Earlwood (NSW)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside newly verified address listings from Districts since the Census, the suburb of Earlwood has an estimated residency of 18,310 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 257 individuals (1.4%) since the Census in 2021, which registered 18,053 residents. This shift is calculated from a resident population count of 18,280, determined by Districts after examining the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus 39 verified new addresses added since the Census. Such a residency count indicates a density of 3,263 individuals per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quarter of national areas analyzed by Districts. In recent times, overseas arrivals accounted for roughly 83.0% of the overall population expansion, serving as the main driver of growth.

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Earlwood is characterized by an educated labor force, showing high proportions of white-collar professional services, a low unemployment rate of 2.7%, and an estimated job growth rate of 3.1% over the past year based on aggregated statistical area statistics. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 10,569, keeping the jobless rate 1.4% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce engagement matches the broader metropolitan rate of 69.1%. Census records show a high 56.5% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure reflects the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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The suburb of Earlwood has a median taxpayer income of $58,793 and an average of $81,772, according to postcode-level tax office statistics aggregated for financial year 2023. These earnings are among the highest nationwide, contrasting with the Greater Sydney median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current earnings would approximate $64,860 for the median and $90,211 for the average as of March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, household earnings sit at the 75th percentile ($2,164 per week), whereas personal income is positioned at the 56th percentile. Looking at distribution, the weekly wage bracket between $1,500 and $2,999 contains of the population ( individuals), which mirrors wider metropolitan trends where fall into the same bracket. Financial strength is evident, with of households earning weekly incomes exceeding which sustains strong retail demand. Ongoing housing costs absorb of income, yet solid earnings keep disposable funds at the th percentile, and the local SEIFA index puts the area in the th decile.

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According to the last Census, residential housing types in Earlwood consisted of 80.2% standalone houses and 19.9% alternative formats (including duplexes, units, and other configurations), whereas the wider Sydney metropolitan area recorded 55.9% houses and 44.1% other formats. Home ownership rates in Earlwood were significantly higher than the Sydney metropolitan benchmark at 45.6%, with remaining homes occupied by mortgage holders (33.3%) or tenants (21.1%). The median monthly home loan repayment of $2,817 was much higher than the Sydney metro median of $2,427, and the weekly median rent stood at $570 compared to the metropolitan average of $470. On a national scale, Earlwood's mortgage costs are significantly higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and typical rent levels exceed the national average of $375.

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Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 78.1%, consisting of 41.5% couples raising children, 23.6% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent arrangements. Non-family households represent the remaining 21.9%, which includes single-person households at 19.2% and shared group households at 2.6%. The typical household size of 2.8 people exceeds the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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With university graduation rates at 33.1%, Earlwood falls slightly behind the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%, although the minor difference shows the area remains competitive. Bachelor degrees are held by 22.4% of residents, followed by postgraduate degrees (8.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational education is highly represented, with 26.9% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (16.3%).

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Public transport analysis identifies 121 passenger stops operating within Earlwood, which are serviced by buses. These locations are connected to 41 separate routes, facilitating 3,542 passenger journeys weekly. Transit proximity is excellent, with residents living an average of 148 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential character of the neighborhood, most workers commute outside the area; private cars remain the primary transport choice at 80%, while trains are used by 10%. Households own an average of 1.3 cars. A high 56.5% of working residents work from home, based on 2021 Census figures reflecting pandemic circumstances.

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Indicators for local health demonstrate strong outcomes throughout Earlwood, according to assessments of death rates and ongoing health issues showing very low rates of common illnesses across every age bracket, while private medical insurance coverage is exceptionally high, held by approximately 59% of the local population (10,841 people).

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Earlwood displays a high degree of cultural variety, with 36.0% of residents born outside Australia and 48.1% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant faith, accounting for 66.5% of the local population, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney.

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With a median age of 44, the suburb of Earlwood is older than Greater Sydney's average of 37 and the national benchmark of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is highly represented at 13.4% relative to Greater Sydney, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is less common at 10.8%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket expanded from 11.5% to 13.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 bracket fell from 11.8% to 10.0%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 15.7% to 14.1%. Population projections suggest that the local age profile will transform by . Leading this change, the to cohort is expected to increase by ( people), growing from to . This aging trend is prominent, with individuals aged + accounting for the entirety of projected growth. Meanwhile, the to and to demographics are expected to experience population reductions.

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Earlwood currently has an estimated 842 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 499 children aged 0-2 and 333 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 725 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,455. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.