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 February 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Glebe (NSW) is around 12,531. This figure reflects an increase of 851 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,680. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 12,520 in June 2024, based on ABS ERP data and additional validation of 81 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 7,414 persons per square kilometer, placing Glebe in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Glebe's compound annual growth rate has been 1.5%, outperforming Greater Sydney. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas released in 2024 with a 2022 base year, and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections for uncovers areas released in 2022 with a 2021 base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the suburb is projected to expand by 713 persons, reflecting a total gain of 6.3% over the 17 years.

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 indicates Glebe has received approximately 8 dwelling approvals annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling around 43 homes. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. On average, about 5.4 people moved to Glebe yearly for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand outpaces supply, which can put upward pressure on prices. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $1,105,000, suggesting a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY-26, Glebe has recorded approximately $90.7 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Glebe's building activity is around 88.0% lower per person, which can strengthen demand and prices for existing properties due to scarcity of new dwellings. This activity is also lower than the national average, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Glebe consists of approximately 17.0% detached dwellings and 83.0% townhouses or apartments, favouring higher-density living which creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 4171 people per dwelling approval, Glebe reflects a highly mature market. Future projections estimate Glebe will add approximately 789 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate.

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 influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Cowper Street Social Housing Development, Wentworth Park Rd, Glebe, Bank Street Park (Blackwattle Bay), and Bidura. The following list details those most relevant.

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.

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

Glebe's workforce is highly educated with significant representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate as of September 2025 was 8.5%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. In September 2025, 6,625 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 4.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Glebe lagged behind Greater Sydney at 64.3%, compared to 70.0%. Census responses indicated that 62.4% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries were professional & technical, education & training, and health care & social assistance. Glebe showed strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction was under-represented at 3.9% compared to Greater Sydney's 8.6%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data comparing working population to local population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.4%, employment fell by 1.7%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glebe's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, although this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 shows median income in Glebe suburb is $54,864 and average income is $83,320. This compares to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates suggest median income would be approximately $59,725 and average income would be around $90,702 by September 2025. Census data indicates individual earnings rank at the 82nd percentile nationally ($1,045 weekly), while household income ranks at the 50th percentile. Income brackets show 23.3% of locals (2,919 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to broader area trends where 30.9% are in the same category. High earners make up a substantial proportion (31.4%) earning above $3,000/week, suggesting strong economic capacity throughout 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 a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Glebe's dwelling structure in its latest Census report showed 5.0% houses and 95.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% 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, above Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Glebe was $420, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Glebe's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for 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, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

Glebe's educational attainment is notably higher than national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 56.9% possess university qualifications, surpassing Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 33.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 18.1%, with advanced diplomas at 8.8% and certificates at 9.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.4% in tertiary education, 5.4% in primary education, and 4.3% pursuing secondary education.

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

Glebe has 72 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry, light rail, and bus services. These stops are served by 28 individual routes, facilitating 9,838 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 147 meters to the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuting is outward-bound. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 46%, followed by walking (18%) and bus (15%). The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.4, lower than the regional average.

Notably, 62.4% of residents work from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 1,405 trips per day, translating to approximately 136 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Glebe is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Glebe demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population, which consists of 7,496 people. Mental health issues impact 11.3% of residents, while asthma affects 7.8%. A total of 68.7% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 18.0% of residents aged 65 and over, consisting of 2,255 people, which is higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Glebe was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Glebe's cultural diversity is notable with 26.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 38.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 33.4% of Glebe's population. Judaism is slightly overrepresented in Glebe at 0.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.2%), Australian (16.6%), and Other (12.5%). Spanish, Hungarian, and French ethnicities are notably more represented in Glebe than regionally, at 0.9%, 0.5%, and 0.9% respectively versus 0.6%, 0.3%, and 0.5%.

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

The median age in Glebe is 38 years, closely matching Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Glebe has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (20.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 has increased from 13.4% to 16.1%, while those aged 75 to 84 have grown from 4.9% to 6.3%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 21.7% to 20.1%. By 2041, Glebe's age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 85 and above is projected to grow by 176%, reaching 589 people from 213. This growth will be led by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 82% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0-4 and 15-24 age cohorts.