Rose Bay (NSW)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic revisions for the wider region and recent address validations conducted by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Rose Bay (NSW) has a population projected at approximately 10,397 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 486 residents (4.9%) relative to the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 9,911 individuals. The shift is calculated from a resident base of 10,350 estimated by Districts using the most recent ABS ERP details from June 2025 alongside 164 newly confirmed addresses after the Census. This population level translates to a density of 4,109 residents per square kilometer, placing the locality within the highest 10% of areas analyzed by Districts, highlighting the high demand for local land. The post-census expansion of 4.9% in the suburb of Rose Bay (NSW) is within 0.7 percentage points of the wider SA3 region (5.6%), showing robust local growth characteristics. Net gains were heavily influenced by international migration, which accounted for approximately of the total demographic increase recently.

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Rose Bay has a highly qualified labor force with a strong concentration of professionals, a jobless rate of only 2.1%, and an estimated job growth rate of 2.8% over the prior year, according to Districts regional aggregations. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 6,196, while the local unemployment rate sat 2.0% below the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, and labor participation aligned closely with the metropolitan average of 69.1%. Census records indicate that a high proportion of 57.8% of workers performed duties from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic restrictions.

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Rose Bay residents record a median taxpayer income of $78,436 and an average of $213,359, according to ATO postcode data compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. These figures place the suburb in the highest national percentile, compared to the Greater Sydney median of $60,817 and average of $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to approximately $86,531 (median) and $235,378 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census reveals household, family, and personal incomes rank in the 91st to 96th percentiles nationally. The local earnings profile is dominated by the $4000+ weekly bracket, which accounts for 34.4% of residents (3,576 people), whereas regionally the - range is the most common with of workers. High affluence is evident, with of earners receiving over weekly, supporting premium local retail and service providers. Although high housing expenses absorb of income, strong earnings keep disposable income in the th percentile, and the local SEIFA income score falls in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Rose Bay at the most recent Census was composed of 20.7% standalone homes and 79.3% alternative housing types, such as townhouses and apartments, differing from the wider Sydney metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 31.3%, exceeding the Sydney metro average, with the remaining houses held under a mortgage (24.6%) or rented (44.1%). Local median mortgage payments were recorded at $3,250 monthly, well above the metropolitan median of $2,427, while median weekly rent was $630, compared to $470 across Sydney metro. On a national scale, Rose Bay's mortgage commitments are substantially higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Families make up 65.4% of all local households, consisting of couples with children at 27.2%, couples without children at 28.1%, and single-parent households at 9.4%. The remaining 34.6% are non-family households, with single-person households representing 30.0% and group housing accounting for 4.5%. The median household occupancy of 2.3 individuals sits below the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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Attainment levels in Rose Bay exceed wider averages, with 54.2% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% in Australia and 32.2% in NSW. This educational profile positions the community well for professional services. Bachelor degrees are held by 36.8% of the cohort, followed by postgraduate degrees at 13.7% and graduate diplomas at 3.7%. Vocational qualifications are held by 21.9% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.6% and certificates at 10.3%.

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Public transport systems include 56 active transit stops in Rose Bay, providing a combination of ferry and bus options. These stops accommodate 46 distinct routes, delivering a total of 5,799 passenger departures weekly. Transit access is rated as excellent, with average distances to the nearest stop measuring 127 meters. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute to outer areas; private cars are the primary mode of travel at 69%, while 8% of residents walk and 7% use buses. Car ownership stands at an average of 1.0 vehicle per home, which is below the metropolitan benchmark. A high proportion of 57.8% of residents worked from home, recorded during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic conditions.

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Health assessments indicate excellent wellness outcomes across Rose Bay, reflecting low rates of chronic conditions and mortality across age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, covering approximately 111% of the total population (11,509 people), compared to 59.9% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

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Rose Bay exhibits high levels of cultural diversity, with 20.9% of residents using a non-English language at home and 42.3% born in overseas countries. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 34.8% of the population. However, the most significant local divergence is in Judaism, which accounts for 31.7% of the community, substantially higher than the Greater Sydney average of 0.8%.

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The median age of 40 in Rose Bay is slightly higher than the Greater Sydney average of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to metropolitan Sydney, the 75 - 84 cohort shows high representation at 8.7%, whereas children aged 5 - 14 are underrepresented at 10.2%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 10.2% to 12.8% of the local population, and the 75 to 84 bracket rose from 7.2% to 8.7%, while the 45 to 54 cohort shrank from 13.4% to 12.1%. Long-term modeling suggests the age profile will shift by 2041. The + cohort is expected to grow by individuals () from to . Collectively, residents aged and over will account for of total population growth, pointing to an aging local demographic. Conversely, the to and to groups are projected to contract.

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Rose Bay currently has an estimated 457 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 241 children aged 0-2 and 160 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 11% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 8% by 2041 (to approximately 421 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 971. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.2 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.