Willoughby East

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

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population of Willoughby East is around 1,828, a decrease of 36 people from the 2021 Census figure of 1,864. This decline reflects an inferred resident population of 1,825 based on AreaSearch's validation of addresses and examination of ABS's latest ERP data release in June 2024. The suburb's population density is estimated at 3,264 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia figures for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.

For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipated demographic trends indicate lower quartile growth in Australian statistical areas, with Willoughby East expected to grow by 88 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 10.3% over the 17 years.

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

Development activity data is being compiled for this area.

Relative to Greater Sydney, Willoughby East has significantly less development activity. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This is also below average nationally, reflecting the area's maturity and pointing to possible planning constraints.

Willoughby East has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

No infrastructure changes or major projects have been identified by AreaSearch as impacting the area. Key projects include Aurora Willoughby, Heart Of Willoughby, Sydney Metro City & Southwest, and North Sydney To Northern Beaches Capacity Improvements.

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 reveals Willoughby East recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Willoughby East has a highly educated workforce, with the technology sector well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 5.9%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of June 2025941 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate at 1.7% above Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation in Willoughby East is 66.4%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (1.8 times the regional level), finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance sectors. Construction employs only 4.3% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 8.6%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.1%, while employment fell by 2.9%, causing unemployment to rise by 2.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with a 0.3 percentage point increase in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Willoughby East's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.7% over five years and 15.1% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes 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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Willoughby East has one of the highest incomes nationally. The median income is $73,120 and the average income is $151,144. This contrasts with Greater Sydney's median income of $56,994 and average income of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, the estimated current incomes are approximately $82,340 (median) and $170,203 (average) as of September 2025. Census 2021 income data reveals that Willoughby East ranks highly nationally for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 88th and 99th percentiles. Income analysis shows that 53.5% of residents earn over $4,000 weekly (977 people), unlike surrounding regions where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. Higher earners are prevalent with 61.1% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 88.3% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Willoughby East is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Willoughby East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.6% houses and 4.4% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 41.1% houses and 58.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Willoughby East stood at 44.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 43.5% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $4,219, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,033. Median weekly rent in Willoughby East was $873, compared to Sydney metro's $560. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $4,219 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Willoughby East features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 89.6% of all households, including 57.8% couples with children, 23.6% couples without children, and 7.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 10.4%, comprising 9.4% lone person households and 1.0% group households. The median household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Willoughby East is notably high, with 52.5% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 34.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational pathways account for 19.1% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 8.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.5% in primary education, 11.1% in secondary education, and 5.5% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities appear to be located outside the immediate catchment boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

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

Transport analysis indicates 13 active stops in Willoughby East offering mixed bus services. These stops are served by 24 routes, facilitating 1,110 weekly passenger trips. Residential accessibility to transport is rated excellent, with residents typically located 154 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 158 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 85 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Willoughby East shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 86% of the total population (1,578 people), compared to 78.2% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions, affecting 7.3 and 5.2% of residents respectively.

A significant majority, 77.6%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 78.0% in Greater Sydney. The area has a senior population of 15.1% (276 people), with health outcomes among seniors broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Willoughby East 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

Willoughby East had a higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 26.4% of its population born overseas and 18.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Willoughby East, accounting for 55.0% of the population. However, Judaism stood out as being overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, with 1.7% of Willoughby East's population identifying as Jewish versus 1.0% regionally.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English at 24.4%, Australian at 23.3%, and Irish at 9.5%. Notably, New Zealanders were overrepresented at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Croatians at 0.9% versus 0.7%, and Chinese at 8.8% compared to 17.1%.

Willoughby East hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Willoughby East is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and also older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The age group of 5-14 years old makes up 18.6% of the population in Willoughby East, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 years cohort is less prevalent at 4.1%. This concentration of the 5-14 age group is higher than the national average of 12.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.6% to 14.6% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort has decreased from 13.6% to 12.7%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Willoughby East. The 15 to 24 age group is projected to grow by 28%, reaching a population of 342 from 266, leading the demographic shift. Conversely, the 0 to 4 and 45 to 54 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.