NSW 2026 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Bondi

Bondi packs 10,411 residents into 0.86 square kilometres, producing a density of 12,040 people per square kilometre, while 79.7% of homes are apartments. The suburb is younger than the national profile, with a median age of 34, and its household income sits at the 92.8th percentile. Compared with nearby Bondi Junction, Bondi is more apartment-led and renter-oriented, with 57.5% renting. Overseas-born residents account for 49.2%, and university attainment is 60.7%, or 30.6 percentage points above the national comparison. This combination supports cafes, services and compact living, but parking, storage and quiet space are more constrained than in lower-density eastern suburbs.

Bondi urban fabric map

Population

10,411

Median Age

34.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,546/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

90

0.86 km²· 12,040 people/km²· Family income $3,345/wk

Bondi suits buyers prioritising location and apartment access over land, because 79.7% of dwellings are apartments and only 6.6% are separate houses. The common format is compact: 50.5% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 18.6% have 0 or 1 bedroom. A typical mortgage costs $3,033 per month, while mortgage commitments equal 27.5% of household income. Weekly household income is $2,546, placing Bondi above the national income position at the 92.8th percentile. Buyers should compare strata levies, building condition, natural light and storage, as apartment costs can vary more than the suburb-wide figures suggest.

For Buyers

Bondi suits buyers prioritising location and apartment access over land, because 79.7% of dwellings are apartments and only 6.6% are separate houses. The common format is compact: 50.5% of homes have 2 bedrooms and 18.6% have 0 or 1 bedroom. A typical mortgage costs $3,033 per month, while mortgage commitments equal 27.5% of household income. Weekly household income is $2,546, placing Bondi above the national income position at the 92.8th percentile. Buyers should compare strata levies, building condition, natural light and storage, as apartment costs can vary more than the suburb-wide figures suggest.

For Investors

Bondi's investment case is driven by renter depth rather than detached-house scarcity: 57.5% of households rent, 79.7% of dwellings are apartments, and weekly rent is $656. Vacancy is 11.5%, higher than a tightly supplied market, which can improve tenant choice but may moderate short-term rent pressure. Development activity is substantial, with 103 applications in 12 months, including dual occupancy and residential works, so investors should check building quality, strata levies and competing supply. The wider forecast points to 0.73% annual growth, with overseas migration the primary driver. Compared with lower-density suburbs such as Bronte, Bondi offers a broader apartment renter pool but more direct exposure to vacancy and strata conditions.

Development Activity

Total DAs

492

Last 12 Months

90

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-17.4%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Renovation / Extension
134
Demolition
17
Swimming Pool / Spa
10
Commercial / Industrial
8
Hospitality / Food Premises
6
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
6
Subdivision
5
New Dwelling
4

Schools in Bondi

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Bondi Public School

Primary School Government
School website

Demographics

Bondi has a median age of 34, six years below the national comparison, and an average household size of 2.1, which is 0.4 below the national figure. The profile is highly educated, with 60.7% holding university qualifications, 30.6 percentage points above the national level. English ancestry is reported by 3,169 people, followed by Other at 2,409 and Irish at 1,279. No religion is the largest recorded affiliation at 4,705, ahead of Christianity at 3,067 and Judaism at 1,425. Portuguese, Russian and French are prominent languages, with 141, 125 and 107 speakers respectively. Compared with Bondi Junction, Bondi's smaller households and 37.5% turnover rate point to a more mobile, compact urban population.

Age Distribution

0-14
12.8%
15-24
7.6%
25-44
50.0%
45-64
17.5%
65+
12.2%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
18.6%
2 bed
50.5%
3 bed
21.3%
4+ bed
9.6%

Dwelling Structure

6.6%

Houses

12.0%

Townhouse

79.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 20.0% Mortgage 20.2% Rent 57.5% Other 2.3%

Apartment living defines Bondi: 79.7% of dwellings are apartments, 12.0% are semi-detached and just 6.6% are separate houses. Tenure is renter-heavy, with 57.5% renting, versus 20.0% owning outright and 20.2% paying a mortgage. That mix reflects a dense 12,040 people per square kilometre and an average household size of 2.1. Weekly rent is $656, while mortgage repayments average $3,033 per month; rent absorbs 25.8% of household income and mortgage costs 27.5%. Renter occupancy is higher than outright ownership, so Bondi contrasts with family-oriented, lower-density suburbs such as Bronte, where detached and semi-detached stock is more prominent.

Mortgage / mo

$3,033

Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $656.

$1,050

Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $1,800 · units $1,000

HH Size

2.1

Personal Income / wk

$1,386

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

11.5%

Unoccupied

585

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

25.8%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

27.5%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Portuguese
141
Russian
125
French
107
Italian
90
Mandarin
39
Greek
32

Ancestry

English
3,169
Other
2,409
Irish
1,279
Scottish
801
Ancestry NS
753
Italian
710

Household Composition

35.1%

Couples with children

52.6%

Couples, no children

10.5%

Single parent

2,408

Total families

Economy & Employment

Bondi's economic base is white-collar and service-oriented. Professional and technology work accounts for 22.7% of industry employment, followed by finance at 10.9%, healthcare at 10.8%, construction at 7.4% and education at 7.1%. Professionals number 2,524 and managers 1,242, well above trades at 456 and community or personal service roles at 423. Labour-force participation is 70.1%, unemployment is 4.2% and full-time employment is 65.5%, supporting spending power in local retail, hospitality and services. The household income percentile is 92.8, higher than the national position, while education and occupation deciles both sit at 10. This helps sustain premium convenience and professional services despite a renter-majority housing market.

