🔍

Waterloo

NSW 2017 • Greater Sydney

16,379
Population (2021)
$105,456
Median Household Income
1.13 km²
Area
$530/wk
Median Rent
Urban RenewalInner CityAffordableMetro Connected

About Waterloo

Waterloo is Sydney's most dramatically transforming suburb, where over 16,000 residents occupy a mix of public housing towers and gleaming new apartment blocks. The government's redevelopment plans promise further change, while new Metro stations will add connectivity to already good bus services. The median income reflects the suburb's stark contrasts.

Green Square's emerging retail precinct serves the growing population, while the traditional Waterloo shops maintain older character. The suburb's position—between the CBD and Sydney Airport—makes it genuinely convenient. Waterloo attracts young professionals seeking affordable inner-city living, and long-term public housing residents whose community faces uncertain change. It's two suburbs in one—Sydney's housing future being negotiated in real time.

Waterloo falls under postcode 2017 and is governed by Sydney Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Heffron electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 NSW Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2017
Urban Area
Alexandria - Darlington - Waterloo
LGA / Council
Sydney
Federal Electorate
Sydney
State Electorate
Heffron
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.90°, 151.21°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.13 km²
Elevation
30m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$1.81M
18 sales · ▲ 7.4% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$935K
406 sales · ▲ 0.9% 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)
$530
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,500
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
21.3%

1636 state housing + 81 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Sydney CBD 12-16 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
4 km
By Train
Approximately 10 min to Sydney CBD (Central) by train
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Located 4 km south of Sydney CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Shop 16 Crystal Street Waterloo 2017 NSW
  • ALDI
    20 A Danks Street, Waterloo NSW 2017

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Waterloo, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Yiu Ming Temple
16-22 Retreat Street Alexandria • SHR #01297

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
267.2 / 100k
2yr Up 14.4% 10yr Down 2.6%
Motor vehicle theft
242.8 / 100k
2yr Up 37.8% 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
1,217.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 1.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
55.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 3.9%
Steal from vehicle
362.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.8%
View all 62 offence types for Sydney →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
14,616
Census 2021
16,379
▲ 12.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,872
Personal Income 2021
$60,944
▲ 49.1% 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
$60,944 / yr
$1172/wk
Household
$105,456 / yr
$2028/wk
Family
$140,348 / yr
$2699/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,090
Born Overseas 8,876

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 1,881
  • 2. England 919
  • 3. New Zealand 425
  • 4. Ireland 384
  • 5. Brazil 289
  • 6. India 257
  • 7. Indonesia 236
  • 8. Vietnam 208
  • 9. Malaysia 198
  • 10. South Korea 185

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,540
Chinese 3,136
Australian 2,218
Irish 1,557
Scottish 879
Italian 620
German 443
Australian Aboriginal 431
Indian 406
Russian 334

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,332
Both parents born in Australia
10,263
Both parents born overseas
1,334
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.1%
Christianity
28.7%
Buddhism
4.4%
Islam
2.1%
Hinduism
1.5%
Judaism
1.4%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
686 (4.2%)
5-14 years
586 (3.6%)
15-19 years
300 (1.8%)
20-24 years
1,575 (9.6%)
25-34 years
5,839 (35.6%)
35-44 years
3,023 (18.5%)
45-54 years
1,449 (8.8%)
55-64 years
1,234 (7.5%)
65-74 years
950 (5.8%)
75-84 years
538 (3.3%)
85+ years
212 (1.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waterloo known for? +

Waterloo is a well-established residential suburb in Sydney, NSW, known for its mix of housing types, local schools, and community facilities. The suburb has a population of approximately 16,379 residents and forms part of the broader Greater Sydney region.

How far is Waterloo from Sydney CBD? +

Waterloo is approximately 4 kilometres from Sydney CBD, typically a 10-15 min drive under normal traffic conditions. Peak hour travel can take longer due to traffic.

Does Waterloo have public transport? +

Waterloo is served by local bus services connecting residents to the broader metropolitan network. The nearest train station provides connections to Sydney CBD.

What is the population of Waterloo? +

According to the 2021 Census, Waterloo has a population of approximately 16,379 residents. The suburb is a significant residential area within the Sydney district.

Is Waterloo a good place to live? +

Waterloo appeals to families, professionals, and established residents who value its range of local amenities, schools, and community facilities. With a median taxable income of around $57,435, it attracts a mix of household types. Like most NSW suburbs, lifestyle quality depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Waterloo? +

The postcode for Waterloo, NSW is 2017.

What is the average income in Waterloo? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Waterloo is about $1,172 per week (around $60,900 per year). The median household income is $2,028 per week and the median family income is $2,699 per week.

What is the median house price in Waterloo? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,807,500, up 7.4% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $935,000, up 0.9% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Waterloo? +

The median age in Waterloo is 33. The largest age group is 25–34 (5,839 residents, around 36%). Around 10% of residents are under 20 and about 10% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Waterloo a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Waterloo is part of the Sydney 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 Waterloo? +

In Waterloo, the median weekly rent is $530, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,500 (2021 Census).