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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Willoughby East is $3.42m. House values have moved 0.6% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Willoughby East has an estimated 1,922 residents, up from 1,864 at the 2021 Census — a change of 58 people, or 3.1%. That puts 3,432 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
Based on research of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside newly confirmed locations verified by AreaSearch post-Census, the suburb of Willoughby East has an estimated population of approximately 1,922 in May 2026. This represents a rise of 58 individuals (3.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 1,864 residents. The shift is calculated from a resident headcount of 1,871, estimated by AreaSearch using the most recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) and subsequent address validation. Such a population size corresponds to a density of 3,432 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the highest quartile of all Australian areas analyzed by AreaSearch.
The 3.1% post-Census population growth of the suburb of Willoughby East is within 2.8 percentage points of the wider SA4 region (5.9%), displaying healthy growth indicators. Population expansion in the area was driven majorly by arrivals from abroad, who made up approximately 94.0% of the overall population increases during recent times. AreaSearch implements demographic projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia for every SA2 region, published in 2024 using 2022 as the base year. In instances where SA2 areas lack this coverage, projections from the NSW State Government at the SA2 level are used, which were published in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Projected growth rates by age group derived from these sources are applied to all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead at demographic changes, expansion in the lower quartile of Australian statistical areas is anticipated, with the suburb of Willoughby East projected to add 71 residents by 2041 based on compiled SA2 data, representing an overall rise of 1.0% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Property developers have received approval for only one residential project in Willoughby East over the past five years. This indicates the locality is almost entirely developed, with very little unoccupied land remaining for new construction. Mature localities like this typically experience consistent demand for pre-existing properties because purchasers have almost no options for newly built residences. Willoughby East features a much lower level of residential construction compared to Greater Sydney. While construction activity has risen in recent times, this scarcity of new dwellings generally supports demand and values for pre-existing properties.
The level of building activity is also below the national average, reflecting a mature housing market and suggesting potential planning or geographic limits on construction.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Willoughby East
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 90 current infrastructure and development projects close to Willoughby East, worth an estimated $27.2 billion. 21 are already under construction and 41 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure, major developments, and urban planning changes are primary drivers of local real estate trends. AreaSearch has identified no projects that are expected to influence the local area. Key regional developments include Aurora Willoughby, Heart Of Willoughby, North Sydney To Northern Beaches Capacity Improvements, and the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, with details on the most relevant initiatives provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Aurora Willoughby
Boutique collection of 12 luxury 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments setting a new benchmark in high-end living. Inspired by nature and defined by architectural elegance, featuring contemporary design with premium finishes and landscaped spaces integrated with natural surroundings. Developed by Sun Property Group with Datlas as builder, featuring sophisticated light-filled interiors, open-plan entertaining spaces, generous terraces, and hanging gardens. Located at the gateway to Willoughby village with proximity to transport connectivity.
Coronation Archer Street Chatswood
A $250 million, 32-storey State Significant Development delivering over 150 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments and penthouses, including 41 affordable units. Ground-level podium provides approximately 2,500sqm of retail and commercial space. A heritage-listed building on site is sensitively restored for fine dining and wellness uses, complemented by communal landscaped open space. Designed by Woods Bagot. Groundbreaking occurred April 2025 with completion targeted Q1 2027.
The Quarry Naremburn
Boutique collection of 28 luxury apartments and townhouses set within a landscaped former quarry site in Naremburn. The project is currently under construction.
Areas 18-20 St Leonards South
Residential development within the St Leonards South precinct, involving demolition of existing structures and construction of five residential flat buildings with 207 apartments, basement parking, and communal open space, contributing to urban renewal and increased housing density.
Goodman Artarmon Data Centre
Major data centre development by Goodman Group on former ABC studios site. Seven-storey, 80MW facility on 1.4ha site with $845.85 million investment.
