Sylvania Waters, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Sylvania Waters NSW is 3,200 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Sylvania Waters is $920 per week ($47,840 per year). Median rent in Sylvania Waters is $600 per week ($2,600 per month). Sylvania Waters has a median age of 43 years, older than the national median of 38. Sylvania Waters has a population density of 3,019 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Sylvania Waters is China. The most common religion is Catholic (25.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Sylvania Waters is $3,000.

There were 23 recorded offences in Sylvania Waters in 2025-26, a rate of 7 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (11 offences).

Population
3,200
Census 2021
Median income
$920/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$600/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
43years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Sylvania Waters vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Sylvania Waters is $920 a week, 20% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 544th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $600 a week, $215 more than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 25.3% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 43, the same age as in the typical NSW suburb.

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureSylvania WatersTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$920/wk$765/wk +20%$766/wk
Household income$2,371/wk$1,704/wk +39%$1,637/wk
Rent$600/wk$385/wk +56%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$3,000/mo$1,965/mo +53%$1,733/mo
Median age4343 0 yrs42
Rent share of household income25.3%22.6% +2.7 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Sylvania Waters, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Sylvania Waters Population

3,200 residents at the 2021 Census.

Sylvania Waters Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$920/wk
$47,840 per year
Ranked 1,905 of 14,663
Median Rent
$600/wk
$2,600 per month
Ranked 202 of 14,663
Median Age
43years
5 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$3,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.9 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Sylvania Waters Rent Prices & Affordability

25% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: moderate.

Household income $2,371/wk
Median rent $600/wk
Rent to income 25.3%

Rent is between 25% and 35% of household income: moderate housing costs.

Median rent in Sylvania Waters against your income

About $10,274 a month
Median rent $600/wk
Left after rent $1,771/wk
Rent share 25.3%

Sylvania Waters Schools

27
schools nearby
19
government
1074
avg ICSEA score
11,652
total students
Caringbah High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 908 students
1172
ICSEA
Bald Face Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 246 students
1123
ICSEA
Sydney Montessori School Independent
Combined · K-11 · 147 students
1118
ICSEA
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 599 students
1110
ICSEA
St Catherine Labouré Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 596 students
1109
ICSEA
Yowie Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 329 students
1093
ICSEA
St Finbar's Catholic Primary School Sans Souci Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 218 students
1091
ICSEA
Gymea Bay Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 763 students
1091
ICSEA
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School Miranda Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 396 students
1090
ICSEA
Caringbah North Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 538 students
1086
ICSEA
Laguna Street Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 440 students
1084
ICSEA
De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 536 students
1078
ICSEA
Gymea North Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 362 students
1075
ICSEA
Sans Souci Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 523 students
1060
ICSEA
Sylvania Heights Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 482 students
1056
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 27 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Sylvania Waters, with a map

Sylvania Waters Map

Sylvania Waters, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Sylvania Waters

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.2% (1,609) Female 49.8% (1,595)

Population Density

3,019
people per km²
3,200 people · 1.1 km²

Households

2.9
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,643
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

China
6.2%
Hong Kong
2.1%
Greece
1.9%
England
1.8%
Egypt
1.7%
Italy
1.2%
New Zealand
1.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
8.8%
Mandarin
5.8%
Cantonese
5.0%
Arabic
3.4%
Macedonian
2.4%
Italian
1.5%
Portuguese
1.1%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
21.8%
Australian
19.8%
Greek
13.8%
Chinese
13.5%
Irish
6.7%
Italian
6.6%
Scottish
4.7%
Macedonian
4.0%
Lebanese
3.1%
German
2.5%
Croatian
1.6%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

Catholic
25.2%
No religion
22.7%
Eastern Orthodox
18.3%
Anglican
11.3%
Not stated
5.0%
Buddhism
3.3%
Islam
2.8%
Christian (other)
2.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.8%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
55.6% 1,479
Separated
2.1% 55
Divorced
7.9% 210
Widowed
5.0% 132
Never married
29.5% 786

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
38.2%
Couple: no children under 15
29.2%
Couple: no children
22.7%
One parent: no children under 15
6.0%
One parent: children under 15
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
15.6%
2 persons
31.5%
3 persons
17.6%
4 persons
21.9%
5 persons
9.5%
6+ persons
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Sylvania Waters

Housing Tenure

Of the 1,068 occupied private dwellings in Sylvania Waters at the 2021 Census, 14.9% were rented, 42.5% owned outright and 39.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.3% 14 dwellings
Owned outright
42.5% 454 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
39.1% 418 dwellings
Rented
14.9% 159 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.2% 13 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
88.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
9.7%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

2 bedrooms
9.0%
3 bedrooms
36.4%
4 bedrooms
36.6%
5 bedrooms
15.6%
6+ bedrooms
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.1%
$300-$449/mo
3.7%
$450-$599/mo
1.2%
$600-$799/mo
1.2%
$800-$999/mo
2.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
5.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
14.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
21.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.9%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
27.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
1.7%
1 vehicle
26.1%
2 vehicles
43.7%
3 vehicles
14.9%
4+ vehicles
13.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Sylvania Waters

