville - Chifley's housing costs are notably higher than the Australian median mortgage payment of $1,863 and the median weekly rent of $375.

Matraville - Chifley has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Families make up the vast majority of households at 75.0% of the total, consisting of couples with children at 40.4%, couples without children at 19.6%, and single parent households at 13.7%. The remaining 25.0% of residences are non-family households, which includes single occupants at 22.3% and group housing arrangements at 2.7%. The typical household size of 2.8 individuals is slightly larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The locality faces some educational challenges, with the proportion of residents holding university qualifications sitting at 30.4%, which is well below the SA4 regional average of 54.6%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Among degree holders, bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational and trade qualifications are highly represented, with 32.0% of the population aged 15 and over holding qualification credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 20.7%.

The proportion of the population participating in education is quite high, with 30.8% of local residents enrolled in some form of study. This group includes 10.1% attending primary school, 8.8% in high school, and 5.6% enrolled in higher education.

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

Public transit data shows 82 active transit stops in Matraville - Chifley, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 31 separate routes, which combine to deliver 4,471 passenger trips per week. Transit access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 151 meters from their nearest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers travel out of the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 83% and buses carrying 8%. The average number of motor vehicles per household is 1.3. A substantial 39.7% of the workforce worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may be reflective of temporary pandemic measures.

Transit service frequency averages 638 trips per day across all routes, which translates to about 54 weekly services for each transit stop.

Matraville - Chifley's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Health indicators show positive outcomes across Matraville - Chifley, according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the rate of chronic illnesses, with both younger and older cohorts exhibiting a low rate of common medical conditions, and the proportion of residents with private health insurance is very high at roughly 58% of the population, representing about 8,296 individuals.

The most prevalent chronic health conditions reported among residents were arthritis at 7.2% and asthma at 6.5%, while 72.6% of the population reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The working-age population exhibits strong health profiles with low rates of chronic illness. Residents aged 65 and older make up 18.3% of the community (2,616 individuals), which is higher than the Greater Sydney share of 15.5%. Older residents demonstrate positive health outcomes, with national health benchmarks generally aligning with the broader population.

Matraville - Chifley 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

Matraville - Chifley shows high levels of multiculturalism, with 34.8% of the local population born overseas and 29.0% of residents speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 63.5% of the population. The most notable religious difference is in Judaism, which accounts for 3.5% of local residents compared to just 0.8% across the Greater Sydney metropolitan area.

Looking at ancestral background, the three largest groups in Matraville - Chifley are English at 18.5%, Australian at 18.4%, and Other at 13.2%. Some smaller ethnic backgrounds show notable local concentrations: French is overrepresented at 1.3% of the population compared to 0.5% regionally, Russian at 1.1% compared to 0.4%, and Hungarian at 0.6% compared to 0.3%.

Matraville - Chifley's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Matraville - Chifley is 42 years, which is notably older than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national median of 38 years. The 45 - 54 age bracket is highly represented at 14.6% of the population compared to the wider metro region, while the 25 - 34 cohort is less common at 9.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 15 to 24 age bracket increased its share of the population from 12.0% to 15.6%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 demographic fell from 13.2% to 11.8%. Demographic projections for 2041 suggest notable shifts for Matraville - Chifley, led by the 45 to 54 cohort, which is expected to grow by 13% (an increase of 278 people) from 2,094 to 2,373. Conversely, the 65 to 74 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to experience declines in population.