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North Sydney vs Sydney

Name: North Sydney vs Sydney — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 6.8 km apart · North Sydney profile · Sydney profile

North Sydney Sydney

Sydney and North Sydney are neighbouring urban areas with very different social profiles. North Sydney has a higher share of high earners, with 36.1% earning $2,000 or more a week compared to 25.6% in Sydney. It also has more homeowners, with 25.5% owning their home outright against 14.1% in Sydney. In contrast, Sydney is much more diverse and international; 29.2% of its residents are recent overseas arrivals, which is far higher than the 18.2% in North Sydney. This is consistent with Sydney having a far higher share of people using another language at home (34.8% compared to 23.9%).

Both areas share a very similar level of overall advantage and have nearly identical typical weekly rents, with Sydney at $550 and North Sydney at $580. While they are alike in these respects, other gaps have shifted. The difference in rental rates has widened, with renting being far higher in Sydney. Similarly, the gap in home ownership and the share of people earning the highest incomes have both grown since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Population: 142,682 larger in Sydney No car: 20.4 pts higher in Sydney 3+ bedrooms: 12.5 pts higher in North Sydney Renting: 12.2 pts higher in Sydney Unemployment: 2.1 pts higher in Sydney

Demographics & Identity

Population in North Sydney in Sydney +142,682 larger in Sydney gap widening

68,950 78th pct 211,632 87th pct

Median age in North Sydney in Sydney +4 yrs older in North Sydney gap steady

38 yrs 29th pct 34 yrs 12th pct

Age structure

39.1% Young adults (25–44) +11.7 pts ▸ 50.8%

23.5% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +4.3 pts 19.3%

16.7% Seniors (65+) ◂ +7.0 pts 9.6%

8.0% Youth (15–24) +4.7 pts ▸ 12.7%

12.7% Children (0–14) ◂ +5.1 pts 7.6%

Marital status

43.6% Never married +19.4 pts ▸ 63.0%

40.4% Married ◂ +15.2 pts 25.2%

10.1% Divorced ◂ +2.5 pts 7.6%

3.4% Widowed ◂ +1.5 pts 2.0%

2.5% Separated ◂ +0.3 pts 2.2%

Age & sex structure

North Sydney Sydney

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

56.0% Australia ◂ +11.4 pts 44.6%

3.7% China +4.2 pts ▸ 7.8%

6.3% England ◂ +1.5 pts 4.8%

2.6% New Zealand +0.1 pts ▸ 2.7%

2.3% India ◂ +0.5 pts 1.8%

1.8% South Africa ◂ +1.0 pts 0.8%

1.1% Philippines +0.1 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.4% Vietnam +0.7 pts ▸ 1.1%

0.6% Italy +0.2 pts ▸ 0.8%

0.4% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%

Ancestry

33.6% English ◂ +8.6 pts 25.1%

22.9% Australian ◂ +6.0 pts 16.8%

10.8% Chinese +6.0 pts ▸ 16.8%

12.9% Irish ◂ +2.3 pts 10.7%

10.3% Scottish ◂ +2.9 pts 7.5%

3.9% Italian even 3.9%

3.8% German ◂ +0.5 pts 3.3%

3.4% Indian ◂ +0.8 pts 2.6%

1.3% Greek +0.6 pts ▸ 1.9%

1.7% Filipino even 1.6%

0.7% Vietnamese +0.9 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.5% Dutch ◂ +0.3 pts 1.1%

Language

Language used at home

71.8% English only ◂ +13.8 pts 58.0%

4.3% Mandarin +4.3 pts ▸ 8.6%

2.7% Cantonese +0.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

0.4% Vietnamese +0.8 pts ▸ 1.2%

0.7% Italian +0.2 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.9% Hindi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.8%

0.4% Greek +0.5 pts ▸ 0.9%

0.3% Arabic +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

0.4% Tagalog even 0.4%

0.1% Punjabi even 0.1%

Religion

Religious affiliation

46.4% No religion +5.6 pts ▸ 52.0%

39.6% Christianity ◂ +12.0 pts 27.6%

6.4% Not stated +2.5 pts ▸ 8.9%

2.6% Buddhism +3.9 pts ▸ 6.5%

2.6% Hinduism ◂ +0.8 pts 1.8%

0.8% Islam +0.8 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.0% Judaism even 1.1%

