Federal Electorate · Area profile
Parramatta
57 km²
A massive surge in overseas arrivals has transformed Parramatta into one of the most culturally diverse hubs in the country. It is a young, fast-growing community where the typical resident is just 34 and more than half the population was born abroad. This international character is reflected in the high number of households where a language other than English is spoken. The area has shifted rapidly since 2011, evolving into a densely populated urban centre with a highly qualified workforce.
Parramatta has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
Families are well catered for: 58 schools serve Parramatta.
Explore Parramatta by topic
The population has grown by 35% since 2011 to over 203,000 people. Residents are noticeably younger than the national figure, and the proportion of seniors aged 65 and over is well below the state and national averages.
Overseas birth rates are far above the national average, with 55.7% of people born outside Australia. This is led by significant communities from India and China, contributing to a 50 point rise in the overseas-born population since 2011.
Language diversity is very high, with 61.2% of people using a language other than English at home, a figure far above the national level. However, the proportion of people who speak little or no English fell slightly to 9.9% since 2016.
Religious affiliation is varied, with Hinduism at 19.9% and Islam at 10.5%. The proportion of people reporting no religion is far below the national figure, though it has risen by 8.5 points since 2011.
The community is highly qualified, with 39.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the state average. Year 12 completion rates have also risen sharply by 41 points since 2011.
Typical weekly household income is $1,917, which is a little above the national figure. There has been a significant increase in wealth since 2011, with the share of households earning $3,000 or more per week rising by 19 points.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions than the state and national averages. Similarly, the rate of mental health conditions is among the lowest for similar areas.
Volunteer rates are well below the national average and have fallen by 14 points since 2011. The number of people providing unpaid care is also among the lowest at this level.
Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.7 people per home. This is consistent with a higher share of couples with children, who make up 64.7% of households.
The area is dominated by rentals and apartments, with 51.3% of households renting, far above the national figure. Detached houses have become much less common, falling by 53 points since 2011.
Public transport use is much higher than in most areas, and 14.6% of homes have no motor vehicle. Working from home is also very common, with 39.3% of the workforce doing so.
The area is highly transient, with 48.1% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 26.1% of the population, which is far above the national average.
The unemployment rate is 6.8%, which is a little above the national figure. Professionals make up the largest occupational group at 32.3%, with many working in health care or professional and technical services.
Described as a walker's paradise, the area has a walkability score of 8.2. Almost every home is within a 15-minute walk of public transport, parks, schools, and groceries.