Zetland, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Zetland NSW is 12,622 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Zetland is $1,262 per week ($65,624 per year). Median rent in Zetland is $600 per week ($2,600 per month). Zetland has a median age of 30 years, younger than the national median of 38. Zetland has a population density of 15,685 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Zetland is China. The most common religion is No religion (54.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Zetland is $2,642.

There were 165 recorded offences in Zetland in 2025-26, a rate of 13 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (105 offences).

Population
12,622
Census 2021
Median income
$1,262/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$600/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
30years
Census 2021

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

Zetland vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Zetland is $1,262 a week, 65% above the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 112th 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 27.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 30, 13 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureZetlandTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,262/wk$765/wk +65%$766/wk
Household income$2,192/wk$1,704/wk +29%$1,637/wk
Rent$600/wk$385/wk +56%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,642/mo$1,965/mo +34%$1,733/mo
Median age3043 −13 yrs42
Rent share of household income27.4%22.6% +4.8 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 Zetland, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Zetland Population

12,622 residents at the 2021 Census.

Zetland Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,262/wk
$65,624 per year
Ranked 322 of 14,663
Median Rent
$600/wk
$2,600 per month
Ranked 202 of 14,663
Median Age
30years
8 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,642/mo
Avg household size: 2 · 1.1 per bedroom

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

Zetland Rent Prices & Affordability

27% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,192/wk
Median rent $600/wk
Rent to income 27.4%

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

Median rent in Zetland against your income

About $9,499 a month
Median rent $600/wk
Left after rent $1,592/wk
Rent share 27.4%

Zetland Schools

52
schools nearby
28
government
1089
avg ICSEA score
18,244
total students
Ascham School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,182 students
1217
ICSEA
Sydney Girls High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 929 students
1193
ICSEA
Sydney Boys High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,205 students
1189
ICSEA
Glenmore Road Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 263 students
1176
ICSEA
Lycee Condorcet The International French School Of Sydney Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,129 students
1173
ICSEA
International Grammar School Independent
Combined · K-12 · 1,224 students
1170
ICSEA
St Francis of Assisi Regional Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 151 students
1167
ICSEA
Forest Lodge Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 307 students
1161
ICSEA
Darlinghurst Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 210 students
1156
ICSEA
Paddington Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 147 students
1155
ICSEA
Erskineville Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 334 students
1155
ICSEA
Westbourne College Sydney Independent
Secondary · 10-12 · 65 students
1153
ICSEA
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 169 students
1145
ICSEA
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 412 students
1145
ICSEA
Newtown Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 272 students
1140
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 52 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 Zetland, with a map

Zetland Map

Zetland, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Zetland

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.4% (6,488) Female 48.6% (6,138)

Population Density

15,685
people per km²
12,622 people · 0.8 km²

Households

2
Avg household size
1.1
Persons per bedroom
$2,670
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
20.5%
England
5.0%
Ireland
3.3%
Indonesia
2.4%
Hong Kong
2.1%
India
2.0%
New Zealand
2.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
22.0%
Cantonese
4.5%
Spanish
2.7%
Indonesian
2.1%
Portuguese
2.0%
Korean
1.2%
Italian
1.2%

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

Ancestry

Chinese
32.8%
English
17.9%
Australian
10.6%
Irish
9.1%
Scottish
4.7%
Italian
3.7%
Indian
2.7%
German
2.3%
Filipino
1.7%
Korean
1.6%
Vietnamese
1.3%

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

No religion
54.2%
Catholic
17.2%
Not stated
6.6%
Buddhism
4.5%
Anglican
3.3%
Christian (other)
2.3%
Islam
2.1%
Hinduism
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.0%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
24.9% 2,886
Separated
1.6% 183
Divorced
5.1% 589
Widowed
0.9% 99
Never married
67.6% 7,839

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
59.5%
Couple: children under 15
27.7%
Couple: no children under 15
4.8%
One parent: children under 15
4.1%
One parent: no children under 15
3.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
31.7%
2 persons
48.3%
3 persons
13.3%
4 persons
5.3%
5 persons
1.1%
6+ persons
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Zetland

Housing Tenure

Of the 6,054 occupied private dwellings in Zetland at the 2021 Census, 70.5% were rented, 7.4% owned outright and 19.8% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.3% 80 dwellings
Owned outright
7.4% 451 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
19.8% 1,197 dwellings
Rented
70.5% 4,267 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.9% 54 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
70.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
24.7%
Separate house
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
29.9%
2 bedrooms
57.4%
3 bedrooms
11.2%
4 bedrooms
1.4%
5 bedrooms
0.1%
6+ bedrooms
0.1%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.9%
$300-$449/mo
0.8%
$450-$599/mo
0.7%
$600-$799/mo
1.3%
$800-$999/mo
0.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
5.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
8.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
20.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
25.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
30.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
30.0%
1 vehicle
54.6%
2 vehicles
13.6%
3 vehicles
1.4%
4+ vehicles
0.4%

