Council (LGA) · Area profile
Waverley
9 km²
An exceptionally advantaged hub of professionals and high earners, Waverley stands out as one of the most affluent areas in the country. It is a young, highly educated community where over half of adults hold a university degree. This professional character is reflected in the high proportion of people working from home and the strong presence of overseas-born residents. The area's distinctive feel comes from its combination of high wealth and a dense, apartment-led urban landscape in Greater Sydney.
Waverley's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
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The area is noticeably younger than the state and national average, with a typical resident aged 35. It has a high proportion of people in de facto relationships, which has risen to 19.6% since 2011.
Waverley is very diverse, with 41.7% of people born overseas, a figure far above the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
About 21% of residents use a language other than English at home, which is much higher than most similar areas, although this remains below the New South Wales average.
People with no religion make up 42% of the population, a figure that rose 18 points since 2011 and is well above the national average. Judaism is also significant here at 16%.
This is a highly qualified community where 52% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far above the national figure at 82%.
Waverley is a wealthy area where the typical family earns $3,709 a week, far above the national figure. Nearly half of all households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
Residents here are generally healthier than most, with long-term health conditions and the need for daily help both falling well below state and national averages.
Unpaid care and housework rates are much lower than in most areas, though 16% of the community still engages in volunteering.
First Nations people in Waverley have a much higher typical personal income and Year 12 completion rate than the national average, and a very low unemployment rate of 3.8%.
The community has a relatively low rate of one-parent families and a higher-than-average proportion of people living alone, at 29.9%.
The housing market is dominated by flats or apartments, with only 16% of homes being separate houses. Rents are far above the national figure, typically reaching $670 a week.
A huge 55.1% of the workforce now works from home, a massive jump since 2011. About 19% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is far above the national average.
The population is highly mobile, with over half of all residents having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 23.2% of the community.
Employment is strong, with 68.7% of adults working or looking for work. Many residents are professionals, with 19.6% working in professional and technical roles.
Waverley ranks at the very top for overall advantage and job skills. It is a major business hub with 11,439 businesses.
The area is much wetter than the state average, receiving 1,484mm of annual rainfall, and has milder minimum temperatures.
While robbery and burglary rates are much lower than most areas, the rates of theft and drug offences remain higher than average.
Waverley is a walker's paradise, with every single home within walking distance of public transport, parks, and schools.