Darlinghurst

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

The population of the Darlinghurst statistical area (Lv2) is estimated at around 11,446 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 831 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,615 people in the Darlinghurst (SA2). The change is inferred from the resident population of 11,411 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and an additional 47 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 13,309 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Darlinghurst (SA2)'s growth rate of 7.8% since the 2021 Census exceeded the state's growth rate of 7.6%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 97.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections indicate a growth of 1,427 persons to 2041, reflecting a gain of 12.2% in total 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 for Darlinghurst shows around 7 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 37 homes. So far in FY-26, 14 approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period.

In terms of commercial development, $142.9 million in approvals have been recorded this financial year. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has significantly less development activity, which is 89.0% below the regional average per person. Recent construction comprises 50.0% detached dwellings and 50.0% attached dwellings. The location has approximately 22535 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts suggest Darlinghurst will gain 1,392 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth.

Population forecasts indicate Darlinghurst will gain 1,392 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). 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 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 a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 4.8%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 7,879 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 0.6% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Darlinghurst stands at 72.8%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The key industries of employment among residents are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Darlinghurst specializes particularly 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 Greater Sydney's 8.6%. As per the Census, there are 1.3 workers for every resident in Darlinghurst, indicating it functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, labour force decreased by 1.4% while employment decreased by 1.3%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. Meanwhile, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 14.9% 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, 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

The suburb of Darlinghurst has a median taxpayer income of $75,490 and an average income of $118,909 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, this is exceptionally high 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 the 2021 Census figures, individual earnings in Darlinghurst stand out at the 98th percentile nationally ($1,535 weekly). Income analysis reveals that 30.2% of residents earn over $4,000 per week (3,456 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 above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Darlinghurst, as evaluated at the 2016 Census, comprised 0.9% houses and 99.1% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Darlinghurst was 17.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 19.7% and rented dwellings at 63.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Darlinghurst was $2,964, compared to Sydney metro's $2,705. Median weekly rent in Darlinghurst was $550, the same as Sydney metro's figure. Nationally, Darlinghurst's median monthly mortgage repayment is higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rent is 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 constitute 39.2% of all households, including 6.6% couples with children, 28.7% couples without children, and 3.2% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 60.8%, with lone person households at 51.7% and group households accounting for 9.1%. The median household size is 1.7 people, smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

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 is notably higher than broader averages. Among residents aged 15+, 63.9% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. 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%, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 8.5%.

A total of 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

Transport analysis shows 42 active stops operating in Darlinghurst, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 17 individual routes, collectively providing 11,632 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 92 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 1,661 trips per day across all routes, 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 excellent results across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 74% of Darlinghurst's total population (8,440 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 68.5%. Nationally, the average is 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in Darlinghurst, 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 77.4%. Darlinghurst has 12.7% (1,453 people) of its population aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Sydney's 9.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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, comprising 30.3% of people. Judaism is overrepresented in Darlinghurst compared to Greater Sydney, making up 2.2% versus 1.1%.

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 is equally represented at 1.0%, and Hungarian is slightly overrepresented at 0.5%.

Darlinghurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

At 36 years, Darlinghurst's median age is nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Darlinghurst has a higher concentration of residents aged 25-34 (32.9%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (2.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of Darlinghurst's population aged 25 to 34 has grown from 30.8% to 32.9%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has declined from 13.2% to 11.5%, and those aged 55-64 have dropped from 11.3% to 10.0%. Demographic modeling suggests Darlinghurst's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The number of residents aged 75-84 is projected to show the strongest growth, increasing by 82% to reach 835 residents. Senior residents (65+) are expected to drive 53% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Conversely, the number of residents aged 35-44 is projected to decline by 66 people.