Wolli Creek
Population grew 280.1% over the past decade, the fastest expansion rate among comparable Sydney suburbs, transforming Wolli Creek from a quiet rail stop into a dense apartment corridor at 16,108 people per square kilometre. At 99.1% apartments, 75.5% born overseas and a median age of 30, ten years below the national figure, this is functionally a migrant professional dormitory suburb for Sydney CBD. The SEIFA profile reveals the sharpest education-income split in the dataset: IEO decile 10 (highest education nationally) against IER decile 1 (lowest economic resources), meaning residents hold elite credentials but have not yet converted them to wealth. The 10.6% vacancy rate is among Sydney's highest.
Population
10,654
Median Age
30.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,163/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$794K
2024-2025 (PSI derived)
The $793,800 median (PSI derived, average of 2024-2025) moved from $776,500 in 2024 to $805,000 in 2025, a 3.7% gain. At 99.1% apartments with zero detached houses, buyers are purchasing units exclusively. Two-bedroom apartments account for 60.8% of stock, with studio and one-bedrooms at 27.2%. Three-bedroom and larger units are just 12.0%, limiting family buyers. Only 7.3% own outright, the lowest in comparable Sydney suburbs, because the population is young and recently arrived. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% is below the 30% threshold, reflecting the 82.3 percentile household income. The IEO decile 10 means these buyers are highly credentialed.
For Buyers
The $793,800 median (PSI derived, average of 2024-2025) moved from $776,500 in 2024 to $805,000 in 2025, a 3.7% gain. At 99.1% apartments with zero detached houses, buyers are purchasing units exclusively. Two-bedroom apartments account for 60.8% of stock, with studio and one-bedrooms at 27.2%. Three-bedroom and larger units are just 12.0%, limiting family buyers. Only 7.3% own outright, the lowest in comparable Sydney suburbs, because the population is young and recently arrived. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% is below the 30% threshold, reflecting the 82.3 percentile household income. The IEO decile 10 means these buyers are highly credentialed.
For Investors
Renters dominate at 64.6% of households, among Sydney's highest rates, creating an enormous tenant pool. Median weekly rent of $540 against the $793,800 median produces a gross yield around 3.5%, above Sydney's typical range. However, the 10.6% vacancy rate is very elevated, a structural risk from apartment oversupply. Net internal migration is negative at 267 per year, but 537 overseas arrivals more than compensate, creating a migration-churning tenant base. Population growth at 4.71% annually (593 persons) is rapid. Only 10 DAs in 12 months suggests the current development pipeline is pausing, which could help vacancy stabilise if demand catches up.
Development Activity
Total DAs
65
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+8.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Chinese ancestry (3,777) is the largest group, three times the English (985) count, making Wolli Creek one of Sydney's most Chinese-dominant suburbs. Filipino (347) follows. At 75.5% born overseas, 53.9 points above the national baseline, this is one of Australia's most migration-intensive suburbs. Mandarin (1,021 speakers) dominates non-English languages, followed by Cantonese (318), Portuguese (182), Nepali (133) and Arabic (89). The 66.0% university rate runs 35.9 points above the national average, the second-highest in comparable Sydney suburbs. Buddhism (1,068) and Hinduism (444) are significant religions alongside Christianity (2,737). Couples without children (3,615) account for 55.9% of families.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
0.7%
Houses
0.2%
Townhouse
99.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure shows 7.3% outright owners, 28.1% mortgage holders and 64.6% renters, a renter-dominated split reflecting the young, transient population. At 99.1% apartments and 0.7% detached houses, the housing stock is almost exclusively medium to high-rise towers. Two-bedroom units (60.8%) and studios/one-bedrooms (27.2%) account for 88.0% of stock. Price data shows movement from $776,500 to $805,000 over the latest year. Rent-to-income at 25.0% and mortgage-to-income at 25.4% are both manageable at the 82.3 percentile income level. Average household size of 2.2 is below the national average, consistent with the apartment format and couples-without-children majority.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$540
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$1,071
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.6%
Unoccupied
548
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.0%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
55.9%
Couples, no children
6,468
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Technical leads at 18.3% (958 workers), followed by Finance (12.4%), Healthcare (9.1%), Retail (8.5%) and Hospitality (8.5%). Professionals (2,336) dominate occupations by a wide margin, with Managers (800) and Clerical/Admin (857) following. The IEO decile 10 vs IER decile 1 gap is the most extreme in the dataset: highest education nationally paired with lowest economic resources. The 7.1% unemployment rate is above the national average. The 68.5% full-time rate is high, and the 62.2% participation rate is above average. The Finance sector share at 12.4% is notably higher than the national average, reflecting CBD commuter employment.
