Petersham (NSW)

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Demographic estimates for the suburb of Petersham indicate its population has reached approximately 9,212 as of May 2026. According to analyses of recent updates, this is an increase of 1,012 residents, or 12.3%, from the 8,200 individuals counted during the 2021 Census. This figure is based on a resident base of 9,209, calculated using the June 2025 release of official statistics alongside an additional 358 validated new addresses. The resulting density stands at 7,141 residents per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest tenth of Australian areas for density and highlighting the competitive nature of local real estate. The suburb of Petersham recorded a growth rate of 12.3% since the 2021 Census, outpacing both the wider state and the surrounding SA3 zone, which recorded 6.1% growth. The main driver of this expansion was overseas migration, which was responsible for roughly 80.0% of the population increase in recent times.

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Petersham features an exceptionally qualified labor force, with a notable concentration of workers in the technology industry. The local unemployment rate stands at 5.7%, and jobs grew by an estimated 2.6% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, 5,559 local residents were employed. The local unemployment rate is 1.6% higher than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while the participation rate is relatively typical, sitting at 71.3% compared to 69.1% across Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that 61.6% of working residents performed their jobs from home, a figure that was likely influenced by pandemic-related containment measures.

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Tax statistics from the financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Petersham are among the highest nationwide, with a median of $68,446 and an average of $94,825. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. Factoring in a 10.32% increase in the Wage Price Index since the financial year 2023, local incomes are estimated to have reached approximately $75,510 for the median and $104,611 for the average by March 2026. The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes highly, placing the area in the 79th to 92nd percentiles nationally. The largest income group comprises 29.2% of residents (2,689 people) earning between $1,500 and weekly, which is similar to the broader metropolitan region where of workers fall into this range. The high percentage of top earners, with making more than weekly, points to substantial financial resources in the area. Although high housing costs account for of local income, strong earnings keep disposable income in the th percentile, and the SEIFA socioeconomic index ranks the area in the th decile.

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The housing mix in Petersham at the time of the last Census consisted of 22.6% detached houses and 77.3% alternative dwelling types, such as townhouses and apartments, compared to 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Sydney. Home ownership rates in Petersham were lower than the metropolitan average at 19.7%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (28.7%) or rented (51.6%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,900, which is higher than the Sydney average of $2,427, while the median weekly rent was $450, compared to $470 across the metropolitan area. Nationally, Petersham's mortgage costs are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 56.1%, consisting of 22.3% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 7.3% single-parent households. The remaining 43.9% are non-family households, with lone person households representing 35.0% and group households accounting for 8.8%. The median household size of 2.2 residents is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Residents of Petersham show high levels of educational attainment, with 53.7% of individuals aged 15 and older holding a tertiary degree, compared to 30.4% nationwide and 32.2% across NSW. This educational profile positions the community well for professional services and knowledge industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 33.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 15.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational education represents 20.5% of qualifications for those aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificate courses at 11.1%.

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Public transport infrastructure includes 47 active transit stops within Petersham, consisting of both train stations and bus stops. These locations are served by 36 different routes, which support 8,163 passenger trips per week. Transport access is high, with the average distance from a residence to the nearest stop being 142 meters. Because it is primarily a residential area, most residents travel out of the suburb for work. Private vehicles remain the primary mode of travel at 55%, while 20% of commuters use trains and 8% use buses. Average car ownership is 0.6 vehicles per household, which is below the regional average. A total of 61.6% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.

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Health metrics for Petersham residents are generally positive, with mortality rates and medical conditions aligning with national benchmarks. The prevalence of common illnesses remains low across both younger and older cohorts, and private health insurance coverage is high at approximately 64% of the population (5,925 people). This compares to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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Petersham displays higher levels of cultural diversity than most local property markets, with 29.0% of the population born outside of Australia and 20.5% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religion, practiced by 34.8% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.7% of residents, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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The median age in Petersham is 35 years, making it slightly younger than Greater Sydney's median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 25 to 34 age bracket is highly represented at 24.0% of the population, whereas children aged 5 to 14 represent a smaller share at 6.7%. The concentration of young adults aged 25 to 34 is higher than the national figure of 14.6%. Since 2021, the 25 to 34 age group has expanded from 22.2% to 24.0% of the total population, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 8.4% to 6.7% and the 45 to 54 group fell from to . Population projections for suggest changing demographics for the suburb of Petersham. The to age group is expected to grow, increasing by people () from to . Combined cohorts aged and over are projected to make up of the total population growth, showing an aging local profile, while the to and to age groups are expected to contract.

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Petersham currently has an estimated 377 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 229 children aged 0-2 and 152 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 12% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 10% by 2041 (to approximately 340 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 505. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.4 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.