Woollahra

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis of ABS population updates and new addresses validated since the Census, Woollahra's estimated population as of November 2025 is around 7,674. This reflects an increase of 485 people (6.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,189. AreaSearch estimated the resident population at 7,503 following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 81 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 6,239 persons per square kilometer, placing Woollahra in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Woollahra's growth of 6.7% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 5.8%, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth for the Woollahra statistical area (Lv2).

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, the Woollahra (SA2) is anticipated to grow by 199 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 0.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Woollahra has had approximately 8 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Between FY-21 and FY-25, around 43 homes were approved, with one more in FY-26 so far. Despite population decline, new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering good choice to buyers.

Average construction cost value is $3,179,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. This financial year, $2.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting Woollahra's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woollahra has significantly less development activity (60.0% below regional average per person), supporting stronger demand and values for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% attached dwellings, creating affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. Developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (18.0% at Census), indicating strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 676 people per dwelling approval, Woollahra reflects a highly mature market.

Future projections show Woollahra adding 19 residents by 2041, with current construction levels expected to meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 37 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Westfield Bondi Junction, Woollahra Station Completion and Rezoning, Woollahra Public School Redevelopment (Stage 2), and Woollahra Station Activation (Eastern Suburbs Railway). The following list details those most pertinent.

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.

The labour market in Woollahra shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Woollahra has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 3.0% as of an unspecified date, with estimated employment growth of 2.2% over the past year based on AreaSearch data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 4,431 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.2%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was 63.3%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries included professional & technical (employing 2.0 times the regional average), finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Construction employed only 4.0% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 8.6%.

Many residents commute elsewhere for work, indicated by Census data on working population to local population ratio. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.1%, labour force grow by 2.4%, and unemployment increase by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woollahra's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.8% over five years and 15.3% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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 2023 shows that Woollahra suburb has top percentile national income. Median assessed income is $86,294 and average income stands at $217,455. This contrasts 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 $93,940 (median) and $236,722 (average) as of September 2025. From the 2021 Census, incomes in Woollahra rank highly nationally: household income at 98th percentile, family income at 97th percentile, personal income also at 97th percentile. Income distribution shows that 40.2% of locals (3,084 people) earn $4000+ per week, unlike regional trends where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 range. High earners above $3,000/week make up 50.3%, indicating strong economic capacity in Woollahra. Housing costs consume 16.1% of income but strong earnings place disposable income at 96th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Woollahra features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Woollahra's dwelling structure in its latest Census comprised 17.9% houses and 82.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). Sydney metropolitan area had 18.3% houses and 81.8% other dwellings at the same time. Woollahra's home ownership rate was 37.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.8% and rented ones at 36.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Woollahra was $4,000, compared to Sydney metro's $3,600. Median weekly rent in Woollahra was $670, matching Sydney metro's figure. Nationally, Woollahra's median monthly mortgage repayment was significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and its median weekly rent was substantially above the national figure of $375.

Woollahra features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 59.9% of all households, including 23.1% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.1%, with lone person households at 33.6% and group households comprising 6.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.3.

Educational achievement in Woollahra places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Woollahra has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 65.0% holding university qualifications. This surpasses the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. The area's educational advantage is evident in the types of qualifications held: bachelor degrees are most common at 42.4%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.5%). Vocational pathways account for 15.5% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 8.7% and certificates 6.8%.

Educational participation is also high in Woollahra, with 27.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Woollahra's public transport analysis indicates 32 operational stops, all offering bus services. These stops are served by 32 unique routes, facilitating a total of 10,611 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is deemed excellent, with residents positioned an average of 123 meters from the nearest stop.

Daily service frequency averages 1,515 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 331 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Woollahra, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 112%, or 8,617 people, compared to 88.6% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.4% and 6.3% of residents respectively, while 74.9% report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.6% in Greater Sydney.

Woollahra has 22.8%, or 1,749 people, aged 65 and over, which is higher than the 16.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Woollahra was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woollahra's population showed high cultural diversity, with 15.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.4% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 43.6%. While Judaism was present at 8.4%, it was lower than Greater Sydney's average of 16.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (26.6%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (10.8%). Notable divergences included Hungarian (0.9% vs regional 1.2%), Polish (1.5% vs 1.9%), and French (1.1% vs 1.5%) populations.

Woollahra's median age exceeds the national pattern

The median age in Woollahra is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years, and considerably older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 75-84 age group constitutes 9.3% of Woollahra's population, compared to a lower prevalence of the 15-24 cohort at 10.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has increased from 8.2% to 9.3%, while the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 11.0% to 8.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Woollahra. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 73%, reaching 625 people from a previous count of 360. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 87% of total population growth, reflecting Woollahra's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 55-64 and 0-4 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.