Vaucluse

Vaucluse is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

The population of Vaucluse, as estimated by AreaSearch based on ABS updates and new addresses validated since the 2021 Census, is around 9,548 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 38 people from the previous population count of 9,510 in 2021, indicating a growth rate of approximately 0.4%. The estimated resident population (ERP) for Vaucluse, derived from AreaSearch's examination of ABS data released in June 2024, is 9,502. This estimate includes an additional 57 validated new addresses since the Census date. Consequently, the population density ratio for the suburb stands at approximately 3,070 persons per square kilometer, placing it among the upper quartile of national locations assessed by AreaSearch.

The primary driver behind Vaucluse's population growth has been overseas migration, which accounted for around 90% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch is employing ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, to forecast future demographic trends. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilizes the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Looking ahead, population projections indicate that Vaucluse is expected to experience growth just below the national median for similar areas. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is anticipated to expand by 782 persons by the year 2041, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 7.6% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers in Vaucluse shows around 23 dwellings receiving development approval per year. Between financial years FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 119 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved so far in FY-26. Despite population decline during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, indicating a well-balanced market with good buyer choice.

The average expected construction cost of new dwellings is $1,802,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment. In FY-26, $110.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, implying robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Vaucluse has 16.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 26th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. This is also below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 23.0% detached dwellings and 77.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift from the existing housing stock (currently 49.0% houses) reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse, affordable housing options.

With around 631 people per dwelling approval, Vaucluse indicates a highly mature market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Vaucluse is expected to grow by 727 residents through to 2041. Construction maintains a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may face growing competition as population increases.

Vaucluse 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 identified 10 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are Kincoppal-Rose Bay School Campus Masterplan, Parsley Bay Pump Station, Rose Bay Place Plan Implementation, and Tivoli Ave, Rose Bay. The following list details those 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.

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

Vaucluse has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.9% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.2%.

As of June 2025, 5,224 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 1.3% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is similar to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries of employment among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. Vaucluse specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

However, transport, postal & warehousing is under-represented, at 1.7% compared to Greater Sydney's 5.3%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities, as shown by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2%, and labour force increased by 2.2%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In Greater Sydney, employment grew by 2.6%, labour force expanded by 2.9%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Vaucluse's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 15.0% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Vaucluse's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Vaucluse's median income among taxpayers is $77,752 and average income stands at $208,778. This compares to Greater Sydney's figures of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $87,557 (median) and $235,105 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Vaucluse, between the 96th and 99th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that the $4000+ bracket dominates with 45.1% of residents (4,306 people), contrasting with metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. A significant 56.0% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 14.7% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 98th percentile for disposable income and area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Vaucluse's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 48.9% houses and 51.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is in contrast to Sydney metro's 18.3% houses and 81.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Vaucluse stood at 41.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.5% and rented ones at 25.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,200, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,600. Median weekly rent in Vaucluse was recorded at $700, compared to Sydney metro's $670. Nationally, Vaucluse's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Vaucluse has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 75.1% of all households, including 41.4% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 8.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 24.9%, with lone person households at 22.7% and group households comprising 2.3%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.3.

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

Vaucluse has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above. Specifically, 55.1% hold university qualifications, which is significantly higher than the Australian average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. This indicates a substantial educational advantage for the area, positioning it strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. In terms of specific qualifications, bachelor degrees are most common at 37.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%).

Vocational pathways account for 17.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 10.0% and certificates 7.9%. Educational participation in Vaucluse is notably high, with 33.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in secondary education, 10.6% in primary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education. The educational provision in the area includes Vaucluse Public School and Kincoppal - Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart, collectively serving 1,147 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1147. The educational mix includes one primary school and one K-12 school. School places per 100 residents in Vaucluse fall below the regional average at 12.0, compared to 15.8, indicating that some students may be attending schools in adjacent areas.

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

Transport analysis shows 74 active stops operating within Vaucluse, offering a mix of bus services. These stops are served by 32 unique routes, collectively facilitating 2,695 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically situated 129 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 385 trips daily across all routes, equating to roughly 36 weekly trips per individual stop.

Vaucluse's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Vaucluse exhibits excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover in Vaucluse is exceptionally high at approximately 109% of its total population of 10,397 people, compared to 89.7% across Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis (affecting 5.5% of residents) and asthma (4.8%), while 77.9% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 77.6% across Greater Sydney.

Vaucluse has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 21.0% (2,005 people), than Greater Sydney's 16.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Vaucluse are particularly strong and broadly align with the general population's health profile.

Vaucluse was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Vaucluse, surveyed in 2016, had a higher proportion of residents speaking languages other than English at home (20.6%) compared to most local areas, with 38.8% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion (41.3%), but Judaism was significantly overrepresented at 25.8%, exceeding Greater Sydney's average of 16.0%. The top three parental birth countries were England (20.4%), Australia (16.8%), and Other (16.0%).

Notably, South African ancestry was higher in Vaucluse at 4.7% compared to the regional average of 2.4%, Polish at 2.3% versus 1.9%, and Russian at 2.0% against 1.6%.

Vaucluse hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Vaucluse is 43 years, which is considerably higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and also exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 45-54 years are particularly prominent, making up 15.0% of the population, while the 25-34 year-olds make up only 8.0%, which is smaller than in Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the percentage of people aged 75 to 84 has grown from 6.0% to 7.9%, and the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.7% to 14.5%. Conversely, the percentage of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 16.2% to 15.0%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Vaucluse's age structure. The number of people aged 85 and above is projected to grow exceptionally, increasing by 356 people (104%) from 343 to 700. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting Vaucluse's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 25-34 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.