Double Bay

Double Bay is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Double Bay is around 4910, reflecting an increase of 201 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4709. This change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4896 in June 2024, considering the latest ERP data release by the ABS and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 6137 persons per square kilometer, placing Double Bay within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. With a growth rate of 4.3% since the census, Double Bay is positioned competitively with its SA3 area's growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, 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 its population by 298 persons, reflecting a gain of 5.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Double Bay, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Double Bay has experienced approximately 11 dwellings receiving development approval annually. Between FY2021 and FY2025, around 59 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved so far in FY2026. The population has declined over recent years, suggesting that new supply has been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $2,133,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY2026, $4.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Double Bay has 17.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 43rd percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. Recent construction comprises 9.0% detached dwellings and 91.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a trend toward denser development which appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. The location has approximately 392 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Double Bay is projected to add 284 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Double Bay 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 32 projects likely to affect the region. Notable initiatives include Woollahra Station Activation (part of Eastern Suburbs Railway), InterContinental Double Bay $1 Billion Mixed-Use Redevelopment, Belle de Vie, and Blume. 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.

The labour market strength in Double Bay positions it well ahead of most Australian regions

Double Bay has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 2.3% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.0% over the past year, according to AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data. In September 2025, 3129 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.8%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was 74.2%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 70.0%. Based on Census responses in 2025, 67.0% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. The area has a high specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share twice the regional level, while construction employs only 4.1% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 8.6%.

The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.7 at the Census, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Over the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 3.0%, and labour force grew by 2.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% and a slight rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Double Bay's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.8% over five years and 15.2% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for local population changes.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Double Bay was $86,785 and average income was $285,933. This is higher than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $94,474 (median) and $311,267 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023. Census 2021 data ranks Double Bay's household, family, and personal incomes between the 97th and 99th percentiles nationally. Income distribution in Double Bay is led by the $4000+ category at 39.1%, compared to the region's leading bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 at 30.9%. High earners above $3,000/week account for 50.9% of residents, indicating strong economic capacity. Housing accounts for 15.0% of income, and residents rank in the 97th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Double Bay features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Double Bay, as per the latest Census data, 13.4% of dwellings were houses while 86.6% consisted of semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Sydney metropolitan areas where 55.9% were houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Double Bay stood at 35.3%, with mortgaged properties at 20.2% and rented ones at 44.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,000, higher than Sydney's metro average of $2,427. The median weekly rent was recorded at $720, compared to Sydney's metro average of $470. Nationally, Double Bay's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 57.2% of all households, including 19.0% couples with children, 29.3% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 42.8%, with lone person households at 34.1% and group households comprising 8.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Double Bay shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Double Bay, 63.3% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, significantly higher than the Australian average of 30.4% and the New South Wales average of 32.2%. This high educational attainment positions the area well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 42.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational pathways account for 15.6% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 8.9% and certificates 6.7%.

A total of 22.0% of the population is actively pursuing formal education, including 7.3% in tertiary education, 5.6% in primary education, and 4.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

The transport analysis indicates 17 operational stops in Double Bay, a mix of ferry and bus services. These stops cater to 18 different routes, facilitating 3,996 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents situated an average of 122 meters from the nearest stop. Predominantly residential, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode at 61%, followed by walking (19%) and train use (12%). Vehicle ownership averages 0.7 per dwelling, lower than the regional norm.

According to the 2021 Census, 67% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 570 trips daily, equating to approximately 235 weekly trips per stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Double Bay. AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence indicates a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 139% of the total population, which comprises 6,829 people.

This compares to 59.9% across Greater Sydney, with the national average being 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.4 and 6.3% of residents respectively. Notably, 74.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The area has 23.0% of residents aged 65 and over (1,129 people), which is higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Double Bay was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Double Bay's population, as of the 2016 Census, showed higher cultural diversity than most local areas with 17.3% speaking a language other than English at home and 36.8% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 42.2%. Notably, Judaism was substantially overrepresented at 14.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (23.2%), Australian (17.6%), and Other (13.3%). Some ethnic groups showed significant divergences: Hungarian (2.1% vs regional 0.3%), Polish (2.1% vs 0.6%), and South African (1.9% vs 0.5%) were notably overrepresented in Double Bay.

Double Bay's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Double Bay is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age cohort is notably over-represented in Double Bay at 21.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 16.0% and the national average of 14.4%. Meanwhile, the 5-14 year-olds are under-represented at 7.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75-84 age group grew from 7.7% to 9.4%, while the 15-24 cohort increased from 9.0% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 11.3% to 9.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Double Bay. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 73%, reaching 315 people from 181, and residents aged 65 and older will represent 60% of the population growth. However, the 5-14 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.