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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Dulwich Hill is $2.50m, with units at $974k. House values have moved 5.0% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Dulwich Hill has an estimated 14,693 residents, up from 14,046 at the 2021 Census — a change of 647 people, or 4.6%. 123 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 6,931 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Evaluating demographics from ABS updates for the region alongside fresh address data confirmed by AreaSearch post-census yields a resident estimate of approximately 14,693 in the suburb of Dulwich Hill by May 2026. Relative to the 2021 Census showing 14,046 residents, an expansion of 647 individuals, or 4.6%, is indicated. The calculation stems from analyzing June 2025 ABS ERP releases combined with an extra 123 validated new addresses registered after the census date. A density of 6,930 persons per square kilometer puts this locality within the top 10% nationwide, highlighting extreme land demand.
The 4.6% post-census growth rate trails the state benchmark of 7.1% by 2.5 percentage points. Overseas arrivals drove this growth, representing roughly 73.0% of the net population increase in recent times. Projections are modeled on 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia releases using a 2022 base, supplemented where needed by 2022 NSW government publications based on 2021 numbers. Age bracket projections are extended from these models for the years 2032 to 2041. Future demographic trajectories point to growth in the lowest national quartile, with the suburb of Dulwich Hill expected to gain 222 residents by 2041, representing a long-term rise of 1.5% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
130 new dwellings have been approved in Dulwich Hill over the past five years, an average of 26 a year. That is 1.8 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 26 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 15% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 122, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this Suburb (SAL) boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Analysis of building registry statistics reveals a historical trend of approximately 26 dwelling approvals per year, resulting in 130 home clearances over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, alongside 112 approvals recorded during the current FY-26. Averaging 1.4 additional occupants per new residence over the FY-21 to FY-25 timeframe, supply and demand metrics showed balanced alignment, though recent trends indicate a sharp increase to 16.1 individuals per approved dwelling over the last 2 financial years, pointing to tightening supply constraints. Newly approved builds carry an average structural value of $443,000, which exceeds standard regional averages.
Commercial construction approvals reached $4.9 million in the current financial year, underscoring the predominantly residential layout of the area. Housing approvals in recent times consist of 15.0% separate residences and 85.0% multi-unit residential structures. This preference for higher-density projects provides lower entry pricing and draws downsizers, real estate investors, and first-time home buyers. The ratio of residents per dwelling approval stands at approximately 1830, indicating a mature residential landscape. Long-term projections indicate that the suburb of Dulwich Hill will add 222 occupants by 2041, starting from the current quarterly estimate. Supply pipelines suggest new housing completions will sufficiently accommodate this trend, facilitating balanced purchasing conditions and potentially opening pathways for population expansion beyond current forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Dulwich Hill
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 8 current infrastructure and development projects inside Dulwich Hill, worth an estimated $468 million. A further 100 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $51.1 billion. 25 are already under construction and 30 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and communities, precincts & urban renewal. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Capital investments and development changes exert major influence on local metrics. A total of 24 projects have been cataloged with expected local effects, led by upgrades to JF Laxton Reserve, the Cooks to Cove GreenWay initiative, the conversion of the Sydenham to Bankstown rail line to metro standards, and improvements at Marrickville Station.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Hercules Street and New Canterbury Road Rezoning
Rezoning and planning proposal for 466-480 New Canterbury Road and 26-38 Hercules Street to amend the Inner West Local Environmental Plan. The gazetted amendment rezoned former light industrial land to facilitate high-density residential, business development, and public/private open space supporting approximately 156 dwellings.
Dulwich Hill Village Public Domain Master Plan
A ten-year Public Domain Master Plan to guide improvements to Dulwich Hill Village's main streets, laneways, and public spaces. The plan aims to create an inclusive, pedestrian-oriented retail precinct with improved walkability and wayfinding, embedded sustainable features and active transport links, enhanced street amenity including lighting, seating and greenery, and greater opportunities for the local day and night-time economy. Community engagement stages were completed in 2023; the draft master plan is currently being prepared ahead of public exhibition and council adoption.
JF Laxton Reserve Upgrade
Council upgrade to JF Laxton Reserve including new playground and lighting improvements, rain gardens and nature play, furniture and signage upgrades, and energy efficient lighting.
