Fairfield East

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

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Fairfield East is around 5,282 people. This reflects an increase of 84 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,198 people. The latest estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and analysis of ABS ERP data released in June 2024, showing a resident population of 5,281. This increase equates to a density ratio of 2,654 persons per square kilometer, placing Fairfield East in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 95% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered areas and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas. Future population trends indicate a significant increase, with Fairfield East expected to grow by 1,888 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 37.5% over the 17 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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, shows Fairfield East had approximately 20 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 104 homes. As of FY-26, 28 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, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year, $8.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating Fairfield East's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield East records roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 32nd percentile of areas assessed nationally, implying limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. New development consists of 71.0% detached dwellings and 29.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes.

With around 533 people per approval, Fairfield East indicates a mature market. Population forecasts estimate an increase of 1,982 residents by 2041, potentially leading to housing supply struggles at current development rates and heightened buyer competition, supporting price increases.

Fairfield East has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects potentially influencing the area. Notable projects include Villawood East Masterplan Precinct (Lansvale & Lansdowne), Villawood Town Centre Redevelopment (Kinara Place), Fairfield Chase Shopping Centre Expansion, and The Foundry Villawood.

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

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Employment conditions in Fairfield East face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Fairfield East has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors prominently represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 16.1%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

This figure is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. The employment rate in Fairfield East shows room for improvement, with only 38% of residents participating in the workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 60%. The leading employment industries among Fairfield East residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and retail trade. Notably, manufacturing is particularly specialized, with an employment share 2.1 times higher than the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 6.4% of Fairfield East's workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work, as indicated by the count of Census working population relative to local population. In the 12-month period ending in June 2025, the labour force increased by 3.3% while employment declined by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 4.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with an unemployment increase of only 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest that over five years, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. However, growth rates vary significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Fairfield East's employment mix indicates a potential local employment increase of 6.0% over five years and 12.8% over ten years. These figures are illustrative extrapolations based on national trends and do not account for localised 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 2022 shows that income in Fairfield East is below the national average. The median income is $38,069 and the average income stands at $46,162. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's figures of a median income of $56,994 and an average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $42,870 (median) and $51,983 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Fairfield East all fall between the 1st and 14th percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows that 27.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 (1,452 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the region showing 30.9% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.6% of income remaining after housing costs, 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

Fairfield East's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.2% houses and 28.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 62.1% houses and 37.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield East was at 26.3%, aligning with Sydney metro. Mortgaged dwellings were at 27.4% and rented dwellings at 46.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, below the Sydney metro average of $2,167. Median weekly rent in Fairfield East was $300, compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Fairfield East's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $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 accounting for 3.2%. The median household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.1.

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+, 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: 11.0% in secondary, 10.6% in primary, and 6.7% in tertiary education.

Villawood North Public School serves Fairfield East, with an enrollment of 258 students as of the latest data (ICSEA: 934). The school focuses on primary education; secondary options are available nearby. Local school capacity is limited at 4.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 13.2, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Fairfield East has 54 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 17 different routes that together facilitate 879 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as excellent, with residents on average being located just 112 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there is an average service frequency of 125 trips per day, which equates to approximately 16 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fairfield East's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data for Fairfield East shows a relatively positive health profile. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population, but it's higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low in the area, with approximately 45% of the total population (~2,391 people) having it, compared to 47.7% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions are diabetes (6.8%) and arthritis (6.3%). A total of 73.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.0% in Greater Sydney. Fairfield East has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.4% (813 people), compared to 13.9% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention 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 highly diverse population, with 57.1% born overseas and 77.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by 39.1%. Buddhism is significantly higher than average, comprising 21.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 5.3%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (27.0%), Vietnamese (22.9%, substantially higher than the regional average of 4.0%), and Chinese (11.6%). Notably, Lebanese (7.5%) and Spanish (0.9%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages, while Samoan is slightly overrepresented at 0.9%.

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

Fairfield East has a median age of 37, which is equal to Greater Sydney's figure and comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 15-24 age group makes up 16.6% of Fairfield East's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort constitutes 12.4%. From 2021 to present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 14.6% to 16.6%, while the 85+ cohort has decreased from 2.4% to 1.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Fairfield East's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 group is expected to grow by 46%, reaching 1,019 people from its current figure of 697.