Islington

Population growth drivers in Islington are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of Islington is around 2,379, reflecting a 17.4% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,026 people. This change was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 2,319 following examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 44 validated new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is at 3,350 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Islington's growth of 17.4% since the 2021 census exceeded the Rest of NSW's 5.9%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 37.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors. AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 436 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 15.8% over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Islington averaging around 12 new dwelling approvals each year over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 62 homes. So far in FY-26, 2 approvals have been recorded. This results in approximately 5.5 new residents per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand outpaces supply, which typically puts upward pressure on prices and increases competition among buyers. The average construction value of new properties is $484,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In this financial year, there have been $2.0 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating Islington's residential nature. Compared to Rest of NSW, Islington records somewhat elevated construction activity, being 10.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values, although development activity has moderated in recent periods. New development consists of 11.0% detached dwellings and 89.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 56.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements.

Islington reflects a highly mature market with around 744 people per dwelling approval. Population forecasts indicate Islington will gain 376 residents through to 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Building activity is keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may experience heightened competition as the population grows.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified twelve projects expected to impact the region. Notable initiatives include Newcastle Future Transit Corridor, Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, Hunter Park Precinct, and City of Newcastle Development Control Plan (DCP) 2023. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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 employment landscape in Islington shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Islington has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.9% as of December 2025. Over the past year, it maintained relative employment stability.

As of that date, 1,493 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.0% higher than Regional NSW's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Islington was high at 78.0%, compared to Regional NSW's 61.3%. According to Census responses, 33.8% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Notably, the latter sector had employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average, while agriculture, forestry & fishing employed just 0.3% of local workers, below Regional NSW's 5.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 0.1%, labour force grew by 1.7%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Regional NSW saw employment fall by 1.2%, labour force contract by 0.8%, and unemployment rise by 0.4 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 indicate potential future demand within Islington. Over five years, national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Islington's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.2% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

In financial year 2023, Islington had a median taxpayer income of $57,714 and an average income of $69,971. Nationally, these figures were $52,390 and $65,215 respectively for Regional NSW. By September 2025, estimates suggest the median income will be approximately $62,827 and the average will be around $76,170, based on an 8.86% growth in wages since financial year 2023. According to the 2021 Census, Islington's personal income ranks at the 78th percentile ($995 weekly), with household income at the 54th percentile. In terms of earnings bands, 37.0% of individuals (880 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket, similar to regional levels at 29.9%. Housing costs consume 19.2% of income in Islington, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Islington, as per the latest Census, consisted of 56.1% houses and 43.8% other dwellings. In comparison, Regional NSW had 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Islington was at 20.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.7% and rented ones at 47.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,000, higher than Regional NSW's average of $1,733. The median weekly rent figure in Islington was recorded at $430, compared to Regional NSW's $330. Nationally, Islington's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 53.7% of all households, including 17.7% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 10.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 46.3%, with lone person households at 33.6% and group households comprising 12.6%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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

Islington's educational attainment is notably high, with 41.4% of its residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to 21.3% in the rest of NSW and 26.1% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 31.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas account for 10.9% and certificates for 20.6%. Educational participation is high, with 27.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.1% in tertiary education, 6.0% in primary education, and 4.7% pursuing secondary education.

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

Islington has 19 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 15 different routes that collectively facilitate 1,061 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's home to the nearest transport stop is 140 meters. Most residents commute outward due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Car use dominates at 84%, with cycling and walking accounting for 5% each. On average, there is one vehicle per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 33.8% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 151 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Islington is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Islington faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are high, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

Approximately 55% of Islington's total population (~1,298 people) has private health cover, compared to 51.9% across Regional NSW. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues (14.2%) and asthma (8.8%). 68.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. Islington has 10.5% of residents aged 65 and over (249 people), lower than the 23.4% in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Islington ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Islington's cultural diversity was below average, with 86.0% of its population born in Australia, 91.2% being citizens, and 93.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 28.1% of Islington's population. The most notable overrepresentation was in the 'Other' category, making up 1.0% compared to Regional NSW's 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.5%), Australian (26.0%), and Irish (10.7%). Welsh (1.1%) and Scottish (9.8%) were notably overrepresented in Islington compared to regional averages of 0.5% and 8.0%, respectively. Hungarian ancestry was also slightly higher at 0.4%.

Islington's population is younger than the national pattern

Islington's median age is 34, lower than Regional NSW's figure of 43 and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort in Islington is notably over-represented at 24.7%, compared to the Regional NSW average, while those aged 65-74 are under-represented at 6.8%. This concentration of residents aged 25-34 is well above the national average of 14.4%. Since 2021, younger residents have shifted Islington's median age down by 1.1 years to 34. Specifically, the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has grown from 22.1% to 24.7%, while those aged 45-54 have declined from 14.5% to 12.7% and those aged 55-64 have dropped from 10.7% to 8.9%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Islington. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 30%, reaching 762 residents from the current 587. Conversely, the 65-74 age group is expected to contract by 2 residents.