Unemployment
0.9%
Labour Force
10,248
Unemployed
96
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.5%
Part-time
24.4%
Participation
62.2%
Employed
5,666
Occupations
Top Industries
University
66.0%
Postgraduate
23.1%
Born Overseas
75.5%
Dwellings
4,560
Transport to Work
Public transport usage at 41.1% is among Sydney's highest, reflecting the Wolli Creek station on the T4 and T8 lines with direct CBD access. Car driving at just 48.8% is below the national average, and 5.3% walk or cycle. Wolli Creek has no schools in the current dataset. The IEO decile 10 confirms the highest education attainment nationally. Only 1.0% need daily assistance, the lowest rate among comparable suburbs, reflecting the young, healthy population. At 16,108 per square kilometre in just 0.66 square kilometres, this is one of Australia's densest suburbs. The 7.4% volunteering rate is below average.
Drive
48.8%
Public Transport
41.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+4.71%/yr
(+593 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation surged 280.1% over the past decade, from near-greenfield to 12,585 residents in 2025, with projections reaching 16,356 by 2031 at 4.71% annually. Overseas migration adds 537 per year, but 267 leave via internal migration, creating a net churning effect. The suburb is classified as high-growth with new development as the gentrification stage. Working-age share grew 3.5 points, the strongest among comparable suburbs. Affordability improved from 59.3% to 50.5%, meaning incomes grew faster than housing costs. Rent growth of 8.0% over the decade is actually modest for a high-growth suburb, suggesting oversupply has moderated rent increases.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+537
Net Internal / yr
-267
Gentrification Signal
New development
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Wolli Creek compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wolli Creek a good suburb to live in?
Wolli Creek suits young professionals wanting transit-oriented apartment living near Sydney CBD. The 41.1% public transport usage and direct rail access are strong. The 66.0% university rate and 82.3 percentile income indicate a professional cohort. Trade-offs include 99.1% apartment stock, 10.6% vacancy, 64.6% renter majority, and no local schools.
What is the median house price in Wolli Creek?
The median price is $793,800 (PSI derived, 2024-2025, apartment-weighted since 99.1% of stock is apartments). Prices moved from $776,500 in 2024 to $805,000 in 2025, a 3.7% gain. Median weekly rent is $540 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%.
What schools are in Wolli Creek?
No schools appear in the current dataset for Wolli Creek. The IEO decile 10 (highest education nationally) and 66.0% university rate, 35.9 points above the national average, confirm exceptional education attainment among adult residents. The suburb's young, couple-dominated demographic (55.9% couples without children) explains the limited demand for local schools.
Is Wolli Creek safe?
Crime data is not available for Wolli Creek. The 82.3 percentile household income, IEO decile 10 and 66.0% university rate are protective factors. Risks include the 64.6% renter share, 10.6% vacancy, high population churn (267 internal departures vs 537 overseas arrivals per year), and 7.1% unemployment. The IRSD decile 7 places the suburb above the national median.
Is Wolli Creek good for property investment?
Wolli Creek's 64.6% renter share provides a massive tenant pool, and $540 weekly rent on the $793,800 median yields roughly 3.5% gross, above Sydney's average. Population growth at 4.71% annually is strong. Key risks are the 10.6% vacancy rate and 267 internal departures per year. Only 10 DAs in 12 months suggest the supply pipeline is slowing.
How is Wolli Creek's population changing?
Population surged 280.1% over the past decade, the fastest expansion among comparable Sydney suburbs. Growth continues at 4.71% annually (593 persons), projected to reach 16,356 by 2031. Overseas migration drives growth at 537 per year, offset by 267 internal departures. The working-age share grew 3.5 points. The median age of 30 is 10 years below the national figure.
What languages are spoken in Wolli Creek?
Mandarin (1,021 speakers) dominates, followed by Cantonese (318), Portuguese (182), Nepali (133) and Arabic (89). With 75.5% born overseas, 53.9 points above the national baseline, Wolli Creek is one of Australia's most migration-intensive suburbs. Chinese ancestry (3,777) is the single largest group, outnumbering English (985) by nearly 4 to 1.
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 Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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