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North Sydney vs Waverley

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 8.9 km apart · North Sydney profile · Waverley profile

North Sydney Waverley

North Sydney and Waverley are neighbouring areas in Greater Sydney with very similar total populations. North Sydney is a more academic and professional hub, where 59.5% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher and more people work from home. It has a notably older population, with the typical resident being 38 and a higher share of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, Waverley is younger, with a typical resident aged 35, and has a much higher rate of recorded offences, particularly theft and drug offences.

Both areas share a similar everyday feel, with nearly identical typical weekly family incomes of around $3,700 and a similar share of people who volunteer. They are also both far above the national figure for people with university degrees. While they remain alike in these respects, some gaps are shifting; for example, the difference in the share of people with degrees has narrowed since 2011, while the gap in the number of people living alone has widened.

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Where they differ most

Living alone: 8.6 pts higher in North Sydney Bachelor+: 7.5 pts higher in North Sydney 3+ bedrooms: 7.0 pts higher in Waverley Full-time: 6.2 pts higher in North Sydney Household size: 0.3 larger in Waverley

Demographics & Identity

Population in North Sydneyin Waverley +345 larger in North Sydney gap narrowing
68,950 78th pct 68,605 78th pct
Median age in North Sydneyin Waverley +3 yrs older in North Sydney gap widening
38 yrs 29th pct 35 yrs 14th pct
First Nations in North Sydneyin Waverley even gap steady
0.4% 2nd pct 0.4% 2nd pct
Aged 65+ in North Sydneyin Waverley +3.8 pts higher in North Sydney gap widening
16.7% 33rd pct 12.9% 20th pct
Under 15 in North Sydneyin Waverley +3.1 pts higher in Waverley gap narrowing
12.7% 11th pct 15.8% 26th pct
De facto in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.2 pts higher in Waverley gap widening
17.4% 86th pct 19.6% 89th pct

Age structure

39.1% Young adults (25–44) +1.3 pts ▸ 40.4%
23.5% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +1.7 pts 21.8%
16.7% Seniors (65+) ◂ +3.8 pts 12.9%
12.7% Children (0–14) +3.1 pts ▸ 15.8%
8.0% Youth (15–24) +1.1 pts ▸ 9.1%

Marital status

43.6% Never married +7.5 pts ▸ 51.1%
40.4% Married ◂ +4.6 pts 35.8%
10.1% Divorced ◂ +2.5 pts 7.6%
3.4% Widowed even 3.5%
2.5% Separated ◂ +0.4 pts 2.0%

Age & sex structure

North Sydney Waverley

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.7 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
39.9% 93rd pct 41.7% 95th pct

Country of birth

56.0% Australia ◂ +3.1 pts 52.9%
6.3% England +1.8 pts ▸ 8.2%
1.8% South Africa +2.7 pts ▸ 4.5%
3.7% China ◂ +2.5 pts 1.2%
2.6% New Zealand ◂ +0.2 pts 2.3%
2.3% India ◂ +1.8 pts 0.5%
0.6% Italy +0.7 pts ▸ 1.3%
1.1% Philippines ◂ +0.4 pts 0.7%
0.4% Nepal ◂ +0.4 pts 0.1%
0.4% Vietnam ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%

Ancestry

33.6% English ◂ +2.8 pts 30.8%
22.9% Australian ◂ +1.6 pts 21.3%
12.9% Irish ◂ +1.0 pts 12.0%
10.8% Chinese ◂ +7.1 pts 3.7%
10.3% Scottish ◂ +2.7 pts 7.7%
3.9% Italian +1.7 pts ▸ 5.7%
3.8% German +0.4 pts ▸ 4.2%
3.4% Indian ◂ +2.3 pts 1.1%
1.3% Greek +1.4 pts ▸ 2.6%
1.7% Filipino ◂ +0.6 pts 1.0%
1.5% Dutch ◂ +0.1 pts 1.3%
0.7% Vietnamese ◂ +0.4 pts 0.3%

Language

Other language in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.9 pts higher in North Sydney gap widening
23.9% 82nd pct 20.9% 79th pct
Limited English in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.5 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
2.1% 76th pct 1.6% 72nd pct

