Strathfield (NSW)

Population growth drivers in Strathfield are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

The population of the Strathfield (NSW) statistical area (Lv2), as estimated by AreaSearch, was around 27,899 as of November 2025. This figure reflects a growth of 1,984 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 25,915. The increase is inferred from an estimated resident population of 27,657 by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, along with an additional 52 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 4,259 persons per square kilometer, placing Strathfield (NSW) in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The growth rate of 7.7% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the SA4 region's growth rate of 6.3% and the state's growth rate. This growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 95.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts 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 released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, an above median population growth is projected for the Strathfield (NSW) (SA2), with an expected expansion of 5,294 persons by 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.1% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Strathfield recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Strathfield had approximately 67 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 335 homes. As of FY-26, 39 approvals have been recorded. On average, each dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25 accommodated about 1.5 new residents per year. However, this figure increased to 11.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing demand. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $1,287,000, indicating a focus on premium properties.

Commercial approvals in FY-26 amounted to $770,000, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney and nationally, Strathfield has around half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, placing it among the 40th percentile of areas assessed. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, supporting interest in existing dwellings. New building activity consists of approximately 82.0% detached dwellings and 18.0% attached dwellings, sustaining Strathfield's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes.

Notably, developers are constructing more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 412 people per approval, Strathfield indicates a mature market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain approximately 5,040 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Strathfield 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 identified 59 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program, Burwood Culture House, Strathfield Council Parks Upgrades under Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, and Strathfield Town Centre Masterplan. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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.

The employment environment in Strathfield shows above-average strength when compared nationally

Strathfield has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.7% as of an unspecified date, indicating relative employment stability over the past year based on AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 16,663 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate at 1.5% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was fairly standard at 62.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors included health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Health care & social assistance showed strong specialization with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level, while construction employed only 6.1% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 8.6%.

The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparison of working population versus resident population. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, labour force increased by 0.2%, while employment decreased by 0.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points compared to Greater Sydney's growth and unemployment changes. State-level data to 25-Nov-25 showed NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, favourable to the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Strathfield's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Strathfield's median assessed income at $46,558 and average income at $76,835. Greater Sydney's figures are a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% would be approximately $50,683 (median) and $83,643 (average). The 2021 Census reports Strathfield's household incomes at the 81st percentile ($2,262 weekly), with personal income at the 52nd percentile. Income distribution shows 29.7% of residents earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly. Higher earners make up 36.7%, indicating strong purchasing power. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income, but disposable income ranks at the 79th percentile. Strathfield's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Strathfield's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 45.5% houses and 54.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Sydney metro's 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Strathfield stood at 30.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 24.5% and rented ones at 45.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,765, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,436. Median weekly rent in Strathfield was $480, compared to Sydney metro's $465. Nationally, Strathfield's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,765 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 68.6% of all households, including 32.0% couples with children, 26.0% couples without children, and 7.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.4%, with lone person households at 19.8% and group households at 11.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Strathfield shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Strathfield is notably high, with 49.5% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications as of the latest data point. This figure surpasses both national (30.4%) and NSW state averages (32.2%), indicating a significant educational advantage for the area. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 14.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational pathways account for 21.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 13.0% and certificates at 8.2%.

Educational participation is notably high in Strathfield, with 35.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data point. This includes 13.9% in tertiary education, 6.0% in secondary education, and 5.9% pursuing primary education.

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

Strathfield has 235 active public transport stops. These include train and bus services. There are 75 routes in total, offering 14,212 weekly passenger trips combined.

Residents have excellent accessibility to these stops, with an average distance of 117 meters from the nearest one. Daily service frequency is around 2,030 trips across all routes, which equates to approximately 60 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Strathfield, with younger age groups having a very low prevalence of common health conditions.

Approximately 57% (~15,980 people) of the total population have private health cover. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 4.7 and 4.1% of residents respectively. A total of 81.1% declare themselves completely free from medical ailments, compared to 77.0% in Greater Sydney. In Strathfield, 15.0% (~4,184 people) are aged 65 or over. While health outcomes among seniors are strong, they require more attention than the broader population.

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

Strathfield has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in Australia, with 68.9% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 62.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Strathfield, accounting for 40.7% of the population. However, Hinduism is significantly overrepresented, comprising 22.2% compared to the Greater Sydney average of 11.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are 'Other' at 25.5%, Chinese at 19.7%, and English at 7.4%. Notably, Korean (7.0%), Lebanese (5.6%), and Sri Lankan (1.0%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 2.8%, 3.1%, and 0.4% respectively.

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

Strathfield's median age is 31 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Strathfield has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (26.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.9%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, younger residents have decreased the median age by 1 year to 31 years. Notably, the proportion of 25-34 year-olds has increased from 22.6% to 26.4%, while the proportion of 45-54 year-olds has declined from 9.9% to 8.3% and the proportion of 55-64 year-olds has dropped from 10.5% to 9.3%. By 2041, Strathfield's population is projected to experience significant demographic changes. The number of residents aged 75-84 is expected to increase by 977 people (69%), from 1,422 to 2,400. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age cohort is projected to grow by a modest 7% (64 people).