Rushcutters Bay (NSW)

Detail

Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the region and additional locations verified by Districts after the Census, the suburb of Rushcutters Bay has a projected occupancy of 2,566 individuals as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 231 people (9.9%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 2,335 residents. The estimate builds upon an Districts figure of 2,565 residents, calculated from the ABS's recent ERP update in June 2025 alongside 6 validated new addresses since the Census date. This size results in a density ratio of 16,037 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the highest 10% of local markets examined by Districts and highlighting the premium value of local real estate. The 9.9% population growth of the suburb of Rushcutters Bay outpaced both the broader Greater Sydney area and the NSW average of 7.1%, establishing it as a regional growth hotspot. This expansion was almost exclusively fueled by international migration, which acted as the sole catalyst for demographic gains in recent years.

Detail

The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with technology professionals exceptionally well represented, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, and a 1.8% rise in estimated jobs over the past year, according to Districts' aggregated figures. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 1,736, while the jobless rate closely matched the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, and labor participation was relatively typical, standing at 73.9% compared to the Greater Sydney average of 69.1%. Census records show that a significant 64.4% of the local workforce operated from home, though this figure likely reflects temporary pandemic containment measures.

Detail

According to postcode-level ATO records compiled by Districts for financial year 2023, the suburb of Rushcutters Bay has a median taxpayer income of $71,419 and an average income of $132,415. These figures place the suburb in the highest percentile nationally, contrasting with 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 earnings estimates would be roughly $78,789 for the median and $146,080 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics show individual weekly earnings are in the 97th percentile nationally at $1,480, while overall household income sits in the 57th percentile. The income distribution shows that 31.1% of the community (798 individuals) fall into the - weekly earnings bracket, matching the Sydney metropolitan share of . Residential costs absorb of earnings, yet strong wages keep the suburb's disposable income level in the st percentile, placing the area in the th decile on the SEIFA income index.

Detail

At the time of the latest Census, the local housing mix consisted of 0.5% standalone houses and 99.5% other housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, compared to the wider Sydney metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was also lower than the Sydney metropolitan average, sitting at 18.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (16.9%) or renters (64.9%). The median monthly home loan repayment was higher than the metropolitan average at $2,600, whereas the median weekly rent was recorded at $450, compared to Sydney metro averages of $2,427 and $470. Globally, mortgage costs in the area are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national benchmark of $375.

Detail

Family units account for 31.9% of all households, consisting of couples with children at 5.9%, couples without children at 22.4%, and single-parent households at 3.3%. Non-family households constitute the remaining 68.1%, dominated by single-person households at 62.0%, with group households making up 5.9% of the total. The median size of local households is 1.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Detail

Residents of Rushcutters Bay show educational levels that are far higher than average benchmarks, with 65.5% of those aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% across NSW. This high concentration of degrees positions the local community well for careers in the knowledge economy. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 42.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 19.1% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Vocational education is held by 20.3% of the population aged 15+, which includes advanced diplomas (10.8%) and certificates (9.5%).

Detail

Analysis of the local network reveals 4 active public transport stops operating in the suburb of Rushcutters Bay, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 5 distinct routes that run a combined 2,357 passenger trips each week. Transport access is excellent, with residents living an average of 115 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the area's residential profile, most workers commute to other areas, with walking being very common at 30% and train travel at 26%. Private car ownership averages 0.2 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A high 64.4% of residents worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era patterns.

Detail

According to health analyses by Districts assessing mortality rates and chronic illness, the suburb of Rushcutters Bay shows exceptional wellness outcomes, with low rates of common medical conditions across all age brackets. Private health insurance coverage is also remarkably high, covering approximately 79% of the population (2,027 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.7%.

Detail

Cultural diversity in Rushcutters Bay is higher than in most local areas, with 20.1% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 40.4% born outside Australia. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 33.9% of the local population. However, the most pronounced difference is in Judaism, which is practiced by 2.4% of the population, compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

Detail

The median age of residents is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Sydney average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the suburb of Rushcutters Bay has a larger share of residents aged 25 - 34 (28.5%) but a smaller proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (2.1%). The concentration of young adults aged 25 - 34 is also far higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 4.8% to 6.6%, and the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 6.0% to 7.8%, while the 45 to cohort fell from to . By the age structure of the suburb of Rushcutters Bay is projected to change, led by a growth in the to age bracket (an increase of people), rising from to .

Detail

Rushcutters Bay currently has an estimated 59 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 31 children aged 0-2 and 20 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 25% by 2041 (to approximately 74 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 42. Birth rates in the area have averaged 5.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.