# Neutral Bay

Suburb / Locality · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Greater Sydney › North Sydney › 2089, NSW

Area: 1 km²

Daily life in Neutral Bay is defined by a high-earning, professional population that enjoys a walkable, urban lifestyle. It is a sophisticated community where a large proportion of residents work from home and many more live in apartments just minutes from the city. The area is notably affluent and highly educated, with a strong international feel and a typical age of 38. This blend of high incomes and an apartment-heavy landscape makes it one of the more distinctive pockets of North Sydney.

## Demographics & Identity

The community is largely made up of young adults, with 40.2% aged between 25 and 44. It is a place where de facto relationships are much more common than in other areas, and children under 15 make up a smaller share of the population than the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 10,090 | +7.5% since 2011 |
| Median age | 38 yrs | +8.6% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 0.5% | +86.0% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 16.0% | +37.8% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 13.2% | +32.3% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 18.1% | +6.1% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 40.2%, Older adults (45–64) 22.2%, Seniors (65+) 16.0%, Children (0–14) 13.2%, Youth (15–24) 8.4%

**Marital status** — Never married 46.5%, Married 36.0%, Divorced 11.1%, Widowed 3.4%, Separated 2.9%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

This is a highly international area where 37.6% of people were born overseas, a figure well above the national average. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, Irish, and Scottish.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 37.6% | -0.6% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 58.2%, England 6.5%, New Zealand 2.7%, China 2.6%, India 1.7%, South Africa 1.7%, Philippines 1.2%, Nepal 0.8%, Italy 0.6%, Vietnam 0.3%

**Ancestry** — English 35.1%, Australian 24.0%, Irish 13.1%, Scottish 11.0%, Chinese 8.4%, Italian 4.0%, German 3.9%, Indian 2.6%, Filipino 1.7%, Dutch 1.6%, Greek 1.2%, Vietnamese 0.7%

## Language

While English is the main language for 74.6% of residents, about 21.1% use another language at home. This diversity is high compared to similar areas, though the number of people speaking little or no English is still lower than the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 21.1% | +6.7% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 1.7% | -5.7% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 74.6%, Mandarin 3.4%, Cantonese 1.7%, Italian 0.7%, Hindi 0.5%, Vietnamese 0.5%, Greek 0.4%, Tagalog 0.3%, Arabic 0.3%, Punjabi 0.2%

## Religion

Residents are far more likely to have no religion than the typical Australian, with 46.7% reporting no affiliation. Christianity is the next most common, at 40.1%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 46.7% | +55.3% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — No religion 46.7%, Christianity 40.1%, Not stated 6.5%, Buddhism 2.5%, Hinduism 2.3%, Judaism 1.1%, Other religions 0.6%, Islam 0.5%

## Education & Qualifications

The area is exceptionally well-qualified, with 56.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher—far above the national figure. This high level of education is reflected in the local schools, which have some of the highest advantage scores in the region.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 85.0% | +8.3% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 56.1% | +16.5% since 2011 |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 0.75 | — |
| Schools within 3 km | 34 | — |
| Average school size | 662 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,176 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 85.0%, Year 10 6.0%, Year 11 2.6%, Year 9 or below 1.5%

**Highest qualification level** — Bachelor degree 44.4%, Postgraduate degree 19.5%, Advanced diploma / diploma 13.0%, Certificate III / IV 6.9%, Graduate diploma / certificate 4.6%, Certificate I / II 0.8%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 31.0%, Society & culture 16.3%, Health 8.6%, Creative arts 7.7%, Engineering & related 6.8%, Education 5.8%, Information technology 4.1%, Natural & physical sciences 3.7%, Architecture & building 3.6%, Food, hospitality & personal services 2.9%, Agriculture & environment 1.0%

## Income

Incomes are among the highest in the country, with a typical personal weekly income of $1,552. About 40.7% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far above the New South Wales average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $1,552 | +27.9% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $2,443 | +17.8% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $3,600 | +33.3% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 34.1% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 40.7% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 29.9%, $4,000 or more 29.4%, $650–$1,499 16.3%, $3,000–$3,999 11.3%, Under $650 9.2%

**Personal income distribution** — $1,500–$2,999 31.4%, $650–$1,499 24.9%, Under $650 20.8%, $3,000 or more 17.7%

## Health & Disability

The community is in good health; the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is 2.2%, which is much lower than most other areas. Long-term health conditions are also reported less often than in the wider state.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 22.2% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 7.0% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 2.2% | +4.5% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Mental health 7.0%, Asthma 6.9%, Other condition 6.4%, Arthritis 5.4%, Heart disease 3.0%, Cancer 2.7%, Diabetes 2.1%, Lung condition 1.0%, Stroke 0.5%, Dementia 0.4%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 71.5%, One condition 16.8%, Two conditions 4.2%, Three or more 1.3%

## Community Participation

Unpaid care for children and housework is less common here than in most other areas. However, 15.5% of people volunteer, which is a little above the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 15.5% | -19.0% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 8.2% | +5.5% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 20.9% | +15.2% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 1.9% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 16.4% | +32.4% since 2011 |

## First Nations

There are 48 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area. This group is noticeably older than the state average and has a much higher typical personal income of $1,187.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 48 | — |
| First Nations median age | 31 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 74.4% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 0.0% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $1,187 | — |
| First Nations household income | $2,416 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 6.3% | — |

