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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 $3.47m. House values have moved 0.9% 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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Sales Detail
Willoughby East has an estimated 1,932 residents, up from 1,864 at the 2021 Census — a change of 68 people, or 3.6%. That puts 3,450 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
According to AreaSearch's evaluation of regional ABS updates alongside post-Census address validations, the population of the suburb of Willoughby East is placed at approximately 1,932 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 68 people (3.6%) above the 1,864 residents documented during the 2021 Census. AreaSearch previously calculated a resident count of 1,871 following the ABS ERP release in June 2025 and subsequent address tracking. With a resultant density of 3,450 persons per square kilometer, the suburb ranks within the top quartile among nationwide areas analyzed by AreaSearch. The post-Census expansion of 3.6% trails the SA4 regional benchmark (5.9%) by just 2.3 percentage points, highlighting sound growth dynamics.
Net arrivals from overseas drove the vast majority of local expansion, accounting for roughly 94.0% of recent population additions. Projections for the area utilize ABS and Geoscience Australia SA2 modeling published in 2024 (using 2022 as a base year), supplemented where necessary by 2022 NSW State Government SA2 releases based on 2021. For the period spanning 2032 to 2041, age-specific growth trajectories from these datasets are applied. In light of these demographic projections, population expansion is expected to sit in the lowest quartile nationally, with the suburb of Willoughby East forecast to gain 78 persons by 2041 under aggregated SA2 estimates, reflecting an overall increase of 0.9% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
Over the preceding five years, the suburb has recorded only 1 residential building approval. This pattern underscores an established, fully developed market with minimal vacant parcels for residential building. Consequently, the restricted supply of fresh dwellings tends to reinforce existing property valuations, focusing buyer demand almost exclusively on established stock. Residential building volumes in the locality trail Greater Sydney by a wide margin. While building activity has shown some recent momentum, the sustained shortage of additions reinforces asset values and interest in existing properties. Construction levels also track below nationwide benchmarks, indicating a mature residential landscape and potential planning restrictions.
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 $23.7 billion. 22 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 capital works, major development schemes, and strategic urban policies play a crucial role in shaping district development. Across the locality, AreaSearch has identified no active major infrastructure undertakings that would influence the immediate area, though broader initiatives such as Aurora Willoughby, Heart Of Willoughby, North Sydney To Northern Beaches Capacity Improvements, and the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy remain relevant to the surrounding vicinity.
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.
898 residents of Willoughby East are employed, from a labour force of 942. 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 1,678, 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 labour pool is distinguished by high qualification rates, particularly within the tech industry, alongside an unemployment rate of 4.7% and annual job growth estimated at 0.8% across aggregated district figures. By March 2026, employed residents totaled 898, while unemployment tracked 0.5% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, accompanied by a participation rate of 65.1% compared to 68.9% regionally. Census returns indicated that 65.0% of working residents performed their duties remotely, though lockdown circumstances during that period must be noted. Resident employment centers primarily on professional & technical services, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance.
Concentration in professional & technical fields is especially pronounced, standing at 1.8 times the broader regional proportion. Conversely, construction employment is relatively subdued at 4.3% versus 8.6% across the region. Comparisons between local resident counts and internal working numbers indicate that this residential district provides minimal local employment. Analysis of SALM and ABS statistics over the twelve months leading to March 2026 shows that local employment expanded by 0.8% while the overall workforce saw no net change, leading to a 0.7 percentage point drop in the unemployment rate. By comparison, Greater Sydney recorded a 1.9% increase in both jobs and labor supply, alongside a slight reduction in unemployment. National outlooks published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements. While nationwide employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, shifting trends across specific industries indicate that local employment could grow by 7.7% over five years and 15.1% over ten years based on the area's sectoral distribution.
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
ATO tax statistics for financial year 2023 place local earnings among the highest in Australia, showing a median income of $73,120 and an average of $151,144, substantially exceeding Greater Sydney figures of $60,817 and $83,003. Factoring in a 10.32% Wage Price Index lift since financial year 2023, updated figures reach approximately $80,666 (median) and $166,742 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census positions local household, family, and personal earnings between the 88th and 99th percentiles across the country. The top tier of $4000+ per week includes 53.5% of residents (1,033 individuals), diverging from the regional tendency where the $1,500 - 2,999 category leads at 30.9%.
