Zetland

Zetland lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

As of Nov 2025, the estimated population for the Zetland statistical area (Lv2) is around 14,817, reflecting a 17.4% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 12,622. This growth was inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of resident population at 14,313 based on latest ERP data release by ABS (June 2024) and validation of 1,111 new addresses since the Census date. The resulting population density ratio is 18,521 persons per square kilometer, placing Zetland in the top 10% nationally. This growth exceeded both state (7.6%) and metropolitan area averages, marking Zetland as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year and NSW State Government's SA2-level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year for areas not covered by ABS data.

Future population trends forecast a significant increase, with Zetland expected to grow by 4,632 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 27.9% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Zetland among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data, Zetland averaged around 416 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 2,084 homes. As of FY-26 so far, 282 approvals have been recorded. Assuming an average of one new resident per year per dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, new construction is matching or outpacing demand. The average value of new homes being built is $554,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY-26, $6.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting limited commercial development focus. Relative to Greater Sydney, Zetland has 455.0% more building activity per person. New construction has been entirely comprised of townhouses or apartments, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around 23 people per dwelling approval, Zetland shows characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate Zetland will gain 4,128 residents by 2041 based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development patterns suggest new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Population forecasts indicate Zetland will gain 4,128 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects that could affect the region. Notable initiatives include Green Square Town Centre, The Kingsborough, Meriton Green Square Stage 2 Development, and Zetland Square. Relevant projects are detailed below.

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 performance in Zetland ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Zetland's workforce is highly educated, notably in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, according to AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation.

As of September 2025, 9,480 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.2%, below Greater Sydney's 4.2%. Workforce participation in Zetland is 72.2%, exceeding Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment industries include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Professional & technical services have a strong presence at 1.5 times the regional level, while health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 9.0% compared to the regional average of 14.1%.

The area offers limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population versus resident population counts. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.3%, with employment down by 1.7%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.1% and labour force increase by 2.4%. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03%, with an unemployment rate of 3.9%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's projections from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary between sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Zetland's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 reports Zetland's median income among taxpayers at $69,129 and average income at $84,315. These figures are notably high compared to national averages. Greater Sydney's median income is $60,817 with an average of $83,003 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $75,254 (median) and $91,785 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Zetland stand at the 93rd percentile nationally ($1,262 weekly). The earnings profile shows that 35.6% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (5,274 people), reflecting regional patterns where 30.9% fall within this range. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 32.8% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 25.4% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 62nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

Zetland's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 0.3% houses and 99.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasted with Sydney metro's 2.3% houses and 97.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Zetland stood at 7.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.2% and rented ones at 72.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,642, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,705. Median weekly rent in Zetland was $600, higher than Sydney metro's figure of $550. Nationally, Zetland's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 53.1 percent of all households, including 11.4 percent couples with children, 35.4 percent couples without children, and 4.3 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.9 percent, with lone person households at 31.7 percent and group households comprising 15.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 1.9.

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

Zetland's educational attainment is notably high, with 61.7% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, surpassing Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 38.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (20.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Vocational pathways account for 19.1%, comprising advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (9.5%). Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 18.1% in tertiary, 2.9% in primary, and 1.6% pursuing secondary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 18.1% in tertiary education, 2.9% in primary education, and 1.6% pursuing secondary education.

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

Zetland has 24 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 11 different routes that together facilitate 7,138 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in Zetland is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 110 meters from the nearest transport stop.

On average, there are 1,019 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 297 weekly trips per individual stop.

Zetland'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 Zetland, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 60% of the total population (8,919 people) have private health cover, compared to 68.5% across Greater Sydney.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.6% and 5.5% of residents respectively. A total of 85.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 77.4% across Greater Sydney. As of 2021, 4.1% of Zetland's residents are aged 65 and over (607 people), which is lower than the 9.7% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors in Zetland are particularly strong, broadly aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Zetland has high cultural diversity, with 52.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 66.1% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, at 30.5%. Judaism is overrepresented, at 1.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 1.1%.

Top ancestry groups are Chinese (27.3%, regional average 13.0%), Other (16.5%), and English (14.9%). Russian (0.9%), Spanish (0.9%), and French (0.9%) are notably overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.1% respectively.

Zetland hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Zetland's median age at 30 years is younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Zetland has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (41.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (3.7%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the proportion of Zetland's population aged 35-44 has grown from 17.7% to 19.8%, while the 25-34 age group has decreased from 42.4% to 41.1%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Zetland's age profile. The 25-34 age cohort is expected to grow steadily, increasing by 1,426 people (23%) from 6,089 to 7,516. Conversely, the number of residents aged 35-44 is projected to decrease.