## Family & Households

Small households are the norm, with 39.7% of people living alone—far more than the national figure. Consequently, the typical home has only 2.0 people, which is well below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.0 | +5.3% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 12.1% | +34.7% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 39.7% | +1.1% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 46.6%, Couples without children 39.6%, One-parent families 12.1%, Other families 1.7%

**Household size** — 1 person 39.7%, 2 people 36.6%, 3 people 12.7%, 4 people 8.6%, 5 people 1.8%, 6 or more 0.5%

## Housing & Dwellings

Apartments dominate the landscape, making up 80.2% of homes. Renting is very common at 52.4%, and the typical weekly rent of $550 is among the highest at this level.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $550 | +19.0% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $2,895 | +13.2% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 1.00 | -16.7% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 52.4% | +0.7% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 24.3% | +5.2% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 8.2% | -18.6% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 30.9% | +11.3% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Rented 52.4%, Owned outright 24.3%, Owned with a mortgage 21.5%, Other tenure 1.2%, Not stated 0.6%

**Types of homes** — Flat or apartment 80.2%, Townhouse / semi-detached 10.8%, Separate house 8.2%, Other dwelling 0.3%

**Bedrooms per home** — 2 bedrooms 42.9%, 3 bedrooms 24.6%, 1 bedroom 22.9%, 4 bedrooms 5.0%, Studio / none 2.5%, 5 or more 1.3%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 40.4%, $550–$749 30.6%, $750 or more 21.2%, $200–$349 4.2%, Under $200 1.3%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $3,000 or more 45.7%, $1,800–$2,999 26.0%, $1,000–$1,799 12.3%, Under $1,000 9.7%

## Transport & Vehicles

The area is a hub for flexible work, with 58.7% of people working from home. Public transport is highly accessible, and 17.2% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well above the national figure.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 17.2% | -4.8% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 58.7% | +1134.7% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 4.6% | -84.9% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 34 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 3.37 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 2,829.8 | — |
| Public transport routes | 26 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 1 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 6 | — |
| People reachable in 30 min by transit | 70,296 | — |
| People reachable in 45 min by transit | 171,131 | — |
| Transit time to the city (min) | 33 | — |

**How people get to work** — Worked at home 58.7%, Car (driver) 18.2%, Walked 4.6%, Bus 3.9%, Car (passenger) 1.1%, Train 0.5%, Bicycle 0.5%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 57.4%, 2 vehicles 21.5%, No vehicle 17.2%, 3 vehicles 3.0%, 4 or more 1.0%

## Migration & Movement

The population is quite mobile, with 55.5% having moved in the last five years. This is far above the state average and is consistent with the high number of recent overseas arrivals (17.9%).

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 55.5% | -5.7% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 17.9% | -34.4% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Employment is very strong, with 71.9% of adults working or looking for work. Most residents are employed full-time, often in professional, technical, or financial roles.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | +23.5% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 71.9% | -3.5% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 70.1% | -7.4% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Professional & technical 21.2%, Finance & insurance 13.1%, Health care & social assistance 11.1%, Education & training 7.2%, Retail trade 6.1%, Accommodation & food 4.8%, Construction 4.8%, Public administration & safety 4.8%, Media & telecommunications 4.0%, Administrative & support 3.6%, Rental & real estate 2.9%, Wholesale trade 2.7%, Manufacturing 2.6%, Other services 2.4%, Transport & warehousing 2.1%, Arts & recreation 1.7%, Electricity, gas & water 0.5%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 0.3%, Mining 0.3%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 42.6%, Managers 22.6%, Clerical & administrative 11.6%, Sales workers 6.5%, Community & personal service 6.3%, Technicians & trades 5.6%, Labourers 2.0%, Machinery operators & drivers 1.1%

## Walkability

Neutral Bay is a walker's paradise with a score of 9.0. Every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, parks, and schools.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 9.0 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 8.0 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 100.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 100.0% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 19.0 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 430 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 9.4% | — |

## Schools serving Neutral Bay

34 schools, 21,173 students, average ICSEA 1,176.

By sector: Government 20, Independent 10, Catholic 4

By type: Primary 17, Secondary 10, Combined 7

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neutral Bay Public School | Government | Primary | 0.3 km | 641 |
| Wenona School | Independent | Combined | 0.8 km | 1,385 |
| SCECGS Redlands | Independent | Combined | 0.9 km | 1,680 |
| Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College | Independent | Secondary | 1.0 km | 1,186 |
| Cameragal Montessori School | Independent | Primary | 1.0 km | 40 |
| Marist Catholic College North Shore | Catholic | Combined | 1.1 km | 1,609 |
| North Sydney Boys High School | Government | Secondary | 1.1 km | 933 |
| Anzac Park Public School | Government | Primary | 1.1 km | 720 |
| North Sydney Public School | Government | Primary | 1.3 km | 756 |
| SHORE - Sydney Church of England Grammar School | Independent | Secondary | 1.3 km | 1,724 |

## Nearby areas

[Kurraba Point](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12225/kurraba-point) · [North Sydney](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13020/north-sydney) · [Cremorne Point](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL11114/cremorne-point) · [Cremorne](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL11113/cremorne) · [Lavender Bay](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12294/lavender-bay) · [Kirribilli](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12182/kirribilli) · [Cammeray](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10777/cammeray) · [Milsons Point](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12640/milsons-point)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL12943/neutral-bay