Sutherland Shire · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A top score of 10 for overall advantage marks Sutherland Shire as one of the most prosperous areas in the country. This high standing is driven by strong access to money and resources, as well as high levels of education and job skills. It is a wealthy region where very few people experience disadvantage.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Sutherland Shire — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area is among the most advantaged in Australia, with a typical advantage score of 1,090. Residents have exceptional access to resources and job skills, with education levels higher than about 90% of other areas.
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.
10
Higher than 99% 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.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
1,090
Higher than 92% 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 grew by 4.5% since 2021, which is around the middle for its level. This increase is a little below the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
241,327
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
4.5%
Higher than 58% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Sutherland Shire is home to 23,556 businesses, making it one of the largest hubs for its level. There were 745 new dwellings approved, which is more than about 88% of similar areas.
23,556
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
745
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Sutherland Shire [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA17150/sutherland-shire/topic/economy-advantage
