Fairfield (NSW)

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According to population updates from the ABS for the region and address data verified by Districts after the Census, the suburb of Fairfield (NSW) has a population estimated to be approximately 19,677 in May 2026. This indicates a rise of 1,081 residents (5.8%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded 18,596 individuals. The estimate is based on a resident population of 19,649 calculated by Districts using the ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 193 verified new addresses added since the census. The population size yields a density of 4,461 residents per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top 10% of areas evaluated nationally by Districts and highlights the high demand for local land. The growth rate of 5.8% since the census is within 1.3 percentage points of the state average of 7.1%, showing solid growth characteristics. The main driver of this expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 92.0% of the total population growth over recent periods.

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The local workforce is diverse and skilled, with an unemployment rate of 13.4% and an estimated annual employment growth rate of 5.9% based on local statistical area data compiled by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,211, though the unemployment rate is 9.2% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, pointing to potential for workforce development. Furthermore, the participation rate of 43.0% is substantially lower than the 69.1% recorded across Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that 26.7% of working residents worked from home, a figure that may be influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Incomes in the area are below the national average based on 2023 financial year ATO statistics compiled by Districts. The median taxpayer income is $40,232 and the average income is $48,780, compared to Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates are approximately $44,384 for the median and $53,814 for the average as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all ranked between the 1st and 7th percentiles nationally. The local earnings profile shows that the $800 - 1,499 weekly income bracket is the most common, containing 29.5% of the population (5,804 residents), whereas the dominant bracket for the broader region is - at . Financial pressure from housing is high, with only of income left after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock consisted of 40.2% standalone houses and 59.8% other dwelling types like townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metro Sydney. The home ownership rate was 21.9%, which is lower than the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (18.5%) or tenants renting their homes (59.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,733 was lower than the Sydney metro average of $2,427, and the median weekly rent of $365 was below the metropolitan rate of $470. Globally, mortgage costs are lower than the national median of $1,863, and rent is below the Australian median of $375.

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Families make up 74.5% of households, consisting of couples with children at 36.4%, couples without children at 17.0%, and single-parent households at 18.5%. Non-family living arrangements account for 25.5%, including single-person households at 23.1% and group houses at 2.4%. The median household size is 2.9 individuals, which is higher than the Greater Sydney median of 2.7.

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Educational attainment levels present developmental opportunities, as the university qualification rate of 16.7% is below the Greater Sydney average of 38.0%. Among residents with tertiary qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 1.0%. Vocational training accounts for 23.6% of qualifications for residents aged 15 and over, split between advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 14.0%.

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Public transport services include 74 transit stops within the area, providing a combination of rail and bus options. These stops are served by 55 separate routes, which provide a total of 6,420 weekly passenger journeys. Transport links are excellent, with residents living an average of 175 meters from their closest transit stop. Because of the residential nature of the area, most workers travel out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the most common choice at 78%, followed by trains at 12%. Car ownership stands at 0.9 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. Census data from 2021 shows that 26.7% of working residents worked from home, which may reflect conditions during pandemic lockdowns.

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Health indicators are generally positive, with mortality rates and chronic health conditions closely matching national averages, though minor health issues are slightly more common across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is low, with approximately 46% of the population (~9,110 residents) having coverage, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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The area is highly multicultural, with 70.2% of residents born outside Australia and 82.5% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the most common religion, practiced by 62.1% of the population. Buddhism shows a high concentration at 12.8% of the community, which is significantly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%.

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The median age is 40, which is higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to metropolitan averages, the 65 - 74 age group is overrepresented at 11.5%, while the 35 - 44 bracket is underrepresented at 11.6%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 12.6% to 14.4%, and the 65 to 74 group has grown from 9.9% to 11.5%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 11.8% to 10.3%, and the 35 to 44 cohort has dropped from to . Future projections suggest that the demographic makeup will change by with the to cohort expected to grow by people (), rising from to .

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Fairfield currently has an estimated 924 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 564 children aged 0-2 and 375 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 14% by 2041 (to approximately 1,050 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,631. Birth rates in the area have averaged 9.7 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.