Glebe (NSW)

Glebe is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Glebe (NSW) is around 12,555. This reflects an increase of 875 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,680. The latest estimate by AreaSearch, based on examination of ABS ERP data release from Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses, is 12,524 residents. This results in a density ratio of 7,429 persons per square kilometer, placing Glebe among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Glebe's population growth of 7.5% since the 2021 Census exceeded the state average of 6.7%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods in Glebe.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, Glebe is expected to increase its population by approximately 705 persons to reach 13,260 by the year 2041, reflecting a total gain of 6.1% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Glebe according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data indicates Glebe has experienced approximately 8 dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling an estimated 43 homes. As of FY26, 23 approvals have been recorded. Between FY21 and FY25, an average of 5.4 people moved to Glebe for each dwelling built annually. This demand outpaces supply, which typically increases competition among buyers and puts upward pressure on prices.

New dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost value of $1,105,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY26, $260.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Glebe records markedly lower building activity (88.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This activity is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows 29.0% detached dwellings and 71.0% townhouses or apartments, focusing on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Interestingly, developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (5.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures.

With around 5005 people per dwelling approval, Glebe reflects a highly mature market. Future projections from AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate show Glebe adding 766 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 32 projects that may impact the area. Key projects include New Sydney Fish Market, Cowper Street Social Housing Development, Wentworth Park Rd, Glebe, and Bank Street Park (Blackwattle Bay). The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Glebe lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Glebe has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 8.1% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of that date, 6,959 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 3.9% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Glebe was on par with Greater Sydney at 60.0%. The leading employment industries among residents were professional & technical, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Glebe showed particular strength in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction was under-represented, with only 3.9% of Glebe's workforce compared to 8.6% in Greater Sydney. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on the count of Census working population to local population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 0.6% while labour force grew by 0.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with an unemployment rate increase of 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%. Over ten years, this expansion is forecast at 13.7%. Applying these projections to Glebe's employment mix indicates a potential local employment increase of 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Glebe has high national median assessed income of $54,864 and average income of $83,320. Greater Sydney's figures are median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $61,782 (median) and $93,827 (average). Census data shows individual earnings rank at the 82nd percentile nationally ($1,045 weekly), while household income ranks at the 50th percentile. Income brackets indicate that 23.3% of locals fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category (2,925 people). A substantial proportion of high earners, 31.4%, are above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity in Glebe. Housing affordability pressures are severe with only 78.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 44th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Glebe features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Glebe's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 5.0% houses and 95.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glebe stood at 20.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 16.3% and rented ones at 63.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,705. The median weekly rent in Glebe was $420, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Glebe's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Glebe features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 48.7% of all households, including 13.3% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 51.3%, with lone person households at 42.5% and group households making up 8.8%. The median household size is 2.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

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

Educational attainment in Glebe is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 56.9% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% state-wide. University graduates make up the largest group at 33.4%, followed by postgraduate degree holders (19.8%) and graduate diploma holders (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 18.1% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 9.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.5% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.4% in tertiary education, 5.4% in primary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education. Glebe's five schools have a combined enrollment of 2,409 students as of the latest data. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1091. Educational provision is split between two primary and three secondary institutions. Glebe functions as an education hub, offering 19.2 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 7.7. This attracts students from surrounding communities.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 38 active transport stops operating within Glebe. These comprise a mix of ferry, light rail, and bus services. They are serviced by 27 individual routes, collectively providing 8,301 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 148 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 1,185 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 218 weekly trips per individual stop.

Glebe's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Health data shows positive outcomes for Glebe residents with common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts. The rate of private health cover is high at approximately 60% of the total population (7,510 people), compared to 69.7% across Greater Sydney.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 11.3 and 7.8% of residents respectively. 68.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.4% across Greater Sydney. The area has 17.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,197 people), which is higher than the 9.7% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong, performing better than the general population in health metrics.

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

Glebe has a high level of cultural diversity, with 26.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 38.5% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Glebe, comprising 33.4% of the population. Notably, Judaism is overrepresented in Glebe compared to Greater Sydney, making up 0.7% versus 1.1%.

The top three ancestry groups in Glebe are English at 22.2%, Australian at 16.6%, and Other at 12.5%. Some ethnic groups show notable differences: Spanish is overrepresented at 0.9% compared to the regional figure of 1.0%, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.4%, and French at 0.9% versus 1.1%.

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

The median age in Glebe is 38 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Glebe has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (20.6%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.9%). The concentration of 25-34 year-olds in Glebe is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the percentage of residents aged 15 to 24 has grown from 13.4% to 16.1%, while those aged 75 to 84 increased from 4.9% to 6.0%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 55 to 64 has declined from 11.9% to 10.8%, and the 25 to 34 age group decreased from 21.7% to 20.6%. By 2041, Glebe's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 75 to 84 age group is projected to grow by 56%, reaching 1,175 people from the current 753. Those aged 65 and above are expected to comprise 82% of the population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age groups.