0.6% Other religions even 0.6%

Education & Qualifications

Schools in North Sydney in Sydney +33 more in Sydney

15 64th pct 48 86th pct

Schools/1k kids in North Sydney in Sydney +1.28 more in Sydney

1.72 14th pct 2.99 40th pct

Students in North Sydney in Sydney +5,387 more in Sydney

15,640 85th pct 21,027 86th pct

Avg size in North Sydney in Sydney +575 larger in North Sydney

1,043 100th pct 467 79th pct

ICSEA in North Sydney in Sydney +42 higher in North Sydney

1,183 100th pct 1,141 97th pct

Highest year of school

85.0% Year 12 ◂ +4.2 pts 80.8%

5.8% Year 10 ◂ +0.6 pts 5.2%

1.6% Year 9 or below +1.6 pts ▸ 3.2%

2.6% Year 11 +0.3 pts ▸ 2.9%

Highest qualification level

44.8% Bachelor degree ◂ +2.6 pts 42.2%

22.1% Postgraduate degree ◂ +1.7 pts 20.4%

11.5% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.6 pts ▸ 12.0%

6.2% Certificate III / IV +1.3 pts ▸ 7.5%

4.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.3 pts 3.6%

0.6% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 0.7%

Field of qualification

30.5% Management & commerce ◂ +3.9 pts 26.6%

17.2% Society & culture ◂ +1.6 pts 15.5%

6.9% Creative arts +2.7 pts ▸ 9.6%

8.7% Health ◂ +1.9 pts 6.8%

7.7% Engineering & related ◂ +0.4 pts 7.3%

5.3% Education ◂ +1.7 pts 3.6%

4.7% Information technology +0.3 pts ▸ 5.0%

4.2% Natural & physical sciences even 4.1%

2.1% Food, hospitality & personal services +1.7 pts ▸ 3.9%

3.4% Architecture & building +0.3 pts ▸ 3.7%

0.8% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.1 pts 0.7%

Income

Personal income in North Sydney in Sydney +$352 higher in North Sydney gap widening

$1,593 100th pct $1,241 92nd pct

Household income in North Sydney in Sydney +$312 higher in North Sydney gap narrowing

$2,524 94th pct $2,212 89th pct

Family income in North Sydney in Sydney +$686 higher in North Sydney gap widening

$3,743 100th pct $3,057 95th pct

Household income distribution

31.6% $4,000 or more ◂ +8.4 pts 23.2%

27.7% $1,500–$2,999 +1.5 pts ▸ 29.1%

15.7% $650–$1,499 +1.8 pts ▸ 17.5%

9.2% Under $650 +4.7 pts ▸ 13.9%

11.7% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.4 pts 11.4%

Personal income distribution

30.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +4.4 pts 26.0%

23.5% $650–$1,499 +4.0 pts ▸ 27.5%

21.1% Under $650 +4.9 pts ▸ 26.0%

19.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +7.5 pts 12.4%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

7.0% Mental health +1.5 pts ▸ 8.5%

7.1% Other condition ◂ +0.2 pts 6.9%

7.0% Asthma ◂ +0.5 pts 6.5%

5.6% Arthritis ◂ +1.7 pts 3.9%

3.2% Heart disease ◂ +1.1 pts 2.0%

2.9% Cancer ◂ +1.1 pts 1.9%

2.4% Diabetes ◂ +0.2 pts 2.2%

1.0% Lung condition ◂ +0.1 pts 0.9%

0.6% Stroke ◂ +0.2 pts 0.4%

0.4% Dementia ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%

Number of long-term health conditions

70.9% None +0.2 pts ▸ 71.1%

17.3% One condition ◂ +1.8 pts 15.4%

4.1% Two conditions ◂ +0.5 pts 3.6%

1.6% Three or more ◂ +0.3 pts 1.3%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in North Sydney in Sydney +2,731 larger in Sydney

278 36th pct 3,009 86th pct

Median age in North Sydney in Sydney even

31 yrs 82nd pct 31 yrs 82nd pct

Median income in North Sydney in Sydney +$644 higher in North Sydney

$1,368 100th pct $724 82nd pct

Household income in North Sydney in Sydney +$1,183 higher in North Sydney

$2,625 99th pct $1,442 57th pct

Family & Households

Household size in North Sydney in Sydney +0.1 larger in North Sydney gap steady

2.0 5th pct 1.9 0th pct

Family composition

42.0% Couples without children +11.7 pts ▸ 53.7%

46.5% Couples with children ◂ +12.4 pts 34.1%

9.9% One-parent families ◂ +0.3 pts 9.5%

1.6% Other families +1.0 pts ▸ 2.6%

Household size

38.6% 1 person +2.5 pts ▸ 41.1%

37.6% 2 people +1.0 pts ▸ 38.6%

12.9% 3 people ◂ +1.3 pts 11.6%

8.6% 4 people ◂ +2.2 pts 6.4%

1.9% 5 people ◂ +0.3 pts 1.6%

0.5% 6 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in North Sydney in Sydney +$30 higher in North Sydney gap widening