270 Willoughby Road Mixed Use Development
Approved mixed-use development featuring 235sqm of prime retail on ground level with 8 residential apartments above. B1 Neighbourhood Centre zoning with 1.5:1 FSR and 11m height limit. Designed by Architecture Urbaneia.
Northcote Collective Naremburn
A $22 million mixed-use development with apartments, business and retail space in a part-four, part-eight storey building. Includes rooftop communal space, replacing a planned childcare facility. Offering 96 parking spots.
Waterstone St Leonards
A boutique residential project by Sekisui House delivering 207 premium, nature-focused apartments across five mid-rise buildings (4-9 storeys) in the St Leonards South Masterplan Precinct. The design is guided by Japanese Satoyama philosophy, blending contemporary living with natural landscapes via a north-south green spine by ASPECT Studios. Originally designed by Koichi Takada Architects with delivery by TURNER. Amenities include a heated pool, spa, gym, infrared sauna, co-working lounge, resident workshop, and children's play areas. Construction commenced in late 2025 with completion anticipated by end of 2027.Features 4 Gold Star iCIRT rating for quality assurance.
895 residents of Willoughby East are employed, from a labour force of 939. Unemployment sits at 4.7%, with participation at 65.1%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 1,668, about 87% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by high levels of qualification, with tech workers particularly well represented. The community recorded an unemployment rate of 4.7% and a yearly estimated job growth of 0.7%, according to aggregated regional statistics from AreaSearch. In March 2026, there were 895 employed locals, while the jobless rate stood 0.6% above the 4.1% rate of Greater Sydney, and the participation rate was slightly subdued at 65.1% compared to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census responses indicated a significant 65.0% of the working population operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.
Local jobs are primarily concentrated in the professional and technical services, financial and insurance services, and healthcare and social assistance sectors. The suburb is highly specialized in professional and technical services, with its share of employment in this field reaching 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, building and construction employs only 4.3% of the workforce, which is below the 8.6% registered across Greater Sydney. The area is highly residential and appears to offer few local employment positions, as shown by comparing the census count of local workers against the resident labor force. According to AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics aggregated from broader regions, the local workforce expanded by 0.7% over the 12-month period, while the total labor force remained unchanged, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point decrease in the unemployment rate. Over the same timeframe, Greater Sydney recorded an employment rise of 1.9% and labor force growth of 1.9%, with a minor decrease in unemployment. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide additional context for future labor demand in the area. These five and ten-year forecasts have been aligned with the local industry profile to estimate future trends. Across Australia, employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sectors will experience widely different rates of growth. Applying these sector-specific trends to the local industry mix suggests employment among residents could rise by 7.7% over five years and 15.1% over ten years, which represents a basic weighted projection for illustration and excludes localized demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Willoughby East is $4,536 a week (about $236,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,155 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $73,120 a year against an average of $151,144. The average runs 107% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayer incomes in the area rank in the highest percentile nationally, featuring a median of $73,120 and an average of $151,144. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded a median income of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $80,666 for the median and $166,742 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census shows that household, family, and individual incomes are all highly ranked, placing between the 88th and 99th percentiles nationwide.
The highest income bracket of $4000+ is the most common, accounting for 53.5% of residents (1,028 people), which differs from the broader region where 30.9% of households earn in the $1,500 - 2,999 range. High-income earners are highly prevalent, with 61.1% receiving over $3,000 weekly, pointing to significant financial capacity. Residents retain 88.3% of their income after meeting housing costs, showing strong financial capacity, and the area is placed in the 10th decile of the SEIFA index for relative advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Willoughby East had 568 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 44% are owned with a mortgage, 13% rented and 44% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $873 a week and the median mortgage repayment $4,219 a month, a total housing cost higher than 99% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 19.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 21.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Residential buildings in the area consist of 95.6% standalone houses and 4.4% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% alternative dwellings across the Sydney metro area. Home ownership rates are high, with 44.0% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties are either being purchased under a mortgage (43.5%) or occupied by tenants (12.5%). The typical monthly home loan payment is $4,219, which is much higher than the Sydney metro median of $2,427. The typical weekly rent is $873, compared to the metropolitan median of $470.
