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 February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Darlinghurst is around 11,492, reflecting an increase of 877 people since the 2021 Census. The 2021 Census reported a population of 10,615 in the suburb. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 11,411 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 74 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 13,362 persons per square kilometer, placing Darlinghurst in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's 8.3% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the state's growth rate of 7.8%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 97.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in Darlinghurst.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections 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, aggregated SA2-level projections expect the suburb's population to increase by 1,427 persons, reflecting an overall gain of 11.7% over the 17-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 shows Darlinghurst had approximately 7 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 37 homes. As of FY26, 14 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population changes.

Additionally, $142.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has significantly less development activity, with 89.0% below the regional average per person, suggesting limited new supply supports stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways for 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 22535 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts suggest Darlinghurst will gain 1,346 residents by 2041.

At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 52 projects likely impacting 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 a highly educated workforce with the technology sector prominent. Its unemployment rate is 4.8%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of September 2025, 7,879 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Darlinghurst is 76.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. Census responses indicate that 61.1% of residents work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The key industries for employment among residents are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Darlinghurst has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented, with only 2.9% of Darlinghurst's workforce compared to 8.6% in Greater Sydney. There are 1.3 workers for every resident, indicating that Darlinghurst functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, the labour force decreased by 1.4% while employment decreased by 1.3%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%, with a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. However, applying these projections to Darlinghurst's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

Darlinghurst suburb shows median taxpayer income of $75,490 and average income of $118,909 according to latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is exceptionally high nationally compared to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $82,178 (median) and $129,444 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, individual earnings stand out at the 98th percentile nationally with $1,535 weekly. Income analysis reveals that 30.2% of residents earn over $4,000 per week (3,470 people), contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Darlinghurst demonstrates considerable affluence with 40.6% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 21.2% of income, though strong earnings still 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

Darlinghurst's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 0.9% houses and 99.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, 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 was $2,964, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Darlinghurst was $550, compared to 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 at 51.7% and group households comprising 9.1% of the total. 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

In Darlinghurst, residents aged 15 and above exhibit notable educational attainment, with 63.9% possessing university qualifications, surpassing national (30.4%) and state-wide (32.2%) averages as of the latest available data. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 41.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.5%. Vocational pathways account for 18.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.5%. As of this report, 23.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 10.1% in tertiary education, 3.0% in primary education, and 1.8% pursuing secondary education.

A substantial 23.7% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 10.1% in tertiary education, 3.0% in primary education, and 1.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Darlinghurst has 42 active public transport stops, serving a mix of bus routes. These stops are covered by 17 individual routes, facilitating 11,632 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 92 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward, with walking being notably common at 36%, and train use at 14%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.2 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 61.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 1,661 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 276 weekly trips per individual 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 remarkable results based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 74% of Darlinghurst's total population (8,474 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.6 and 7.1% of residents respectively. A total of 74.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Darlinghurst has 13.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,528 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in the area are particularly strong, broadly in line 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 in Darlinghurst compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 2.2% versus 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (25.2%), Australian (14.6%), and Other (13.9%). French (1.5%) Spanish (1.0%) and Hungarian (0.5%) ethnicities are notably overrepresented in Darlinghurst compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.3% respectively.

Darlinghurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Darlinghurst's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (32.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, Darlinghurst's 25 to 34 age group has grown from 30.8% to 32.2% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age cohort has declined from 13.2% to 11.5%, and the 55 to 64 age group has dropped from 11.3% to 10.2%. Demographic projections suggest that Darlinghurst's age profile will change significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 age cohort is projected to grow strongly, increasing by 69% and adding 340 residents to reach a total of 835. In contrast, the 35 to 44 age group is expected to decrease by 75 residents.