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 November 2025, the estimated population of the suburb of Ashfield (NSW) is around 24,813, reflecting an increase of 1,801 people since the 2021 Census. This growth represents a 7.8% increase from the previous population count of 23,012. The estimated resident population of 24,599, as of June 2024, along with an additional 259 validated new addresses since the Census date, contributes to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 7,276 persons per square kilometer, placing Ashfield in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate exceeded both the SA4 region (6.4%) and the state average since the 2021 Census. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during this period.

For future projections, AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. By 2041, based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb's population is expected to increase by 3,233 persons, reflecting a gain of 12.1% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows Ashfield has averaged around 104 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 521 homes. As of FY-26, 5 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built in Ashfield between FY-21 and FY-25 was 0.2 people per year. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth that could exceed current expectations.

The average value of new dwellings developed is $712,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. This financial year has seen $33.4 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Ashfield records 11.0% less building activity per person and places among the 62nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New development consists of 6.0% detached houses and 94.0% townhouses or apartments, creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a shift from Ashfield's existing housing composition, currently at 22.0% houses, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 232 people per dwelling approval, Ashfield shows a developing market. Future projections estimate Ashfield will add 3,003 residents by 2041, with present construction rates appearing 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 in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 52 projects likely to affect the region. Notable ones include NSW Health Infrastructure Program - Inner West, Cardinal Freeman Final Release Development - Wattle Building, NSW School Infrastructure Program - Inner West, and 379-381 Liverpool Road Residential Development. 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 was 5.5% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.9% over the past year.

This is based on AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. In June 2025, 14,537 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 1.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation stood at 62.7%, slightly above Greater Sydney's 60.0%.

The dominant employment sectors among residents included health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Conversely, construction employed only 5.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 8.6%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.9%, while labour force grew by 4.3%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 offer insight into potential future demand within Ashfield. These projections suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific 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 account for localised population projections.

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

Ashfield has a median taxpayer income of $51,871 and an average income of $68,152 based on the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. This is higher than the national average, compared to Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Ashfield would be approximately $58,412 and $76,746 respectively, accounting for Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Ashfield are around the 61st percentile nationally. The income distribution shows that the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is dominant, with 33.9% of residents (8,411 people), similar to the metropolitan region where this cohort represents 30.9%. High housing costs consume 18.7% of income, but strong earnings result in 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. In comparison, Sydney metro had 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Ashfield was at 23.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.8% and rented ones at 52.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,210, below 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 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, 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 significantly higher than broader benchmarks. 49.9% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. The area's educational advantage is notable for knowledge-based opportunities. 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% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 11.4% and certificates 11.1%. Educational participation is 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. There are 7 schools operating within Ashfield, educating approximately 2,378 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1087. The educational mix includes 3 primary, 3 secondary, and 1 K-12 school. School places per 100 residents (9.6) fall below the regional average (15.8), indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

Ashfield has 100 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train and bus services. These stops are covered by 34 individual routes, collectively facilitating 8,495 weekly passenger trips. Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 122 meters to the nearest stop.

Service frequency across all routes averages 1,213 trips per day, equating to approximately 84 weekly trips per 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 better-than-average health outcomes with a lower prevalence of common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, older and at-risk cohorts have a higher prevalence of these conditions.

Approximately 54% (~13,369 people) of Ashfield's total population has private health cover, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 57.3%. Mental health issues affect 8.4% of residents, while asthma impacts 5.8%. About 73.5% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.0% in Greater Sydney. Ashfield has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 16.1% (3,994 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's population is culturally diverse, with 51.7% speaking a language other than English at home and 52.8% born overseas as of the latest data from 2021. Christianity is the predominant religion in Ashfield, comprising 37.2% of its population. Buddhism is notably overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, with 7.0% of Ashfield's population identifying as Buddhist.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (18.0%), Chinese (17.8%), and English (15.0%). Some ethnic groups show notable divergences in representation: Spanish at 0.8%, Filipino at 3.1%, and Korean at 1.2%.

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. The 25-34 age group comprises 24.3% of Ashfield's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage but lower than the national average of 14.5%. The 5-14 age group makes up 7.0% of Ashfield's population. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 11.8% to 13.3%, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 22.9% to 24.3%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group declined from 10.3% to 9.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant changes in Ashfield's demographics. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to rise by 981 people (76%), from 1,290 to 2,272. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 69% of total population growth. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in number.