Employment

Employed full-time
34.2% 812 people
Employed part-time
22.7% 540 people
Unemployed
2.1% 51 people
Not in labour force
40.9% 971 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
28.3%
Managers
24.7%
Clerical & Administrative
15.1%
Technicians & Trade Workers
11.8%
Sales Workers
8.8%
Community & Personal Service
6.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.7%
Labourers
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.4%
$1-$149/wk
1.0%
$150-$299/wk
1.5%
$300-$399/wk
0.4%
$400-$499/wk
3.1%
$500-$649/wk
3.0%
$650-$799/wk
4.3%
$800-$999/wk
3.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
11.1%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.2%
$4,000+/wk
25.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
13.1%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
5.9%
$300-$399/wk
2.9%
$400-$499/wk
2.7%
$500-$649/wk
2.6%
$650-$799/wk
8.0%
$800-$999/wk
8.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.2%
$3,500+/wk
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
70.4%
Did not go to work
18.3%
Car (passenger)
5.4%
Truck
1.7%
Walked only
1.5%
Train
1.0%
Bicycle
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Other
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
70.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
21.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
4.0%
Year 9 or equivalent
4.0%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
35.5%
Certificate III/IV
28.2%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.7%
Postgraduate Degree
11.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.5%
Certificate I/II
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
33.5%
Engineering
16.7%
Society & Culture
11.7%
Health
9.5%
Education
7.5%
Architecture & Building
7.3%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.6%
Creative Arts
3.7%
Information Technology
3.0%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.1%
Agriculture & Environment
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
21.1%
Secondary: Government
17.8%
Primary: Catholic
12.9%
Secondary: Catholic
11.9%
Pre-school
10.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
9.8%
Vocational Education
9.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
6.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
91.3%
Has need for assistance
4.3%
Need for assistance not stated
4.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
146
Arthritis
87
Asthma
82
Heart disease
76
Diabetes
75
Cancer
49
Lung condition
31
Stroke
28
Kidney disease
26
Dementia
16

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.9% 329
Did not provide
87.1% 2,221

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
10.3% 263
Not a volunteer
89.7% 2,296

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 4
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 3
Previously served
0.9% 24
Never served
98.8% 2,536

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.9%
1 child
12.5%
2 children
34.2%
3 children
18.8%
4 children
5.0%
5+ children
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
19
1951: 1960
82
1961: 1970
111
1971: 1980
102
1981: 1990
173
1991: 2000
168
2001: 2010
159
2011: 2015
110
2016
11
2017
15
2018
15
2019
23
2020
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

11.0%
moved in the last year
29.8%
moved in the last 5 years
3.1%
unemployment rate (Census)
59.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,710
Moved from NSW
236
Moved: same area (SA2)
64
Moved from QLD
18
Moved from overseas
14
Moved from NT
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.1%
5: 14 hours
25.4%
15: 29 hours
12.1%
30+ hours
11.1%
Did not do domestic work
29.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.1%
Step family: no other children
6.4%
Blended family: no other children
4.5%
Intact family: other children present
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Sylvania Waters Crime Statistics

23 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
11
Other Against Person
4
Other Against Property
3
Property Damage
2
Weapons
2
Sexual Offences
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Suburbs near Sylvania Waters

The closest suburb to Sylvania Waters is Sylvania, 1.1 km away.

Sylvania
1.1 km away · income $840/wk · rent $530/wk
Taren Point
1.1 km away · income $757/wk · rent $650/wk
Miranda (NSW)
1.7 km away · income $917/wk · rent $488/wk
Caringbah
2.2 km away · income $1,032/wk · rent $470/wk
Kareela
2.7 km away · income $983/wk · rent $695/wk
Oyster Bay
3.2 km away · income $1,096/wk · rent $620/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Sylvania Waters

What is the population of Sylvania Waters NSW?

The population of Sylvania Waters NSW is 3,200 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 3,019 people per km². Sylvania Waters is ranked #2,294 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Sylvania Waters?

The median personal income in Sylvania Waters NSW is $920 per week, or $47,840 per year. The median household income is $2,371 per week. Family income is $2,643 per week. Sylvania Waters is ranked #1,905 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Sylvania Waters?

Median rent in Sylvania Waters NSW is $600 per week ($2,600 per month). Rent represents 25.3% of household income, which is considered moderate. Sylvania Waters ranks #202 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Sylvania Waters?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Sylvania Waters NSW is $3,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Sylvania Waters?

The median age in Sylvania Waters NSW is 43 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Sylvania Waters a good suburb to live in?

Sylvania Waters is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 3,200. The median income is $920/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (25.3% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 13733. All dollar figures in AUD.