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 the suburb of Vaucluse is estimated to be around 9,568 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 58 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,510 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 9,444 estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 58 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,076 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, as released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected, with the area expected to grow by 758 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting recording a gain of 6.6% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Vaucluse has annually approved around 22 dwellings based on statistical area data. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, approximately 114 homes received approval, with a further 9 approved in FY-26 so far. Despite population decline, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, indicating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New homes are built at an average construction cost of $1,966,000, reflecting developer focus on the premium segment. In FY-26, $114.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Vaucluse has 19.0% less new development per person and ranks among the 17th percentile nationally, implying limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established properties. This level reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 22.0% detached houses and 78.0% attached dwellings, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This marks a significant shift from existing housing patterns, currently at 49.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 947 people per approval, Vaucluse shows a mature, established area. Population forecasts indicate an increase of 634 residents by 2041. Existing development levels seem aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Vaucluse has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified ten projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Vaucluse well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Vaucluse has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 2.9% as of December 2025, below Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.9%.

Resident participation in the workforce was 66.6%, slightly below Greater Sydney's 70.2%. A significant portion, 57.4%, of residents worked from home as per Census responses, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key employment sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance. Notably, professional & technical services employed 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing employed only 1.7% of local workers compared to Greater Sydney's 5.3%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by the difference between working population and resident population counts. In the year ending December 2025, employment increased by 2.9%, while labour force grew by 3.0%, keeping unemployment relatively stable at 1.3% below Greater Sydney's rate. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. 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, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The median taxpayer income in Vaucluse is $77,759, with an average of $208,797 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This places it among the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $84,648 (median) and $227,296 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Vaucluse rank highly nationally, between the 96th and 99th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 45.1% of locals (4,315 people) fall into the $4000+ category, differing from the regional norm where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 30.9%. A substantial proportion of high earners (56.0% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout the area. Housing accounts for 14.7% of income, with residents ranking within the 98th percentile for disposable income. The 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 dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 48.9% houses and 51.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% 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 in Vaucluse was $4,200, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Vaucluse was $700, compared to Sydney metro's $470. 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 fairly typical median household size

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

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's educational attainment exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15+, 55.1% hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 37.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational pathways account for 17.9%, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 7.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.9% currently enrolled in formal education: secondary (10.9%), primary (10.6%), and tertiary (7.2%).

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

Vaucluse has 98 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 32 different routes that together facilitate 4,227 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from a resident's location to the nearest transport stop is 129 meters, indicating excellent accessibility. In this predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for 83% of residents, with buses used by 5% and walking by 4%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling in Vaucluse, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, at 57.4%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 603 trips per day, equating to approximately 43 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's health outcomes show remarkable results based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were very low across all age groups. Approximately 109% of Vaucluse's total population (10,420 people) had private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis (5.5%) and asthma (4.8%). Notably, 77.9% of residents reported having no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%. Vaucluse has 21.7% of its population aged 65 and over (2,076 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Health outcomes among seniors in Vaucluse align with national rankings for the general population.

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, found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, had 20.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 38.8% born overseas. Christianity was the main religion in Vaucluse, comprising 41.3% of people. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 25.8%, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (20.4%), Australian (16.8%), and Other (16.0%). Some ethnic groups showed notable divergences: South Australian was overrepresented at 4.7% compared to the regional average of 0.5%, Polish at 2.3% versus 0.6%, and Russian at 2.0% against the region's 0.4%.

Vaucluse hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Vaucluse is 43 years, considerably higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and substantially exceeding the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 years are particularly prominent at 8.1%, while the 25-34 year-olds are comparatively smaller at 7.9% compared to Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 12.7% to 14.8%, while those aged 75-84 have increased from 6.0% to 8.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 year-olds have declined from 16.2% to 14.7%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 14.4% to 13.3%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections reveal significant shifts in Vaucluse's age structure. The population aged 85+ is projected to rise substantially by 330 people (91%), from 363 to 694. Notably, the combined age groups of 65+ will account for 76% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines.