Rathmines (NSW)

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Evaluating demographic updates from the ABS for the wider region alongside newly verified addresses from Districts since the Census points to a population of approximately 2,133 in the suburb of Rathmines as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 57 people (2.7%) from the 2,076 residents documented in the 2021 Census. This adjustment stems from an Districts projection of 2,131 residents, calculated by analyzing the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures combined with 28 newly validated addresses established after the Census. The resulting population density stands at 525 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and room for potential expansion. With a post-census growth rate of 2.7%, the suburb of Rathmines lags the Rest of NSW (4.9%) by 2.2 percentage points but remains competitive. The population rise was mostly fueled by net migration from abroad, accounting for roughly 53.0% of the overall increase, though interstate migration and natural increase also posted positive gains.

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A highly trained workforce characterizes the suburb of Rathmines, where essential service industries are well represented and unemployment stands at a low 3.9%, according to aggregated regional statistics. Working residents numbered 1,013 as of March 2026, keeping the unemployment rate 0.2% below the Regional NSW benchmark of 4.1%. However, participation in the labor force is slightly depressed at 58.4% compared to 60.6% across Regional NSW. Census data indicates that 21.7% of the workforce operated from home, though this figure was likely impacted by pandemic restrictions.

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ATO records for the 2023 financial year show that incomes in the suburb of Rathmines run slightly below the national benchmark, with a median of $47,028 and an average of $65,425. This is lower than the Regional NSW median of $52,390 and average of $65,215. Adjusting for a 10.32% rise in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year yields estimated figures of $51,881 for the median and $72,177 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census places local personal, family, and household incomes in the modest 34th to 36th percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 30.0% of residents (639 people) earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, which aligns closely with the regional proportion of 29.9%. Disposable income after housing costs stands at of earnings, placing the area in the th decile for SEIFA financial advantage.

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The housing profile in the suburb of Rathmines at the latest Census consisted of 92.9% separate houses and 7.1% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 82.6% separate houses and 17.4% other options across Regional NSW. Outright home ownership is exceptionally high at 45.3%, with mortgaged properties representing 41.0% and rented properties making up 13.8%. The median monthly mortgage payment matches the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent of $400 is higher than the regional average of $330. Nationally, local mortgage costs sit below the Australian average of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national median of $375.

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Families make up 79.0% of local households, consisting of couples with children at 29.4%, couples without children at 34.2%, and single-parent homes at 15.0%. The remaining 21.0% are non-family households, including lone-person households at 18.5% and group share houses at 2.3%. The median household size of 2.6 residents exceeds the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

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Educational challenges exist within the area, as university degree holders make up only 20.3% of residents compared to the NSW average of 32.2%. This gap presents an opportunity for targeted academic programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 14.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.2%. Technical credentials are highly prevalent, with 45.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, including advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 33.8%.

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Public transport links include 25 active stops within the suburb of Rathmines, providing bus connections. These stops are served by 32 routes that run a combined 223 passenger services weekly. Accessibility is highly rated, with residents living an average of 139 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential character of the suburb of Rathmines, most workers travel out of the area, with private cars being the main transport mode for 96% of commuters. Household vehicle ownership stands at 1.8 cars, exceeding the regional benchmark. Working from home was recorded for 21.7% of residents in the 2021 Census, which was likely influenced by pandemic conditions.

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An assessment of mortality and chronic illness rates reveals notable health challenges in the suburb of Rathmines, with common medical issues affecting both younger and older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is slightly above the SA2 average at approximately 53% of residents, representing around 1,126 people.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Rathmines is below average, with 88.2% of residents born in Australia, 92.8% holding citizenship, and 95.5% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant faith at 55.4% of the population, which is comparable to the 55.9% recorded across Regional NSW.

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The median age in the suburb of Rathmines is 47 years, which is higher than the Regional NSW median of 43 and the national average of 38. The age distribution shows a high concentration of residents aged 65 - 74 at 16.2%, contrasting with a smaller cohort aged 25 - 34 at 8.8% compared to Regional NSW. The 65 - 74 cohort is significantly larger than the national average of 9.4%. Since 2021, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 grew from 6.8% to 8.8%, while those aged 55 to 64 declined from 14.9% to 13.2%. By 2041, demographic shifts will alter the population profile, led by an increase in the to age bracket, growing by people to reach from . Conversely, contractions are expected in the to and to age groups.

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Rathmines currently has an estimated 108 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 61 children aged 0-2 and 40 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 9% by 2041 (to approximately 118 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 174. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 7.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.