Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile

Redfern

2 km²

Rapid population growth of 13.6% since 2021 defines Redfern as a fast-changing inner-city hub. It is a young, highly educated community where nearly half of adults hold a university degree. The area is distinctive for its high proportion of renters and a large population of young professionals who often live alone or in couples. This creates a dynamic, urban character with a strong connection to global migration and a very high level of walkability.

Despite high local incomes, the area's schools serve a less advantaged intake.

Rapid population growth here is outstripping school provision.

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📍 Redfern, Statistical Area 2 (SA2)

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Demographics & Identity

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The typical resident is 36, making the area noticeably younger than the state and national figures. It has a very small number of children under 15, but a high proportion of adults in de facto relationships.

Age groups

Young adults (25–44) 44.7%

Older adults (45–64) 23.3%

36 yrs Median age — Here 36 yrs NSW 39 yrs Aus 38 yrs

3.4% First Nations — Here 3.4% NSW 3.4% Aus 3.2%

13.3% Aged 65+ — Here 13.3% NSW 17.6% Aus 17.2%

8.4% Under 15 — Here 8.4% NSW 18.2% Aus 18.2%

Ancestry & Birthplace

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Overseas birth is common here, with 40.2% of people born abroad, a figure far above the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

40.2% Born overseas — Here 40.2% NSW 29.3% Aus 27.7%

Language

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About 27% of residents use a language other than English at home, which is slightly above the state average. Around 5.3% of the community speak little or no English.

27.0% Other language — Here 27.0% NSW 26.6% Aus 22.3%

5.3% Limited English — Here 5.3% NSW 4.5% Aus 3.4%

Religion

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A majority of residents—54.6%—report having no religion, a figure far above the national average of 38.9%.

Religion

No religion 55%
Christianity 27%
Not stated 10%
Buddhism 4%
Hinduism 1%
Islam 1%
Judaism 1%
Other religions 1%

54.6% No religion — Here 54.6% NSW 33.2% Aus 38.9%

Education & Qualifications

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This is a highly qualified area, with 48.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far exceeding the national figure of 26.3%. Most residents have completed Year 12.

48.7% Bachelor+ — Here 48.7% NSW 27.8% Aus 26.3%

75.3% Year 12 — Here 75.3% NSW 58.9% Aus 58.8%

2 Schools

1.73 Schools/1k kids

Income

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Incomes are generally high, with typical personal weekly earnings of $1,178, well above the national figure. About 34.2% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.

$2,116 Household income — Here $2,116 NSW $1,829 Aus $1,746

$1,178 Personal income — Here $1,178 NSW $813 Aus $805

$3,208 Family income — Here $3,208 NSW $2,185 Aus $2,120

24.3% High earners Here 24.3% NSW 13.5% Aus 12.5%

34.2% High-income homes Here 34.2% NSW 25.2% Aus 22.6%

Health & Disability

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Mental health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 11.7% of residents. However, the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is slightly below the state average.

26.8% Health condition Here 26.8% NSW 27.0% Aus 27.7%

11.7% Mental health Here 11.7% NSW 8.0% Aus 8.8%

4.5% Needs assistance — Here 4.5% NSW 5.8% Aus 5.8%

Community Participation

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Unpaid care for children and housework is far less common here than in the rest of the state, consistent with the small number of children in the area.

13.8% Volunteering — Here 13.8% NSW 13.0% Aus 14.1%

7.5% Unpaid carers — Here 7.5% NSW 11.5% Aus 11.9%

11.9% Unpaid child care — Here 11.9% NSW 25.3% Aus 26.3%

1.2% Defence service Here 1.2% NSW 2.3% Aus 2.8%

11.9% Housework 15h+ — Here 11.9% NSW 21.2% Aus 20.7%

First Nations

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About 3.4% of the population identifies as First Nations, and 12.1% speak a First Nations language, which is well above the state average. First Nations residents here are far older than the national typical age.

462 First Nations people

34 yrs Median age Here 34 yrs NSW 23 yrs Aus 24 yrs

45.9% Year 12 Here 45.9% NSW 35.0% Aus 37.0%

8.5% Unemployment Here 8.5% NSW 9.8% Aus 12.3%

$580 Median income Here $580 NSW $600 Aus $540

$1,058 Household income Here $1,058 NSW $1,558 Aus $1,507

Family & Households

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Living alone is very common, with 42% of people in single-person households. Homes are small, with only 1.9 people per home on average.

Family types

Couples without children 49%
Couples with children 37%
One-parent families 12%
Other families 2%

1.9 Household size —

11.7% One-parent — Here 11.7% NSW 14.0% Aus 14.1%

42.0% Living alone — Here 42.0% NSW 25.0% Aus 25.6%

Housing & Dwellings

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Rentals dominate the market at 62.4%, far above the national average. Apartments and townhouses make up nearly all housing, with detached houses accounting for just 1.3%.

Tenure

Rented 62%
Owned with a mortgage 20%
Owned outright 14%
Not stated 2%
Other tenure 1%

$500 Rent — Here $500 NSW $420 Aus $375

$2,789 Mortgage — Here $2,789 NSW $2,167 Aus $1,863

1.00 People / bedroom — Here 1.00 NSW 0.90 Aus 0.80

62.4% Renting — Here 62.4% NSW 32.6% Aus 30.6%

14.2% Owned outright — Here 14.2% NSW 31.5% Aus 31.0%

Transport & Vehicles

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Many residents live without a car—39.5% of homes have no vehicle—which helps explain why 53.9% of the workforce works from home and public transport use is high.