NSW · Woollahra Council
Paddington, 2021
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
- Dining hub
- Premium
- Top transport
- Parks
- Schools
Suburb profile
At the heart of the metro area, Paddington is a established suburb where cafés, culture and everyday convenience overlap. Neighbouring suburbs are within easy reach, so the wider metro area always feels accessible. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. There is a genuine buzz to daily life, with restaurants, bars and cultural outings all within reach. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
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 sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 12,701
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $3,131
- Dwelling vacancy
- 14.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 940 of 6,435
- Median monthly mortgage
- $4,000
- Employment rate
- 69.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 221 / 3,325 / 1,749
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)
- $745
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $900
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 300
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)
- 1,037
- Against the person
- 209
- Against property
- 401
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 61 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -2.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud132
- Liquor Offences70
- Malicious Damage To Property78
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault90
- Possession And/Or Use Of Cannabis73
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,167
- Glenmore Road Public SchoolPrimary
- Paddington Public SchoolPrimary
- St Francis of Assisi Regional Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
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
46 public transport stops in this suburb
- Lawson St At Goodhope St
- Oxford St Opp William St
- Paddington Public School, Oxford St
- Paddington Town Hall, Oxford St
- St Matthias Anglican Church, Oxford 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).
1,312 planning-related records
2026· 40 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 CECIL STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure67 GLENMORE ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure200 JERSEY ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure110 SUTHERLAND STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Shop256 OXFORD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 HODDLE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure46 GORDON STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation172 UNDERWOOD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 CHURCH STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Attached dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation78 GLENMORE ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure158 JERSEY ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
May 2026
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage202 OXFORD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 WATSON STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 QUEEN ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 ELIZABETH STREET PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 GEORGE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6-8 HAMPDEN STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 ALBERT STREET PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation169 HARGRAVE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure66 PADDINGTON STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure39 SUTHERLAND STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)23 DUDLEY STREET PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 HARRIS STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure26 QUEEN ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Rejected
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 UNION STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (outdoor)30 ALMA STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage28 GLENMORE ROAD PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure45 UNDERWOOD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 VICTORIA PLACE PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6-8 HAMPDEN STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 OLIVE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 BROWN STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 SUTHERLAND STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure94 SUTHERLAND STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Landscaping structures; Skylights, roof windows and ventilators; Stairway; Swimming pool58 Underwood Street, Paddington, NSW 2021Under Assessment
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1-3 BRODIE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure158 UNDERWOOD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation57 REGENT STREET PADDINGTON 2021Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure106 OXFORD STREET PADDINGTON 2021Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation22 1-3 BRODIE STREET PADDINGTON 2021Determined
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
372 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BWSAlcohol
Oxford Street, Paddington
- McLeod's AntiquesAntiques
- Deutscher and HackettArt
- Oceanic ArtsArt
- PiermarqArt
76 Paddington Street
- Australian Centre of PhotographyArts centre
- WestpacATM
- Bakery CafeBakery
Oxford Street, Paddington
- Infinity BakeryBakery
178 Oxford Street
- Organic Bread BarBakery
356 South Dowling Street, Paddington
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
14 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Comber Street ReservePark
- Drivers TrianglePark
- Gugara ParkPark
- Napier Street Open SpacePark
- Neild Avenue MazePark
- Paddington Reservoir GardensPark
- Regent Street ReservePark
- Rose Terrace ParkPark
- Royal Hospital for Women ParkPark
- Stewart Street Pocket ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 6
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- DoctorPaddington Streetdoctor
- EyeballsOxford Streetoptometrist
- Fiveways Dental Practicedentist
- Paddington Compounding Pharmacypharmacy
- Paddington Early Childhood Health Centreyes
- Paddington Family Practicedoctor
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)
- 10/10
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
9 state heritage places
- Busby's BoreCentennial Park to College Street, Surry HillsSHR
- Engehurst56A Ormond Street PaddingtonSHR
- Juniper Hall1 Ormond Street PaddingtonSHR
- Paddington Post Office246 Oxford Street PaddingtonSHR
- Paddington Reservoir255a Oxford Street PaddingtonSHR
- Paddington Town Hall249 Oxford Street PaddingtonSHR
- Substation1 Young Street PaddingtonSHR
- Sydney Mardi Gras Parade RouteOxford Street, DarlinghurstSHR
- The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Sophia (Agia Sophia)302-304 South Dowling Street, PaddingtonSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- KU Peter Pan Paddington Preschoolkindergarten
- Kira Child Care Centrechildcare
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)
- 20
- Parks (OSM)
- 19
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
- 65.0/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 7% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 357th in Australia
- State rank
- 138th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #57 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #100 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
- Fraudcrime132
- Liquor Offencescrime70
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime78
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime90
- Possession And/Or Use Of Cannabiscrime73
- Lawson St At Goodhope Sttransport
- Oxford St Opp William Sttransport
- Paddington Public School, Oxford Sttransport
- Paddington Town Hall, Oxford Sttransport
- St Matthias Anglican Church, Oxford Sttransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Woollahra Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.