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 Nov 2025, the Woolloomooloo statistical area (Lv2) has an estimated population of around 4,072. This reflects a growth of 280 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,792. The current population density is 11,005 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The area's 7.4% growth since the census is comparable to the state's rate of 7.6%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth. AreaSearch's projections for the Woolloomooloo (SA2) are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in Jun 2024, with a 2022 base year.

For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government SA2-level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the Woolloomooloo (SA2) is forecasted to grow by 1,471 persons, reflecting a total gain of 36.2% 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 4 new homes approved per year over the past five financial years ending June 2021, totalling approximately 21 homes. As of May 2026, there have been 5 approvals recorded in FY-26. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,870,000, indicating developer focus on the premium segment.

This financial year, there have been $3.1 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting Woolloomooloo's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woolloomooloo has significantly less development activity (81.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. All new construction in Woolloomooloo consists of attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living suitable for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 1609 people per dwelling approval, Woolloomooloo reflects a highly mature market. AreaSearch projects Woolloomooloo will add approximately 1,475 residents by 2041.

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

Woolloomooloo has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

The performance of an area is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 28 projects that are expected to impact 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. The following list details those 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 assessment indicates Woolloomooloo faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Woolloomooloo has a highly educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate, as of September 2025, is 6.3%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

In this month, 2,406 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 2.2% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Woolloomooloo stood at 62.3%, slightly above Greater Sydney's 60.0%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and public administration & safety. Notably, the area shows strong specialization in professional & technical, 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 ratio of 0.8 workers per resident, as at the Census, indicates substantial local employment opportunities. In the 12-month period ending in September 2025, Woolloomooloo experienced a labour force decrease of 1.1% and an employment decrease of 1.9%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.8 percentage points. Meanwhile, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% and labour force growth of 2.4%, with unemployment rising by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data up to 25-Nov-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. Nationally, the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% 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, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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 income among taxpayers 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 $83,013. By September 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $71,863 and an average income of $133,238, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%. According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings ranked at the 96th percentile nationally ($1,368 weekly), but household income was at the 65th percentile. The $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captured 26.6% of Woolloomooloo's community (1,083 individuals), similar to the surrounding region where 30.9% fell into this bracket. A substantial proportion, 34.1%, earned above $3,000/week, indicating strong economic capacity in the area. High housing costs consumed 23.0% of income, but disposable income remained at the 56th percentile, with the area's SEIFA income ranking placing 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, as per the latest Census, consisted of 0.5% houses and 99.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolloomooloo stood 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. The median weekly rent in Woolloomooloo was $500, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Woolloomooloo's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 versus the Australian average of $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 constitute 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 account for 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 notably higher educational attainment than national and state averages. Among residents aged 15+, 54.5% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 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, with advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 11.7%.

A significant portion of the population is actively pursuing education, with 23.0% currently enrolled in formal education programs. This includes 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. Together, these routes facilitate 3,641 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport in Woolloomooloo is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 106 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes amounts to 520 trips per day, which equates to approximately 260 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 have shown relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions being fairly standard across both young and old age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 75% (3,058 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 68.5%. Nationally, the average is 55.7%.

Mental health issues impacted 11.3% and asthma affected 7.3% of residents, with 69.6% reporting no medical ailments. This compares to Greater Sydney's 77.4%. The area has 15.7% (639 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Sydney's 9.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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's population shows high cultural diversity, with 25.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 43.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 38.3% of Woolloomooloo's population. Judaism, however, is overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, making up 1.4% versus 1.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (22.3%), Australian (14.3%), and Other (14.2%). Notably, French (1.6%) Spanish (1.3%), and Russian (0.9%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 1.1%, 1.0%, and 0.8% 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 and close to the national average of 38. The 25-34 cohort makes up 27.4% of Woolloomooloo's population, compared to 16.7% in Greater Sydney and 14.5% nationally. Meanwhile, the 5-14 age group constitutes only 4.2%, lower than Greater Sydney's 8.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 15-24 age group grew from 7.0% to 8.8%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 4.4% to 5.6%. However, the 45-54 cohort declined from 13.2% to 12.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Woolloomooloo. Notably, the 25-34 age group is projected to grow by 26%, reaching 1,410 people from its current total of 1,115.