Glebe (NSW)

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Following assessment of ABS demographic releases for the wider region alongside newly verified residential addresses from Districts since the Census, the suburb of Glebe (NSW) has an estimated occupancy of approximately 12,571 residents as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 891 individuals (7.6%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 11,680 individuals. This shift is determined from a resident population count of 12,570, calculated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP update (June 2025) plus 80 validated new addresses added since the Census date. This size of population results in a density ratio of 7,438 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of all Australian areas analyzed by Districts, highlighting local land as a highly coveted asset. The 7.6% growth rate of the suburb of Glebe (NSW) since the 2021 census outpaced the state average of 7.1%, positioning the locality as a regional leader in growth. Demographic expansion was mostly propelled by net overseas migration, which accounted for roughly of the total population growth over recent intervals.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with the technology sector showing notable concentration, alongside an unemployment rate of 7.6% and a 2.0% expansion in employment over the preceding year, according to Districts regional aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 6,861 employed local residents, while the unemployment rate exceeds the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1% by 3.5%, indicating potential for labor market improvement, and the participation rate is somewhat depressed at 64.8% relative to the Greater Sydney average of 69.1%. Census records show that a substantial 62.4% of working residents operated from their homes, although the influence of Covid-19 health restrictions should be taken into account.

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The latest postcode-based ATO statistics compiled by Districts for the 2023 financial year show that personal earnings in Glebe are exceptionally high by national standards, featuring a median of $54,864 and an average of $83,320. This compares to a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 across Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to approximately $60,526 for median income and $91,919 for average income as of March 2026. According to the Census, individual weekly earnings place the area in the 82nd percentile nationally at $1,045, though total household incomes are more modest at the 50th percentile. An analysis of income tiers shows the largest segment consists of 23.3% of residents (2,929 people) earning in the $1,500 - range, which is mirrored in the wider regional trend where fall into this bracket. A significant presence of high-income earners ( making over weekly) points to strong financial capacity in Glebe. Home affordability challenges are pronounced, leaving residents with only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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The mix of housing types in Glebe at the time of the latest Census consisted of 5.0% standalone houses and 95.0% multi-unit options like semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwellings, contrasting with the Sydney metro split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was lower than the Sydney metro average, standing at 20.1%, with the remaining dwellings occupied by residents with mortgages (16.3%) or tenants (63.6%). Median monthly mortgage costs in the area were significantly higher than the Sydney metro average at $3,000, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $420, compared to Sydney metro figures of $2,427 and $470. On a national scale, Glebe's mortgage commitments are much higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and typical rent payments are also well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up 48.7% of all households, consisting of 13.3% couples with children, 25.7% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent households. The remaining 51.3% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 42.5% and group living situations accounting for 8.8% of the total. The typical household size of 2.0 residents is lower than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Academic credentials in Glebe are notably higher than national and state averages, with 56.9% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 32.2% in NSW. This educational lead primes the suburb for knowledge-driven professional opportunities. Undergraduate degrees are the most common credential at 33.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees (19.8%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Professional and trade-based credentials represent 18.1% of qualifications for those aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (8.8%) and certificates (9.3%).

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Public transport studies show 72 active stops within Glebe, offering a combination of ferry, light rail, and bus services. These stops support 28 separate routes, which combine to deliver 9,838 passenger journeys each week. Transport connectivity is classified as outstanding, with residents living an average of 147 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential character, most working residents travel out of the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary option at 46%, followed by walking at 18% and buses at 15%. Average vehicle ownership is 0.4 per household, which is below the metropolitan standard. A significant 62.4% of residents worked from their homes, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Glebe displays positive health characteristics according to Districts measurements of mortality rates and chronic illnesses, with low rates of common health issues observed in both younger and older demographics, and private medical insurance coverage is exceptionally high, encompassing roughly 60% of the resident population (7,519 people).

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Glebe exhibits high levels of multiculturalism, with 26.5% of the population speaking a non-English language at home and 38.5% born in overseas countries. Christianity is the primary religion in Glebe, representing 33.4% of the population. The most distinct relative concentration is seen in Judaism, which accounts for 0.7% of local residents, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age of 38 years in Glebe is comparable to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Glebe shows a larger share of residents aged 25 - 34 (21.8%) but a lower share of children aged 5 - 14 (5.9%). The concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is significantly higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 13.4% to 16.0% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort expanded from 4.9% to 6.2%. In contrast, the 55 to bracket fell from to and the to cohort decreased from to . By Glebe is projected to undergo significant demographic shifts. Leading these changes, the to cohort will increase by ( people), rising from to . This aging trend is prominent, with residents aged + accounting for of the projected population increase. Conversely, contraction is projected for the to and to age brackets.

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Glebe currently has an estimated 377 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 277 children aged 0-2 and 186 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 13% by 2041 (to approximately 329 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 538. Birth rates in the area have averaged 7.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.