Ryde (NSW)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the wider region, alongside newly validated addresses recorded by Districts since the Census, indicates the population of the suburb of Ryde is approximately 35,025 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 3,118 people (9.8%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 31,907 people. This shift is derived from the resident population of 34,970, calculated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population size corresponds to a density of 4,912 persons per square kilometer, placing the location within the top 10% of areas nationwide evaluated by Districts, highlighting local land as a highly sought-after resource. The 9.8% expansion rate of the suburb of Ryde since the 2021 census surpassed the state average (7.1%) and Greater Sydney, establishing the area as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic expansion, accounting for roughly of the total population gains in recent times.

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Ryde features a highly educated population, with the technology industry showing particularly strong representation, an unemployment rate of 3.4%, and an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the previous year, according to aggregated statistical area data from Districts. By March 2026, 21,284 residents were employed, and the local unemployment rate stood 0.7% lower than the Greater Sydney average of 4.1%, while workforce participation remained relatively typical at 74.1%, compared to 69.1% in Greater Sydney. Census data indicates that a substantial 49.8% of residents worked from home, although the influence of Covid-19 lockdown measures should be taken into account.

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The suburb of Ryde recorded a median taxpayer income of $59,625 and an average income of $81,481, according to postcode ATO statistics compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. These figures are high by national standards, compared to a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003 in Greater Sydney. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, updated estimates indicate figures of roughly $65,778 (median) and $89,890 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Ryde placed around the 71st percentile nationally. The weekly income range of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 32.5% of residents (11,383 people), which matches regional trends where of households fall into this bracket. High mortgage and rent costs take up of earnings, yet strong wages keep disposable income levels at the nd percentile, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Ryde consisted of 35.4% separate houses and 64.6% other dwelling styles (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 55.9% separate houses and 44.1% other dwelling styles across the Sydney metropolitan area. Home ownership rates in Ryde trail the metropolitan average, standing at 22.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (30.7%) or tenants (46.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment was higher than the metropolitan average at $2,500, while the median weekly rent was $465, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,427 and $470. On a national level, mortgage repayments in Ryde are significantly higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 68.3%, consisting of couples with children at 32.9%, couples without children at 25.0%, and single-parent homes at 8.8%. Non-family households account for the remaining 31.7%, with single-person households representing 27.5% and group share houses comprising 4.2% of the total. The median household occupancy is 2.4 people, which is slightly below the Greater Sydney median of 2.7.

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Educational qualifications in Ryde are well ahead of state and national averages, with 49.0% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. This educational trend positions the local workforce well for knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 31.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 15.2% and graduate diplomas at 2.6%. Vocational qualifications are held by 24.0% of residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (13.3%).

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Analysis of public transit options shows 153 active transport stops situated within Ryde, consisting of various bus options. These stops host 84 separate routes, which combine to support 8,675 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transit is rated as excellent, with residents living an average of 129 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the area's residential nature, the majority of working residents travel out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 75%, followed by 10% utilizing buses and 9% taking trains. Average vehicle ownership is 0.9 per household, which is below the metropolitan average. A high proportion of residents (49.8%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic context of that year.

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Health metrics reflect excellent outcomes in Ryde, based on Districts evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease trends showing exceptionally low rates of major health conditions across all age cohorts. Additionally, private health insurance uptake is high, covering approximately 59% of the population (20,699 people).

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Ryde stands out as a highly multicultural community, with 52.5% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 50.8% born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, followed by 49.3% of the local population. The most distinct relative overrepresentation is found in Judaism, which makes up 0.3% of residents compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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Ryde's median age of 36 years is close to the Greater Sydney median of 37 and slightly below the Australian median of 38. Compared to the wider Sydney region, Ryde has a higher share of people aged 35 - 44 (18.4%) but fewer people aged 15 - 24 (11.1%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket grew from 9.9% to 11.1% of the population, while the cohort aged 0 to 4 shrank from 6.3% to 5.3%. Demographic trends indicate the local age profile will shift by 2041, with the 45 to 54 group projected to grow the most by 26%, adding 1,060 residents to reach while both the to and to age brackets are expected to contract.

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Ryde currently has an estimated 1,856 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 1,078 children aged 0-2 and 718 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 8% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 1,836 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,816. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.