Surry Hills (NSW)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region alongside newly confirmed residential locations verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Surry Hills has a projected population of approximately 17,184 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 1,356 residents (8.6%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented a total of 15,828 individuals. This shift is calculated from the current resident figures of 17,184, which Districts determined after studying the most recent ERP statistics published by the ABS (June 2025) and tracking 46 validated new addresses since the Census date. Such a population count translates to a density of 13,018 persons per square kilometer, placing this location within the highest 10% of all territories analyzed by Districts, highlighting the extreme demand for local land. The 8.6% expansion rate recorded in the suburb of Surry Hills since the 2021 census outpaced the state average (7.1%) as well as Greater Sydney, positioning it as a regional growth hotspot. This demographic rise was heavily supported by arrivals from abroad, who accounted for roughly of the overall population increases in the latest timeframes.

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Surry Hills boasts a highly educated workforce where the technology sector stands out for its representation, with an unemployment rate of 5.0% and an estimated employment growth of 2.3% over the past year according to Districts aggregation of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 11,572 residents are employed while the unemployment rate sits at 0.9% above Greater Sydney's rate of 4.1%, and workforce participation exceeds standard levels at 74.8% compared to Greater Sydney's 69.1%. Census responses indicate that a high 63.2% of residents worked from home, though the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

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The most recent postcode-level ATO statistics released by Districts for the 2023 financial year show that taxpayer earnings in the suburb of Surry Hills are exceptionally high on a national scale, with the median recorded at $70,916 and the average income reaching $111,705. These figures stand in contrast to Greater Sydney, which recorded a median of $60,817 and an average of $83,003. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates point to values of approximately $78,235 for the median and $123,233 for the average as of March 2026. Census results from 2021 confirm that household, family, and individual incomes in the suburb of Surry Hills are highly ranked, placing within the 83rd to 97th percentiles across Australia. The figures indicate that the largest bracket contains 29.2% of residents ( people) within the - range, mirroring regional trends where fall into the same category. The locality displays substantial wealth, with of earners bringing in more than weekly, which helps sustain high-end commercial and retail businesses. Premium accommodation costs account for of earnings, yet strong wages ensure that remaining spendable funds rank in the th percentile, while the SEIFA score for income places the area in the th decile.

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The composition of residential properties in the suburb of Surry Hills at the time of the latest Census consisted of 1.1% standalone houses and 98.9% alternative housing options like townhouses, flats, and other non-house dwellings, compared to the wider Sydney metropolitan split of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in the suburb of Surry Hills stood at 14.1%, falling behind the metropolitan average, with the remaining residences being held with a mortgage (18.9%) or occupied by tenants (67.0%). The median monthly home loan payment in the area was $2,839, which is notably higher than the Sydney metro median of $2,427, while the median weekly rental cost was $550, compared to the metro median of $470. On a national level, home loan costs in the suburb of Surry Hills are much higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rental rates also sit substantially above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families represent 40.9% of all local households, which includes 7.4% couples raising children, 29.3% couples with no children, and 3.1% single-parent households. Non-family living situations make up the remaining 59.1% of the total, with single-person households accounting for 46.8% and shared group households at 12.2%. The median household occupancy stands at 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney median of 2.7.

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Attainment levels for education in the suburb of Surry Hills are significantly higher than broader averages, with 62.8% of citizens aged 15+ holding a higher education degree compared to 30.4% across Australia and 32.2% throughout NSW. This major educational lead prepares the local population well for knowledge-sector positions. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 41.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees (18.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational training paths represent 18.2% of qualifications among residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (8.3%).

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Public transit records show 47 operational transit connections situated in the suburb of Surry Hills, comprising a combination of trains, light rail services, and buses. These transit points are linked to 28 distinct routes, which combine to support 23,681 passenger journeys each week. Local transit access is classified as highly convenient, with residents living an average of 114 meters from their closest stop. As the locality is mostly residential, the majority of workers travel out of the area to work, with walking representing a highly popular method at 31%, and train travel accounting for 18%. Household vehicle ownership stands at 0.2 per home, falling short of the regional norm. A high proportion of residents, at 63.2%, worked from their homes, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect the pandemic conditions in place at the time.

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Assessments of local health data indicate favorable outcomes throughout the suburb of Surry Hills, based on mortality statistics and the occurrence of chronic illnesses tracked by Districts, with both younger and older cohorts displaying low rates of widespread health conditions. Additionally, the proportion of residents with private health insurance is remarkably high, representing approximately 71% of the population (12,186 people). This exceeds the Greater Sydney rate of 59.9% and the national baseline of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Surry Hills exhibits high levels of cultural variety, with 27.7% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 47.5% born in another country. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 28.0% of the local population. However, the most distinct religious concentration relative to wider averages is Judaism, which accounts for 1.3% of the community compared to 0.8% across Greater Sydney.

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With a median age of 34 years, the suburb of Surry Hills is slightly younger than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and notably younger than the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the suburb of Surry Hills has a larger share of residents aged 25 - 34 (32.9%) but a smaller proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (2.9%). This concentration of young adults in the 25 - 34 bracket is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 9.4% to 11.2%, while the cohort aged 45 to 54 shrank from 12.7% to 11.3%. Long-term population models for indicate notable demographic shifts for the suburb of Surry Hills, with the to age group projected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to reach . Conversely, the to age group is projected to see almost no change, growing by (representing an addition of people).

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Surry Hills currently has an estimated 429 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 252 children aged 0-2 and 168 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 13% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 432 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 395. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been low, with approximately 6.5 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.