Fairfield Heights

Population growth drivers in Fairfield Heights are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates, the estimated population of Fairfield Heights as of Nov 2025 is around 8,782. This reflects an increase of 513 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,269. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 8,768 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 28 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 5,974 persons per square kilometer, placing Fairfield Heights in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 6.2% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.2%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 79.0% 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. Considering these projections, Fairfield Heights is expected to expand by 444 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 2.7% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Fairfield Heights when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers indicates Fairfield Heights has received around 79 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling approximately 398 homes. As of FY-26, 25 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options while providing affordable housing with an average construction value of $321,000.

In FY-26, $572,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield Heights records 107.0% more new home approvals per person. Building activity shows 48.0% detached houses and 52.0% medium and high-density housing. With around 142 people per dwelling approval, Fairfield Heights exhibits low density characteristics. By 2041, AreaSearch estimates Fairfield Heights will grow by 237 residents, with current development patterns suggesting new housing supply should readily meet demand.

Looking ahead, Fairfield Heights is expected to grow by 237 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

AreaSearch has identified eight projects that could potentially impact the area. Notable among these are The Vale - Fairfield Heights (Stage 3), Fairfield Heights Town Centre Public Domain Upgrades, Fairfield Heights Residential Infill at 120-130 Stella Street, and EVO Fairfield.

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.

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

Fairfield Heights has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. Manufacturing and industrial sectors are prominent.

The unemployment rate was 12.5% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 7.1%. As of June 2025, 2,489 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 8.3%, higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lags at 31.7% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading industries include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing.

Manufacturing has a strong presence with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level. Conversely, professional & technical services are lower at 6.3%, compared to the regional average of 11.5%. Local employment opportunities appear limited, as indicated by the Census working population vs resident population count. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 7.1% while labour force grew by 4.6%, reducing unemployment by 2.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a slight rise in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (Sep-22) suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fairfield Heights's employment mix, local employment is expected to increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years.

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 Fairfield Heights had a median taxpayer income of $37,903 and an average of $45,956. This is below the national average. Greater Sydney's median was $56,994 with an average of $80,856. By September 2025, estimates suggest Fairfield Heights' median income will be approximately $42,683 and average $51,751, based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 19th percentile ($1,285 weekly) and personal income at the 1st percentile. Distribution data indicates that 29.4% of locals (2,581 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 category, mirroring regional levels where 30.9% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 73.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 10th percentile.

Fairfield Heights displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The dwelling structure in Fairfield Heights, as per the latest Census data, consisted of 56.5% houses and 43.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 73.3% houses and 26.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fairfield Heights stood at 26.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.9% and rented dwellings at 50.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in Fairfield Heights was $450, compared to Sydney metro's figure of $400. Nationally, Fairfield Heights' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Fairfield Heights features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households compose 80.5% of all households, including 47.0% couples with children, 14.4% couples without children, and 17.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 19.5%, with lone person households at 18.0% and group households comprising 1.6% of the total. The median household size is 3.4 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.2.

The educational profile of Fairfield Heights exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 14.5%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.1%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Vocational pathways account for 22.6% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 13.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 34.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in secondary education, 10.7% in primary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities seem to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Fairfield Heights has 18 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 21 individual routes. Together, these routes facilitate 1,365 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good, with residents typically residing 204 meters away from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes stands at 195 trips per day, translating to approximately 75 weekly trips per individual stop.

Fairfield Heights's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics indicates strong performance across Fairfield Heights. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population and nears the nation's average for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover rate is extremely low, approximately 45% of the total population (~3,969 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 47.7%.

Nationally, it stands at 55.3%. Diabetes and arthritis are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.6% and 6.5% of residents respectively. 76.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 75.6%. Fairfield Heights has 16.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,457 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 19.0%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to being above average.

Fairfield Heights 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 Heights has a high level of cultural diversity, with 68.9% of its population born overseas and 82.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fairfield Heights, making up 69.6% of the population. However, Buddhism is less prevalent than the Greater Sydney average, comprising only 12.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (53.4%), Vietnamese (10.6%), and Chinese (8.5%). Notably, Serbian (2.0%) and Lebanese (1.9%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages, while Croatian is slightly underrepresented at 1.1%.

Fairfield Heights's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Fairfield Heights is 38 years, similar to Greater Sydney's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Fairfield Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (16.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.8%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15-24 age group has increased from 14.0% to 16.2%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.8% to 11.7%. By 2041, Fairfield Heights is projected to experience significant changes in its age composition. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 49% (230 people), reaching 705 from 474. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 85% of the population growth, while declines are anticipated for the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups.