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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, the population of Woollahra stands at approximately 7,785 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 331 people (4.4%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,454 residents. This shifting figure is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 7,779 for June 2025 alongside 83 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. Such a population size results in a density of 6,082 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest 10% of all areas analyzed nationwide and indicating that local land is an exceptionally coveted asset. The 4.4% post-census growth rate of Woollahra trailing the broader SA3 region (5.6%) by only 1.2 percentage points highlights its solid growth characteristics. The main driver of this population increase was overseas migration, which was responsible for roughly 93.2% of the overall population gains in recent times.

Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 using a 2022 baseline are utilized for SA2 zones. Where these figures are unavailable, projections at the SA2 level from the NSW State Government, issued in 2022 with a 2021 baseline, are applied instead. The age bracket growth rates derived from these datasets are projected forward for all areas from 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic patterns, expansion is projected to align with the lower quartile of statistical areas nationwide, with the locality expected to add 181 residents by 2041 relative to the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a long-term growth rate of 2.2% over the 16 years.

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

Approvals for new dwellings in Woollahra average approximately 8 per year, totaling 43 residential approvals over the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 3 thus far in FY-26. Given the local population contraction, this rate of development has been relatively sufficient, presenting a positive environment for purchasers, while newly approved dwellings carry an average construction value of $1,515,000, signaling a clear focus by developers on high-end, luxury projects. Furthermore, commercial development approvals have reached $2.4 million during the current financial year, highlighting the predominantly residential character of the suburb.

In comparison to Greater Sydney, Woollahra exhibits a significantly lower rate of building activity (61.0% below the regional per capita average). While this constrained addition to supply typically underpins demand and supports prices for pre-existing homes, construction activity has shown signs of accelerating recently. This level of activity is similarly below national benchmarks, pointing to a mature market profile and potential regulatory or geographic limitations on new building. The composition of approved residential development is 29.0% standalone houses and 71.0% multi-unit housing. This emphasis on higher-density options offers more accessible purchase points and attracts downsizers, real estate investors, and those entering the property market for the first time. The area has a ratio of approximately 1188 residents for every dwelling approval, reflecting a well-established property market.

Long-term forecasts indicate Woollahra will add 175 inhabitants by 2041 (calculated from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly update). Given current patterns of construction, the supply of new housing is anticipated to easily satisfy demand, maintaining favorable conditions for property buyers and potentially supporting population growth above current forecasts.

Woollahra has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Local infrastructure projects, major works, and planning changes are key drivers of regional property trends. AreaSearch has identified 36 projects that are expected to influence the local area. Prominent works include Westfield Bondi Junction, Woollahra Station Activation, Woollahra Public School Redevelopment (Stage 2), and Woollahra Station Activation, with the following list detailing those of greatest relevance.

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Woollahra ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

The local workforce in Woollahra is characterized by high levels of education, with particularly strong representation in technology fields, a low unemployment rate of 2.6%, and estimated jobs growth of 1.7% over the prior year. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 4,579, while the local unemployment rate sat 1.5% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, and the participation rate was solid at 71.6% compared to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census responses indicated a high proportion of residents working from home at 66.4%, though this figure may be influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

The primary employment sectors for residents are professional & technical services, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. The local economy displays a strong concentration in professional & technical services, where the proportion of workers is 2.0 times the average across the wider region. Conversely, construction jobs account for only 4.0% of the local workforce, which is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 8.6%. Although some local job opportunities exist within the suburb, a comparison between the Census working population and local employment counts indicates that a high proportion of residents travel outside the area for work.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data by AreaSearch indicates that during the year to March 2026, employment levels grew by 1.7% while the labour force expanded by 1.9%, which resulted in the unemployment rate increasing by 0.1 percentage points. This trend differs from Greater Sydney, where employment rose by 1.9%, the labour force grew by 1.9%, and unemployment fell marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide additional context regarding potential future demand in Woollahra. These projections, which span five and ten-year periods, have been overlaid onto the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. Although national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates vary considerably across industry sectors. When these industry-specific projections are applied to Woollahra's employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 7.8% over five years and 15.3% over ten years. This calculation is a simple weighting extrapolation intended for illustrative purposes and does not incorporate localised population projections.

