Surry Hills · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Among the most advantaged areas in the country, Surry Hills is a high-status hub where the typical resident is very well off. While some people still face challenges, the area ranks among the top for overall wealth and job skills, supporting a population of 17,184 people.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Surry Hills — higher than 99% of areas.
| Surry Hills | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2010, NSW | 10 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Education and job skills are exceptionally high here, with the area ranking among the largest in the country for these traits. This helps drive an overall advantage score of 1,138, which is much higher than the national average.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
7
Higher than 64% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1,138
Higher than 95% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 7.0% since 2021, a rate higher than most areas and slightly above the New South Wales figure of 6.1%.
17,184
Higher than 79% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
7.0%
Higher than 68% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The neighborhood is a major commercial center, with 5,892 businesses making it one of the largest business hubs at this level.
5,892
Higher than 87% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Surry Hills [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/117031336/surry-hills/topic/economy-advantage
