Chiswick

An assessment of population growth drivers in Chiswick reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

According to evaluation of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed addresses by AreaSearch after the Census, the suburb of Chiswick has a population estimated at approximately 2,896 in May 2026. This represents a reduction of 13 people (0.4%) compared to the 2021 Census, which registered a population of 2,909 residents. The shift is calculated from the resident population of 2,896, which AreaSearch estimated using the newest ABS ERP data publication (June 2025) plus 3 confirmed new addresses since the Census date. This population level translates to a density of 5,678 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of nationwide areas analyzed by AreaSearch, highlighting the high demand for local land. Demographic expansion in this locality was mostly propelled by net migration from abroad, accounting for roughly 75.0% of total gains in population over recent times.

AreaSearch is relying on projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia for each SA2 area, which were published in 2024 and use 2022 as their base year. Where this data does not cover certain SA2 areas, AreaSearch turns to SA2 level projections from the NSW State Government, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group derived from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for the period 2032 to 2041. Based on the anticipated demographic shifts, lower quartile growth of Australian statistical areas is expected, with the suburb of Chiswick projected to increase by 44 persons to 2041 according to aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 1.5% in total over the 16 years.

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

Analysis of building approval statistics from the ABS compiled by AreaSearch indicates that Chiswick averages approximately 8 residential approvals annually. Across the preceding 5 financial years (from FY-21 to FY-25), a total of 42 homes received approval, with an additional 14 approved during FY-26 so far. Given the downward trend in population recently, the volume of building approvals has been relatively sufficient, which presents favorable conditions for buyers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals valued at $2.0 million were registered during the current financial year, indicating that development is primarily centered on housing.

In comparison to the broader Greater Sydney region, residential construction in Chiswick is significantly constrained, tracking 54.0% under the regional per capita average. This limited supply of new dwellings typically bolsters demand and supports the valuation of established properties. The level of building is also below the national average, highlighting the mature nature of the locality and potential regulatory limitations. Recent building approvals consist of 40.0% standalone houses and 60.0% medium or high-density dwellings such as townhouses and units. This focus on denser development offers more accessible entry points for buyers, appealing to downsizers, property investors, and first-time buyers. Interestingly, the proportion of standalone houses being built exceeds the existing housing split recorded during the Census (which stood at 17.0%), indicating sustained buyer interest in detached family residences.

Looking forward, the population of Chiswick is projected to grow by 44 residents through to 2041, starting from the most recent quarterly estimate by AreaSearch. Given the ongoing pace of construction, the supply of new housing is anticipated to easily satisfy this demand, offering favorable circumstances for buyers and potentially facilitating growth exceeding the current demographic projections.

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

Local infrastructure projects, major developments, and urban planning decisions are key drivers of regional performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 2 key projects that are expected to influence the local area. Prominent initiatives include Stage 2 of the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy (PRCUTS), the Henley Precinct Masterplan, Residential Projects Across Sydney, and the WestConnex M4-M5 Link, with specific details on the most relevant schemes listed below.

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

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The employment environment in Chiswick shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Chiswick is home to a highly qualified labor force, featuring a strong concentration of professionals and an unemployment rate of only 3.0%, according to statistical area datasets compiled by AreaSearch. As of March 2026, there are 1,786 working locals, while the unemployment rate is 1.1% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%. The rate of participation in the labor force is relatively typical, standing at 74.0% compared to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census records show that a substantial 57.6% of residents conducted their jobs from home, although this figure may be influenced by public health lockdown measures.

The major employment industries for local residents are finance & insurance, professional & technical, and health care & social assistance. The community displays a notable specialization in the finance & insurance sector, which employs a portion of the workforce equal to 1.8 times the regional average. Conversely, health care & social assistance has a smaller footprint locally, employing 11.6% of working residents compared to the regional benchmark of 14.1%. Given the gap between the count of local workers and resident jobholders at the Census, this residential locality appears to provide a limited number of local jobs.

According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from regional levels, the latest 12-month period saw a contraction in the labor force of 2.7% alongside a 2.6% decline in employment, which kept the overall rate of unemployment stable. By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded a 1.9% rise in employment and a 1.9% expansion in the labor force, with a minor reduction in the unemployment rate. Future demand in Chiswick can be contextualized using national employment outlooks from May-25 compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia. These five and ten-year projections have been aligned with the local industry mix to model potential local growth. Nationally, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though rates vary significantly by sector. Applying these sector-specific forecasts to the local workforce composition suggests employment for local residents could rise by 7.1% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this serves as a simple weighted estimation and excludes localized demographic forecasts.

