Darlington (NSW)

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According to census updates from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with fresh addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Darlington (Sydney - NSW) has an estimated residency of 2,983 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 386 residents (14.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 2,597 individuals. The shift is calculated from the resident population of 2,983, projected by Districts after assessing the latest ERP statistics published by the ABS (June 2025) along with a single validated new address following the Census date. This population level corresponds to a density of 7,850 persons per square kilometer, positioning the suburb in the highest 10% of all areas analyzed by Districts, highlighting the high demand for local land. The 14.9% expansion of the suburb of Darlington (Sydney - NSW) since the 2021 census outpaced the state (7.1%) and Greater Sydney, establishing it as a local growth frontrunner. Expansion in the area was mostly fueled by arrivals from abroad, which comprised roughly of the overall population gains in recent times.

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Darlington is characterized by an exceptionally qualified labor force, with a notable concentration of workers in the technology industry, a jobless rate of 4.3%, and an estimated job growth rate of 2.0% over the prior year, according to aggregated local statistics compiled by Districts. In March 2026, 1,931 local citizens were employed, with the jobless rate tracking 0.2% higher than the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, while workforce participation matched the Greater Sydney rate of 69.1%. Census records indicate that a high 59.1% of working locals operated from home, though this figure likely reflects the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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According to the latest postcode-level ATO statistics compiled by Districts for the 2023 tax year, Darlington residents recorded a median taxpayer income of $50,267 and an average of $65,974. This tracks slightly below the countrywide figures, contrasting with a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 10.32% since the 2023 tax year, current calculations place these figures at roughly $55,455 (median) and $72,783 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that household earnings are exceptionally strong, ranking in the 87th percentile ($2,392 per week), though individual incomes rank lower in the 44th percentile. Income distribution statistics show that the largest cohort comprises 30.7% of residents (915 individuals) within the - weekly bracket, mirroring the broader region where of people fall in this category. The suburb demonstrates significant wealth, with of households earning above weekly, which helps sustain high-end commercial and service operations. Elevated housing expenses absorb of earnings, yet strong wages preserve disposable income at the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income metric ranks in the th decile.

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The local housing profile at the time of the latest Census consisted of 3.8% detached houses and 96.2% alternative housing types (including townhouses, units, and other structures), compared to the metropolitan Sydney split of 55.9% detached homes and 44.1% alternative dwellings. The level of home ownership in Darlington lagged behind the broader Sydney metropolitan area at 18.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (21.2%) or tenants (60.5%). The median monthly home loan payment in the suburb was significantly higher than the metropolitan Sydney average at $3,200, while the median weekly rental cost was recorded at $650, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $2,427 and $470. On a national level, mortgage costs in Darlington are substantially higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are also well above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Famiies constitute 46.8% of local households, consisting of 11.3% couples raising children, 28.8% couples without children, and 5.3% single-parent households. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 53.2%, consisting of lone-person households at 29.3% and group households at 23.6%. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Academic credentials in Darlington track well ahead of regional averages, with 57.5% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% throughout NSW. This high concentration of degrees positions the suburb well for employment in knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 37.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (16.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational qualifications account for 12.8% of the credentials held by residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas (6.2%) and certificates (6.6%).

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Analysis of transit options indicates eight active transit stops within Darlington, consisting of bus services. These stops are connected to 14 separate routes, which combine to support 4,630 passenger journeys per week. Transport access is classified as good, with homes situated an average of 226 meters from the nearest stop. Given the suburb's residential nature, the majority of working residents travel out of the area to work, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 35%, followed by trains at 24% and walking at 22%. Car ownership stands at 0.5 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents, 59.1%, worked from home (based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions).

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An evaluation of health indicators demonstrates positive outcomes throughout Darlington, based on Districts assessments of mortality patterns and chronic illnesses, showing very low rates of common health conditions across all age cohorts. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is slightly ahead of the average SA2 region at roughly 53% of the population (~1,581 individuals). This compares to 59.9% recorded across Greater Sydney.

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Darlington registers elevated levels of cultural diversity, with 32.4% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 43.8% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 19.8% of the local population. However, the most distinct deviation from regional patterns is in Judaism, which accounts for 1.2% of residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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With a median age of 24 years, Darlington is significantly younger than Greater Sydney's median of 37 and the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Darlington has a larger concentration of residents aged 15 - 24 (42.9%) but a smaller proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (1.4%). The 15 - 24 cohort is also substantially larger than the national average of 12.7%. Since the 2021 Census, younger residents have driven the median age down by 3.1 years to 24. Notably, the 15 to 24 age bracket expanded from 34.3% to 42.9% of the population, while the 35 to 44 cohort shrank from to and the to group declined from to . By Darlington is projected to undergo further demographic changes, led by the to age bracket, which is expected to grow by ( individuals) to reach from .

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Darlington currently has an estimated 53 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 48 children aged 0-2 and 33 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 4% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 47% by 2041 (to approximately 78 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 57. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.3 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.