Willoughby · 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 makes Willoughby one of the most prosperous areas in the country. This high standing is driven by exceptional levels of education and job skills among residents. The area is now home to 80,520 people and continues to attract new residents.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Willoughby — higher than 99% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents here have an advantage score of 1,142, which is among the highest in the nation. This is backed by a perfect score for education and job skills, while the area's level of disadvantage is among the lowest possible.
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.
9
Higher 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.
1,142
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 5.9% since 2021, a rate higher than most other areas. This increase is about the same as the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
80,520
Higher than 79% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
5.9%
Higher than 70% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Business activity is strong with 13,545 companies, which is more than about 89% of similar areas. There is also continued development, with 224 new dwellings approved.
13,545
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
224
Higher than 72% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Willoughby [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA18250/willoughby/topic/economy-advantage
