Potts Point - Woolloomooloo
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Potts Point-Woolloomooloo's population was 18,187 as of Aug 2021. By Aug 2025, it is projected to be around 19,596, an increase of 1,409 people (7.7%). This growth exceeds the state average of 6.4%. The primary driver of this population increase was overseas migration. AreaSearch's projections for SA2 areas are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. By 2041, the population is forecast to increase by 7,404 persons, reflecting a total increase of 38.1% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas is forecast, with the area expected to increase by 7,404 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an increase of 38.1% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Potts Point - Woolloomooloo is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo has received approximately 22 dwelling approvals per year. ABS data shows a total of 113 approvals over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, with six more recorded in FY-26 so far. The area's population decline suggests new supply is meeting demand, offering buyers good choice. Average dwelling construction cost is $1,870,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment.

This year has seen $16.5 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting balanced commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Potts Point - Woolloomooloo has significantly less development activity, 79.0% below the regional average per person. Recent building activity consists solely of townhouses or apartments, appealing to downsizers and investors. With around 2346 people per dwelling approval, it reflects a highly mature market. Future projections indicate Potts Point - Woolloomooloo will add 7,461 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Future projections show Potts Point - Woolloomooloo adding 7,461 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

The impact of local infrastructure changes on an area's performance is significant. AreaSearch has identified a total of 70 projects that could influence this region. Notable projects include the Metro-Minerva Theatre Restoration, Garden Island (East) Critical Infrastructure Recovery Program - Stage Two, Holiday Inn Potts Point Redevelopment, and 20-26 Bayswater Road Mansions Terrace. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Potts Point - Woolloomooloo shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 5.2%, showing relative employment stability over the past year compared to Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

The area has 13,402 residents employed, with an unemployment rate 1.0% higher than Greater Sydney and a workforce participation rate of 68.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. The area has notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.9 times the regional average. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 3.5% versus the regional average of 8.6%.

The ratio of workers to residents is 0.8, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the past year, labour force increased by 0.5%, while employment declined slightly by 0.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.6%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Potts Point - Woolloomooloo's employment mix, local growth is estimated at approximately 7.4% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022. Potts Point - Woolloomooloo had a median taxpayer income of $74,025 and an average income of $137,247. These figures are exceptionally high nationally compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Considering Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of March 2025 would be approximately $81,872 (median) and $151,795 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings rank at the 98th percentile nationally ($1,534 weekly), while household income ranks at the 68th percentile. The predominant income cohort spans 30.4% of locals (5,957 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen in the broader area where 30.9% occupy this range. Economic strength is evident with 33.2% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 20.3% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 62nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Potts Point - Woolloomooloo, as per the latest Census, consisted of 0.3% houses and 99.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Potts Point - Woolloomooloo was at 18.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 16.1% and rented ones at 65.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,705. The median weekly rent figure was $490, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Potts Point - Woolloomooloo's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national average of $375.

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

Family households account for 33.5% of all households, including 4.8% that are couples with children, 25.1% that are couples without children, and 3.1% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 66.5%, with lone person households at 60.6% and group households comprising 5.9%. The median household size is 1.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

The educational profile of Potts Point - Woolloomooloo exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Potts Point-Woolloomooloo is notably higher than national averages. 61.9% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. The most common qualification is a Bachelor degree at 39.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.5%. Vocational pathways account for 21.0% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 10.0%.

A significant 22.0% of the population is currently engaged in formal education, including 9.7% in tertiary education, 2.6% in primary education, and 1.9% pursuing secondary education. The area's four schools have a combined enrolment of 1,470 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1044) indicating balanced educational opportunities. Educational provision is conventional, split between one primary and three secondary institutions. Note that for schools showing 'n/a' in enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo has 36 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 23 different routes operating in total.

Together, they provide 8,264 weekly passenger trips. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 101 meters. On average, there are 1,180 trips per day across all routes, which equals approximately 229 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Potts Point-Woolloomooloo shows superior health outcomes for both younger and older residents, with low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 83% of its total population of 16,303 has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 69.7%. Nationally, the average is 55.3%.

Mental health issues affect 10.1% and asthma impacts 6.9%, with 71.4% reporting no medical ailments. This compares to Greater Sydney's 77.4%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 17.1% or 3,352 people, compared to Greater Sydney's 9.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo 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

Potts Point-Woolloomooloo has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 20.1% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 40.9% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Potts Point-Woolloomooloo, comprising 34.4% of the population. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, with 2.1% of Potts Point-Woolloomooloo residents identifying as Jewish, versus 1.1% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (25.2%), Australian (14.6%), and Other (13.1%). Notably, French (1.8%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 1.1%. Spanish (1.1%) and Russian (0.8%) also show slight overrepresentation in Potts Point-Woolloomooloo.

Potts Point - Woolloomooloo's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Potts Point - Woolloomooloo is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented locally at 28.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 25.6% and the national average of 14.5%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 year-old group is under-represented at 2.2%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group grew from 6.8% to 8.6%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.8% to 6.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 13.4% to 12.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate that Potts Point - Woolloomooloo's 25-34 age group will grow by 26%, reaching 6,931 people from the current 5,496.