Darlinghurst

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

As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Darlinghurst is around 11,458. This figure reflects an increase of 843 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,615. The latest ABS ERP data release from June 2025 and validation of new addresses contributed to this estimation. With a density ratio of 13,323 persons per square kilometer, Darlinghurst ranks in the top 10% nationally for population density. Between 2021 and 2026, the suburb's growth rate exceeded the state average of 7.1%. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 97.0% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for SA2 areas covered by this data, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered. These projections indicate that Darlinghurst is expected to grow by around 1,290 persons to reach a population of approximately 12,748 by the year 2041, reflecting an increase of 11.3% over the 16-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Darlinghurst experienced around 7 dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 37 homes. So far in FY26, 14 approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period.

In terms of development activity relative to population, it has been adequate. This year, $142.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has significantly less development activity, 88.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. This level is similarly under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

Notably, developers are constructing more detached housing than the existing pattern implies, reflecting strong demand for family homes amid densification trends. The location has approximately 22545 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Darlinghurst will gain 1,290 residents by 2041, potentially leading to increased buyer competition and price increases if housing supply struggles to match population growth at current development rates.

Darlinghurst 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 likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Oxford & Foley, SCEGGS Darlinghurst Concept and Stage 1, St Vincent's Hospital Darlinghurst Campus Redevelopment, and East Sydney Collection. 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 conditions in Darlinghurst remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Darlinghurst has an educated workforce with the technology sector prominent. Its unemployment rate is 4.9%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of December 2025, 7,897 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 4.2% above Greater Sydney's rate.

Workforce participation is high at 75.8%. Census responses show 61.1% work from home, possibly influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Darlinghurst specializes in professional & technical jobs with a share 2.1 times the regional level, but construction is under-represented at 2.9%.

With 1.3 workers per resident, it functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents. Between December 2024 and December 2025, labour force decreased by 0.2% while employment fell by 0.7%, increasing unemployment by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.2%. 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 Darlinghurst's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The suburb of Darlinghurst had a median taxpayer income of $75,490 and an average income of $118,909 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending June 2023. These figures are significantly higher than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% between July 2023 and June 2026, current estimates suggest a median income of approximately $83,281 and an average income of around $131,180 in Darlinghurst as of March 2026. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, individual earnings in Darlinghurst reached the 98th percentile nationally at $1,535 per week. Income analysis reveals that 30.2% of residents (3,460 people) fall into the $4,000+ bracket, contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket is most prevalent at 30.9%. Darlinghurst's affluence is evident with 40.6% of residents earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings in the area. High housing costs consume 21.2% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 74th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Darlinghurst, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 0.9% houses and 99.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Darlinghurst was at 17.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.7% and rented ones at 63.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Darlinghurst was $2,964, compared to Sydney metro's $2,427. The median weekly rent figure for Darlinghurst was $550, versus Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Darlinghurst's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 39.2% of all households, including 6.6% that are couples with children, 28.7% that are couples without children, and 3.2% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 60.8%, with lone person households comprising 51.7% and group households making up 9.1%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Darlinghurst's educational attainment significantly exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 63.9% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and New South Wales' 32.2%. This high level of educational attainment positions Darlinghurst favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 41.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (18.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%).

Vocational pathways account for 18.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.5%. A substantial 23.7% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 10.1% in tertiary education, 3.0% in primary education, and 1.8% in secondary education.

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

Darlinghurst has 42 operational public transport stops, all serving buses. These stops are covered by 17 different routes, offering a total of 11,632 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated highly, with residents typically living just 92 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards daily. Walking is the most common mode of travel at 36%, followed by train use at 14%. Vehicle ownership per dwelling averages 0.2, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 61.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes is 1,661 trips per day, equating to approximately 276 weekly trips per stop.

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

Darlinghurst's health outcomes show notable results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Approximately 74% of Darlinghurst's total population (8,449 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 9.6% of residents, with asthma impacting 7.1%. Around 74.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Darlinghurst has 12.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,466 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Darlinghurst 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

Darlinghurst has a high level of cultural diversity, with 22.4% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 43.4% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Darlinghurst, making up 30.3% of people. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 2.2% of Darlinghurst's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English (25.2%), Australian (14.6%), and Other (13.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable divergences: French is overrepresented at 1.5%, Spanish at 1.0%, and Hungarian at 0.5%.

Darlinghurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Darlinghurst's median age in 2021 was 36 years, nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37 years. This is slightly below the Australian median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (33.9%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.4%). The concentration of 25-34 year-olds in Darlinghurst is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, younger residents caused the median age to decrease by 1.3 years to 36 years. During this period, the proportion of 25-34 year-olds increased from 30.8% to 33.9%, while the proportions of 45-54 year-olds decreased from 13.2% to 11.1% and 55-64 year-olds dropped from 11.3% to 9.9%. Population forecasts for Darlinghurst in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 75-84 age cohort projected to increase substantially by 331 people (67%), from 492 to 824. Conversely, both 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.