Dulwich Hill

Dulwich Hill 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 November 2025, the population estimate for the Dulwich Hill statistical area (Lv2) is around 15,003 people. This reflects an increase of 957 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,046 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of 14,668 residents following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 127 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population results in a density ratio of 7,076 persons per square kilometer, placing Dulwich Hill (SA2) within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 6.8% since the Census is within 0.8 percentage points of the state's growth rate of 7.6%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth in the area.

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 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the Dulwich Hill statistical area (Lv2) is anticipated to expand by 321 persons to reach a total population of 15,324 by the year 2041. This reflects an estimated decrease of 0.5% in total over the 17-year period from 2025 to 2041.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Dulwich Hill shows approximately 25 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 129 homes. As of FY-26115 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.2 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating stable market conditions due to balanced supply and demand. However, this figure has intensified to 31.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $443,000, slightly above the regional average, indicating a focus on quality developments.

This year, there have been $4.9 million in commercial approvals, showing limited commercial development focus. Recent construction comprises 12.0% standalone homes and 88.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the current housing pattern of 29.0% houses suggests diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. Dulwich Hill's population density is around 2076 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area with stable or declining population expected in the future, potentially reducing pressure on housing and creating opportunities for buyers.

With population expected to remain stable or decline, Dulwich Hill should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Dulwich Hill 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 identified 26 projects that may impact the area. Notable ones include JF Laxton Reserve Upgrade, Cooks to Cove GreenWay, Sydney Metro Sydenham to Bankstown Conversion, and Marrickville Station Metro Upgrade. The following list details those likely 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Dulwich Hill recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Dulwich Hill has a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector notably represented. Its unemployment rate is 5.3%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 9,079 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 1.1% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Dulwich Hill stands at 67.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment among residents is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Notably, education & training has a strong presence with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has limited representation at 5.6%, compared to the regional average of 8.6%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the difference between Census working population and resident population counts. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels in Dulwich Hill increased by 0.3% while employment declined by 0.9%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and the labour force expand by 2.4%, with a smaller unemployment rate increase of 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate is 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dulwich Hill's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localised population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, Dulwich Hill had a median income among taxpayers of $66,520. The average income stood at $86,972 in this period. Nationally, median and average incomes were $60,817 and $83,003 respectively during the same financial year. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Dulwich Hill would be approximately $72,414 (median) and $94,678 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data shows individual earnings in Dulwich Hill stood at the 88th percentile nationally, with a weekly earning of $1,157. Income analysis reveals that the largest segment comprises 32.9% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (4,935 residents). This pattern is similar to the broader area where 30.9% of residents also occupy this income range. The suburb demonstrates considerable affluence with 32.2% of residents earning over $3,000 per week. High housing costs consume 18.1% of income in Dulwich Hill, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 68th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Dulwich Hill features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living

Dwelling structure in Dulwich Hill, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 28.9% houses and 71.2% other dwellings including semi-detached units, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. Home ownership stood at 25.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.7% and rented dwellings at 46.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, while the median weekly rent was $470. Nationally, Dulwich Hill's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Dulwich Hill features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a median household size of 2.2 people

Family households comprise 59.1% of all households, including 23.4% couples with children, 24.7% couples without children, and 9.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 40.9%, with lone person households at 34.4% and group households comprising 6.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people.

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

Dulwich Hill's educational attainment notably exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 49.4% possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees lead with 31.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%). Vocational pathways account for 22.7%, including advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (11.9%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.7% currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 7.6% in primary, 7.5% in tertiary, and 6.5% in secondary education.

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

Dulwich Hill has 60 active public transport stops, a mix of light rail and buses. These are served by 27 individual routes, offering 8,547 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 139 meters to the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 1,221 trips per day, equating to about 142 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Dulwich Hill is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Dulwich Hill shows notably good health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 61% of its total population of 9,187 has private health cover, exceeding the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues affect 10.9% of residents, while asthma impacts 8.3%. Notably, 69.0% report having no medical ailments, contrasting with 0% across Greater Sydney. The area has 2,040 people aged 65 and over, comprising 13.6% of its population. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, mirroring the general population's health profile.

Dulwich Hill 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

Dulwich Hill, surveyed between June 2016 and May 2021, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 33.7% of residents born overseas and 29.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 40.9%. Judaism, however, was notably overrepresented at 0.4%, compared to 0% in Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestry groups were English (20.5%), Australian (17.4%), and Other (13.4%). Notably, Hungarian (0.5%) and Greek (5.0%) residents were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0% each, while Lebanese residents stood at 2.6%.

Dulwich Hill's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Dulwich Hill is close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, equivalent to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Dulwich Hill has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (19.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.2%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 15-24 increased from 9.8% to 11.1%, while the 35-44 cohort rose from 17.2% to 18.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group decreased from 9.4% to 8.2%. By 2041, Dulwich Hill is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. Leading this shift, the 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 41%, reaching 973 people from 690. The aging population trend is evident, with those aged 65 and above comprising 86% of projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 55-64 and 15-24 age cohorts.