Region (SA4) · Area profile
Sydney - Inner West
65 km²
A high proportion of residents born overseas makes Sydney - Inner West one of the most culturally diverse areas in the region. It is a young and highly educated community where the typical resident is 37, a little younger than the national figure. This is a wealthy, fast-moving area where nearly half of all residents have moved house in the last five years. High incomes and a preference for apartments over houses define the local character.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
Explore Sydney - Inner West by topic
The area is younger than most, with a typical age of 37 and a children's population that is well below the national figure. It is a growing community that has added about 41,211 people since 2011.
Born overseas, 43.1% of residents come from outside Australia, a figure far above the national average. The most common ancestries are English, Australian and Chinese.
Multiculturalism is evident here, with 41.3% of people using a language other than English at home. This is far above the national figure, though 7.3% of the population still speak little or no English.
The number of people with no religion has risen 14 points since 2011 to reach 37.8%. This is well above the state average, though Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 42.7%.
This is a highly qualified community where 44.6% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure. This educational trend is reflected in schools, where 76.3% of residents completed Year 12.
Incomes are much higher than in most areas, with a typical weekly family income of $2,757. About 35.2% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, which is far above the national figure.
Residents report fewer long-term health conditions than most other areas, with only 22.3% affected. This is well below both the state and national figures.
Unpaid care and volunteering are less common here than in most areas, including a lower rate of people caring for children. Only 12.7% of the population volunteer, down 2.8 points since 2011.
First Nations people make up a small part of the population, but they have a much higher typical personal income ($815) and Year 12 completion rate (58.4%) than most similar areas.
The area has a higher number of people per home than most, with 2.5 people per dwelling. Many residents live alone, accounting for 26.2% of households.
Housing is dominated by flats or apartments, and 41.7% of homes are rented, far above the national figure. Typical weekly rents are among the highest at $500, while detached houses are far less common than in the rest of the state.
Remote work is very common, with 46.7% of people working from home. This high rate is consistent with a community where 14.9% of homes have no motor vehicle, far above the national average.
The population is highly mobile, with 45.5% of people moving in the last five years. This is well above the national average, aided by a high number of recent arrivals from overseas.
A high number of residents are working or looking for work, well above the national figure. The workforce is heavily concentrated in professional and technical roles, with 36.6% of residents working as professionals.
The population has grown by 5.8% since 2021, a rate that is about the same as the state average.
The area is much wetter than most of the state, with an average annual rainfall of 1,230mm. Minimum temperatures are also well above the state figure.
This is a walker's paradise with a score of 8.4, where nearly every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park, school or groceries.