North Sydney · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A massive advantage gap separates North Sydney from the rest of the country, where the area ranks among the most prosperous in the nation. This status is driven by an exceptionally high level of education and job skills, giving the area an overall advantage score of 1,164.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is North Sydney — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is among the most advantaged in Australia, scoring a perfect 10 for overall advantage and a 10 for education and job skills. This is mirrored by a very low level of disadvantage, which also ranks at 10.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
6
Higher than 57% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,164
Higher than 99% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has grown by 6.1% since 2021, a rate higher than most areas and about the same as the New South Wales figure. There are now 73,705 people living in the area.
73,705
Higher than 78% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
6.1%
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
North Sydney is a major commercial hub with 15,284 businesses, a count larger than about 91% of similar areas. Growth continues with 284 new dwellings approved, which is more than about 75% of other areas.
15,284
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
284
Higher than 74% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in North Sydney [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA15950/north-sydney/topic/economy-advantage
