West Ryde - Meadowbank
Statistical Area - sa2

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

West Ryde - Meadowbank's population is around 21,927 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,825 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,102 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 21,827 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 232 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,577 persons per square kilometer, which places it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. West Ryde - Meadowbank's growth rate of 9.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the state's average growth rate of 6.4%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 82.2% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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 the years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the area, with an expected increase of 3,456 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 15.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions West Ryde - Meadowbank among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

West Ryde - Meadowbank has averaged approximately 155 new dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, with 775 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, and 17 so far in FY-26. On average, 1.3 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this ratio has intensified to 4.6 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $551,000.

Additionally, $408.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded in the current financial year, reflecting robust local business investment. Comparing West Ryde - Meadowbank to Greater Sydney, it shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 82nd percentile nationally. Recent construction comprises 18.0% detached houses and 82.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a focus on higher-density living to provide more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. The area has approximately 191 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market.

By 2041, West Ryde - Meadowbank is projected to grow by 3,356 residents. If current development rates continue, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

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

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 51 such projects that could impact the area. Notable projects include Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, apt.Meadowbank Build-to-Rent Precinct, West Ryde Multi-Sports Facility, and Shepherds Bay Kingston Quarter. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

The labour market in West Ryde - Meadowbank shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

West Ryde - Meadowbank has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. The unemployment rate in June 2025 was 3.6%, below Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 12.0%. There were 14,175 residents employed while workforce participation was 66.4%, higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. Professional & technical services have a notable concentration with levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Construction employs only 6.7% of local workers compared to Greater Sydney's 8.6%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally as Census data shows fewer working residents than residents overall. In the past year, employment increased by 12.0%, labour force grew by 11.3%, reducing unemployment rate by 0.6 percentage points. By contrast, Greater Sydney had employment growth of 2.6% and unemployment rose by 0.3%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% while the state unemployment rate was 4.3%, compared to national rates of 4.5% for unemployment and 0.26% employment growth. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across sectors. Applying these projections to West Ryde - Meadowbank's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.1%% over five years and 14.4% over ten years.

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

West Ryde - Meadowbank had a median taxpayer income of $56,918 and an average income of $73,631 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the national averages of $56,994 (median) and $80,856 (average). By March 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6%, estimated incomes would be approximately $62,951 (median) and $81,436 (average). The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and personal incomes in West Ryde - Meadowbank are at the 72nd percentile nationally. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is dominant, with 33.8% of residents (7,411 people). This is similar to the regional level where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Housing costs consume 17.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in West Ryde - Meadowbank, as recorded in the latest Census, consisted of 32.3% houses and 67.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 42.9% houses and 57.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Ryde - Meadowbank was at 23.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.1% and rented ones at 47.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,400, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,600. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $420, compared to Sydney metro's $460. Nationally, West Ryde - Meadowbank's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

West Ryde - Meadowbank features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 66.5% of all households, consisting of 29.7% couples with children, 26.9% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 33.5%, with lone person households at 29.2% and group households making up 4.2% of the total. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in West Ryde - Meadowbank places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in West Ryde - Meadowbank exceeds national and state averages. 52.3% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 32.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.8%). Vocational qualifications account for 22.6%, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 11.5%.

Current educational participation is high, with 28.3% of residents enrolled in formal education: 7.7% in primary, 7.6% in tertiary, and 5.2% in secondary education. Six schools operate within West Ryde - Meadowbank, educating approximately 3,487 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages with an ICSEA score of 1111. Education provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs at 15.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.2, indicating West Ryde - Meadowbank serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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 West Ryde - Meadowbank shows that there are currently 95 active transport stops operating. These stops offer a mix of ferry, train, and bus services. There are 34 individual routes serving these stops, collectively facilitating 9,152 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located within 150 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 1,307 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 96 weekly trips per individual stop.

West Ryde - Meadowbank's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

West Ryde - Meadowbank demonstrates excellent health outcomes with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 56% (~12,279 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 62.1%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 5.4% and 4.8% respectively. Around 79.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.6% across Greater Sydney. The area has 14.2% (3,104 people) of residents aged 65 and over, lower than the 16.3% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and broadly align with the general population's health profile.

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

West Ryde-Meadowbank has one of the most culturally diverse populations in Australia, with 55.9 percent speaking a language other than English at home and 54.4 percent born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in West Ryde-Meadowbank, comprising 46.3 percent of its population. However, Hinduism is notably overrepresented, making up 7.2 percent compared to the Greater Sydney average of 4.3 percent.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (20.3%), Other (15.7%), and English (12.8%). Some other ethnic groups are also significantly represented: Korean at 6.7% (compared to 3.8% regionally), Lebanese at 2.4% (compared to 1.5%), and Filipino at 3.2% (compared to 2.1%).

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

West Ryde - Meadowbank's median age is nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Greater Sydney, West Ryde - Meadowbank has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (21.0%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Since the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, the population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 9.9% to 11.3%, while the population aged 0 to 4 has declined from 6.0% to 5.2%. Demographic modeling suggests that by 2041, West Ryde - Meadowbank's age profile will evolve significantly. The cohort aged 75 to 84 is projected to grow strongly at a rate of 73%, adding 711 residents to reach a total of 1,683. Senior residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive population growth by 54%, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, the cohorts aged 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 are projected to experience population declines.