Old Guildford

Population growth drivers in Old Guildford are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

The population of the Old Guildford statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at 2,988 as of November 2025, reflecting a 4.6% increase since the 2021 Census figure of 2,857 people. This estimate is based on AreaSearch's validation of new addresses and analysis of resident population data from June 2024 ABS ERP release, with an additional 5 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio was 3,112 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 95.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for areas not covered by ABS data.

Growth rates by age group from these aggregations were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, significant population growth is forecasted for the Old Guildford (SA2), with an expected increase of 971 persons by 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections. This reflects a total increase of 31.1% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Old Guildford recorded around 10 residential properties approved annually over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling approximately 52 homes. As of July 2026, 21 approvals have been recorded in FY-26. The population has declined recently, with new supply likely meeting demand and offering good choice to buyers. Average dwelling construction cost is around $302,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year, Old Guildford has seen $6.3 million in commercial approvals, reflecting its primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Old Guildford has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 48th percentile nationally, indicating more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. Recent construction comprises 73.0% standalone homes and 27.0% medium/high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. This shift from the current 89.0% houses suggests diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. The location has approximately 343 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market.

Population forecasts estimate Old Guildford will gain around 930 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

No infrastructure changes or projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area. Key projects include Villawood Town Centre Redevelopment at Kinara Place, Guildford Swim Centre Modernisation Project, Cumberland LED Street Lighting Program, and Villawood East Masterplan Precinct involving Lansvale & Lansdowne.

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 assessment indicates Old Guildford faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Old Guildford has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 15.6% as of September 2025.

This rate is higher than Greater Sydney's 4.2%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation in Old Guildford is lower at 34.5% compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include construction, healthcare & social assistance, and transport, postal & warehousing. Construction is particularly specialized, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services employ only 4.9% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. Over a 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 1.0%, while labour force grew by 4.1%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 2.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.1% and unemployment rise by 0.2%. At the state level, as of 25-Nov-25, NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Old Guildford's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ended June 2023 indicates that Old Guildford's median income is $38,815 and average income is $47,067. This is lower than the national median of $60,817 and average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Based on Wage Price Index growth from June 2023 to September 2025 (estimated at 8.86%), median income in Old Guildford would be approximately $42,254 and average income $51,237 by the latter date. Census data from 2021 shows individual incomes are at the 2nd percentile ($468 weekly) while household incomes are at the 36th percentile. Income brackets reveal that 35.6% of Old Guildford's population earns between $1,500 and $2,999 per week (1,063 individuals), similar to the region where 30.9% fall into this bracket. Housing affordability is severe with only 79.2% of income remaining, ranking at the 30th percentile.

Old Guildford is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Old Guildford's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.8% houses and 11.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 62.1% houses and 37.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Old Guildford stood at 29.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.9% and rented ones at 34.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,058, lower than Sydney metro's $2,167. Median weekly rent was $420 compared to Sydney metro's $400. Nationally, Old Guildford's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Old Guildford features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.4% of all households, including 50.8% couples with children, 15.3% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 16.6%, with lone person households at 13.4% and group households comprising 2.4%. The median household size is 3.8 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.1.

Old Guildford faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 15.8%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 39.1%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 10.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are held by 29.9% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 18.6%. Educational participation is high, with 37.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 14.6% in primary education, 10.7% in secondary education, and 5.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 19 active transport stops operating within Old Guildford. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with 13 individual routes providing service. Collectively, these routes facilitate 455 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 141 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 65 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 23 weekly trips per individual stop.

Old Guildford's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Old Guildford's health outcomes data shows excellent results, with younger cohorts having a very low prevalence of common health conditions. As of approximately June 2021, private health cover was found to be extremely low at about 46% of the total population (around 1,363 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 48.2%. Nationally, the average is 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.1% and 4.9% of residents respectively, while 79.5% claimed to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 77.0%. As of June 2021, approximately 9.5% of Old Guildford's residents are aged 65 and over (around 283 people), lower than Greater Sydney's 13.9%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

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

Old Guildford has notable cultural diversity, with 41.1% of its population born overseas and 71.9% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion is Islam, accounting for 55.1% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 29.1%. The top three ancestry groups in Old Guildford are Lebanese (32.8%), Other (29.3%), and Australian (11.8%).

Notably, Vietnamese (2.4%) and Samoan (0.9%) groups are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.0% and 0.7%, respectively, while Spanish representation is slightly higher at 0.7%.

Old Guildford hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Old Guildford has a median age of 29, which is younger than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and substantially under the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Sydney, Old Guildford has a higher concentration of residents aged 15-24 (18.1%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (11.4%). This concentration of 15-24 year-olds is well above the national figure of 12.5%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of Old Guildford's population aged 15 to 24 has grown from 16.4% to 18.1%, while the proportion of residents aged 85 and over has declined from 1.0% to 0.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Old Guildford's age structure. The number of residents aged 15 to 24 is projected to increase by 167 people (31%), rising from 540 to 708.