Rydalmere

Rydalmere lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population of the Rydalmere statistical area (Lv2) is around 8,374 people. This reflects an increase of 1,100 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,274. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,693 in June 2024, based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS, and an additional 38 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,186 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The Rydalmere (SA2) experienced a growth rate of 15.1% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, exceeding both the state's growth rate of 7.6% and the metropolitan area's growth. Overseas migration contributed approximately 72.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in June 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in December 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. Looking ahead, demographic trends predict exceptional growth for the Rydalmere (SA2), placing it in the top 10 percent of national areas. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 6,299 persons, reflecting an increase of 68.5% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Rydalmere among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Rydalmere recorded approximately 87 residential properties granted approval per year over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 439 homes. As of FY-26109 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions.

New homes are being constructed at an average value of $453,000, slightly above the regional average. In FY-26, $10.7 million in commercial approvals have been registered, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Rydalmere has recorded 15.0% more construction per person over the past five years, reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New building activity is focused on higher-density living, with 87.0% townhouses or apartments and 13.0% standalone homes. This shift from the current housing mix of 53.0% houses addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Rydalmere has approximately 78 people per dwelling approval, indicating an expanding market.

Population forecasts estimate Rydalmere will gain 5,732 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Rydalmere 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 29 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include Melrose Central, Melrose Park High School, Melrose Park Urban Renewal Precinct, and Rivea Rydalmere. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch analysis indicates Rydalmere maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Rydalmere has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 4.1% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 2.6%.

As of September 2025, 4,615 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.1%, 0.1% below Greater Sydney's rate. Workforce participation is at 60.0%, matching Greater Sydney's figure. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and professional & technical services. Construction employment is high at 1.3 times the regional average, while professional & technical services are lower at 9.2% compared to the regional average of 11.5%.

The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.6%, labour force grew by 3.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.7 percentage points in Rydalmere. Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% over the same period. State-level data from 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with a state unemployment rate of 3.9%. National unemployment was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts, released in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rydalmere's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released on 1 July 2023, Rydalmere had a median taxpayer income of $52,768 and an average income of $66,871. Nationally, the averages were $60,817 and $83,003 respectively for Greater Sydney. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $57,443 (median) and $72,796 (average), based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census showed Rydalmere's household, family, and personal incomes were at the 52nd percentile nationally. Income distribution data indicated that 31.9% of Rydalmere residents (2,671 individuals) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional levels where 30.9% fell within this range. High housing costs consumed 20.6% of income in Rydalmere, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 52nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Rydalmere, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 9 August 2016, comprised 53.4% houses and 46.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.3% houses and 42.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rydalmere was at 22.3%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (34.9%) or rented (42.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $430. Nationally, Rydalmere's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 for the year 2017-2018, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 for the same period.

Rydalmere features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 73.4% of all households, including 39.4% couples with children, 19.9% couples without children, and 12.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 22.8% and group households comprising 3.8%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.9.

The educational profile of Rydalmere exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 36.9% among residents aged 15 and above, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 25.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.9%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 27.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 16.4%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The public transport analysis indicates there are 60 active transport stops in Rydalmere. These consist of a mix of ferry, light rail, and bus services. The stops are serviced by 22 individual routes, collectively facilitating 5995 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 127 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 856 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 99 weekly trips per individual stop.

Rydalmere's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Rydalmere, particularly among younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 53%, impacting around 4,470 people in total, which leads that of the average SA2 area. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and arthritis, affecting 6.2% and 6.0% of residents respectively. A total of 75.3% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.3% across Greater Sydney. Rydalmere has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.2%, impacting around 1,189 people, compared to the 16.6% average in Greater Sydney. However, health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those of the broader population.

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

Rydalmere has a high level of cultural diversity, with 44.4% of its population born overseas and 49.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Rydalmere, accounting for 54.1% of people. However, Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 6.7% of Rydalmere's population versus the regional average of 5.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (18.0%), Australian (15.5%), and Chinese (14.7%), with Chinese being notably lower than the regional average of 24.7%. There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, including Korean at 6.6% (versus 6.5% regionally), Lebanese at 4.0% (versus 3.8%), and Filipino at 2.5% (versus 1.8%).

Rydalmere's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Rydalmere has a median age of 37 years, which is equal to Greater Sydney's figure and comparable to Australia's at 38 years. The 55-64 age group comprises 12.3% of Rydalmere's population, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort makes up 13.3%, lower than Greater Sydney's figure. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 14.7% to 15.7%. Meanwhile, the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 14.3% to 13.3%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Rydalmere's age structure. Notably, the 45 to 54 group is expected to grow by 78%, adding 858 people and reaching a total of 1,964 from its current figure of 1,105.