🔍

Willoughby

NSW 2068 • Greater Sydney

7,124
Population (2021)
$155,740
Median Household Income
1.63 km²
Area
$583/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyAffluentHistoricInner City

About Willoughby

Willoughby is a well-established suburb on Sydney's lower North Shore, located 8 kilometres north of the CBD within the City of Willoughby local government area. With a population of approximately 7,100 residents across 3.22 square kilometres, the suburb is characterised by leafy tree-lined streets, heritage homes, and a strong sense of community. Neighbouring Chatswood — the LGA's commercial hub — provides residents with easy access to major shopping and transport infrastructure.

Willoughby attracts professional families drawn by highly-regarded local schools, access to North Shore green corridors, and a relaxed village atmosphere close to the city. The suburb blends period Federation homes with contemporary townhouses and units. Residents enjoy proximity to Lane Cove National Park bushland, the Willoughby Leisure Centre, and the vibrant dining and retail strip in nearby Chatswood.

Willoughby falls under postcode 2068 and is governed by Willoughby Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Willoughby electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2068
Urban Area
Lane Cove - Willoughby
LGA / Council
Willoughby
Federal Electorate
Bradfield
State Electorate
Willoughby
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.81°, 151.20°
Statistical Area
Greater Sydney
Area
1.63 km²
Elevation
90m

🏷️ Property Prices 2025

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

🏡House
$3.8M
85 sales · ▲ 13.8% vs 2024
🏢Unit / Apartment
$1.51M
168 sales · ▲ 2.2% 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)
$583
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,500
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.2%

23 state housing + 33 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Chatswood Station
1.8 km
22 min
Artarmon Station
2 km
25 min

Bus Services

  • 288, 289 — Chatswood Interchange 10 min
  • 229, 230 — City via North Sydney 40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
8 km
By Train
25 min from Chatswood to Wynyard (T1 North Shore Line)
By Car (Peak)
30–50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20–25 min

🛣️ Chatswood also connects to the Metro Northwest line for north-west Sydney

Walkability Very Walkable

Good footpaths and local parks; most daily errands reachable on foot within the suburb or nearby Chatswood

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Harris Farm Markets
    201 High St, Willoughby NSW 2068

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Willoughby, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Laurelbank
85-87 Penshurst Street Willoughby • SHR #00657
Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator
2 Small Street Willoughby • SHR #00084

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
123.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.0%
Motor vehicle theft
38.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
249.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
6.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
135.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 6.4%
View all 62 offence types for Willoughby →

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,540
Census 2021
7,124
▲ 8.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$55,692
Personal Income 2021
$65,728
▲ 18.0% 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
$65,728 / yr
$1264/wk
Household
$155,740 / yr
$2995/wk
Family
$199,160 / yr
$3830/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,424
Born Overseas 2,476

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 327
  • 2. England 310
  • 3. Hong Kong 176
  • 4. New Zealand 145
  • 5. South Africa 92
  • 6. India 89
  • 7. Japan 86
  • 8. Italy 67
  • 9. Philippines 67
  • 10. Croatia 59

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,087
Australian 1,888
Chinese 1,088
Irish 787
Scottish 656
Italian 307
German 189
Greek 188
Indian 164
Croatian 126

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,500
Both parents born in Australia
3,263
Both parents born overseas
1,114
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.5%
No Religion
40.3%
Buddhism
2.5%
Hinduism
1.7%
Islam
1.0%
Judaism
0.6%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
434 (6.1%)
5-14 years
1,069 (15.0%)
15-19 years
463 (6.5%)
20-24 years
300 (4.2%)
25-34 years
617 (8.7%)
35-44 years
1,172 (16.5%)
45-54 years
1,154 (16.2%)
55-64 years
796 (11.2%)
65-74 years
551 (7.7%)
75-84 years
351 (4.9%)
85+ years
223 (3.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What train line serves Willoughby? +

Willoughby does not have its own train station, but Chatswood Station (T1 North Shore Line and Metro Northwest) is approximately 1.8 km away, offering trains to Sydney CBD in about 25 minutes.

What schools are in Willoughby? +

Willoughby has Willoughby Public School, Willoughby Girls High School (government), and St Thomas Catholic Primary School, as well as proximity to numerous private schools in Chatswood and Artarmon.

What is the character of Willoughby? +

Willoughby is a leafy, family-oriented suburb known for its Federation heritage homes, quiet streets, and proximity to bushland. It has a relaxed village feel despite being just 8 km from the Sydney CBD.

What LGA is Willoughby in? +

Willoughby is in the City of Willoughby LGA, though its administrative centre is in neighbouring Chatswood.

What is the average income in Willoughby? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Willoughby is about $1,264 per week (around $65,700 per year). The median household income is $2,995 per week and the median family income is $3,830 per week.

What is the median house price in Willoughby? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $3,800,000, up 13.8% on the previous year, and the median unit/apartment price is $1,507,500, up 2.2% on the previous year. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

What is the age profile of Willoughby? +

The median age in Willoughby is 40. The largest age group is 35–44 (1,172 residents, around 16%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Willoughby a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Willoughby is part of the Willoughby 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.

What is the population of Willoughby? +

Willoughby had a population of 7,124 at the 2021 Census, up 8.9% from 6,540 in 2016.

How much is rent in Willoughby? +

In Willoughby, the median weekly rent is $583, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $3,500 (2021 Census).