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

The Woollahra SA2's income levels sit in the top percentile of all Australian localities based on the latest financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch. Within this SA2, the median taxpayer income is $87,132 and the average stands at $243,595, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 are approximately $96,124 for median income and $268,734 for average income. Census data shows household, family, and individual incomes are all positioned high nationally, falling within the 97th to 98th percentiles. The income distribution reveals that 40.3% of residents (3,137 people) earn over $4000 weekly, whereas the leading cohort in the wider region is the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket at 30.9%. The high proportion of top-bracket earners (50.3% earning above $3,000 weekly) points to substantial financial resources throughout Woollahra. Expensive accommodation costs account for 15.9% of income, but strong overall earnings keep disposable income in the 96th percentile, and the area is placed in the 10th decile of the SEIFA index.

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

Dwelling types in Woollahra at the time of the latest Census consisted of 18.3% separate houses and 81.7% medium or high-density dwellings (including semi-detached properties and apartments), compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across the Sydney metropolitan area. Home ownership in Woollahra was high at 38.2%, with mortgaged properties representing 25.8% and rented properties accounting for 36.0%. The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was significantly above the Sydney metropolitan average at $4,000, while the median weekly rent was $675, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,427 and $470 respectively. At a national level, Woollahra's mortgage commitments are much higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are well above the national median of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of local households at 60.2%, consisting of couples with children at 23.4%, couples without children at 27.6%, and single parents at 8.0%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 39.8%, with single-person households at 33.4% and shared group households at 6.3%. The median household occupancy of 2.2 persons is below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

The level of education in Woollahra is significantly higher than broader geographical averages, with 65.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. This high level of educational attainment positions the suburb well to access opportunities in knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 42.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 19.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational training is the highest qualification for 15.6% of those aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (8.7%) and certificates (6.9%).

Enrolment in education is strong, with 27.5% of the local population currently engaged in study. This group is composed of 8.9% attending primary school, 6.6% in high school, and 6.4% enrolled in higher education programs.

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

Analysis of the local transit network shows 33 passenger transport stops operating in Woollahra, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 32 separate routes, which combine to support 10,611 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is excellent, with residents living an average of 122 meters from their nearest stop. Because the suburb is primarily residential, the majority of working residents commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 58%, followed by trains at 14% and walking at 14%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.7 cars per household, below the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents, 66.4%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Transit services average 1,515 daily trips across all active routes, which represents approximately 321 weekly departures from each individual stop.

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

Local health data indicates strong outcomes across Woollahra, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of death rates and the presence of long-term illnesses, which shows a low rate of common health issues across all demographics. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, covering approximately 95% of the population (7,387 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and 55.7% nationwide.

The most prevalent medical conditions recorded among residents were arthritis at 6.5% and asthma at 6.3%, while 74.8% of the population reported no long-term medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Residents aged 65 and over make up 23.4% of the population (1,819 people), compared to 15.5% across Greater Sydney. Health indicators for these older residents are strong, with national rankings matching those of the broader local population.

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 displays a higher level of cultural diversity than most suburban markets, with 15.8% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 34.2% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 43.7% of the population. The most distinct religious concentration is Judaism, which accounts for 8.4% of local residents, compared to the Greater Sydney average of 0.8%.

Regarding family heritage based on parents' country of birth, the three most common ancestries in Woollahra are English at 26.6% (compared to 19.0% regionally), Australian at 18.7%, and Other at 10.7% (compared to 16.0% regionally). There are also distinct concentrations of other backgrounds, with Hungarian heritage representing 1.0% of the population (compared to 0.3% across the region), Polish heritage at 1.5% (compared to 0.6% regionally), and French heritage at 1.1% (compared to 0.5% regionally).

Woollahra's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age of 42 years in Woollahra is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 age cohort is well represented at 9.7% of the population, while the 15 - 24 age bracket is less common at 10.1%. Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age bracket has increased from 15.7% to 17.1% of the population, and the 75 to 84 cohort has grown from 8.4% to 9.7%. Meanwhile, the 65 to 74 demographic has decreased from 11.1% to 8.7%, and the 45 to 54 group has declined from 12.3% to 11.1%. Demographic projections for 2041 suggest changing population dynamics, led by a 70% growth in the 85+ cohort (adding 269 people to reach 656 from a base of 386). The combined cohorts aged 65 and over are projected to represent 86% of total population growth, pointing to an aging population profile, while the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups are expected to contract.