Language used at home

71.8% English only +1.3 pts ▸ 73.1%
4.3% Mandarin ◂ +2.9 pts 1.4%
2.7% Cantonese ◂ +2.2 pts 0.5%
0.7% Italian +0.9 pts ▸ 1.6%
0.4% Greek +0.7 pts ▸ 1.1%
0.9% Hindi ◂ +0.8 pts 0.1%
0.4% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%
0.4% Tagalog ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.3% Arabic even 0.3%
0.1% Punjabi ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Religion

No religion in North Sydneyin Waverley +4.3 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
46.4% 75th pct 42.0% 54th pct

Religious affiliation

46.4% No religion ◂ +4.3 pts 42.0%
39.6% Christianity ◂ +8.0 pts 31.6%
1.0% Judaism +15.0 pts ▸ 16.0%
6.4% Not stated +1.5 pts ▸ 7.9%
2.6% Buddhism ◂ +1.4 pts 1.2%
2.6% Hinduism ◂ +2.2 pts 0.5%
0.8% Islam ◂ +0.4 pts 0.5%
0.6% Other religions ◂ +0.3 pts 0.3%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in North Sydneyin Waverley +3.0 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
85.0% 100th pct 82.0% 100th pct
Bachelor+ in North Sydneyin Waverley +7.5 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
59.5% 100th pct 52.0% 99th pct
Schools in North Sydneyin Waverley +1 more in Waverley
15 64th pct 16 67th pct
Schools/1k kids in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.24 more in North Sydney
1.72 14th pct 1.48 8th pct
Students in North Sydneyin Waverley +6,812 more in North Sydney
15,640 85th pct 8,828 74th pct
Avg size in North Sydneyin Waverley +491 larger in North Sydney
1,043 100th pct 552 87th pct
ICSEA in North Sydneyin Waverley +50 higher in North Sydney
1,183 100th pct 1,132 96th pct

Highest year of school

85.0% Year 12 ◂ +3.0 pts 82.0%
5.8% Year 10 even 5.9%
2.6% Year 11 +0.1 pts ▸ 2.7%
1.6% Year 9 or below +0.7 pts ▸ 2.3%

Highest qualification level

44.8% Bachelor degree +0.1 pts ▸ 44.9%
22.1% Postgraduate degree ◂ +5.0 pts 17.1%
11.5% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.1 pts ▸ 11.5%
6.2% Certificate III / IV +2.4 pts ▸ 8.6%
4.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +1.5 pts 3.4%
0.6% Certificate I / II +0.1 pts ▸ 0.7%

Field of qualification

30.5% Management & commerce ◂ +2.6 pts 28.0%
17.2% Society & culture ◂ +0.6 pts 16.6%
6.9% Creative arts +2.6 pts ▸ 9.5%
8.7% Health ◂ +0.8 pts 7.9%
7.7% Engineering & related ◂ +0.6 pts 7.1%
5.3% Education ◂ +0.5 pts 4.9%
3.4% Architecture & building +1.5 pts ▸ 4.9%
4.7% Information technology ◂ +2.2 pts 2.5%
4.2% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.2 pts 3.0%
2.1% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.7 pts ▸ 2.8%
0.8% Agriculture & environment ◂ +0.1 pts 0.7%

Income

Personal income in North Sydneyin Waverley +$151 higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
$1,593 100th pct $1,442 96th pct
Household income in North Sydneyin Waverley +$330 higher in Waverley gap widening
$2,524 94th pct $2,854 99th pct
Family income in North Sydneyin Waverley +$34 higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
$3,743 100th pct $3,709 100th pct
High earners in North Sydneyin Waverley +4.5 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
36.1% 100th pct 31.7% 100th pct
High-income homes in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.1 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
43.3% 98th pct 45.4% 100th pct

Household income distribution

31.6% $4,000 or more +2.4 pts ▸ 34.0%
27.7% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +3.3 pts 24.3%
15.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +1.1 pts 14.6%
11.7% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +0.3 pts 11.4%
9.2% Under $650 +0.3 pts ▸ 9.5%

Personal income distribution

30.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +4.3 pts 26.1%
23.5% $650–$1,499 +1.6 pts ▸ 25.1%
21.1% Under $650 +1.6 pts ▸ 22.6%
19.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.4 pts 18.5%

