Woollahra

Woollahra is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Woollahra's population was around 7,948 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 494 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,454 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 7,777 in June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 6,209 persons per square kilometer, placing Woollahra in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. Woollahra's growth of 6.6% since the 2021 Census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 5.5%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.4% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, Woollahra is anticipated to expand by 238 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of approximately 0.8% in total over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Woollahra is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Woollahra has recorded approximately 8 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 43 homes. As of FY26, 0 approvals have been recorded so far. The population has declined in recent years, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,515,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year, there have been $2.4 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited commercial development focus compared to Greater Sydney, where construction is 61.0% above Woollahra's per capita average. The limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties, although building activity has increased recently. This level is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 29.0% detached houses and 71.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. Woollahra has approximately 1185 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Future projections estimate that Woollahra will add 67 residents by 2041, based on current development patterns suggesting new housing supply should meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Future projections show Woollahra adding 67 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Woollahra has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 36 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Woollahra Public School Redevelopment (Stage 2), Westfield Bondi Junction, Woollahra Station Completion and Rezoning, and Waverley Residences. 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.

Employment conditions in Woollahra demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally

Woollahra has an educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.2%. As of September 2025, 4,557 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 1.2% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was 63.3%, comparable to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries for employment among residents are professional & technical (strongly specialized), finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance.

Construction employs only 4.0% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 8.6%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.1% with unemployment increasing by 0.2 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment was 4.3%. Job and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woollahra's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.8% over five years and 15.3% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Woollahra SA2's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Woollahra SA2's median income among taxpayers is $86,136 and average income stands at $217,057. These figures compare to Greater Sydney's of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $96,998 (median) and $244,428 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Woollahra, between the 97th and 98th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows 40.3% of the population (3,203 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. A substantial proportion of high earners (50.3% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Woollahra. High housing costs consume 15.9% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 96th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Woollahra's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 18.3% houses and 81.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Sydney metro's composition of 18.3% houses and 81.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woollahra stood at 38.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented ones at 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,000, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,600. The median weekly rent in Woollahra was $675, compared to Sydney metro's $670. Nationally, Woollahra's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $4,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 60.2% of all households, consisting of 23.4% couples with children, 27.6% couples without children, and 8.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.8%, with lone person households at 33.4% and group households comprising 6.3%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.3.

Woollahra shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Woollahra's educational attainment exceeds national and state averages. Among residents aged 15+, 65.2% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 42.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 15.6%, with advanced diplomas at 8.7% and certificates at 6.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary, 6.6% in secondary, and 6.4% in tertiary education.

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 Woollahra shows that there are currently 28 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 32 individual routes providing service to the area. Together, these routes facilitate 6,913 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located an average of 122 meters from the nearest transport stop. Across all routes, service frequency averages at 987 trips per day, which equates to approximately 246 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Woollahra's health outcomes data shows excellent results across all age groups with very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 94% of Woollahra's total population (7,463 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 89.7%. Nationally, this figure is 55.3%.

Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in Woollahra, affecting 6.5% and 6.3% of residents respectively. A total of 74.8% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 77.6%. Woollahra has 23.7% of residents aged 65 and over (1,882 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 16.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in Woollahra are particularly strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Woollahra was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woollahra's population was found to be more culturally diverse than most local areas, with 15.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woollahra, making up 43.7% of its population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's average, comprising 8.4% of Woollahra's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English (26.6%), Australian (18.7%), and Other (10.7%). Notably, Hungarian (1.0%) and Polish (1.5%) populations are overrepresented compared to regional averages, while French is slightly underrepresented at 1.1%.

Woollahra's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Woollahra is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 9.8% of Woollahra's population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 15-24 cohort makes up 9.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.4% to 9.8%, and the 15-24 cohort has risen from 8.9% to 9.9%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 11.1% to 9.0%, and the 45-54 group has dropped from 12.3% to 11.2%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Woollahra, with the 85+ age group expected to grow by 74% (285 people), reaching 672 from 386. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 88% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 55-64 and 0-4 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.