Ashfield (NSW)

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

As of Nov 2025, the population of the Ashfield (NSW) statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 24,767 people. This reflects an increase of 1,755 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 23,012 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 24,604, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 259 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 7,263 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Ashfield (NSW) (SA2)'s growth rate of 7.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region's growth rate of 6.3%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the 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 aggregated SA2-level projections, the Ashfield (NSW) (SA2) is expected to increase by 3,232 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 12.3% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Ashfield when compared nationally

Ashfield has seen approximately 105 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 525 homes. As of FY-26, there have been five approvals recorded. The area has experienced an average population growth of 0.2 people per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. New construction in Ashfield is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, offering more housing options while driving population growth that may surpass current expectations.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $712,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In FY-26, there have been $33.4 million in commercial approvals, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity compared to Greater Sydney where Ashfield records 11.0% less building activity per person. Nationally, Ashfield ranks at the 63rd percentile among assessed areas. New development consists predominantly of townhouses or apartments (94.0%), with a smaller proportion of detached houses (6.0%). This shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 22.0% houses) suggests decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 227 people per dwelling approval, Ashfield exhibits a developing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add approximately 3,048 residents by 2041. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 52 projects that may affect this region. Notable initiatives include Cardinal Freeman Final Release Development - Wattle Building, NSW School Infrastructure Program - Inner West, 379-381 Liverpool Road Residential Development, and Our Fairer Future Plan (Housing Investigation Areas). The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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Employment performance in Ashfield has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Ashfield has an educated workforce, with the technology sector prominent. Its unemployment rate is 5.5%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 14,274 residents are employed, which is 1.3% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation stands at 62.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Construction employs only 5.1% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 8.6%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the Census working population vs resident population count. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels increased by 0.3%, but employment declined by 0.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.9 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, while the state unemployment rate was 3.9%. National unemployment stood at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Ashfield's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

The suburb of Ashfield has a median taxpayer income of $51,881 and an average income of $68,165 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is approximately average nationally, differing from Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $56,478 (median) and $74,204 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family and personal incomes in Ashfield cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates with 33.9% of residents (8,396 people), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 18.7% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 55th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Ashfield's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 22.1% houses and 77.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashfield stood at 23.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented ones at 52.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,210, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,436. Median weekly rent in Ashfield was $440, compared to Sydney metro's $465. Nationally, Ashfield's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,210 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 59.4% of all households, including 22.7% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 8.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.6%, with lone person households at 32.1% and group households comprising 8.5%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Ashfield is notably higher than national and state averages. As of 2016, 49.9% of residents aged 15 years and above held university qualifications, compared to the Australian average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational pathways accounted for 22.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 11.1%.

Educational participation was high, with 28.9% of residents enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 10.1% in tertiary education, 5.9% in primary education, and 4.5% pursuing secondary education.

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

Ashfield has 154 active public transport stops, consisting of both train and bus services. These stops are served by 40 different routes that together facilitate 9,361 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport in Ashfield is rated as excellent, with residents being located an average of 121 meters from the nearest stop.

On a daily basis, there are an average of 1,337 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 60 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Ashfield is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Ashfield shows above-average health outcomes with low prevalence of common health conditions among its general population, despite having a higher rate than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 54% of Ashfield's total population (~13,346 people) has private health cover, slightly leading the average SA2 area, compared to Greater Sydney's 57.8%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.4% and 5.8% of residents respectively. However, 73.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% across Greater Sydney. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 16.1% (3,987 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 14.5%.

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

Ashfield has a high level of cultural diversity, with 51.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 52.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ashfield, accounting for 37.2% of the population. However, Buddhism is more prevalent in Ashfield compared to Greater Sydney, making up 7.0% versus 6.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other at 18.0%, Chinese at 17.8%, and English at 15.0%. Notably, Spanish (0.8%), Filipino (3.1%), and Korean (1.2%) ethnicities have higher representation in Ashfield compared to regional averages of 0.7%, 1.9%, and 2.8% respectively.

Ashfield's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Ashfield's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 years and somewhat younger than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group represents 24.3% of Ashfield's population compared to Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 7.0%. This concentration in the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 11.8% to 13.3%, while the 25-34 cohort increased from 22.9% to 24.3%. Conversely, the 55-64 age group has declined from 10.3% to 9.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Ashfield. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, increasing by 984 people (76%) from 1,287 to 2,272. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 69% of total population growth, reflecting Ashfield's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.