Health & Disability

Health condition in North Sydneyin Waverley +3.6 pts higher in North Sydney
22.9% 22nd pct 19.3% 11th pct
Mental health in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.2 pts higher in North Sydney
7.0% 30th pct 5.8% 19th pct
Needs assistance in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.4 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
2.5% 8th pct 2.8% 10th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

7.1% Other condition ◂ +1.2 pts 5.9%
7.0% Asthma ◂ +1.0 pts 6.0%
7.0% Mental health ◂ +1.2 pts 5.8%
5.6% Arthritis ◂ +0.8 pts 4.8%
3.2% Heart disease ◂ +0.7 pts 2.5%
2.9% Cancer ◂ +0.7 pts 2.3%
2.4% Diabetes ◂ +0.2 pts 2.2%
1.0% Lung condition ◂ +0.2 pts 0.8%
0.4% Dementia +0.2 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.6% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.5%

Number of long-term health conditions

70.9% None +1.9 pts ▸ 72.8%
17.3% One condition ◂ +2.7 pts 14.6%
4.1% Two conditions ◂ +0.8 pts 3.3%
1.6% Three or more ◂ +0.1 pts 1.4%

Community Participation

Volunteering in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.9 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
16.8% 45th pct 16.0% 40th pct
Unpaid carers in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.3 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
9.0% 16th pct 9.3% 18th pct
Unpaid child care in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.9 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
20.6% 18th pct 23.5% 38th pct
Defence service in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.9 pts higher in North Sydney
2.1% 23rd pct 1.2% 7th pct
Housework 15h+ in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.4 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
17.2% 18th pct 15.8% 13th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in North Sydneyin Waverley +1 larger in Waverley
278 36th pct 279 36th pct
Median age in North Sydneyin Waverley even
31 yrs 82nd pct 31 yrs 82nd pct
Year 12 in North Sydneyin Waverley +6.0 pts higher in North Sydney
78.4% 100th pct 72.4% 100th pct
Unemployment in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.8 pts higher in North Sydney
6.6% 16th pct 3.8% 9th pct
Median income in North Sydneyin Waverley +$114 higher in North Sydney
$1,368 100th pct $1,254 100th pct
Household income in North Sydneyin Waverley +$264 higher in North Sydney
$2,625 99th pct $2,361 94th pct
Indigenous language in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.5 pts higher in Waverley
8.3% 72nd pct 10.8% 79th pct

Family & Households

Household size in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.3 larger in Waverley gap steady
2.0 5th pct 2.3 29th pct
One-parent in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.3 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
9.9% 18th pct 9.6% 16th pct
Living alone in North Sydneyin Waverley +8.6 pts higher in North Sydney gap widening
38.6% 92nd pct 29.9% 57th pct

Family composition

46.5% Couples with children +11.0 pts ▸ 57.5%
42.0% Couples without children ◂ +10.2 pts 31.9%
9.9% One-parent families ◂ +0.3 pts 9.6%
1.6% Other families ◂ +0.5 pts 1.1%

Household size

38.6% 1 person ◂ +8.6 pts 29.9%
37.6% 2 people ◂ +1.6 pts 36.0%
12.9% 3 people +2.1 pts ▸ 15.0%
8.6% 4 people +4.7 pts ▸ 13.3%
1.9% 5 people +2.7 pts ▸ 4.6%
0.5% 6 or more +0.8 pts ▸ 1.2%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in North Sydneyin Waverley +$90 higher in Waverley gap widening
$580 100th pct $670 100th pct
Mortgage in North Sydneyin Waverley +$500 higher in Waverley gap widening
$3,000 100th pct $3,500 100th pct
People / bedroom in North Sydneyin Waverley even gap steady
1.00 89th pct 1.00 89th pct
Renting in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.9 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
51.9% 89th pct 49.0% 88th pct
Owned outright in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.3 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
25.5% 20th pct 24.2% 18th pct
Separate houses in North Sydneyin Waverley +5.0 pts higher in Waverley gap narrowing
11.1% 0th pct 16.0% 0th pct
3+ bedrooms in North Sydneyin Waverley +7.0 pts higher in Waverley gap widening
32.5% 0th pct 39.6% 0th pct

How homes are owned or rented

51.9% Rented ◂ +2.9 pts 49.0%
25.5% Owned outright ◂ +1.3 pts 24.2%
20.4% Owned with a mortgage +3.5 pts ▸ 23.8%
1.5% Other tenure +0.1 pts ▸ 1.6%
0.7% Not stated +0.6 pts ▸ 1.4%

