suburb.guide

NSW · Sydney Council

Surry Hills, 2010

Current weather

17.1°CClear sky

51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

64.1/100
Good

Top 9% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Excellent transport
  • Café precinct
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Dog friendly
What Surry Hills is known for: Excellent transport, Café precinct, Green suburb, High desirability, Dog friendly

Suburb profile

Surry Hills is a hillside established suburb in Sydney, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Sitting close to the city centre, it is easy to dip into neighbouring suburbs for work, dining and events. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.

Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with education options woven into the neighbourhood. Cafés, dining and leisure activities are easy to find, with neighbouring suburbs adding even more choice. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.

Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.

On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while housing affordability and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.

Population

Population
15,828
Median age
35
Median household income / week
$2,308
Dwelling vacancy
14%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,270 of 9,045
Median monthly mortgage
$2,839
Employment rate
67.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
324 / 2,261 / 5,325

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$803
Houses (January to March 2026)
$1,188
All types (January to March 2026)
$835
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
698

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
3,497
Against the person
710
Against property
1,135
Rate per 1,000 residents
220.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 22 residents
State safety percentile
97.8th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+7%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Breach Bail Conditions701
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment265
  • Malicious Damage To Property303
  • Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault461
  • Other Theft363

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
1,114
  • Bourke Street Public SchoolPrimary
  • Crown Street Public SchoolPrimary
  • Inner Sydney High SchoolSecondary
  • Sydney Distance Education Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Sydney Girls High SchoolSecondary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

65 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Central Chalmers Street Light Rail
  • Chalmers St Mezz
  • ENT4 NE Chalmrs/E
  • ENT5 E Chalmers
  • Ticket Gate E4

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

  • Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Plan your journey. Check signage. Special event clearways will be in place at the following locations to facilitate Sydney Trains trackwork replacement bus operations:<ul><li>Chalmers St, western side, between Cleveland St and Devonshire St, and</li><li>Chalmers St, eastern side, between Cleveland St and Rutland St.</li></ul>Clearways are strict no-parking zones for all vehicle types and apply even to local residents and TfNSW Mobility Scheme Permit holders. Check signs carefully, as vehicles left in a clearway will be towed and a fee applies. If your vehicle is towed, you can search your vehicle registration at the <a href="https://tfnswtowlink.force.com/findmycar/s/" target="_blank">Find My Car</a> website to find its new location, or alternatively call 132 701 to speak to an operator.Chalmers Street, Cleveland Street09 Jul 2026 – 12 Jul 2026
  • Use an alternative route. Plan your journey. Allow extra travel time.South Dowling Street, Cleveland Street09 Jun 2026 – 09 Jul 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

1,208 planning-related records

2026· 40 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    209/-/DP1307858Under Assessment
  • Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise
    101-103 DEVONSHIRE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise; Food and drink premise
    7-15 RANDLE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    49-51 FLINDERS STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise
    419 CROWN STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Commercial development; Advertising and signage
    53-55 FOVEAUX STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Additional Information Requested
  • Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading
    446-458 ELIZABETH STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Additional Information Requested
  • Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    85 CAMPBELL STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    61 LANSDOWNE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    141 RESERVOIR STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Hotel or motel accommodation; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    40-44 WENTWORTH AVENUE SURRY HILLS 2010Additional Information Requested
  • Demolition; Commercial development; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    6 63 FOVEAUX STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined

  • May 2026

  • Restaurant or cafe; Hours of operation and trading
    544 BOURKE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Backpackers' accommodation
    212 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills - Lot 45 DP 1046Under Assessment
  • Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Food and drink premise
    65-67 FOVEAUX STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Additional Information Requested
  • Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    300 ELIZABETH STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)
    43-51 BRISBANE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Restaurant or cafe; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    111-115 ALBION STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    9 ALEXANDER STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Additional Information Requested
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    50 PARKHAM STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    127 ARTHUR STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading
    49-51 OXFORD STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Office Premise; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Hours of operation and trading
    507 CROWN STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies
    180 ALBION STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Business identification sign
    515-543 SOUTH DOWLING STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    27 PHELPS STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Access ramp; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
    34 WENTWORTH AVENUE SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Restaurant or cafe; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    422-424 CLEVELAND STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    64-66 BUCKINGHAM STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading
    419 CROWN STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Demolition; Shop top housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    17 RANDLE STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment

