Eastwood (NSW)

Population growth drivers in Eastwood are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Eastwood (NSW) is around 19,928. This reflects an increase of 1,233 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,695. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 19,747 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 121 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,817 persons per square kilometer. Eastwood's growth rate of 6.6% since the census positions it within 1.2 percentage points of the state's average growth of 7.8%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, an above median population growth is projected for the suburb, with an expected increase of 3,005 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 14.2% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Eastwood among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis shows Eastwood recorded approximately 171 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 855 homes. As of FY-26, 69 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.7 people moved to Eastwood per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand. The average construction cost value for these dwellings was $551,000, targeting the premium market segment.

In FY-26, $2.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Building activity shows 27.0% detached dwellings and 73.0% medium to high-density housing, reflecting a shift from Eastwood's current housing composition of 53.0% houses. This shift indicates decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles seeking more diverse affordable housing options. Eastwood has a low density population, with around 133 people per approval.

By 2041, AreaSearch forecasts Eastwood to gain approximately 2,824 residents. With current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Eastwood 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 identified 24 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Eastwood Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Eastwood Central Precinct Project, 173 Shaftsbury Road Development, and Eastwood Station Improvements. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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Eastwood has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Eastwood's workforce is highly educated with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 4.1% as of December 2025, compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.3%.

As of December 2025, 11,008 residents were employed with an unemployment rate 0.1% below Greater Sydney's. Workforce participation was lower than Greater Sydney's average (67.4% vs 70.2%). A high proportion of residents worked from home (48.7%), potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Construction employment was under-represented compared to Greater Sydney (6.5% vs 8.6%). Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the working population-resident population ratio. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 5.3%, labour force grew by 4.7%, leading to a decrease in unemployment rate of 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded lower employment growth (2.2%) with slight unemployment increase. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Eastwood. Applying these projections to Eastwood's industry mix indicates local employment could grow by 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that income in Eastwood is above the national average. The median income is $47,111 and the average income stands at $72,261. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's figures of a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $51,285 for median income and $78,663 for average income. Census 2021 income data shows that household income ranks at the 62nd percentile with a weekly income of $1,945, while personal income sits at the 40th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 30.5% of Eastwood's community (6,078 individuals), mirroring regional levels where 30.9% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 18.6% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 58th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Eastwood displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Eastwood, as per the latest Census evaluation, 53.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 47.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is compared to Sydney metropolitan area's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Eastwood stood at 31.2%, with mortgaged properties at 29.0% and rented dwellings at 39.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,730, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent in Eastwood was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Eastwood's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Eastwood features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.1% of all households, including 38.6% couples with children, 25.5% couples without children, and 9.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 20.0% and group households making up 4.9%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Eastwood's educational attainment exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 50.8% possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. This high level of educational attainment positions Eastwood favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%).

Vocational pathways account for 19.7% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 9.5%. Educational participation is notably high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 8.4% in tertiary education, and 6.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Eastwood has 124 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 34 individual routes, collectively facilitating 6,226 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 149 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using cars predominantly at 69%, while 17% use trains and 6% use buses. Vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 48.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 889 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 50 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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

Eastwood's health outcomes show excellent results according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 55% of the total population (around 11,058 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney. The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes and arthritis, affecting 4.7% and 4.6% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 79.8%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Eastwood has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.9% (3,965 people), compared to 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, aligning with national rankings for the general population.

Eastwood is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Eastwood has a diverse population, with 68.8% speaking languages other than English at home and 61.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Eastwood at 38.8%. Buddhism is notably higher at 7.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 4.1%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese comprise 42.9%, substantially higher than the regional average of 8.4%. English ancestry stands at 10.2%, lower than the regional average of 19.0%. Other ancestry is also lower at 10.0% compared to the region's 16.0%. Korean, Sri Lankan, and Lebanese ethnicities show notable divergences: Koreans are overrepresented at 7.8% (vs regional 1.1%), Sri Lankans at 0.5% (vs 0.3%), and Lebanese at 0.8% (vs 2.6%).

Eastwood's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Eastwood is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, the cohort aged 65-74 is notably over-represented in Eastwood at 10.7%, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 10.1%. According to post-2021 Census data, the population of those aged 15-24 has grown from 11.0% to 13.0%, and the cohort aged 75-84 has increased from 5.0% to 6.3%. Conversely, the age group 55-64 has declined from 12.7% to 11.5%. Population forecasts for Eastwood in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes. The cohort aged 75-84 is expected to grow by 69%, reaching 2,116 people from the current 1,255. This demographic aging trend continues as residents aged 65 and older represent 57% of anticipated population growth. Meanwhile, the cohorts aged 25-34 and 0-4 are expected to experience population declines.