Redfern

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

The population of the Redfern statistical area (Lv2) was estimated at around 14,887 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 1,815 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,072. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 14,696 following examination of the ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024 and an additional 33 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 12,723 persons per square kilometer, placing Redfern (SA2) in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 13.9% since the 2021 Census exceeded both the state's 7.6% and metropolitan areas' growth rates. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 92.0% 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. Looking forward, the Redfern statistical area (Lv2) is projected to experience above median population growth for national statistical areas. By 2041, it is expected to expand by 2,962 persons, reflecting an increase of 18.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Redfern shows around 4 dwellings receiving development approval annually over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, totalling an estimated 21 homes. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY-26. This results in an average of approximately 14.5 new residents arriving per year per dwelling constructed. The average expected construction cost value for these dwellings is $368,000.

In the current financial year, $31.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney and nationally, Redfern has significantly less development activity, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes due to constrained new construction. Recent building activity consists entirely of townhouses or apartments, with approximately 7255 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Population forecasts indicate Redfern will gain 2,755 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Redfern will gain 2,755 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 40 projects that may affect the area. Notable ones include Redfern Place, Redfern Co-Living Housing, Redfern North Eveleigh Precinct Renewal, and Hudson Vine Mixed Use Redevelopment. The following list details those likely 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 assessment indicates Redfern faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Redfern has an educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 10.4%, as per AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, there are 8,374 employed residents, with an unemployment rate of 6.2% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Redfern is high at 65.8%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area specializes particularly in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share of 1.8 times the regional level.

Construction has limited presence with 4.4% employment compared to 8.6% regionally. There is one worker for every resident, indicating Redfern functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. In a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force decreased by 1.4% and employment declined by 1.4%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. Meanwhile, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising slightly to 4.4%. State-level data as of 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within Redfern. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Redfern's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ending June 2023, the suburb of Redfern's median income among taxpayers is $69,244, with an average of $97,548. This is exceptionally high nationally, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.86% from July 2023 to September 2025, current estimates would be approximately $75,379 (median) and $106,191 (average). Census data released in June 2021 shows individual earnings at the 90th percentile nationally are $1,191 weekly. In Redfern, the predominant income cohort spans 25.2% of locals (3,751 people) with incomes between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, reflecting regional patterns where 30.9% occupy this range. Economic strength is evident through 36.9% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 21.2% of income, however strong earnings place disposable income at the 66th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Redfern features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Redfern's dwelling structure, as assessed in the most recent Census, consisted of 1.4% houses and 98.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Redfern was higher than Sydney metro's level at 15.3%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (21.1%) or rented (63.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Redfern was $2,811, exceeding Sydney metro's average of $2,705. The median weekly rent figure for Redfern was recorded at $500, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Redfern's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Redfern features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 44.8% of all households, consisting of 11.5% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 4.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 55.2%, with lone person households at 42.4% and group households making up 12.8%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which aligns with the Greater Sydney average.

Educational outcomes in Redfern fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

Educational attainment in Redfern is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15 and above, 57.0% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. This educational advantage positions the area well for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.6%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%).

Vocational pathways account for 19.8% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 9.8% and certificates 10.0%. Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.6% in tertiary education, 4.4% in primary education, and 2.8% pursuing secondary education.

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

Redfern has 50 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These are served by 30 unique routes, facilitating 20,159 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents on average located 121 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 2,879 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 403 weekly trips per individual stop.

Redfern's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Redfern residents have a relatively positive health status, with common conditions seen across all age groups. Approximately 65% of Redfern's total population (9,733 people) has private health cover, compared to 68.5% in Greater Sydney and 55.7% nationally. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 11.0% of residents and asthma impacting 7.3%.

About 70.5% of residents report no medical ailments, lower than the 77.4% rate in Greater Sydney. Redfern has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.7% (2,039 people) compared to Greater Sydney's 9.7%. Overall, Redfern's health profile is broadly similar to that of the general population.

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

Redfern has high cultural diversity, with 29.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 43.7% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Redfern at 30.0%. Judaism is overrepresented at 1.6%, compared to 1.1% across Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.9%), Australian (15.5%), and Other (14.1%). Some ethnic groups have notable divergences: French at 1.4% (vs 1.1% regionally), Spanish at 1.1% (vs 1.0%), and Russian at 0.9% (vs 0.8%).

Redfern's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Redfern's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37. This is modestly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Redfern has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (26.7%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.9%). The 25-34 concentration in Redfern is well above the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has grown from 10.2% to 13.1%, while the proportion of those aged 35-44 has declined from 17.5% to 16.5%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Redfern's age profile. The 25-34 cohort is projected to grow by 85%, adding 3,395 residents to reach a total of 7,370. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to see reduced numbers.