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

Work, income and education in Zetland

Employment

Employed full-time
52.9% 5,349 people
Employed part-time
16.3% 1,647 people
Unemployed
4.9% 499 people
Not in labour force
25.9% 2,624 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
45.6%
Managers
17.8%
Clerical & Administrative
11.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
8.8%
Community & Personal Service
6.2%
Sales Workers
6.0%
Labourers
3.0%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.2%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
6.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.2%
$400-$499/wk
2.0%
$500-$649/wk
2.1%
$650-$799/wk
2.3%
$800-$999/wk
3.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.7%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
15.5%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.6%
$4,000+/wk
18.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
13.3%
$1-$149/wk
1.8%
$150-$299/wk
2.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.3%
$400-$499/wk
1.1%
$500-$649/wk
2.0%
$650-$799/wk
5.2%
$800-$999/wk
7.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
11.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
8.0%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
15.0%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.6%
$3,500+/wk
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
41.2%
Did not go to work
24.7%
Train
8.1%
Walked only
7.9%
Bus
7.4%
Car (passenger)
3.6%
Bicycle
2.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
2.0%
Other
1.5%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%
Truck
0.5%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
91.6%
Year 10 or equivalent
4.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
3.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
0.8%

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
48.6%
Postgraduate Degree
25.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
12.0%
Certificate III/IV
9.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.2%
Certificate I/II
0.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
35.4%
Society & Culture
12.9%
Engineering
11.0%
Creative Arts
8.4%
Information Technology
8.1%
Health
7.6%
Architecture & Building
4.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.4%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.0%
Education
2.9%
Agriculture & Environment
0.5%

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

School & University Attendance

Vocational Education
40.1%
Primary: Government
16.3%
Pre-school
13.9%
Primary: Catholic
8.5%
Secondary: Government
7.4%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.6%
Secondary: Catholic
4.6%

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
93.8%
Has need for assistance
1.1%
Need for assistance not stated
5.2%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
701
Asthma
369
Heart disease
99
Diabetes
95
Arthritis
94
Cancer
49
Lung condition
47
Kidney disease
37
Stroke
20
Dementia
4

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
4.7% 518
Did not provide
95.3% 10,429

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
10.2% 1,120
Not a volunteer
89.8% 9,864

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
1.3% 146
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 10
Previously served
0.6% 63
Never served
98.0% 10,776

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
75.9%
1 child
12.6%
2 children
9.0%
3 children
2.0%
4 children
0.4%
5+ children
0.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
8
1951: 1960
21
1961: 1970
64
1971: 1980
120
1981: 1990
318
1991: 2000
637
2001: 2010
1,424
2011: 2015
1,653
2016
647
2017
729
2018
842
2019
942
2020
356
2021
81

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

Population Mobility

43.1%
moved in the last year
79.4%
moved in the last 5 years
6.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
72.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,746
Moved from NSW
3,598
Moved: same area (SA2)
743
Moved from overseas
330
Moved from VIC
145
Moved from QLD
129
Moved from SA
33
Moved from WA
26
Moved from ACT
24
Moved from NT
12

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
23.1%
5: 14 hours
30.1%
15: 29 hours
7.5%
30+ hours
4.0%
Did not do domestic work
35.3%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
91.3%
Step family: no other children
7.8%
Blended family: no other children
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Zetland Crime Statistics

165 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
105
Other Against Property
15
Assault
14
Property Damage
11
Other Against Person
10
Sexual Offences
5
Robbery
1
Domestic Violence
1
Drug Offences
1
Weapons
1
Traffic
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 Zetland

The closest suburb to Zetland is Waterloo (NSW), 0.8 km away.

Waterloo (NSW)
0.8 km away · income $1,172/wk · rent $530/wk
Beaconsfield (NSW)
0.8 km away · income $1,462/wk · rent $650/wk
Rosebery (NSW)
1.3 km away · income $1,158/wk · rent $580/wk
Alexandria
1.5 km away · income $1,629/wk · rent $560/wk
Kensington (NSW)
1.6 km away · income $943/wk · rent $500/wk
Redfern
1.6 km away · income $1,191/wk · rent $500/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Zetland

What is the population of Zetland NSW?

The population of Zetland NSW is 12,622 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 15,685 people per km². Zetland is ranked #399 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Zetland?

The median personal income in Zetland NSW is $1,262 per week, or $65,624 per year. The median household income is $2,192 per week. Family income is $2,670 per week. Zetland is ranked #322 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Zetland?

Median rent in Zetland NSW is $600 per week ($2,600 per month). Rent represents 27.4% of household income, which is considered moderate. Zetland ranks #202 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Zetland?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Zetland NSW is $2,642. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Zetland?

The median age in Zetland NSW is 30 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Zetland a good suburb to live in?

Zetland is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 12,622. The median income is $1,262/wk, which is above the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as moderate (27.4% 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: 14542. All dollar figures in AUD.