  • April 2026

  • Restaurant or cafe; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    422-424 CLEVELAND STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Under Assessment
  • Small bar; Hours of operation and trading
    L 4-14 FOSTER STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading
    103-107 FOVEAUX STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    355 RILEY STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Residential flat building; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    251-263 GOULBURN STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Subdivision
    27 ANN STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    11 RICHARDS AVENUE SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Hostel; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    56-58 ALBION STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    33 SOPHIA STREET SURRY HILLS 2010Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

575 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Darlinghurst Fine WinesAlcohol
  • El Loco Bottle ShopAlcohol
  • Native DropsAlcohol
  • Porters LiquorAlcohol
  • Red BottleAlcohol
  • Surry Hills Fine WinesAlcohol
  • Commonwealth BankATM
  • NextATM
  • PrecinctATM
  • FREITAG SydneyBag

    132 Foveaux Street

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

15 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Adelaide Street ReservePark
  • Cooper Street ReservePark
  • Edgely Street ReservePark
  • Foveaux Street ReservePark
  • Fred Miller ParkPark
  • Frog Hollow ReservePark
  • Harmony ParkPark
  • James Hilder ReservePark
  • Prince Alfred ParkPark
  • Reservoir Street ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
14
Emergency department
On site
  • Caremore Centennial Pharmacypharmacy
  • Chemist WarehouseRiley Streetpharmacy
  • Crown St Medical CentreCrown Streetclinic
  • Dr Alex PhoonBourke Streetdoctor
  • Physiotherapy & Massage Therapyphysiotherapist
  • Sara's PlaceDevonshire Streetpsychotherapist
  • Serafim Pharmacypharmacy
  • Surry Hills Day HospitalCrown Streethospital
  • Surry Hills Dentist Dr Laura SutedjaElizabeth Streetdentist
  • Surry Hills Medical Centreclinic

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

11 state heritage places

  • Bourke Street Congregational Church & School (Former)411A Bourke Street DarlinghurstSHR
  • Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady242 Cleveland Street RedfernSHR
  • Cleveland House146-164 Chalmers Street Surry HillsSHR
  • Cottage203-205 Albion Street Surry HillsSHR
  • Crown Street Public SchoolCrown Street, Surry HillsSHR
  • Crown Street Reservoir & Site285 Crown Street Surry HillsSHR
  • Durham Hall207 Albion Street Surry HillsSHR
  • Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church626-630 Bourke Street Surry HillsSHR
  • Sharpies Golf House Sign (The Golf House)216 - 220 Elizabeth Street SydneySHR
  • Terrace Cottages197, 199, 201 Albion Street Surry HillsSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • KU John J. Carroll Preschoolkindergarten
  • Surry Hills Childcare CentreBourke Streetchildcare
  • Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre Long Day CareCrown Streetchildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
16
Parks (OSM)
15

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability Index

Desirability score
64.1/100 — Good
State standing
Top 9% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
500th in Australia
State rank
188th in NSW
Peer rank
#51 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#139 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • 121BCamenitiesUnit 4 50 Holt Streetbar
  • 170 Grammiamenities428 Crown Streetrestaurant
  • 201016amenitiesbus_stop
  • 4 Pines Brewingamenitiesbar
  • 40Resamenitiesrestaurant
  • 7-Elevenamenitiesconvenience
  • AC Laundryamenitiesdry_cleaning
  • ALDIamenitiessupermarket
  • AP Houseamenitiescafe
  • Above The Cloudsamenitiesclothes

Data sources & freshness

More in Sydney Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.