Types of homes

75.7% Flat or apartment ◂ +11.7 pts 64.1%
12.7% Townhouse / semi-detached +5.4 pts ▸ 18.1%
11.1% Separate house +5.0 pts ▸ 16.0%
0.2% Other dwelling +1.4 pts ▸ 1.6%

Bedrooms per home

41.4% 2 bedrooms ◂ +0.1 pts 41.3%
24.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +2.4 pts 22.2%
22.3% 1 bedroom ◂ +6.8 pts 15.6%
5.8% 4 bedrooms +6.8 pts ▸ 12.6%
2.0% 5 or more +2.6 pts ▸ 4.7%
2.9% Studio / none ◂ +0.8 pts 2.2%

Weekly rent distribution

24.4% $750 or more +13.0 pts ▸ 37.4%
33.4% $350–$549 ◂ +14.1 pts 19.4%
32.3% $550–$749 +1.1 pts ▸ 33.4%
4.8% $200–$349 ◂ +0.8 pts 4.0%
2.7% Under $200 +0.1 pts ▸ 2.8%

Monthly mortgage distribution

48.1% $3,000 or more +7.5 pts ▸ 55.6%
23.8% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +6.5 pts 17.3%
11.7% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +2.9 pts 8.9%
10.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +0.7 pts 10.1%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in North Sydneyin Waverley even gap narrowing
18.9% 89th pct 18.9% 89th pct
Work from home in North Sydneyin Waverley +5.8 pts higher in North Sydney gap widening
60.9% 100th pct 55.1% 100th pct
PT commute in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.0 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
4.7% 86th pct 3.6% 80th pct
PT stops in North Sydneyin Waverley +9 more in North Sydney
235 73rd pct 226 73rd pct
Stops/1k in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.11 more in North Sydney
3.41 52nd pct 3.29 50th pct
Departures/1k in North Sydneyin Waverley +634.1 more in Waverley
2,148.2 92nd pct 2,782.3 98th pct
PT routes in North Sydneyin Waverley +34 more in North Sydney
57 86th pct 23 73rd pct
Stop walk in North Sydneyin Waverley even
2 14th pct 2 14th pct
Drive to city in North Sydneyin Waverley
— 10 9th pct

How people get to work

60.9% Worked at home ◂ +5.8 pts 55.1%
16.1% Car (driver) +3.9 pts ▸ 19.9%
4.9% Walked ◂ +1.1 pts 3.9%
2.3% Bus ◂ +0.3 pts 2.0%
2.2% Train ◂ +0.7 pts 1.6%
1.4% Car (passenger) even 1.4%
0.5% Bicycle +0.5 pts ▸ 1.0%

Motor vehicles per home

56.6% 1 vehicle ◂ +8.0 pts 48.6%
20.3% 2 vehicles +5.0 pts ▸ 25.3%
18.9% No vehicle ◂ +0.1 pts 18.9%
3.0% 3 vehicles +2.0 pts ▸ 5.1%
1.1% 4 or more +1.1 pts ▸ 2.2%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in North Sydneyin Waverley +5.0 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
55.2% 100th pct 50.2% 94th pct
Recent arrivals in North Sydneyin Waverley +4.9 pts higher in Waverley gap widening
18.2% 76th pct 23.2% 87th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.2 pts higher in Waverley gap steady
3.5% 27th pct 3.7% 32nd pct
Participation in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.2 pts higher in North Sydney gap narrowing
70.9% 100th pct 68.7% 95th pct
Full-time in North Sydneyin Waverley +6.2 pts higher in North Sydney gap steady
70.9% 90th pct 64.7% 76th pct

Industries people work in

21.5% Professional & technical ◂ +1.9 pts 19.6%
13.3% Finance & insurance ◂ +2.6 pts 10.7%
11.3% Health care & social assistance ◂ +1.0 pts 10.3%
7.6% Education & training ◂ +0.3 pts 7.3%
4.3% Construction +2.4 pts ▸ 6.7%
5.6% Retail trade +0.9 pts ▸ 6.5%
4.2% Accommodation & food +0.9 pts ▸ 5.1%
5.0% Public administration & safety ◂ +1.5 pts 3.5%
4.2% Media & telecommunications even 4.2%
3.1% Administrative & support +0.9 pts ▸ 4.0%
2.8% Rental & real estate +0.3 pts ▸ 3.1%
3.1% Wholesale trade ◂ +0.6 pts 2.4%

