Chatswood (NSW)

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Following an examination of ABS demographic releases for the wider region and new address entries validated by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Chatswood is estimated to have a population of approximately 28,017 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 2,464 people (9.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 25,553 people. This trend is derived from a resident population of 27,987, estimated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP details from June 2025 alongside an extra 132 validated new addresses identified since the Census. Such a population size translates to a density ratio of 5,592 persons per square kilometer, positioning the area within the highest 10% of national zones analyzed by Districts, highlighting local land as a premium asset. The 9.6% expansion rate in the suburb of Chatswood since the 2021 census outpaced the SA4 region (5.9%) and the state, establishing it as a regional growth leader. Population expansion was driven mostly by international arrivals, who accounted for roughly of the overall population increases in recent times.

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Chatswood is characterized by a highly educated resident workforce with substantial representation in technology roles, an unemployment rate of 4.5%, and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 2.6% from compiled regional statistics. As of March 2026, there are 14,627 employed residents, and the jobless rate is 0.4% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, while overall workforce participation is considerably lower at 63.9% compared to the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census responses indicate that a substantial 56.2% of the local workforce performed their jobs from home, although this figure was likely influenced by public health restrictions.

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The most recent ATO postcode data for the 2023 financial year indicates that resident incomes in Chatswood are exceptionally high by national standards, with a median of $54,122 and an average of $91,234. These figures compare to a metropolitan median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 across Greater Sydney. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year yields estimated current figures of approximately $59,707 for the median and $100,649 for the average as of March 2026. Census data shows that personal, family, and household incomes in the area sit around the 73rd percentile nationally. The most common weekly income bracket contains 30.3% of residents (8,489 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999, mirroring the wider regional trend of 30.9% in this range. A high proportion of top earners, with receiving over weekly, points to robust financial resources. Mortgage and rent payments account for of local income, but strong overall earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, while the SEIFA index places the area in the th decile for income.

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The local housing stock at the time of the latest Census was composed of 27.9% standalone houses and 72.0% multi-unit dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, differing from the metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was slightly lower than the metropolitan average at 27.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (20.8%) or renting (52.0%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,858 was considerably higher than the Sydney average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent was $577, compared to the regional benchmark of $470. On a national level, mortgage commitments exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are much higher than the countrywide average of $375.

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Domestic arrangements are led by family households at 70.6% of the total, which includes 33.1% couples raising children, 25.5% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent households. The remaining 29.4% consists of non-family setups, with single-person households making up 24.0% and shared houses accounting for 5.3%. The median household occupancy of 2.5 residents is slightly below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Local levels of academic attainment are considerably higher than regional and national averages, with 58.0% of residents aged 15 and older holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% across NSW. This high level of qualification positions the workforce well for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 35.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 19.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education accounts for 17.4% of credentials among residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 10.1% and certificates at 7.3%.

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An audit of public transport options reveals 121 active transit stops within the area, spanning train, lightrail, and bus options. These stops accommodate 100 distinct routes, which combine to support 21,637 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is outstanding, with residents living an average of 130 meters from their nearest transit stop. Because the area is mostly residential, many workers travel outside the suburb for employment; private vehicles remain the primary transit choice at 50%, while 21% use trains and 17% walk. Average vehicle ownership is 0.6 per household, which is below the metropolitan norm. A high proportion of residents, 56.2%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, a figure that may reflect pandemic conditions.

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Local health statistics show excellent wellness profiles, with Districts evaluations of mortality and long-term sickness indicating a low incidence of widespread medical conditions across all age cohorts. Additionally, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high, covering approximately 63% of the population (17,625 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national benchmark of 55.7%.

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The area ranks among the most ethnically diverse communities in Australia, with 63.7% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 64.3% born outside of Australia. Christianity is the largest religious affiliation, representing 34.1% of the population. The most prominent divergence from wider metropolitan trends is seen in Buddhism, which is practiced by 7.6% of residents compared to 4.1% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 36 years is close to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and slightly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, there is a higher proportion of young adults aged 25 to 34 (18.3%) but a smaller share of young children aged 0 to 4 (3.6%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 11.0% to 14.2% of the population, and the 25 to 34 group has increased from 16.6% to 18.3%. In contrast, the cohort aged 0 to 4 has shrunk from 5.0% to 3.6%, and the 35 to age bracket has decreased from to . Demographic projections indicate the age structure will shift by with the to cohort expected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to total while the population of children aged to and to is projected to decrease.

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Chatswood currently has an estimated 1,008 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 658 children aged 0-2 and 439 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 21% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 3% by 2041 (to approximately 980 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,426. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.