Silverwater (Parramatta - NSW)

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

The population of the suburb of Silverwater (Parramatta - NSW) is estimated to be around 3,612 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 12 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,600 people. The change was inferred from AreaSearch's estimate of the resident population following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and an additional 12 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,337 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 70.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections were used, 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. According to population projections, the suburb is expected to grow by 301 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 8.3% in total over the 16-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Silverwater is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Based on AreaSearch analysis using ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data, Silverwater averaged approximately 2 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, an estimated 10 homes were approved, with another 3 so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average construction cost of new dwellings is $556,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. In FY-26, $71,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney's regional average per person, Silverwater has markedly lower building activity (94.0% below). This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though recent construction activity has increased. Nationally, the area's level is also below average, reflecting maturity and possible planning constraints. All new constructions since FY-21 have been townhouses or apartments, a departure from current housing patterns (31.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. As of now, Silverwater has approximately 791 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market.

Future projections estimate Silverwater adding 301 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.

Silverwater 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 has identified 18 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, Club Ryde Ex Mixed Use Development, 287-295 Victoria Road Development, and Newington Reserve Upgrade. The following list details those 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 indicates Silverwater maintains employment conditions that align with national benchmarks

Silverwater has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 3.7% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 5.2%. As of December 2025, 1,420 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Silverwater lags at 46.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 36.7% of residents work from home, with Covid-19 lockdown impacts considered. The dominant employment sectors are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area specializes in other services, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services show lower representation at 8.3% compared to the regional average of 11.5%. There are 2.2 workers for every resident, indicating Silverwater functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 5.2%, labour force increased by 4.2%, resulting in a decrease of unemployment by 0.9 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.2% with marginal unemployment rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Silverwater's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localized population projections.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended 30 June 2023, Silverwater had a median income among taxpayers of $48,116 with an average level of $57,386. This is lower than national averages which stood at $60,817 and $83,003 respectively across Greater Sydney during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth rate of 10.32% from financial year ended 30 June 2023 to March 2026, current estimates for Silverwater would be approximately $53,082 (median) and $63,308 (average). According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2021 Census, incomes in Silverwater cluster around the 58th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 39.1% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999 annually, with this band representing 30.9% regionally. High housing costs consume approximately 21.7% of income in Silverwater, leaving disposable income at the median level nationally.

Silverwater features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Silverwater, as per the latest Census data, houses constituted 30.6% of dwellings, with the remaining 69.4% being semi-detached units, apartments, and other types. In contrast, Sydney metropolitan area had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Silverwater stood at 13.5%, with mortgaged properties at 36.5% and rented ones at 50.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Sydney's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Silverwater was $450, compared to Sydney's $470. Nationally, Silverwater's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Silverwater features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 72.4% of all households, including 37.0% couples with children, 24.0% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 27.6%, with lone person households at 23.1% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, aligning with the Greater Sydney average.

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

Educational attainment in Silverwater exceeds broader benchmarks significantly. 45.7% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.4%) and graduate diplomas (3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent with 34.5% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (15.6%) and certificates (18.9%).

Educational participation is high at 57.3%, including 19.3% in primary education, 11.2% in tertiary education, and 11% pursuing secondary education.

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

The analysis of public transportation in Silverwater shows that there are 34 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with three individual routes providing a total of 605 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these transport services is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 177 meters from their nearest stop. As Silverwater is primarily residential, most commuters travel outward from the area. The dominant mode of transportation remains cars at 81%, followed by trains at 6% and walking at 6%. On average, there are 1.3 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents work from home, with 36.7% doing so, which may be reflective of COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 86 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

Silverwater's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates robust performance across Silverwater. AreaSearch's assessment reveals low prevalence of common health conditions among both young and elderly cohorts. Approximately 50% (~1,794 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Sydney's 59.9% and slightly below the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (5.6%) and mental health issues (4.0%), with 80.9% reporting no medical ailments, higher than Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Silverwater has 7.0% (252 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are notably strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

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

Silverwater's population shows high cultural diversity, with 42.3% born overseas and 66.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 46.4%. Islam is significantly overrepresented at 22.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's average of 6.8%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (20.1%), Korean (17.7%), and Chinese (11.1%). Notably, Lebanese (6.6%) and Hungarian (0.5%) populations are overrepresented in Silverwater compared to regional averages of 2.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Samoan ancestry is also notably higher at 1.1%.

Silverwater's population is younger than the national pattern

Silverwater's median age in 2021 was 36 years, nearly matching Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Silverwater had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (24.5%) but fewer residents aged 65-74 (3.2%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Between the 2021 Census and the previous one, demographic aging was evident with the median age increasing from 35 to 36 years. Key changes included the 55-64 age group growing from 7.2% to 9.1% of the population, and the 75-84 cohort increasing from 1.5% to 2.9%. Conversely, the 35-44 age group declined from 24.5% to 21.9%. Population forecasts for Silverwater in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to rise substantially by 78%, from 494 to 883 people. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.