Lilyfield

An assessment of population growth drivers in Lilyfield reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of Lilyfield is around 7,788 people. This figure reflects an increase of 147 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,641. AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,801 in June 2024, combined with validation of 15 new addresses since the Census date, supports this increase. The population density ratio is approximately 3,605 persons per square kilometer, placing Lilyfield in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2025, Lilyfield has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For future projections up to 2041, AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. The suburb is expected to expand by 1,420 persons by 2041, reflecting a gain of 19.5% over the 17-year period from 2024 to 2041.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Lilyfield shows approximately 22 residential properties granted approval annually. Between financial years 2021 to 2025, around 113 homes were approved, with an additional 3 approved so far in the 2026 financial year. The population has been declining recently, suggesting that new supply has kept pace with demand, offering buyers good choice.

The average construction value of new properties is $1,213,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In the current financial year, $16.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, signifying steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lilyfield maintains similar construction rates per person, consistent with broader market balance, although building activity has accelerated in recent years. Nationally, however, construction levels are higher, suggesting possible development constraints in Lilyfield. New building activity comprises 25.0% detached houses and 75.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the current housing mix of 50.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and changing lifestyle demands. With approximately 191 people per dwelling approval, Lilyfield is characterized as a low-density area.

By 2041, AreaSearch forecasts indicate an increase of 1,516 residents. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 37 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Rozelle Village Mixed-Use Precinct, Rozelle Village, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Renovation, and Balmain Shores - Harbourwatch Building G. The following list details those projects likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Lilyfield recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Lilyfield has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 6.0% as of an unspecified past year, with estimated employment growth at 3.3%.

As of June 2025, 4,639 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.8% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Lilyfield is 67.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries for employment among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. The area has a particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.3% versus the regional average of 5.3%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending in an unspecified date, employment increased by 3.3%, while labour force grew by 4.2%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lilyfield's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Lilyfield has a median taxpayer income of $74,846 and an average income of $107,658 according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data for the financial year 2022. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on a 12.61% increase since FY2022, current estimates for Lilyfield would be approximately $84,284 (median) and $121,234 (average) by September 2025. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Lilyfield rank highly nationally, between the 95th and 95th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 37.5% of the population falls within the $40,000+ income range, differing from broader area patterns where $1,500 - $2,999 dominates with 30.9%. The substantial proportion of high earners (48.5% above $3,000/week) suggests strong economic capacity throughout the area. High housing costs consume 16.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 94th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Lilyfield displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Lilyfield, as per the latest Census evaluation, 50.0% of dwellings were houses and another 50.0% comprised semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This is different from Sydney metropolitan areas where only 30.0% of dwellings are houses. Home ownership in Lilyfield stood at 28.7%, matching the Sydney metro average. The remaining properties were either mortgaged (34.6%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lilyfield was $3,600, exceeding the Sydney metro average of $3,500. Weekly rent in Lilyfield averaged at $520, compared to Sydney's $600. Nationally, Lilyfield's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Lilyfield features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 68.2% of all households, including 35.4% couples with children, 22.5% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 31.8%, with lone person households at 27.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.3.

Lilyfield demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Lilyfield's educational attainment is notably high, with 50.7% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, surpassing both national (30.4%) and NSW state averages (32.2%). Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 31.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational pathways account for 22.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 11.9%. Educational participation is high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 10.4% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Inner Sydney Montessori School and Lilyfield Orange Grove Public School serve 509 students collectively, with an ICSEA score of 1129 indicating significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement. Both schools focus on primary education; secondary options are available in nearby areas. There are 6.5 school places per 100 residents, below the regional average of 10.3, suggesting some students may attend schools outside Lilyfield.

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

Lilyfield has 23 active public transport stops. These are a mix of light rail and bus services. There are 10 individual routes operating in total.

Collectively, these provide 3,694 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest stop is 168 meters. Service frequency averages 527 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 160 weekly trips per individual stop.

Lilyfield'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 in Lilyfield with low prevalence of common health conditions among the general population, nearing national averages for older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is exceptionally high, with approximately 69% of the total population (5,400 people) having it, compared to 80.5% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 8.7% and 7.3% of residents respectively, while 72.8% report being completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 73.2% across Greater Sydney.

Lilyfield has 14.5% of its population aged 65 and over (1,129 people), with health outcomes among seniors requiring more attention than those in the broader population.

Lilyfield 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

Lilyfield, surveyed in 2016, had a higher proportion of residents speaking languages other than English at home, with 17.3%, compared to the majority of local markets. Overseas-born population was also higher at 28.5%. Christianity was the predominant religion, accounting for 43.1% of Lilyfield's population.

Notably, Judaism was overrepresented in Lilyfield at 0.5%, slightly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 0.7%. In terms of ancestry, English (24.7%) and Australian (21.1%) were the top two groups, followed by Irish at 10.6%. Some ethnic groups showed notable differences: Hungarian was overrepresented at 0.5% compared to 0.4% regionally, Welsh at 0.8% versus 0.7%, and Serbian at 0.7% compared to 0.4%.

Lilyfield hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Lilyfield's median age is 41 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and slightly above Australia's median of 38. The 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented in Lilyfield at 16.9%, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 10.0%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.5% to 11.0% of Lilyfield's population, while the 35-44 cohort has decreased from 16.3% to 15.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Lilyfield's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is projected to grow by 85%, adding 316 residents to reach 690. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 54% of the population growth, while the number of individuals in the 5-14 age range is anticipated to fall by 11%.