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 Nov 2025, the estimated population of the Lilyfield statistical area is around 7,709. This figure reflects an increase of 68 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,641. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 7,692 in June 2024 and an additional 15 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,569 persons per square kilometer, placing Lilyfield in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, ending in 2021, Lilyfield has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%, outpacing its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 65.0% 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. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projecting future population dynamics, an above median growth is anticipated for statistical areas across the nation, with Lilyfield expected to expand by 1,404 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 20.5% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Lilyfield, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers, allocated from statistical area data, Lilyfield has recorded around 15 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, between FY21 and FY25, approximately 77 homes were approved, with an additional three approved so far in FY26. The population decline over recent years suggests that new supply has likely kept up with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,209,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment by developers. In FY26 alone, $18.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lilyfield records about 66% of the building activity per person and places among the 54th percentile of areas assessed nationally. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years, suggesting possible development constraints due to market maturity. New building activity shows 24.0% detached houses and 76.0% attached dwellings, indicating a trend towards denser development that appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This is a significant change from the current housing mix of 50.0% houses, likely due to reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands.

With around 295 people per dwelling approval, Lilyfield shows characteristics of a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Lilyfield will gain approximately 1,579 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Lilyfield 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 identified 37 projects likely impacting the area. Key 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 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 the technology sector prominently represented. Its unemployment rate is 5.9%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 4,517 employed residents, with an unemployment rate at 1.7% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Lilyfield is high at 67.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. Notably, the area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.3% versus the regional average of 5.3%. While local employment opportunities exist, many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population counts. In the past year, Lilyfield's labour force increased by 0.3%, while employment decreased by 0.9%, leading to a 1.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Meanwhile, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%. State-level data from NSW up to 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.03%, with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand in Lilyfield. Over five years, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% and by 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lilyfield's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

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

Lilyfield suburb has a median taxpayer income of $74,838 and an average income of $107,657 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high compared to Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,030. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates project the median income to be approximately $81,469 and the average income to be around $117,195 as of September 2025. Census data shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Lilyfield all rank highly nationally, between the 95th and 99th percentiles. Income brackets indicate that 37.5% of the population (2,890 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, differing from patterns across the broader area 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, yet 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, 50.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 50.0% being other types such as semi-detached homes and apartments. This is different from Sydney metropolitan areas where only 30.0% are houses, with the rest being other dwelling types. Home ownership in Lilyfield was at 28.7%, similar to Sydney metro's level. Dwellings were either mortgaged (34.6%) or rented (36.8%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lilyfield was $3,600, higher than the Sydney metro average of $3,500. Weekly rent median was $520, compared to Sydney's $600. Nationally, Lilyfield's mortgage repayments are significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 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 account for the remaining 31.8%, with lone person households making up 27.8% and group households comprising 4.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is 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 higher than national and state averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 50.7% have university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common 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. This includes 10.4% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 6.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows that Lilyfield has 38 active transport stops, which include both lightrail and bus services. These stops are served by 10 different routes, together facilitating 4539 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of public transport in the area is rated as excellent, with residents usually located just 167 meters from their nearest transport stop.

On average, there are 648 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 119 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 shows strong performance throughout Lilyfield. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population and nears the nation's average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 69% of the total population (5,345 people), compared to 80.2% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.7 and 7.3% of residents respectively. 72.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.2% across Greater Sydney. The area has 14.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,117 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average but require more attention than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Lilyfield was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lilyfield, surveyed in June 2016, had a higher linguistic diversity than most local areas, with 17.3% of residents speaking languages other than English at home. In terms of birthplace, 28.5% were born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, practiced by 43.1%.

Judaism, although small at 0.5%, was slightly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 0.7%. Parental ancestry showed English as the largest group (24.7%), followed by Australian (21.1%) and Irish (10.6%). Notable ethnic group disparities included Hungarian (0.5% vs regional 0.4%), Welsh (0.8% vs 0.7%), and Serbian (0.7% vs 0.4%).

Lilyfield's median age exceeds the national pattern

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 Greater Sydney's average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 10.1%. 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 315 residents to reach 686. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 52% of the population growth, while the number of individuals in the 5-14 age range is anticipated to decrease.