Fairfield East

Fairfield East has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Fairfield East's population is estimated at around 5,278 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 80 people (1.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,198 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 5,275 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 31 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,652 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 95.0% 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 any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas is forecast, with the suburb expected to grow by 1,849 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 35.0% in total over the 16 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, Fairfield East has seen around 22 new homes approved each year from FY17 to FY21. This totals an estimated 111 homes over the past five financial years. As of FY26, 44 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has remained adequate relative to other regions.

New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $302,000, aligning with regional trends. In FY26, Fairfield East has registered $6.7 million in commercial approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield East records approximately 60% of the building activity per person and ranks among the 46th percentile nationally, indicating limited buyer options but strengthening demand for established dwellings.

New development consists of 76.0% detached dwellings and 24.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving Fairfield East's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. With around 355 people per approval, the area indicates a mature market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Fairfield East is forecasted to gain 1,846 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Fairfield East 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 15 projects likely influencing the region. Notable ones are Villawood East Masterplan Precinct (Lansvale & Lansdowne), Villawood Town Centre Redevelopment (Kinara Place), Fairfield Central Transformation (Former Fairfield Chase), and The Foundry Villawood.

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

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Employment drivers in Fairfield East are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Fairfield East has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. The unemployment rate was 14.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.9%. As of December 2025, 1,747 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 10.7%, above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was lower at 47.7% compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. A significant number, 26.1%, of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment among residents were health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Manufacturing had a notable concentration with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average.

Professional & technical services had a limited presence at 6.4% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 2.9%, labour force grew by 3.0%, and unemployment rose by 0.1 percentage points. Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.2% during this period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying growth rates across industry sectors. Applying these projections to Fairfield East's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 indicates that Fairfield East's median income is $38,069 and average income is $46,162. This is below Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on a 10.32% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023, current estimates for Fairfield East would be approximately $41,998 (median) and $50,926 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census 2021 data, household, family, and personal incomes in Fairfield East fall between the 1st and 14th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 27.5% of locals (1,451 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to the surrounding region's 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Fairfield East, with only 78.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

Fairfield East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Fairfield East, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.2% houses and 28.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield East was at 26.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.4% and rented ones at 46.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,900, below Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure was $300, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Fairfield East's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially lower at $375.

Fairfield East has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 75.6% of all households, including 39.0% couples with children, 17.3% couples without children, and 18.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 24.4%, with lone person households at 21.3% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 3.2 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Fairfield East faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 18.2%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 39.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (0.9%). Vocational pathways account for 24.8% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.0% and certificates at 15.8%. Educational participation is high, with 34.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.0% in secondary education, 10.6% in primary education, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Fairfield East has 55 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 16 different routes that together facilitate 787 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing just 112 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 88% of residents, while only 7% use trains. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in Fairfield East.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, 26.1%, work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 112 trips per day, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health outcomes in Fairfield East are marginally below the national average with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Health indicators suggest below-average outcomes in Fairfield East compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 45% of the total population (~2,389 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are diabetes (6.8%) and arthritis (6.3%), while 73.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 15.6% of residents aged 65 and over (823 people), with health outcomes among seniors presenting some challenges but ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Fairfield East has a population where 57.1% were born overseas, with 77.5% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairfield East, comprising 39.1%. Buddhism is notably higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, making up 21.2% of Fairfield East's population.

In terms of ancestry, 'Other' is the largest group at 27.0%, higher than the regional average of 16.0%. Vietnamese ancestry makes up 22.9%, exceeding the regional average of 1.8%. Chinese ancestry stands at 11.6%. Notably, Lebanese ancestry is overrepresented at 7.5% compared to the regional average of 2.6%. Spanish and Samoan ancestries are also higher than regional averages at 0.9% each.

Fairfield East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Fairfield East has a median age of 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38 years. The 15-24 age group makes up 17.0% of Fairfield East's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort comprises 12.6%, lower than the Greater Sydney figure. Between 2021 and the present day, the 15-24 age group has increased from 14.6% to 17.0%. Meanwhile, the 85+ age group has decreased from 2.4% to 1.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Fairfield East's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 46%, adding 310 people and reaching a total of 991 from its current size of 680.