NSW · Sydney Council
Woolloomooloo, 2011
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
- Cycling
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Woolloomooloo is a lively inner mid-sized suburb with dining, shopping and leisure options right on the doorstep. Its inner position means surrounding suburbs are never far away, whether for a meal out or a change of scene. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a healthy mix of renters and owner-occupiers.
Food, coffee and entertainment are never far away, whether locally or in the suburbs next door. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. 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. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and parks and green space holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 3,792
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $2,001
- Dwelling vacancy
- 21.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 529 of 2,454
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,000
- Employment rate
- 58.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 101 / 502 / 1,402
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)
- $750
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $925
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 638
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)
- 764
- Against the person
- 123
- Against property
- 177
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 201.5
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 31 residents
- State safety percentile
- 97.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -19.9%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions529
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault175
- Other Theft228
- Possession And/Or Use Of Cannabis239
- Transport Regulatory Offences547
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,000
- Plunkett Street Public SchoolPrimary
- Sydney Distance Education High SchoolSecondary
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
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Crown St At Robinson St
- Crown St At Suttor St
- Riley St Opp Kennedy St
- Riley St Opp Kennedy St
- William St At Palmer St
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).
155 planning-related records
2026· 10 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation45-47 CROWN STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Under Assessment
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure153 DOWLING STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2011/-/DP1306996Determined
April 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure31 NICHOLSON STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation6 cowper wharf roadway woolloomoolooDetermined
- Restaurant or cafe; Hours of operation and trading220 WILLIAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure228 DOWLING STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Commercial development; Erection of a new structure129-129A CATHEDRAL STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Backpackers' accommodation50-58 SIR JOHN YOUNG CRESCENT WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise6 cowper wharf roadway woolloomoolooDetermined
2025· 30 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure191 BROUGHAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation505/6E Cowper Wharf Roadway, WoolloomoolooDetermined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Entertainment associated with existing premises6 COWPER WHARF ROADWAY WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Subdivision65 A Cowper Wharf Roadway WoolloomoolooDetermined
November 2025
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2D 6D COWPER WHARF ROADWAY, WOOLLOOMOOLOODetermined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 DOWLING STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation8 BROUGHTON STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure33 47 BROUGHAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Educational establishment; Advertising and signageL 52-58 WILLIAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
September 2025
- Office Premise; 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; Take away food and drink; Hours of operation and trading6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, WoolloomoolooDetermined
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation9 CORFU STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Service station61-63 COWPER WHARF ROADWAY WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
August 2025
- Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 DOWLING STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)L 52-58 WILLIAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Educational establishment; 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 AustraliaL 52-58 WILLIAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
July 2025
- Attached dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 DOWLING STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 CORFU STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)7 KIDMANS TERRACE WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
May 2025
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage75 CROWN STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation12 WILLIAM LANE WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure193 BROUGHAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling125 CATHEDRAL STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Advertising and signage; Business identification sign137-157 BOURKE STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Backpackers' accommodation50-58 SIR JOHN YOUNG CRESCENT WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal)65 COWPER WHARF ROADWAY WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Supporting Development63 CROWN STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation197 BROUGHAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure145 BROUGHAM STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure117/6E Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo 2011Determined
January 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure75 CROWN STREET WOOLLOOMOOLOO 2011Determined
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
172 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- CellarbrationsAlcohol
- Wu ArtArt
216–218 William Street
- ArtspaceArts centre
- Bar WoolloomoolooBar
- Sean & Dolly'sBar
- Bbq
- PY’s Nails & WaxingBeauty salon
- Bench (40)
- Bicycle Parking (9)
- Grand DaysBooks
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bourke Street ParkPark
- Daffodil ParkPark
- Denis Winston PlacePark
- Forbes Street ReservePark
- Wallamulla ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- On site
- Dowling Street Practicecounselling
- East Sydney Private HospitalCrown Streethospital
- Woolloomooloo Pharmacypharmacy
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
2 state heritage places
- The Gunnery43-51 Cowper Wharf Road WoolloomoolooSHR
- Woolloomooloo Finger WharfCowper Wharf Road, WoolloomoolooSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- SDN - Children's Education and Care Centrekindergarten
- Woolloomooloo Children's Programchildcare
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)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 50.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 27% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1758th in Australia
- State rank
- 563rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #199 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #387 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
- Aktiamenitiesrestaurant
- Artspaceamenitiesarts_centre
- Arturo’samenitiesrestaurant
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- BaptistCare HopeStreetamenitiessocial_facility
- Bar Woolloomoolooamenitiesbar
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bellevue Woolloomoolooamenitiesrestaurant
- Bells Locksmithsamenities226 William Street, Woolloomooloolocksmith
- 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.