NSW · Sydney Council
Ultimo, 2007
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
- Café precinct
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Ultimo hums with inner-city energy, a mid-sized suburb where there is always something happening nearby. Its inner position means surrounding suburbs are never far away, whether for a meal out or a change of scene. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
The community skews younger, with family-friendly schooling within easy reach. Food, coffee and entertainment are never far away, whether locally or in the suburbs next door. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because housing affordability and safety lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in schools and education and local dining and lifestyle amenities. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 7,410
- Median age
- 30
- Median household income / week
- $1,805
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 606 of 3,536
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,500
- Employment rate
- 57.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 146 / 341 / 2,556
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)
- $719
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $973
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $600
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 875
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
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 831
- Against the person
- 150
- Against property
- 523
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 112.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 49 residents
- State safety percentile
- 79.4th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -0.9%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud84
- Malicious Damage To Property59
- Motor Vehicle Theft79
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault54
- Other Theft119
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,120.5
- GOAL CollegeSpecial
- International Grammar SchoolCombined
- Ultimo Public SchoolPrimary
- Westbourne College SydneySecondary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
23 public transport stops in this suburb
- Broadway Shopping Centre, Broadway
- Broadway Shopping Centre, Broadway
- Harris St After Quarry St
- Harris St At Mary Ann St
- Harris St Before Broadway
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)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
207 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)82/DP1286318Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision147//754819Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Telecommunications facility147/751275Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1-3 SMAIL STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)66 BAY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation39 82 MARY ANN STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Shop60-64 BAY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
March 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1-3 SMAIL STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure76-84 BAY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
February 2026
- Co-living86-90 BAY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
January 2026
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Erection of a new structure645-657 HARRIS STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation169 JONES STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Educational establishment; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia1 2-14 MOUNTAIN STREET ULTIMO 2007Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision342 BULWARA ROAD ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1-3 SMAIL STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation169 JONES STREET ULTIMO 2007Rejected
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure151/-/750054Additional Information Requested
- Advertising and signage; Food and drink premise; Hours of operation and trading562-570 HARRIS STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
October 2025
- Commercial development; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling50 ADA PLACE ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Neighbourhood shop; Hours of operation and trading869 GEORGE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure629 HARRIS STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
August 2025
- Business premises; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)SP 1 103-105 QUARRY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Co-living; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation1-3 SMAIL STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Hours of operation and trading645-657 HARRIS STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Co-living385 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
June 2025
- Advertising and signage; Building identification sign273 PYRMONT STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure485-501 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Telecommunications network; Telecommunications facility549-559 HARRIS STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Co-living; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation1-3 SMAIL STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure50-54 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Depot10-16 BAY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Commercial development; 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 trading470 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
March 2025
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Minor building alterations (external)507 WATTLE STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Advertising and signage; Building identification sign273 PYRMONT STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
- Erection of a new structure; School4-8 KELLY STREET ULTIMO 2007Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
248 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Liquor and Wattle UltimoAlcohol
- UTS GalleryArt
L4 702 Harris Street, Ultimo
- DC ATMATM
- EzyMartATM
- The Loft UTSBar
15 Broadway
- Bbq (2)
- Sydney Bed Mattress Factory OutletBed
Unit J5C 39 Jones Street
- Bench (21)
- Bicycle
- Ebikes WorldBicycle
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
9 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Ada Place ReservePark
- Fig Lane ParkPark
- Mary Ann Street ParkPark
- McKee Street ReservePark
- Mountain Street ReservePark
- Quarry GreenPark
- Quarry Lane StreetscapePark
- UTS Alumni GreenPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Bupa Dentaldentist
- Lumina Dentistdentist
- Ultimo Medical PracticeMountain Streetdoctor
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
5 state heritage places
- Powerhouse Museum Complex500 Harris Street, UltimoSHR
- Sewage Pumping Station 1William Henry Street, UltimoSHR
- Substation41 Mountain Street UltimoSHR
- Ultimo Post Office494 Harris Street UltimoSHR
- Ultimo Road Railway UnderbridgeDarling Harbour goods railway, UltimoSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
4 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Golden Wattle Early Educationkindergarten
- Inner City Care ChildareHarris Streetchildcare
- KU Ultimo Children's Centrechildcare
- Magic Pudding Child Care Centrekindergarten
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)
- 11
- Parks (OSM)
- 11
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
- 51.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 26% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1736th in Australia
- State rank
- 553rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #153 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #386 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
- 159 Home Kitchenamenitiesfast_food
- Age.3amenitiescafe
- Agincourtamenitiespub
- Ausprint Clothingamenitiesclothes
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
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.