$580 100th pct $550 100th pct

Mortgage in North Sydney in Sydney +$300 higher in North Sydney gap widening

$3,000 100th pct $2,700 95th pct

People / bedroom in North Sydney in Sydney +0.10 higher in Sydney gap steady

1.00 89th pct 1.10 93rd pct

How homes are owned or rented

51.9% Rented +12.2 pts ▸ 64.1%

25.5% Owned outright ◂ +11.5 pts 14.1%

20.4% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +1.3 pts 19.1%

1.5% Other tenure ◂ +0.1 pts 1.3%

0.7% Not stated +0.7 pts ▸ 1.4%

Types of homes

75.7% Flat or apartment +2.8 pts ▸ 78.5%

12.7% Townhouse / semi-detached +5.6 pts ▸ 18.3%

11.1% Separate house ◂ +9.0 pts 2.1%

0.2% Other dwelling +0.3 pts ▸ 0.6%

Bedrooms per home

41.4% 2 bedrooms +0.5 pts ▸ 41.9%

22.3% 1 bedroom +8.8 pts ▸ 31.2%

24.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +9.4 pts 15.3%

5.8% 4 bedrooms ◂ +2.2 pts 3.6%

2.9% Studio / none +2.5 pts ▸ 5.4%

2.0% 5 or more ◂ +1.0 pts 1.1%

Weekly rent distribution

33.4% $350–$549 ◂ +4.4 pts 29.0%

32.3% $550–$749 ◂ +0.3 pts 32.1%

24.4% $750 or more ◂ +4.8 pts 19.6%

2.7% Under $200 +5.7 pts ▸ 8.4%

4.8% $200–$349 +3.5 pts ▸ 8.2%

Monthly mortgage distribution

48.1% $3,000 or more ◂ +6.0 pts 42.1%

23.8% $1,800–$2,999 +5.3 pts ▸ 29.1%

11.7% $1,000–$1,799 +1.4 pts ▸ 13.1%

10.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +0.7 pts 10.1%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in North Sydney in Sydney +397 more in Sydney

235 73rd pct 632 86th pct

Stops/1k in North Sydney in Sydney +0.42 more in North Sydney

3.41 52nd pct 2.99 47th pct

Departures/1k in North Sydney in Sydney +1,247.9 more in Sydney

2,148.2 92nd pct 3,396.1 100th pct

PT routes in North Sydney in Sydney +163 more in Sydney

57 86th pct 220 92nd pct

Stop walk in North Sydney in Sydney even

2 14th pct 2 14th pct

Drive to city in North Sydney in Sydney

— 5 0th pct

How people get to work

60.9% Worked at home ◂ +8.6 pts 52.3%

16.1% Car (driver) ◂ +3.2 pts 12.8%

4.9% Walked +4.3 pts ▸ 9.2%

2.2% Train +1.4 pts ▸ 3.6%

2.3% Bus +0.7 pts ▸ 3.0%

0.5% Bicycle +1.1 pts ▸ 1.6%

1.4% Car (passenger) ◂ +0.1 pts 1.2%

Motor vehicles per home

56.6% 1 vehicle ◂ +9.6 pts 47.1%

18.9% No vehicle +20.4 pts ▸ 39.3%

20.3% 2 vehicles ◂ +8.9 pts 11.4%

3.0% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.5 pts 1.6%

1.1% 4 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 0.6%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

