Waverley · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Top-tier wealth and high-level skills define daily life in Waverley, where the overall advantage score of 1,163 is among the highest in the country. This area stands out for its exceptional access to money and professional resources, making it one of the most advantaged places to live in Australia.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Waverley — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Waverley ranks among the most advantaged areas in the nation, scoring a perfect 10 for overall advantage. This reflects a highly skilled population, with education and job skills also reaching the highest possible level of 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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
1,163
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 5.7% since 2021, which is higher than most similar areas and about the same as the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
73,345
Higher than 78% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.7%
Higher than 68% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Commercial activity is strong with 11,439 businesses, a count that is larger than about 87% of similar areas. There were also 152 new dwellings approved, which is more than about 66% of other areas at this level.
11,439
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
152
Higher than 65% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Waverley [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA18050/waverley/topic/economy-advantage
