Fairlight (NSW)

Detail

Drawing on census data and address validations performed by Districts subsequent to the official census, the suburb of Fairlight is home to an estimated 6,640 residents as of May 2026. This representing a gain of 499 individuals, or 8.1%, compared to the 2021 Census headcount of 6,141. The updated figure builds on the June 2025 ABS release showing a resident population of 6,636, supplemented by 9 validated new addresses registered since the census. This population translates to a density of 5,675 persons per square kilometer, positioning it in the highest 10% of all areas evaluated nationwide by Districts and highlighting the intense demand for land in this locality. This 8.1% rate of growth since the 2021 census outpaced both the SA4 region at 3.7% and the surrounding SA3 district, establishing the suburb as a local growth frontrunner. The growth observed was chiefly driven by overseas arrivals, who accounted for approximately of the overall population gains in recent times.

Detail

The local workforce is highly educated, featuring a strong representation of technology professionals, a low unemployment rate of 2.8%, and a modest 0.5% growth in employment over the past year. As of March 2026, there are 4,050 employed residents, with the unemployment rate tracking 1.3% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation is solid at 74.1% compared to the regional average of 69.1%. Census records show a high proportion of residents working from home at 64.0%, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

Detail

Taxpayer data from the ATO for the 2023 financial year indicates that the suburb of Fairlight recorded a median taxpayer income of $74,226 and an average income of $139,618. These figures are exceptionally high compared to the Greater Sydney averages of $60,817 and $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current income estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $81,886 for the median and $154,027 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes all ranked in the 97th to 98th percentiles nationally. Looking at distribution, the largest cohort consists of 41.2% of residents, representing 2,735 individuals, earning over $4,000 weekly, which contrasts with the broader region where the - bracket is largest at . High weekly earnings exceeding are enjoyed by of local households, supporting strong consumer activity. High housing costs account for of household income, yet strong earning power keeps disposable income in the th percentile, with a SEIFA economic index ranking in the th decile.

Detail

The housing stock in the suburb of Fairlight at the time of the latest Census consisted of 26.4% detached houses and 73.5% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or other housing options, contrasting with the Greater Sydney split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership stands at 33.9%, which is higher than the Sydney metro average, with 30.5% of homes mortgaged and 35.7% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $3,467 and median weekly rent of $720 are both well above the Sydney metro figures of $2,427 and $470. Globally, local mortgage commitments are higher than the national average of $1,863, while weekly rents sit far above the Australian median of $375.

Detail

Family households make up 69.9% of the local dwelling mix, consisting of couples with children at 32.4%, couples without children at 29.7%, and single parent families at 7.1%. The remaining 30.1% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 23.8% and group households accounting for 6.3%. The median household size is 2.4 persons, which is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Detail

Educational qualifications in the suburb of Fairlight are exceptionally high, with 56.3% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. This positions the community well for professional services and knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are held by 36.4% of residents, postgraduate qualifications by 15.7%, and graduate diplomas by 4.2%. Vocational training accounts for 22.6% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificate qualifications at 10.8%.

Detail

Public transport analysis identifies 58 active transport stops in the suburb of Fairlight, consisting of bus services. These stops support 33 separate routes, delivering a total of 3,381 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with the average household situated 88 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily a commuter area with most residents traveling elsewhere for work; private cars remain the dominant mode of travel at 72%, followed by walking at 10% and bus travel at 8%. Motor vehicle ownership averages 1.0 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents work from home, recorded at 64.0% in the 2021 Census, reflecting pandemic-era working patterns.

Detail

Health profiles for the suburb of Fairlight show highly positive outcomes, characterized by low mortality rates and a low prevalence of chronic diseases across all age cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with 82% of the population, or 5,434 individuals, holding private cover, compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

The suburb of Fairlight exhibits a higher level of cultural diversity than most comparable markets, with 10.8% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 33.9% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 44.1% of the community. The most notable religious overrepresentation relative to the metropolitan average is Judaism, which accounts for 0.4% of residents locally compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

Detail

The median age in the suburb of Fairlight is 39 years, which is slightly higher than the Greater Sydney median of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, there is a higher concentration of residents in the 55 - 64 age group at 12.3%, and a lower proportion of 5 - 14 year-olds at 9.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has increased from 9.2% to 11.4%, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 13.9% to 12.2% and the 5 to 14 group decreased from 10.6% to 9.5%. Projections for suggest significant demographic shifts, led by a increase in the to cohort, which is expected to rise by people from to . Seniors aged and over are projected to account for of total population growth, while the to and to age groups are expected to contract.

Detail

Fairlight currently has an estimated 398 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 199 children aged 0-2 and 132 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 365 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 409. Birth rates in the area have averaged 11.0 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.