🔍

Petersham

NSW 2049 • Greater Sydney

8,200
Population (2021)
$115,284
Median Household Income
1.29 km²
Area
$450/wk
Median Rent
Inner CityMulticulturalFoodie HubWell-ConnectedHistoric

About Petersham

Petersham is an inner-west suburb of Sydney located just 6 kilometres south-west of the CBD, within the Inner West Council area. The suburb has a population of approximately 8,200 and is known for its multicultural character, particularly its strong Portuguese community. Petersham features a mix of Victorian terraces, Federation homes, and apartment buildings across its compact 1.3 square kilometre area. The median taxable income sits around $64,000, reflecting a diverse socio-economic mix.

Petersham is celebrated for its vibrant food scene, especially the Portuguese restaurants, bakeries, and grocers along New Canterbury Road. The suburb offers a walkable urban lifestyle with independent shops, pubs, and cafés. Fort Street High School, one of Sydney’s top selective schools, is located here. Petersham appeals to young professionals, students, and families who value inner-city living with strong cultural identity.

Petersham falls under postcode 2049 and is governed by Inner West Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Newtown electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2049
Urban Area
Marrickville
LGA / Council
Inner West
Federal Electorate
Grayndler
State Electorate
Newtown
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.89°, 151.16°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.29 km²
Elevation
41m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Petersham for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$2.3M
69 sales · ▲ 9.5% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$929K
104 sales · ▲ 14.6% vs 2024

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,900
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.4%

76 state housing + 75 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Petersham
0.3 km
4 min
Lewisham
0.8 km
10 min
Stanmore
1 km
12 min
Dulwich Hill
1.4 km
17 min

Bus Services

  • 412 — Campsie to City via New Canterbury Rd 20 min
  • 445 — Campsie to Balmain via Parramatta Rd 25 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
6 km
By Train
12-15 min
By Bus
20-25 min
By Car (Peak)
20-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12 min

🛣️ Excellent train frequency on Inner West lines

Walkability Very Walkable

Daily errands easily accomplished on foot with excellent access to shops, restaurants, and public transport

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Petersham, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Egyptian Room Scottish Temple
23-35 New Canterbury Road Petersham • SHR #00118
Petersham Service Reservoir & Site
New Canterbury Road, Petersham • SHR #01331
Petersham Railway Station group
Terminus Street, Petersham • SHR #01223

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Inner West Local Government Area, which contains Petersham. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
163.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.2%
Motor vehicle theft
147.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
333.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
6.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
291.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.6%
View all 62 offence types for Inner West →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,116
Census 2021
8,200
▲ 1.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$52,884
Personal Income 2021
$63,596
▲ 20.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$63,596 / yr
$1223/wk
Household
$115,284 / yr
$2217/wk
Family
$166,504 / yr
$3202/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,506
Born Overseas 2,254

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 372
  • 2. New Zealand 163
  • 3. China 109
  • 4. Italy 101
  • 5. Vietnam 82
  • 6. United States 81
  • 7. Greece 77
  • 8. India 60
  • 9. Philippines 60
  • 10. Brazil 50

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,709
Australian 2,176
Irish 1,270
Scottish 887
Italian 489
Chinese 433
Greek 302
German 282
Australian Aboriginal 154
Lebanese 147

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,215
Both parents born in Australia
3,045
Both parents born overseas
1,456
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
55.8%
Christianity
31.8%
Buddhism
2.1%
Islam
1.0%
Hinduism
0.9%
Judaism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
340 (4.1%)
5-14 years
693 (8.5%)
15-19 years
371 (4.5%)
20-24 years
608 (7.4%)
25-34 years
1,823 (22.2%)
35-44 years
1,368 (16.7%)
45-54 years
1,215 (14.8%)
55-64 years
826 (10.1%)
65-74 years
561 (6.8%)
75-84 years
291 (3.5%)
85+ years
108 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Petersham known for? +

Petersham is an inner-west suburb of Sydney located just 6 kilometres south-west of the CBD, within the Inner West Council area. The suburb has a population of approximately 8,200 and is known for its multicultural character, particularly its strong Portuguese community.

How far is Petersham from Sydney CBD? +

Petersham is approximately 6 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes around 20-35 min during peak hour and 12 min off-peak. By train, the journey takes approximately 12-15 min.

Does Petersham have public transport? +

Petersham is served by Petersham station (0.3 km, approximately 4 min walk) on the T2 Leppington & Inner West / T3 Liverpool & Inner West. Local bus services including 412 also connect residents to Campsie to City via New Canterbury Rd.

What is the population of Petersham? +

According to the 2021 Census, Petersham has a population of approximately 8,200 residents.

Is Petersham a good place to live? +

Petersham offers a unique blend of historic character and residential living. It suits those who appreciate heritage surroundings and a close-knit community, while remaining connected to regional services.

What is the postcode for Petersham? +

The postcode for Petersham in NSW is 2049.

What is the average income in Petersham? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Petersham is about $1,223 per week (around $63,600 per year). The median household income is $2,217 per week and the median family income is $3,202 per week.

What is the median house price in Petersham? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $2,300,000, up 9.5% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $928,500, up 14.6% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Petersham? +

The median age in Petersham is 36. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,823 residents, around 22%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 12% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Petersham a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Petersham is part of the Inner West LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Petersham? +

In Petersham, the median weekly rent is $450, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,900 (2021 Census).