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

The newest postcode-level ATO statistics for the financial year 2023 show that incomes in the suburb of Chiswick are extremely high on a national scale, with a median of $89,410 and an average of $134,150. These figures exceed the Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 (median) and $83,003 (average). Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, current income levels are estimated at roughly $98,637 for the median and $147,994 for the average as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census confirms that household, family, and individual incomes in the area rank highly, placing between the 89th and 97th percentiles nationally. The largest income group comprises 30.3% of residents (877 people) who earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range, which is comparable to the wider region where this bracket accounts for 30.9% of earners. A substantial 42.2% of residents earn more than $3,000 weekly, indicating high levels of local affluence that support business activity. High housing costs account for 19.0% of local income, but strong overall earnings keep disposable income at the 84th percentile, placing the area in the 10th decile of the SEIFA index.

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

According to the latest Census, the housing stock in Chiswick consists of 16.9% standalone houses and 83.1% multi-unit dwellings (including townhouses, semi-detached properties, apartments, and other configurations), whereas the Greater Sydney metropolitan area averages 55.9% standalone houses and 44.1% other dwelling types. The home ownership rate stands at 25.9%, which is slightly lower than the Sydney metropolitan average, with the remaining residences being either mortgaged (31.9%) or occupied by tenants (42.2%). The median mortgage payment in the area was recorded at $2,875 monthly, while the median weekly rent was $600, compared to regional averages of $2,427 and $470 respectively. On a national level, monthly mortgage costs in the area are notably higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.

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

Families make up the majority of households at 63.1%, consisting of couples with children at 26.2%, couples without children at 28.3%, and single-parent households at 7.8%. The remaining 36.9% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 33.8% and group shared households accounting for 3.1% of the total. The median size of local households is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Chiswick demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

The level of education in Chiswick is substantially higher than state and national figures, with 49.9% of residents aged 15 and older holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% in NSW. This educational profile positions the workforce well for knowledge-intensive sectors. Bachelor degrees represent the most common university qualification at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 14.9% and graduate diplomas at 3.3%. Vocational and technical training is also common, with 27.4% of residents aged 15 and older holding qualifications such as advanced diplomas (12.9%) or certificates (14.5%).

Enrolment in education is strong, with 25.4% of the population actively participating in academic programs. This cohort is made up of 8.8% in primary school, 5.7% attending tertiary institutions, and 5.2% enrolled in secondary education.

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

Analysis of the public transport network shows 15 active stops operating within Chiswick, offering a combination of ferry and bus services. These stops support 10 distinct transit routes, which together deliver 5,281 weekly passenger journeys. Transit accessibility is classified as excellent, with the average resident living within 110 meters of their closest transport stop. Being a primarily residential suburb, the majority of working residents commute to other areas, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of transport at 84%, followed by buses at 7%. Household vehicle ownership stands at an average of 0.9 cars per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A high 57.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the impact of temporary pandemic restrictions.

The frequency of transit services averages 754 daily trips across all active routes, which translates to roughly 352 weekly journeys at each individual stop.

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

Local health data shows highly favorable results in Chiswick, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of long-term conditions, indicating a low incidence of common health issues across all demographics. Furthermore, private health insurance uptake is exceptionally high, covering approximately 80% of the population (2,308 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent chronic health conditions in the locality are asthma and arthritis, which affect 6.4% and 5.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 76.3% of the community reported having no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Residents aged 65 and older represent 19.3% of the local population (558 people), which is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 15.5%. Seniors in this area exhibit strong health outcomes, with national rankings aligning with those of the broader local population.

Chiswick was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Chiswick displays a high level of cultural diversity, with 37.3% of its residents born outside of Australia and 34.1% speaking a language other than English at home. The most common religious affiliation is Christianity, representing 57.5% of the local population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney.

Regarding parental ancestry, the three most common backgrounds in Chiswick are English at 16.9%, Italian at 13.9% (which is notably higher than the regional average of 3.4%), and Australian at 13.6%. There are also distinct differences in other ancestral backgrounds: Polish ancestry is represented by 1.5% of the population (compared to 0.6% regionally), Hungarian at 0.5% (compared to 0.3% regionally), and Lebanese at 2.2% (compared to 2.6% regionally).

Chiswick's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Chiswick is 40, which is slightly older than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and marginally above the national median of 38. Compared to the Greater Sydney distribution, the 35 - 44 age cohort is notably larger, making up 19.6% of the local population, whereas young adults aged 15 - 24 are smaller at 8.4%. The local concentration of residents aged 35 - 44 sits well above the national average of 14.3%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 6.2% to 8.4%, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 4.5% to 6.0%. Conversely, children aged 5 to 14 decreased from 9.3% to 8.3%. Demographic projections indicate the age profile of Chiswick will shift by 2041. The group aged 85 and older is projected to increase by 97 individuals (73%) from 133 to 231. The collective cohorts aged 65 and older will represent 95% of total population growth, reflecting an aging local demographic, while the 45 to 54 and 15 to 24 cohorts are expected to contract.