Willoughby (NSW)

Population growth drivers in Willoughby are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

As of November 2025, the estimated population for Willoughby (NSW) statistical area (Lv2) is around 7,474. This figure reflects an increase of approximately 350 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,124. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 7,421 in June 2024, along with validation of around 280 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 4,585 persons per square kilometer, placing Willoughby (NSW) within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 4.9% since the census is competitive with its SA4 region's growth fundamentals, being within 0.8 percentage points of the latter's 5.7%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.0% to Willoughby (NSW)'s overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area as released in June 2024, with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in December 2022, with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Willoughby (NSW) is expected to increase its population by approximately 432 persons based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of around 3.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Willoughby recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Willoughby has seen around 131 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 656 homes. By FY26, 9 approvals have been recorded. The average population growth per dwelling built in Willoughby between FY21 and FY25 was 0.2 people. New construction costs averaged $1,028,000 per dwelling this financial year.

Commercial approvals totalled $24.9 million so far in FY26. Compared to Greater Sydney, Willoughby's development activity is 188.0% higher on a per capita basis. New developments consist of 9.0% detached houses and 91.0% townhouses or apartments. Willoughby has around 289 people per dwelling approval, indicating low density characteristics. Population forecasts suggest Willoughby will gain 290 residents by 2041. Current construction levels should meet housing demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling population growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Population forecasts indicate Willoughby will gain 290 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Willoughby 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 has identified nine projects likely impacting this region. Notable initiatives are Aurora Willoughby, Heart Of Willoughby, Willoughby Grounds, and Flo Northbridge, all by WINIM.

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.

Employment conditions in Willoughby remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Willoughby has an educated workforce, notable in the technology sector, with an unemployment rate of 5.0% as per AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of September 2025, 3,867 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 0.8% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Willoughby is 65.3%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Finance & insurance has a significant presence with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level, while construction has limited presence at 5.6% compared to the regional 8.6%. The area appears to have limited local employment opportunities based on Census data comparing working population to resident population.

Between September 2024 and September 2025, Willoughby's labour force increased by 0.8%, while employment decreased by 1.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 2.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and the labour force expand by 2.4%, with unemployment rising by only 0.2 percentage points. State-level data from NSW as of 25-Nov shows employment contracted by 0.03%, losing 2,260 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Willoughby's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

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

The suburb of Willoughby has one of the highest income levels nationally, according to AreaSearch data based on the latest Australian Taxation Office figures for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Willoughby is $79,919, with an average income of $164,640. This compares to Greater Sydney's median and average incomes of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated current incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $87,000 (median) and $179,227 (average). Data from Census 2021 shows that income levels in Willoughby rank highly nationally, with household, family, and personal incomes all between the 93rd and 96th percentiles. Income distribution data indicates that the largest segment comprises 39.3% of residents earning $4,000 or more weekly, which differs from regional patterns where the $1,500 to $2,999 range dominates with 30.9%. Notably, 49.6% of Willoughby residents earn above $3,000 weekly. Despite high housing costs consuming 15.5% of income, strong earnings place disposable income at the 96th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Willoughby displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Willoughby's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 56.5% houses and 43.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 41.1% houses and 58.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Willoughby was at 33.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 34.8% and rented ones at 31.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,500, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,033. The median weekly rent figure in Willoughby was $583, compared to Sydney metro's $560. Nationally, Willoughby's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 75.6% of all households, including 41.0% couples with children, 22.5% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.4%, consisting of 21.8% lone person households and 2.7% group households. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

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

Willoughby has a notable educational advantage with 53.3% of its residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, surpassing the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. This is attributed to a high proportion of Bachelor degrees (34.1%), postgraduate qualifications (15.6%), and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational pathways are also significant, with advanced diplomas accounting for 9.8% and certificates for 10.2% among residents aged 15 and above. Educational participation is high in Willoughby, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.7% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 6.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis shows 38 active transport stops in Willoughby, consisting of buses. These are served by 55 routes, offering 2,963 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically 138 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 423 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 77 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Willoughby shows excellent health outcomes, with low prevalence rates for common conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 92% of the total population of 6,848 people, compared to 79.5% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (affecting 6.8%) and arthritis (5.9%).

A majority, 75.8%, report no medical ailments, slightly lower than the Greater Sydney rate of 78.0%. In Willoughby, 16.5% of residents are aged 65 and over, totaling 1,233 people. Senior health outcomes align with those of the general population.

Willoughby 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's cultural diversity is notable, with 28.9% speaking a language other than English at home and 35.9% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Willoughby, accounting for 51.4%. While Judaism makes up only 0.6%, it is slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.7%), Australian (19.6%), and Other (11.5%). Some ethnic groups show significant differences: Croatian at 1.3% in Willoughby versus 0.7% regionally, French at 0.8% versus 0.7%, and Hungarian at 0.4%.

Willoughby's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Willoughby's median age is 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. The 45-54 age cohort is notably over-represented in Willoughby at 16.5%, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 10.7% to 13.3% of Willoughby's population. Conversely, the 35-44 cohort has decreased from 16.4% to 15.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Willoughby's age profile. The 15-24 age group is projected to expand by 185 people (19%), growing from 994 to 1,180. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.