Petersham

NSW 2049 • Greater Sydney

8,200
Population (2021)
$63,596
Median Income
1.29 km²
Area
41m
Elevation
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

Postcode
2049
Urban Area
Marrickville
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.89°, 151.16°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.29 km²
Elevation
41m

🚌 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.

23-35 New Canterbury Road Petersham • SHR #00118
New Canterbury Road, Petersham • SHR #01331
Terminus Street, Petersham • SHR #01223

🏠 Housing Costs 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,900
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
36 years

👥 Demographics

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

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

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

Income Comparison

📊 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
  • 11. Ireland 44
  • 12. Malaysia 40
  • 13. Thailand 40
  • 14. South Africa 38
  • 15. Lebanon 35

🧬 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%)

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