Unemployment

4.2%

Labour Force

6,369

Unemployed

269

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
10
Disadvantage
10
Economic resources
6
Education & occupation
10

Full-time

65.5%

Part-time

25.3%

Participation

70.1%

Employed

6,100

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 2,524
Managers 1,242
Clerical/Admin 552
Trades 456
Community/Personal 423
Sales 404
Labourers 238
Machinery/Drivers 138

Top Industries

Professional/Tech 22.7%
Finance 10.9%
Healthcare 10.8%
Construction 7.4%
Education 7.1%

University

60.7%

Postgraduate

16.0%

Born Overseas

49.2%

Dwellings

4,480

Transport to Work

Bondi's compact form supports walking, local services and work-from-home routines: 65.3% work from home, while 22.1% drive and 5.0% use public transport for commuting. One nearby government primary school, Bondi Public School, provides local primary access; families should check enrolment zones because boundaries can cut across suburb streets. No suburb-level crime rate is available for Bondi, so assess the exact block, lighting and late-night activity rather than relying on a broad label. Socioeconomic advantage is above the national median, with IRSAD decile 10 and IEO decile 10. Compared with larger, lower-density suburbs, Bondi trades private outdoor space and easy parking for a shorter, more urban daily routine. Its 0.86 square kilometre footprint and 12,040 people per square kilometre make amenity highly address-specific.

Drive

22.1%

Public Transport

5.0%

Walk / Cycle

5.8%

Work from Home

65.3%

Population Forecast

+0.73%/yr

(+139 people/yr)

Established

Bondi's established-area outlook is steady rather than explosive. The forecast trend is 0.73% annual growth, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 11.8% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Stable, and the gentrification stage is Early signs with a score of 24, suggesting incremental change rather than a wholesale reset. Rents have grown 30.4%, real incomes 21.9% and the COVID dip of 2.6% was followed by 5.9% recovery. Improving affordability is recorded from 55.4 in 2011 to 48.2 in 2021, although apartment demand and 103 development applications mean supply and competition will remain relevant. Growth is more measured than in rapid expansion areas because Bondi is already dense and established.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+542

Net Internal / yr

-284

24

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +13% since 2011, Net internal outflow -284/yr, Strong overseas inflow +542/yr, COVID recovered (-3% dip → full recovery)

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Bondi compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 4%
Household Income
Top 7%
Rent Level
Top 1%
Apartments
Top 1%
Renters
Top 4%
Uni Educated
Top 4%
Public Transport
Top 26%
Born Overseas
Top 3%
Density
Top 0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bondi a good suburb to live in?

Bondi suits residents who value compact urban living, local services and a highly educated population. About 65.3% work from home and 79.7% of dwellings are apartments, but parking and private outdoor space are more limited than in lower-density suburbs.

What is the median house price in Bondi?

A current median house price is not quoted for Bondi. Only 6.6% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 79.7% apartments, so buyers should compare like-for-like sales by property type, bedroom count, strata costs and condition rather than rely on one suburb-wide figure.

What schools are in Bondi?

Bondi Public School is the named local option and is a government primary school. Because Bondi covers only 0.86 square kilometres, enrolment boundaries can affect nearby addresses. Families should confirm the catchment for the exact property and consider secondary-school access separately.

Is Bondi safe?

No suburb-level crime rate is available for Bondi, so safety should be assessed street by street. The suburb covers 0.86 square kilometres and has a high density of 12,040 people per square kilometre, making lighting, building access, foot traffic and late-night activity important address-level considerations.

Is Bondi good for property investment?

Bondi has strong renter depth, with 57.5% renting and weekly rent of $656. The 11.5% vacancy rate is higher than a tightly supplied market, while 103 development applications in 12 months may add competition. Investors should focus on strata costs, building quality, tenant appeal and apartment supply.

How is Bondi's population changing?

Bondi has 10,411 residents today. Population change across the wider area is 11.8% over 10 years, with forecast growth of 0.73% annually driven primarily by overseas migration. The trajectory is Stable, while the gentrification stage is Early signs with a score of 24.

What languages are spoken in Bondi?

Bondi has a substantial overseas-born population at 49.2%. Portuguese is the largest listed language with 141 speakers, followed by Russian at 125, French at 107, Italian at 90 and Mandarin at 39. English ancestry is also recorded for 3,169 residents.

What development is occurring in Bondi?

Bondi recorded 103 development applications in 12 months. Recent examples include a 2-dwelling attached dual occupancy, a 1-dwelling residential project and alterations to an existing commercial building. Buyers and investors should check how nearby works may affect outlook, noise, access and future apartment competition.

How to read these comparisons

Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.

Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.

Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.

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