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 May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Ashfield (NSW) is around 25,185. This figure reflects an increase of 2,173 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 23,012. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 25,007 based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 170 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 7,385 persons per square kilometer, placing Ashfield in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's population growth of 9.4% since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA4 region (6.6%) and the state average, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of Ashfield's population growth during recent periods.

AreaSearch is utilising ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Applying growth rates by age group from these aggregations to all areas, AreaSearch projects that Ashfield will increase by 2,769 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 10.3% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Ashfield has had around 104 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 523 homes. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. This equates to approximately 0.2 people moving to the area annually for each new dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value per dwelling over this period is $712,000, indicating a focus on premium properties.

Commercial approvals in Ashfield totalled $33.4 million in FY-26. Compared to Greater Sydney, Ashfield has 11.0% less building activity per person but ranks among the 63rd percentile nationally. New developments consist of 6.0% detached houses and 94.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 22.0% houses). This higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for various buyers. With around 226 people per dwelling approval, Ashfield indicates a developing market.

Future projections estimate an increase of 2,591 residents by 2041 in Ashfield. 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

Infrastructure changes significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 50 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones 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. 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 performance in Ashfield has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Ashfield has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate stands at 5.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, 14,236 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.2% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Ashfield is broadly similar to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Census responses indicate that 48.4% of residents work from home, a figure potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Conversely, construction employs only 5.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 8.6%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as suggested by the difference between the Census working population and resident population counts. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.8%, alongside a 2.1% decline in employment, leading to an unemployment rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.2% and labour force growth of 2.3%, with only marginal increases in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 provide insights into potential future demand within Ashfield. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these sector-specific projections to Ashfield's employment mix indicates that local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, though it is important to note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for 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, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $57,235 (median) and $75,200 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Ashfield cluster around the 61st percentile nationally. Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 33.9% of residents (8,537 people), aligning with the metropolitan region where this cohort likewise represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 18.7% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 55th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

In Ashfield, as per the latest Census data, 22.1% of dwellings were houses while 77.9% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan areas where 55.9% were houses and 44.1% were other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashfield stood at 23.4%, lower than the Sydney metro average, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented dwellings at 52.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,210, below the Sydney metro average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Ashfield was $440, compared to Sydney's $470. Nationally, Ashfield's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,210 versus Australia's 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 constitute 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 account for 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 2.7.

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

Ashfield's educational attainment exceeds national averages: 49.9% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational pathways account for 22.5%, with advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 11.1%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 10.1% in tertiary, 5.9% in primary, and 4.5% in secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 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 153 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 40 individual routes, collectively facilitating 9,361 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 121 meters to the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward, with cars being the primary mode at 50%, followed by trains at 31% and buses at 8%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.5, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 48.4% of residents work from home, a figure that may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 1,337 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 61 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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 demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are low among its general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 54% of Ashfield's total population (~13,572 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 8.4 and 5.8% of residents respectively. About 73.5% of Ashfield residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (3,928 people).

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's population is culturally diverse, with 51.7% speaking a language other than English at home and 52.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ashfield, comprising 37.2%. Buddhism is more prevalent here compared to Greater Sydney, making up 7.0% versus 4.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (18.0%), Chinese (17.8%), and English (15.0%). Notably, Spanish (0.8% vs regional 0.6%), Filipino (3.1% vs 2.0%), and Korean (1.2% vs 1.1%) ethnic groups are overrepresented in Ashfield.

Ashfield's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Ashfield's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Sydney's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group makes up 25.4% of Ashfield's population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 6.7%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between 2021 and present, Ashfield has become younger, with its median age dropping from 36 to 35 years. The 25-34 age group grew from 22.9% to 25.4%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 11.8% to 13.7%. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort declined from 10.3% to 9.0%. By 2041, Ashfield's population is projected to undergo significant demographic changes. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 70%, adding 895 residents to reach 2,180. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 67% of the population growth, reflecting aging trends. Conversely, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.