Urban Centre · Area profile
Sydney
2,194 km²
Far more people were born overseas in Sydney than in the rest of Australia, with 41.2% of residents born abroad. This global character is reflected in a diverse community where 40.7% use a language other than English at home. The population is noticeably younger than the national average, and the area has grown by 20% since 2011. High levels of education and income define the area, creating a wealthy, professional hub in the heart of New South Wales.
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The typical resident is 36, making the area noticeably younger than New South Wales and Australia. While the population has grown by 20% since 2011, the proportion of seniors is well below the state figure at 14.5%.
Born overseas figures are among the highest at this level, with 41.2% of people born abroad—far above the national figure of 27.7%. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, and Chinese.
Language diversity is very high, with 40.7% of people using another language at home, which is far above the national figure. About 7% of residents speak little or no English, a rate well above the Australian average.
Religious affiliation is lower than in most areas, as 29.8% of people report no religion. This is well below the national figure of 38.9%, though the number of non-religious residents has risen 12 points since 2011.
Educational achievement is very high, with 35% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, well above the national average. Since 2011, the share of people who completed Year 12 has risen by 9.8 points.
The area is much wealthier than most, with a typical weekly household income of $2,122. High earners are common, as 16.5% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, which is well above the national figure.
Health outcomes are better than in most areas, with long-term health conditions affecting 22.6% of people, which is well below the national average. Only 6.2% of residents have a mental health condition.
Participation in unpaid work is lower than in most areas, and the number of volunteers has fallen to 11.5% since 2011. Only 1.5% of residents have served in the Defence Force.
Families tend to be larger here, with 2.7 people per home, which is much higher than in most areas. Couples with children make up 63.1% of households.
Renting is much more common than in other areas, with 37.3% of households renting. The area has far fewer detached houses than the national average, and typical weekly rents are well above the national figure at $475.
Working from home has surged to 40.2%, far above the national figure. While 11.9% of homes have no car, public transport use for commuting has fallen sharply since 2011.
The population is highly mobile, with 41.6% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals also make up a much higher share of the community than in most other areas.
Employment is strong, with 60.3% of adults working or looking for work. Professional roles are the most common, and health care and social assistance is the largest industry.
The area is very walkable, with 88.4% of homes within a 15-minute walk of key amenities. Almost all residents live within a short walk of public transport, a park, or a school.