Sydney Metro Sydenham to Bankstown Conversion
The Sydenham to Bankstown conversion involves upgrading 13km of the T3 Bankstown Line to metro standards. As of May 2026, the project is in a final testing and construction 'blitz', with conversion works over 85% complete. Key milestones include the opening of the Bankstown Station transport hub in March 2026 and the installation of over 1,100 fixed gap fillers. Testing has entered a rigorous phase to validate signalling and platform screen doors, with passenger services scheduled to commence in the second half of 2026.
Sydney Local Health District Hospital Redevelopment Program - RPA and Canterbury
Major NSW Health hospital redevelopment program in Sydney Local Health District, led by Health Infrastructure. The program includes the $940 million Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Redevelopment at Camperdown, where major construction is underway for a new hospital building, expanded emergency department and ICU, operating theatres, imaging, inpatient, maternity, neonatal and paediatric services, with completion expected in 2028/29. It also includes the $350 million Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment at Campsie, now in detailed design and early works planning, with expanded ICU, emergency, adult inpatient, antenatal, surgical, outpatient, diagnostics and support services planned.
Cardinal Freeman Final Release Development - Wattle Building
The final stage of development at Cardinal Freeman retirement village, featuring the new Wattle Residences with 41 contemporary independent living apartments. This represents the last opportunity to secure brand-new apartments in this highly sought-after Inner West retirement community. Construction is underway with move-in expected in Spring 2026.
Flour Mill of Summer Hill
The Flour Mill of Summer Hill is a completed master-planned community redevelopment of the former Allied Mills Flour Mill site, including adaptive reuse of heritage industrial buildings like the Mungo Scott Building and silos. The project delivered 360 apartments and terraces, along with retail and commercial space, and public open space dedicated to Council. It is located near Summer Hill Station and the Lewisham West light rail stop.
Johnson Park Upgrade
The Johnson Park Upgrade implements priority works outlined in the Dulwich Hill Parks Plan of Management and Master Plan. Works include upgrades to the playground, pathways, pedestrian lighting, furniture, multiuse courts, and native plantings. The project is being delivered in conjunction with the GreenWay Missing Links project which runs through the park.
9,059 residents of Dulwich Hill are employed, from a labour force of 9,543. Unemployment sits at 5.1%, with participation at 73.6%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 11,007, about 75% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Workforce analysis indicates high levels of education with notable representation in technology professions, coupled with an unemployment rate of 5.1% in the local workforce. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 9,059, while unemployment levels remained 0.9% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%. Workforce participation is recorded at 73.6%, compared with 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census returns showed a high level of remote working at 58.7%, though this coincided with pandemic lockdown restrictions. Professional and technical services, healthcare and social assistance, and education represent the largest employment brackets.
Representation in education and training stands out at 1.4 times the regional standard. Conversely, construction workers represent only 5.6% of the workforce compared to the broader metropolitan rate of 8.6%. The mismatch between the working population and local jobs suggests a commuter-heavy residential area with limited local employment options. Analysis of labour statistics over the 12 months leading to March 2026 shows a contraction of 1.5% in the workforce alongside a 1.5% decrease in total employment, leaving the unemployment rate unchanged. By comparison, Greater Sydney registered a 1.9% increase in both jobs and labor participation. Workforce forecasts from May-25 offer a look at prospective labor requirements. Locally matched data projects a general employment expansion of 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, contrasted with national trends of 6.6% and 13.7% respectively, reflecting the specific mix of local industries.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Dulwich Hill is $2,095 a week (about $109,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,157 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,520 a year against an average of $86,972. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Taxation records from the financial year 2023 indicate a median taxpayer income of $66,520 and an average income of $86,972. This exceeds the respective Greater Sydney baselines of $60,817 and $83,003. Applying index growth of 10.32% brings estimated figures to $73,385 median and $95,948 average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census placed individual earnings at the 88th percentile nationwide, with a weekly median of $1,157. Income distribution shows 32.9% of residents (4,833 individuals) in the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket, similar to the broader metropolitan proportion of 30.9%. Weekly earnings exceed $3,000 for 32.2% of the population, which supports upscale commercial activity.
