Sydney · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A massive 12.6% population jump since 2021 sets Sydney apart from the rest of the state. This city is a hub of high advantage and professional skill, though it contains a mix of wealth and resource access. It is one of the most advantaged areas in the country, with a typical score of 1,126.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Sydney — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
The area ranks among the most advantaged in the nation, driven by education and job skills that are among the highest at that level. However, access to money and resources is lower than in about 80% of similar 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.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
2
Lower than 86% 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.
1,126
Higher than 97% 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.
Sydney's population has grown by 12.6% since 2021, which is well above the New South Wales figure of 6.1%. With 241,797 residents, it is among the largest areas for population growth.
241,797
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
12.6%
Higher than 92% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The city is a major commercial centre with 85,193 businesses. It also remains a focal point for development, with 1,751 approved dwellings, among the largest number at this level.
85,193
Higher than 94% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
1,751
Higher than 88% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Sydney [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA17200/sydney/topic/economy-advantage
