Sydney: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Sydney: The median total income of residents of the City of Sydney who had income was $65,191 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 4th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Sydney: 1,677 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Sydney in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 0.73 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Sydney: 80.8% of residents of the City of Sydney aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, 2nd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Sydney: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Sydney was $550 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), the highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Sydney?
The City of Sydney had an estimated 241,797 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 15th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Sydney growing?
The population of the City of Sydney grew by 4,240 people (1.8%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 237,557 to 241,797; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Sydney grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Sydney rose 6.4%, from 227,250 to 241,797, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Sydney in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Sydney had net overseas migration of +7,305 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -3,965 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Sydney?
The City of Sydney covers 27 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 9,064 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Sydney?
The median age of residents of the City of Sydney was 33.0 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Sydney?
The 2021 Census counted 97,743 households in the City of Sydney, with an average of 1.9 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Sydney were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 48.5% of residents of the City of Sydney were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 34.8% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Sydney?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Greater Adelaide 1,491,015
- Brisbane 1,375,301
- Gold Coast-Tweed Heads 761,634
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Melbourne 194,481
- Toowoomba 186,276
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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