21.5% Professional & technical ◂ +2.6 pts 18.9%

13.3% Finance & insurance ◂ +3.0 pts 10.3%

11.3% Health care & social assistance ◂ +2.0 pts 9.4%

4.2% Accommodation & food +4.0 pts ▸ 8.2%

7.6% Education & training even 7.6%

5.6% Retail trade +1.5 pts ▸ 7.0%

5.0% Public administration & safety +0.5 pts ▸ 5.6%

4.3% Construction ◂ +0.1 pts 4.3%

4.2% Media & telecommunications ◂ +0.1 pts 4.2%

3.1% Administrative & support +0.5 pts ▸ 3.6%

2.1% Transport & warehousing +1.1 pts ▸ 3.2%

3.1% Wholesale trade ◂ +0.8 pts 2.2%

Occupations people work in

45.3% Professionals ◂ +3.6 pts 41.6%

22.8% Managers ◂ +4.1 pts 18.7%

11.7% Clerical & administrative ◂ +1.0 pts 10.6%

5.3% Community & personal service +2.3 pts ▸ 7.7%

4.9% Technicians & trades +2.1 pts ▸ 7.1%

5.6% Sales workers +0.6 pts ▸ 6.2%

1.9% Labourers +2.4 pts ▸ 4.3%

0.9% Machinery operators & drivers +1.1 pts ▸ 2.0%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in North Sydney in Sydney even

10 100th pct 10 100th pct

IRSD decile in North Sydney in Sydney +1 higher in North Sydney

10 100th pct 9 86th pct

IER decile in North Sydney in Sydney +4 higher in North Sydney

6 57th pct 2 14th pct

IEO decile in North Sydney in Sydney even

10 100th pct 10 100th pct

IRSAD score in North Sydney in Sydney +38 higher in North Sydney

1,164 100th pct 1,126 97th pct

ERP in North Sydney in Sydney +168,092 higher in Sydney

73,705 78th pct 241,797 87th pct

Growth in North Sydney in Sydney +6.5 pts higher in Sydney

6.1% 71st pct 12.6% 92nd pct

Businesses in North Sydney in Sydney +69,909 higher in Sydney

15,284 86th pct 85,193 94th pct

Approvals in North Sydney in Sydney +1,467 higher in Sydney

284 74th pct 1,751 88th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in North Sydney in Sydney +29 higher in North Sydney

1,419 89th pct 1,390 89th pct

Max temp in North Sydney in Sydney even

23.4 41st pct 23.4 40th pct

Min temp in North Sydney in Sydney even

13.7 74th pct 13.7 74th pct

Crime & Safety

Crime rate in North Sydney in Sydney +16,325 higher in Sydney

3,387 6th pct 19,711 87th pct

Assault/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +1,689 higher in Sydney

361 6th pct 2,050 85th pct

Sexual/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +337 higher in Sydney

120 12th pct 457 86th pct

Robbery/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +85 higher in Sydney

7 10th pct 93 91st pct

Burglary/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +270 higher in Sydney

218 13th pct 487 47th pct

Theft/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +3,406 higher in Sydney

708 22nd pct 4,114 98th pct

Vehicle theft/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +476 higher in Sydney

203 23rd pct 679 80th pct

Property damage/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +757 higher in Sydney

276 3rd pct 1,033 72nd pct

Drugs/100k in North Sydney in Sydney +1,863 higher in Sydney

194 20th pct 2,057 88th pct

5-yr change in North Sydney in Sydney +6.8 pts higher in Sydney

-14.8% 14th pct -8.0% 23rd pct

Walkability

Walk score in North Sydney in Sydney +0.5 higher in Sydney

9.2 100th pct 9.6 100th pct

Types ≤15 min in North Sydney in Sydney +0.1 more in Sydney

7.9 100th pct 8.0 100th pct

15-min city in North Sydney in Sydney +1.6 pts higher in Sydney

98.4% 99th pct 100.0% 100th pct

Walk to shops in North Sydney in Sydney +1.7 pts higher in Sydney

98.3% 99th pct 100.0% 100th pct

Walk to transit in North Sydney in Sydney even

100.0% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct

Walk to school in North Sydney in Sydney +1.5 pts higher in Sydney

98.4% 98th pct 99.9% 100th pct

Walk to a park in North Sydney in Sydney even

100.0% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct

Walk to health in North Sydney in Sydney +2.3 pts higher in Sydney

97.6% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct

Amenities/1k in North Sydney in Sydney +3.5 more in North Sydney

21.7 58th pct 18.2 47th pct

Intersections/km² in North Sydney in Sydney +193 higher in Sydney

478 100th pct 671 100th pct

Mean slope in North Sydney in Sydney +0.2 pts higher in Sydney

11.1% 100th pct 11.3% 100th pct

Compare North Sydney with nearby areas

Willoughby Mosman Lane Cove Sydney Woollahra Hunters Hill Inner West Waverley

Compare Sydney with nearby areas

Inner West Woollahra North Sydney Waverley Randwick Bayside Mosman Lane Cove

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). North Sydney vs Sydney [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA15950/north-sydney/vs/LGA17200/sydney