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

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of Zetland's population is estimated at around 15,463 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,841 people (22.5%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,622 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 14,313, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 1,440 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 19,328 persons per square kilometer, making land in the area a highly-sought resource. Zetland's 22.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the state (7.8%) and Greater Sydney, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 80.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of national statistical areas is forecast, with the suburb expected to increase by 4,630 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a gain of 22.5% in total over the 17 years.

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

Based on AreaSearch analysis, Zetland has seen approximately 416 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling around 2,084 homes. As of FY-26282 approvals have been recorded. On average, one new resident arrives annually for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating supply meets or exceeds demand. The average construction value of these dwellings is $554,000, suggesting a focus on premium developments.

This financial year has seen $6.7 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting Zetland's predominantly residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Zetland records 455.0% more new home approvals per capita, indicating strong developer confidence and offering buyers greater choice. All new construction comprises townhouses or apartments, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 23 people per dwelling approval, Zetland exhibits growth area characteristics. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Zetland is projected to gain approximately 3,480 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, supporting good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Looking ahead, Zetland is expected to grow by 3,480 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 33 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Green Square Town Centre, The Kingsborough, Meriton Green Square Stage 2 Development, and Zetland Square. Below is a list detailing those 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 of employment trends sees Zetland performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Zetland has a highly educated workforce with the technology sector being particularly well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data. As of December 2025, there are 9,511 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

Workforce participation in Zetland stands at 73.8%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 70.2%. Census data shows that 58.6% of residents work from home, although Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors are professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. Zetland has a notably high concentration in professional & technical jobs, with levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance is under-represented, comprising only 9.0% of Zetland's workforce compared to 14.1% in Greater Sydney. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the discrepancy between Census working population and resident population numbers. Over a 12-month period ending December 2025, Zetland's labour force decreased by 0.3%, with employment decreasing by 0.7%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.2% and the labour force grew by 2.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Zetland's employment mix indicates local employment could increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, although these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do 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

The suburb of Zetland had a median taxpayer income of $69,129 and an average income of $84,315 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are significantly higher than Greater Sydney's median income of $60,817 and average income of $83,013 during the same period. By September 2025, based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86%, estimated incomes would be approximately $75,254 (median) and $91,785 (average). In the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Zetland reached the 93rd percentile nationally at $1,262 weekly. Distribution data shows that 35.6% of the community earned between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, mirroring the broader area where 30.9% fell into this bracket. A substantial proportion, 32.8%, earned above $3,000 weekly, indicating strong economic capacity in the area. High housing costs consumed 25.4% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 62nd percentile nationally. The suburb'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). In contrast, Sydney metro had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Zetland was at 7.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 20.2% and rented ones at 72.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,642, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in Zetland was $600, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Zetland's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,642 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 53.1% of all households, including 11.4% couples with children, 35.4% couples without children, and 4.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 46.9%, with lone person households at 31.7% and group households comprising 15.3%. The median household size is 2.0 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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 exceeds national and state averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 61.7% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 32.2% in NSW. 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% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 9.5%.

Educational participation is 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 serving buses. These stops are covered by 11 routes that together facilitate 7,138 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 110 meters to the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward from this primarily residential area. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 50%, followed by trains at 19% and buses at 13%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.3, lower than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 58.6% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 1,019 trips per day, equating 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

AreaSearch's assessment shows Zetland's health outcomes are outstanding, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.

Approximately 60% of Zetland's total population (9,308 people) has private health cover, which is exceptionally high. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 5.6% and 5.5% of residents respectively. A majority of residents, 85.1%, report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Zetland has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 4.5% (695 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors in Zetland are strong, ranking nationally in line with the general population.

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 predominant religion at 30.5%. Judaism is overrepresented at 1.2%, compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%.

Top ancestry groups are Chinese (27.3%), Other (16.5%), and English (14.9%). Notable divergences exist for Russian (Zetland: 0.9% vs regional: 0.4%), Spanish (Zetland: 0.9% vs regional: 0.6%), and French (Zetland: 0.9% vs regional: 0.5%).

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

Zetland's median age in 2021 was 31 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Zetland had a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (40.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (3.8%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds was significantly higher than the national average of 14.4%. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of Zetland's population aged 35 to 44 has increased from 17.7% to 20.5%, while the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 42.4% to 40.4%. The proportion of 15 to 24 year-olds has also dropped, from 17.3% to 15.7%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest that Zetland's age profile will change significantly. The number of residents aged 25 to 34 is projected to increase by 1,270 people (20%), from 6,247 to 7,518. Conversely, the number of residents aged 35 to 44 is projected to decrease by 256 people.