Occupations people work in

45.3% Professionals ◂ +3.5 pts 41.8%
22.8% Managers ◂ +0.7 pts 22.1%
11.7% Clerical & administrative ◂ +2.1 pts 9.6%
5.6% Sales workers +1.1 pts ▸ 6.8%
5.3% Community & personal service +1.3 pts ▸ 6.6%
4.9% Technicians & trades +1.7 pts ▸ 6.6%
1.9% Labourers +1.1 pts ▸ 3.0%
0.9% Machinery operators & drivers +0.6 pts ▸ 1.5%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in North Sydneyin Waverley even
10 100th pct 10 100th pct
IRSD decile in North Sydneyin Waverley even
10 100th pct 10 100th pct
IER decile in North Sydneyin Waverley +2 higher in Waverley
6 57th pct 8 71st pct
IEO decile in North Sydneyin Waverley even
10 100th pct 10 100th pct
IRSAD score in North Sydneyin Waverley even
1,164 100th pct 1,163 100th pct
ERP in North Sydneyin Waverley +360 higher in North Sydney
73,705 78th pct 73,345 78th pct
Growth in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.4 pts higher in North Sydney
6.1% 71st pct 5.7% 68th pct
Businesses in North Sydneyin Waverley +3,845 higher in North Sydney
15,284 86th pct 11,439 86th pct
Approvals in North Sydneyin Waverley +132 higher in North Sydney
284 74th pct 152 65th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in North Sydneyin Waverley +66 higher in Waverley
1,419 89th pct 1,484 91st pct
Max temp in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.5 higher in North Sydney
23.4 41st pct 22.9 36th pct
Min temp in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.3 higher in Waverley
13.7 74th pct 14.0 76th pct

Crime & Safety

Crime rate in North Sydneyin Waverley +3,877 higher in Waverley
3,387 6th pct 7,263 41st pct
Assault/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +346 higher in Waverley
361 6th pct 707 31st pct
Sexual/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +87 higher in Waverley
120 12th pct 207 39th pct
Robbery/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +6 higher in Waverley
7 10th pct 13 25th pct
Burglary/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +25 higher in North Sydney
218 13th pct 192 9th pct
Theft/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +916 higher in Waverley
708 22nd pct 1,624 64th pct
Vehicle theft/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +84 higher in Waverley
203 23rd pct 287 41st pct
Property damage/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +165 higher in Waverley
276 3rd pct 440 20th pct
Drugs/100k in North Sydneyin Waverley +467 higher in Waverley
194 20th pct 662 62nd pct
5-yr change in North Sydneyin Waverley +4.9 pts higher in Waverley
-14.8% 14th pct -9.9% 20th pct

Walkability

Walk score in North Sydneyin Waverley even
9.2 100th pct 9.2 100th pct
Types ≤15 min in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.1 more in Waverley
7.9 100th pct 8.0 100th pct
15-min city in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.6 pts higher in Waverley
98.4% 99th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Walk to shops in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.1 pts higher in Waverley
98.3% 99th pct 99.5% 100th pct
Walk to transit in North Sydneyin Waverley even
100.0% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Walk to school in North Sydneyin Waverley +1.6 pts higher in Waverley
98.4% 98th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Walk to a park in North Sydneyin Waverley even
100.0% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Walk to health in North Sydneyin Waverley +0.6 pts higher in Waverley
97.6% 100th pct 98.3% 100th pct
Amenities/1k in North Sydneyin Waverley +8.0 more in North Sydney
21.7 58th pct 13.6 27th pct
Intersections/km² in North Sydneyin Waverley +113 higher in North Sydney
478 100th pct 365 97th pct
Mean slope in North Sydneyin Waverley +2.3 pts higher in North Sydney
11.1% 100th pct 8.7% 90th pct

Compare North Sydney with nearby areas

Willoughby Mosman Lane Cove Sydney Woollahra Hunters Hill Inner West Waverley

Compare Waverley with nearby areas

Woollahra Randwick Sydney Mosman North Sydney Inner West Willoughby Bayside

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). North Sydney vs Waverley [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA15950/north-sydney/vs/LGA18050/waverley