While housing costs consume 18.1% of income, disposable income remains in the 68th percentile, and the area sits in the 9th decile of the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Dulwich Hill had 5,999 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 29% detached houses and 57% apartments. 28% are owned with a mortgage, 47% rented and 26% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $470 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,500 a month, a total housing cost higher than 88% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 22.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 27.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing statistics from the latest Census show that separate houses comprise 28.9% of the local property mix, with apartments and semi-detached options representing 71.2%. This differs from the broader metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% multi-unit dwellings. Home ownership stands at 25.5%, trailing the Sydney average, with 27.7% of properties mortgaged and 46.9% rented. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,500, compared to $2,427 regionally, while weekly rent matches the metropolitan average at $470. These rates exceed national benchmarks of $1,863 for mortgages and $375 for weekly rents.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Dulwich Hill counted 5,999 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 23% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 25% couples without children. 34% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.0 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 59.1% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 23.4%, couples without children at 24.7%, and single parents at 9.8%. The remaining 40.9% of households are non-family, dominated by single-person residences at 34.4% and group homes at 6.5%. Average household size is 2.2 persons, below the Sydney metropolitan average of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
49.4% of adults in Dulwich Hill hold a university qualification, including 31.4% with a bachelor degree and 13.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 81% of areas nationally. A further 11.9% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,894 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,082 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Academic credentials run significantly higher than state and national standards, with university degrees held by 49.4% of residents aged 15+, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. Bachelor degrees make up the largest share at 31.4%, with postgraduate credentials at 13.4% and graduate diplomas at 4.6%. Vocational education is held by 22.7% of residents aged 15+, divided between advanced diplomas at 10.8% and certificates at 11.9%. Enrolment in education is strong, with 27.7% of the population studying. This includes 7.6% attending primary schools, 7.5% enrolled in higher education, and 6.5% in high schools.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Dulwich Hill reaches 60 stops on 27 routes, timetabled for about 8,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 140 m from its nearest stop. Trams carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
A network of 60 public transport nodes serves the suburb of Dulwich Hill, utilizing a combination of light rail and bus networks. These stops are serviced by 27 separate lines, facilitating 8,547 passenger trips weekly. The average distance to a boarding point is 139 meters. Commuting patterns reflect the residential character of the area, with 64% using private vehicles, 15% taking trains, and 8% utilizing buses. Vehicle ownership sits at 0.6 cars per household, below the wider metropolitan average. Home-based work was recorded at 58.7% during the 2021 Census, which occurred under pandemic conditions.
Transport schedules show an average of 1,221 daily services across the network, translating to roughly 142 arrivals per week at each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.0% of residents in Dulwich Hill report no long-term health condition. 5.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 61.2% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 5.0 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Medical indicators present a positive picture, with mortality rates and illness trends matching national baselines. Chronic health conditions remain low across youth and elderly demographics, while private medical insurance coverage is high, encompassing 61% of the population (8,997 people) compared to a national average of 55.7%. Psychological conditions and asthma are the most common ailments, affecting 10.9% and 8.3% of the community respectively. Complete absence of chronic issues was reported by 69.0% of residents, lower than the 74.6% recorded across Greater Sydney. Senior citizens aged 65 and over make up 14.0% of the population (2,057 people), below the metropolitan benchmark of 15.5%, and display above-average health profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
33.7% of Dulwich Hill residents were born overseas and 29.2% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 75% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are English (20.5%) and Australian (17.4%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity is highly pronounced compared to national norms, with overseas-born residents making up 33.7% of the community and 29.2% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation at 40.9%. Judaism is notably overrepresented at 0.4% compared to the Greater Sydney proportion of 0.8%. Main ancestral origins reported are English at 20.5%, Australian at 17.4%, and Other at 13.4%. Other notable background groups include Hungarian at 0.5% (compared to 0.3% across the metropolitan area), Greek at 5.0% (compared to 1.9%), and Lebanese matching the regional average of 2.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Dulwich Hill is 38. 30.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 38 matches the national median and is close to the metropolitan average of 37. There is a high concentration of young adults aged 25 - 34 at 19.8%, exceeding the national average of 14.6%, while school-age children aged 5 - 14 are fewer at 7.9%. Post-2021 Census changes show the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 17.2% to 18.7%, and the 15 to 24 group grew from 9.8% to 11.0%, while children aged 5 - 14 fell from 9.4% to 7.9%. Demographic shifts by 2041 will see the 85+ bracket increase by 95% from 279 to 545 residents, with those aged 65+ making up 80% of the projected growth, contrasting with declines in the 55 to 64 and 15 to 24 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Dulwich Hill
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 8 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 123 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (14,046 at the 2021 Census → 14,693 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL11306). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.