Redfern

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

Redfern's population is 15,564 as of November 2025. This reflects a 13.9% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 13,670 people. The estimated resident population was 15,359 in June 2024, with an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 9,155 persons per square kilometer, placing Redfern in the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth exceeded both state (7.6%) and Greater Sydney averages since the 2021 Census. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 92.3% of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth, with the area expected to grow by 3,061 persons to reach 18,625 by 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 18.4% over the 17-year period.

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

Redfern has received approximately four dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years from FY2017 to FY2021, totalling 21 homes. As of FY26, there have been no recorded dwelling approvals yet. On average, around 15.5 people moved to Redfern annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating a significant supply-demand gap that typically leads to increased buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost of new dwellings in Redfern is $100,000, which is below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options.

In the current financial year, commercial development approvals amounting to $31.9 million have been recorded, reflecting high local commercial activity. However, compared to Greater Sydney and nationally, Redfern has notably lower development activity, which usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings due to constrained new construction. Recent building activity in Redfern primarily consists of townhouses or apartments, catering to higher-density living options that are more affordable and suitable for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Redfern is projected to grow by 2,856 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases in the area.

Looking ahead, Redfern is expected to grow by 2,856 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 60 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Redfern Place, Redfern Co-Living Housing, Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal, and Hudson Vine Mixed Use 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.

AreaSearch assessment indicates Redfern faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Redfern's workforce is highly educated with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate in Redfern was 10.4% as of September 2025. At that time, 8708 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 6.3 percentage points higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was similar to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 60.7% of Redfern residents worked from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. The area has a particular specialization in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 4.4% compared to the regional average of 8.6%. There are 1.5 workers for every resident in Redfern, indicating it functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.4% while employment also decreased by 1.4%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.1%, the labour force grow by 2.4%, and unemployment rise by 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Redfern's employment mix, local employment is estimated to increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.7% over ten years.

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

The Redfern SA2 had a high national income level according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers was $70,078 and the average income stood at $96,382, compared to Greater Sydney's figures of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $76,287 (median) and $104,921 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows individual earnings stood out at the 89th percentile nationally ($1,178 weekly). Income distribution revealed that 24.9% of the population (3,875 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 30.9% in the same category. The substantial proportion of high earners (36.5% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Redfern. High housing costs consumed 21.6% of income, though strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 64th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Redfern features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Redfern's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 1.4% houses and 98.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Redfern stood at 14.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.0% and rented ones at 64.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,789, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Redfern was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Redfern's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 45.3% of all households, including 11.6% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 5.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 54.7%, with lone person households at 42.1% and group households comprising 12.6%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Redfern fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Redfern's residents aged 15 and above have a higher proportion with university qualifications than the national average. Specifically, 56.5% of Redfern residents possess such qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and New South Wales' 32.2%. This educational advantage is evident in various degrees: Bachelor degrees are held by 36.7%, postgraduate qualifications by 16.4%, and graduate diplomas by 3.4%. Vocational pathways account for 20.0% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.8% and certificates at 10.2%.

Educational participation is notably high in Redfern, with 28.8% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.3% in tertiary education, 4.6% in primary education, and 3.0% pursuing secondary education.

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

Redfern has 61 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 32 different routes, collectively facilitating 26,439 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 128 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most commutes are outward-bound. Car remains the dominant mode at 37%, followed by train at 23% and walking at 18%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.3 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 60.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 3,777 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 433 weekly trips per individual stop.

Redfern'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

Redfern residents have shown positive health outcomes based on AreaSearch's analysis. Mortality rates and health conditions are largely aligned with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are low among the general population but higher among older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high in Redfern, at approximately 70% of the total population (10,848 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.0% and 7.4% of residents respectively. A total of 70.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. Redfern has a lower proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 13.6% (2,121 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.3%, but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Redfern's population shows high cultural diversity, with 29.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 43.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Redfern, comprising 30.3%. Judaism is overrepresented, making up 1.6% of Redfern's population compared to 0.8% regionally.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.7%), Australian (15.7%), and Other (14.2%). Notably, French (1.4% vs regional 0.5%), Spanish (1.1% vs 0.6%), and Russian (0.9% vs 0.4%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Redfern compared to the Greater Sydney region.

Redfern's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Redfern's median age is 36 years, closely matching Greater Sydney's average of 37, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Redfern has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (26.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.1%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, Redfern's population aged 15-24 has increased from 10.3% to 13.2%, while the 35-44 age group has decreased from 17.5% to 16.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Redfern's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow by 85%, adding 3,519 residents and reaching a total of 7,650. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to decrease in number.