Furthermore, 61.1% receive more than $3,000 weekly, and households retain 88.3% of earnings after meeting housing commitments, placing the area in the 10th decile on the SEIFA income scale.
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 property is heavily concentrated in standalone houses, which accounted for 95.6% of the dwelling stock at the last Census compared to 4.4% for attached dwellings and flats, whereas metropolitan Sydney recorded 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Fully owned homes stood at 44.0%, well above metropolitan averages, while mortgaged properties represented 43.5% and rentals constituted 12.5%. Monthly mortgage payments averaged $4,219 at the median, surpassing both metropolitan Sydney ($2,427) and the Australian benchmark ($1,863). Similarly, median weekly rents of $873 significantly outpaced the metropolitan level of $470 and the national standard 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 constitute the vast majority of local households at 89.6%, encompassing 57.8% couples with children, 23.6% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent households. Lone person residences account for 9.4% and group arrangements make up 1.0%, bringing non-family households to 10.4%. The median household size of 3.2 persons is higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark 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
Tertiary qualification rates in the area substantially exceed broader geographic averages, with 52.5% of individuals aged 15 and over holding higher education degrees, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. Bachelor qualifications form the largest group at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate study at 13.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational accreditations account for 19.1% of the adult population, comprising advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (8.8%). Active participation in study is pronounced, with 35.8% of the local population engaged in academic programs. This comprises 13.5% attending primary schools, 11.1% in secondary education, and 5.5% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Willoughby East reaches 14 stops on 25 routes, timetabled for about 1,100 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 connectivity in the area is supported by 14 active bus stops. Across these facilities, 25 bus services operate to provide 1,134 weekly passenger journeys, with the average home positioned 153 meters from the nearest boarding point. As an established commuter enclave, private vehicles account for 82% of work journeys, while 6% walk and 6% utilize buses. Vehicle ownership sits above regional levels at an average of 1.5 per dwelling, while 65.0% of residents recorded working from home at the 2021 Census. Bus routes running through the neighborhood generate an average of 162 daily services, translating to roughly 81 departures each week for every 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
Evaluations of local health indicators reveal exceptional standards of wellbeing across the community, marked by low chronic disease incidence across all age groups and minimal mortality. Private health insurance participation is remarkably widespread, encompassing approximately 86% of residents (1,668 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a nationwide average of 55.7%. Asthma and mental health conditions are the most frequently reported diagnoses, affecting 7.3 and 5.2% of residents respectively, while 77.6% of the community reported having no chronic medical conditions, outperforming the Greater Sydney rate of 74.6%. The working-age cohort demonstrates strong physical wellbeing, while the senior demographic—representing 15.3% of the population (295 people)—maintains health profiles consistent with favorable national standards.
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 suburb exceeds typical market levels, with 26.4% of residents born abroad and 18.3% utilizing a non-English language in their homes. Christianity represents the leading religious affiliation at 55.0% of the community. In relative terms, Judaism exhibits a notable presence, accounting for 1.7% of residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney. Ancestry records show English ancestry as the primary heritage at 24.4% (above the 19.0% regional figure), Australian at 23.3% (surpassing the regional 17.8%), and Irish at 9.5%. Several other heritages also show higher concentration than the surrounding region, including Chinese at 8.8% (vs 8.4%), New Zealand at 1.1% (vs 0.5%), and Croatian at 0.9% (vs 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Willoughby East is 42. 20.3% 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 demographic profile of the suburb of Willoughby East reflects a well-settled family community. Figures updated to August 2026 show that 38.3% of the population is aged 0 - 24 (compared to 30.4% regionally), while adults aged 25 - 44 represent 17.0% (contrasting with 31.4% across Greater Sydney). The median age is 42, matching the 2021 Census and exceeding the regional figure of 37 by 5 years. Since the last Census, the 25 - 44 bracket declined from 18.4% to 17.0%. Looking toward 2041, residents aged 65 and above are projected to drive net demographic expansion, rising by 86 individuals (29%) to 382, while younger brackets are expected to contract.
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 Oct 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Oct 2026 this month headline measures · Sep 2026 baseline |
| 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 Oct 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (1,864 at the 2021 Census → 1,932 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 Aug 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.