Auburn (NSW)

Population growth drivers in Auburn are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Auburn (NSW) is around 43,870, reflecting an increase of 4,537 people since the 2021 Census. The ABS reported a population of 39,333 in 2021. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 43,822 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2025) and validation of an additional 683 new addresses since the Census date. The population density is approximately 5,125 persons per square kilometer, placing Auburn in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. This growth rate exceeded both the state's 7.1% and Greater Sydney's growth rates. Overseas migration contributed about 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is expected to increase by 10,766 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 24.4% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Auburn recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Auburn recorded around 227 residential property approvals per year over the past 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, totalling an estimated 1,135 homes. So far in FY-26, 66 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1 person has moved to Auburn for each dwelling built during this period. This indicates new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and enabling population growth.

The average expected construction cost value of new homes is $369,000. In FY-26, there have been $108.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Auburn has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile nationally, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice favouring existing dwellings. New development consists of 41.0% detached dwellings and 59.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting denser development accessible to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers.

Auburn's population density is around 523 people per approval. Future projections estimate Auburn will add 10,718 residents by 2041, with development keeping pace with projected growth despite increasing competition among buyers as the population expands.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 57 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include The Concourse at Lidcombe, Central Lidcombe Multi-Storey Warehouse, North Village Auburn Square Stage 2, and Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program Auburn. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

Auburn shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Auburn has an educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.3% in the past year, showing a 4.2% employment growth based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of December 2025, Auburn had 20,750 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 2.2% higher than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation was at 60.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. Home-based work accounted for a moderate 20.4% of jobs, considering Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key employment sectors were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food, with notable concentration in the latter at 1.8 times the regional average. Professional & technical services had limited presence, at 5.7% compared to the regional 11.5%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison of working population vs resident population. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.2%, and labour force grew by 4.3%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 6.3%. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.2%, labour force grow by 2.3%, and a marginal increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Auburn's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.5% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Auburn's median income among taxpayers was $35,864 and average income stood at $44,273 in financial year 2023. Greater Sydney's figures were $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $39,565 (median) and $48,842 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32%. Individual incomes in Auburn lag at the 9th percentile ($580 weekly), while household income performs better at the 37th percentile. Incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999 were reported by 32.6% of the population (14,301 individuals). Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 31st percentile.

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

As of the latest Census evaluation, Auburn's dwelling structure comprised 42.2% houses and 57.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Auburn stood at 22.9%, with the remainder being mortgaged (24.7%) or rented (52.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent was $410, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Auburn's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Auburn features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 72.0% of all households, including 37.5% couples with children, 21.4% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.0%, with lone person households at 16.6% and group households comprising 11.4%. The median household size is 3.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Auburn aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Auburn trail regional benchmarks, with 31.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 39.9% in SA3 area. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.3%. Vocational pathways account for 21.7% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.9% and certificates at 9.8%. Educational participation is high, with 38.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.5% in tertiary education, 9.3% in primary education, and 6.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Auburn has 190 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 31 individual routes facilitating 5,751 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 126 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward using various modes: car (50%), train (35%), and bus (8%). Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 20.4% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency averages 821 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 30 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, displaying the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Auburn's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Auburn. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was found to be extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~19,539 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions were diabetes and arthritis, impacting 4.8 and 3.9% of residents respectively, while 84.1% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The area has 11.0% of residents aged 65 and over (4,825 people), which is lower than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

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

Auburn's population consists of 69.7% born overseas, with 86.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Islam is the predominant religion in Auburn, comprising 42.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 6.8%. The top three ancestry groups are Other (45.2%), Chinese (21.7%), and Lebanese (6.2%).

These percentages are substantially higher than the regional averages of 16.0%, 8.4%, and 3.9% respectively. Notably, Korean is overrepresented in Auburn at 1.5%, compared to 1.1% regionally; Indian at 6.1% versus 3.6%; and Vietnamese at 1.4% against 1.8%.

Auburn hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Auburn's median age at 30 years is notably younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and significantly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Auburn has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (24.4%), but fewer residents aged 45-54 (9.0%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is considerably higher than the national average of 14.6%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of Auburn's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 22.9% to 24.4%, while the proportion of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 10.2% to 9.0%. Demographic projections indicate that Auburn's age profile will change significantly by 2041, with the 45-54 age cohort expected to grow steadily, increasing by 1,656 people (42%) from 3,948 to 5,605.