Woolloomooloo

An assessment of population growth drivers in Woolloomooloo reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Woolloomooloo's population, as estimated by AreaSearch using ABS updates and new addresses validated since the 2021 Census, was around 4,055 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 263 people from the previous count of 3,792 in the 2021 Census, indicating a growth rate of approximately 6.9%. The estimated resident population used for this calculation was 4,061, based on AreaSearch's examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and two additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This population density translates to around 10,959 persons per square kilometer, placing Woolloomooloo within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate exceeded the state average of 6.7%, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was identified as the primary driver for this population increase during recent periods.

AreaSearch is utilizing ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, to forecast demographic trends for Woolloomooloo. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs the 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. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is forecasted to experience a significant population increase within the top quartile of national statistical areas. By 2041, Woolloomooloo's population is expected to grow by approximately 1,467 persons from its current level, reflecting an overall gain of around 36.7% over the 17-year period.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Woolloomooloo had around 6 new homes approved per year over the past 5 financial years ending June 2021, totalling an estimated 31 homes. As of April 2026, 3 approvals have been recorded. The area has experienced population decline while housing supply remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost value of $1,870,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment.

This financial year, $60,000 in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woolloomooloo has significantly less development activity, with 72.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. The area is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. All new construction in Woolloomooloo has been comprised of attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living which creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 1609 people per dwelling approval, Woolloomooloo reflects a highly mature market.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add 1,488 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 28 projects that could affect the area. Notable projects include Minerva Theatre Restoration, The Potts Point Hotel Redevelopment (Queensgate), Holiday Inn Potts Point Redevelopment, and 20-26 Bayswater Road Mansions Terrace. Below is a list of projects likely to be most relevant.

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 Woolloomooloo recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Woolloomooloo has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 6.1% as of June 2025, which is 1.9% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is at 62.3%, slightly above Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors among residents are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and public administration & safety. Woolloomooloo has a strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.9 times the regional level. Conversely, health care & social assistance employs only 9.0% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 14.1%.

The resident-to-worker ratio is 0.8, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force increased by 0.6%, while employment decreased by 0.1%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and a labour force increase of 2.9%, with unemployment rising by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 project a 6.6% expansion in employment over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Woolloomooloo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.5% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch reports that Woolloomooloo had a median taxpayer income of $66,014 and an average income of $122,394 in financial year 2022. These figures place the suburb in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. By September 2025, adjusted for a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth, median income is estimated at approximately $74,338 and average income at $137,828. According to the 2021 Census, Woolloomooloo's individual earnings rank at the 96th percentile nationally ($1,368 weekly), but household incomes rank lower at the 65th percentile. The suburb has a significant proportion of high earners (34.1% above $3,000/week) and strong economic capacity, with income analysis showing that 26.6% of individuals fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band. High housing costs consume 23.0% of income, but disposable income ranks at the 56th percentile, and Woolloomooloo's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile nationally.

Woolloomooloo features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Woolloomooloo's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 0.5% houses and 99.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolloomooloo was at 13.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 14.1% and rented ones at 72.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,705. Median weekly rent in Woolloomooloo was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Woolloomooloo's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 40.7% of all households, including 7.0% couples with children, 25.8% couples without children, and 6.8% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 59.3%, with lone person households at 51.3% and group households comprising 7.9%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

Woolloomooloo performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Woolloomooloo has a high level of educational attainment, with 54.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications. This is higher than the national average of 30.4% and the NSW average of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 34.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 23.3% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 11.6% and certificates 11.7%.

A significant number, 23.0%, of Woolloomooloo's population is actively pursuing formal education. This includes 7.9% in tertiary education, 4.0% in primary education, and 3.2% pursuing secondary education. The area has three schools with a combined enrolment of 727 students as of the latest data. These schools provide balanced educational opportunities, with an ICSEA score of 995, which is typical for Australian schools. Educational provision is split between one primary and two secondary institutions. Woolloomooloo functions as an education hub, with 17.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 7.7. This attracts students from surrounding communities to the area's schools. Note: for schools showing 'n/a' in enrolments, please refer to their parent campus.

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

Woolloomooloo has ten active public transport stops in operation. These are served by a mix of bus routes, totalling seven different services. Together, these provide 2,988 weekly passenger trips.

The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 107 metres from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 426 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 298 weekly trips per individual stop.

Woolloomooloo's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Woolloomooloo residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts at a fairly standard level. Approximately 75% of Woolloomooloo's total population (3,045 people) have private health cover, compared to 69.7% in Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 11.3% of residents, while asthma impacts 7.3%.

A total of 69.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 77.4% across Greater Sydney. Woolloomooloo has 15.7% of residents aged 65 and over (636 people), higher than the 9.7% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

Woolloomooloo is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Woolloomooloo's cultural diversity is notable, with 25.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 43.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woolloomooloo, accounting for 38.3%. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 1.4% versus 1.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.3%), Australian (14.3%), and Other (14.2%). French (1.6%) Spanish (1.3%), and Russian (0.9%) ethnicities have notable divergences from regional averages.

Woolloomooloo's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Woolloomooloo is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and close to the national average of 38. The 25-34 cohort is over-represented at 27.5% compared to Greater Sydney's average, while the 5-14 age group is under-represented at 4.2%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is higher than the national average of 14.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 7.0% to 8.7%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 4.4% to 5.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 13.2% to 12.0%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Woolloomooloo. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 26%, adding 294 people, reaching a total of 1,410 from the current 1,115.