Woolloomooloo

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

As of Feb 2026, the estimated population of Woolloomooloo is around 4,073, reflecting a 7.4% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 3,792. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's resident population estimate of 4,071 based on the latest ERP data release by the ABS (June 2024) and seven validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a high population density ratio of 11,008 persons per square kilometer, placing Woolloomooloo within the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The suburb's growth rate of 7.4% since census is close to the state average of 7.8%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods. For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for covered SA2 areas and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 for uncovered areas.

Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Woolloomooloo is forecasted to have a significant population increase, growing by 1,459 persons to reach an estimated total of 5,532, reflecting a gain of 35.8% over the 17 years.

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 indicates Woolloomooloo has seen approximately 4 new homes approved annually over the past 5 financial years, totalling around 21 homes. By FY-26, 9 approvals have been recorded so far. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with varied buyer choices. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $1,870,000, indicating a focus on premium segment developments.

This financial year, $3.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's predominantly residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woolloomooloo has significantly less development activity, with 81.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Additionally, new construction has been exclusively comprised of attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living which caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 1612 people per dwelling approval, Woolloomooloo exhibits a highly mature market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add approximately 1,457 residents by 2041.

If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Woolloomooloo 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 28 projects potentially affecting this region. Notable initiatives include Minerva Theatre Restoration, The Potts Point Hotel Redevelopment (Queensgate), Holiday Inn Potts Point Redevelopment, and the redevelopment of 20-26 Bayswater Road Mansions Terrace. Below is a list of projects likely 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 a notable presence in the technology sector. The unemployment rate, as aggregated by AreaSearch from statistical area data, is 6.3%. As of December 2025, 2,412 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.2% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Woolloomooloo is lower at 68.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.2%. According to Census responses, 60.4% of residents work from home. The dominant employment sectors are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and public administration & safety. Woolloomooloo has a strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share 1.9 times the regional level.

In contrast, health care & social assistance employs only 9.0% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 14.1%. The resident-to-worker ratio is 0.8, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over a 12-month period ending in May-25, labour force decreased by 0.2% and employment decreased by 1.1%, resulting in an unemployment rate increase of 0.8 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion 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, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Woolloomooloo had a median taxpayer income of $66,014 and an average income of $122,394. Nationally, these figures rank in the top percentile. In Greater Sydney, the median was $60,817 and the average was $83,003. As of September 2025, estimated incomes are approximately $71,863 (median) and $133,238 (average), based on an 8.86% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. The 2021 Census shows Woolloomooloo's individual earnings rank at the 96th percentile nationally ($1,368 weekly) and household income at the 65th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 26.6% of residents (1,083 individuals), similar to the surrounding region's 30.9%. High earners above $3,000/week comprise 34.1%, indicating strong economic capacity. Housing costs consume 23.0% of income, but disposable income ranks at the 56th percentile. Woolloomooloo's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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 in 2016 comprised 0.5% houses and 99.5% other dwellings, compared to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolloomooloo was 13.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 14.1% and rented ones at 72.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, above Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Woolloomooloo was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Woolloomooloo's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were 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 make up 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 2.7.

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

Woolloomooloo's residents aged 15 and above have a higher educational attainment than national and state averages. Specifically, 54.5% of Woolloomooloo residents hold university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and New South Wales' 32.2%. The area's education profile is dominated by bachelor degrees (34.5%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (16.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 23.3%, with advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 11.7%.

Notably, 23.0% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, including 7.9% in tertiary education, 4.0% in primary education, and 3.2% pursuing secondary education.

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

Woolloomooloo has 14 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops are served by a mix of buses along seven individual routes, collectively facilitating 3,641 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located just 106 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most Woolloomooloo residents commute outward. Walking is notably common for local journeys, with 42% of residents choosing this mode of transport, while 13% use trains. Vehicle ownership in the area averages 0.3 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents work from home, at 60.4%. This figure may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 520 trips per day, equating to approximately 260 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Woolloomooloo is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Woolloomooloo shows higher-than-average health outcomes, as determined by AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 75% of Woolloomooloo's total population (3,058 people) has private health cover, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 11.3% and 7.3% of residents respectively. 69.6% of residents report being completely free of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among working-age individuals are generally typical. The area has 16.4% (667 people) of residents aged 65 and over. Seniors' health outcomes are above average, with national rankings broadly similar to the general population.

Woolloomooloo 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

Woolloomooloo has a high level of cultural diversity, with 25.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 43.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Woolloomooloo, making up 38.3% of people there. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 1.4% of Woolloomooloo's population versus 0.8%.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are English (22.3%), Australian (14.3%), and Other (14.2%). Notably, French (1.6%) Spanish (1.3%) and Russian (0.9%) ethnicities have higher representations in Woolloomooloo compared to the regional averages of 0.5%, 0.6% and 0.4% respectively.

Woolloomooloo's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Woolloomooloo is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 cohort is notably over-represented at 26.6% compared to Greater Sydney's average, while the 5-14 age group is under-represented at 4.3%. This 25-34 concentration is well above the national average of 14.4%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group has grown from 7.0% to 8.8%, and the 75-84 cohort has increased from 4.4% to 5.8%. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 13.2% to 11.9%, and the 25-34 group has dropped from 27.8% to 26.6%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Woolloomooloo, with the 25-34 age group expected to grow by 29%, reaching 1,394 people from 1,083.