On a national level, local monthly home loan payments are far higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the countrywide figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Willoughby East counted 568 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 3.2 people each. 58% are couples with children, more than in 98% of areas nationally, against 24% couples without children. 9% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the vast majority of households at 89.6%, consisting of couples with children at 57.8%, couples without children at 23.6%, and single-parent households at 7.5%. The remaining 10.4% consist of non-family living arrangements, with single-person households representing 9.4% and shared group households making up 1.0%. The typical household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney median of 2.7.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
52.5% of adults in Willoughby East hold a university qualification, including 34.7% with a bachelor degree and 13.6% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 8.8% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Educational qualification levels in the area are exceptionally high, with 52.5% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% across NSW. This high level of academic achievement positions the workforce well for knowledge-based occupations. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 13.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational training is held by 19.1% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 8.8%. Engagement in education is very strong, with 35.8% of the local population currently undertaking study.
This is made up of 13.5% of residents in primary schooling, 11.1% in high school, and 5.5% enrolled in higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Willoughby East reaches 14 stops on 24 routes, timetabled for about 1,000 services a week. The typical home sits about 150 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.5 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport options in the area include 14 bus stops. These stops are serviced by 24 routes, which run a combined total of 1,015 passenger trips per week. Transport links are excellent, with the typical home located 153 meters from the nearest stop. Because this is a residential suburb, most workers travel out of the area for employment, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 82%, followed by walking at 6% and bus transit at 6%. Households own an average of 1.5 vehicles, which is higher than the Sydney average.
A high proportion of residents, 65.0%, worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic restrictions. Bus routes run an average of 145 daily trips across the network, which translates to approximately 72 weekly services for each transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
77.6% of residents in Willoughby East report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 87% of areas nationally. 2.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 86.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health profiles for the local population are excellent, with AreaSearch identifying low mortality rates and minimal chronic illness across all age groups. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, held by approximately 86% of the population (1,659 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most prevalent illnesses, affecting 7.3% and 5.2% of residents respectively. Conversely, 77.6% of the population reported no chronic medical conditions, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The working-age population is very healthy with low rates of long-term illness.
Residents aged 65 and over make up 15.6% of the community (299 people), and health outcomes for this older cohort are very positive, aligning with the high rankings of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
26.4% of Willoughby East residents were born overseas and 18.3% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (24.4%) and Australian (23.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in the area is higher than in most local property markets, with 26.4% of residents born outside Australia and 18.3% using a language other than English in their homes. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 55.0% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 1.7% of local residents compared to 0.8% across the broader Greater Sydney region. Regarding parent birthplaces, the most common ancestries are English at 24.4% of the population, which is higher than the regional average of 19.0%, Australian at 23.3%, which is higher than the regional average of 17.8%, and Irish at 9.5%.
There are also notable differences in other backgrounds, with New Zealand ancestry representing 1.1% of the population (compared to 0.5% regionally), Croatian at 0.9% (compared to 0.7% regionally), and Chinese at 8.8% (compared to 8.4% regionally).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Willoughby East is 42. 19.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of residents is 42 years, which is higher than the Greater Sydney median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 5 to 14 age bracket is highly represented at 18.1% of the population, compared to a lower proportion of 25 to 34 year olds at 4.3%. This concentration of children aged 5 to 14 is higher than the national figure of 12.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 12.6% to 15.5%. Over the same period, the 35 to 44 age bracket fell from 13.6% to 12.1%, and the 5 to 14 age group decreased from 19.3% to 18.1%.
Demographic projections for 2041 point to significant changes, led by a 28% increase in the 65 to 74 age group, which is expected to rise by 49 people from 176 to 226. In contrast, the number of children in the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age brackets is projected to decline.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Willoughby East
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 2 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (1,864 at the 2021 Census → 1,922 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL14321). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.