State

New South Wales

New South Wales had a population of 8,072,171 at the 2021 Census (+7.9% since 2016). Median age 38.4. Median weekly household income $1,829. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Explore New South Wales freeSee the figures

New South Wales at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Australia.

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, New South Wales's population grew by 7.9% to 8,072,171, in step with Australia as a whole (+8.6%). Its median age of 38.4 is close to the national average (38.2). Children under 10 make up 12.0% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 12.5%.

33.1% of households rent, close to the national average of 31.1%. 32.0% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are more common than in Australia overall: 21.8% of homes, against 14.3%. The 2021 Census counted 2,900,456 households.

The median household earns $1,829 a week, in line with the national average of $1,747. Renters pay a median $423 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,142 a month.

31.0% of residents were born overseas, close to the national average of 29.3%. 28.2% use a language other than English at home. 35.7% report no religion, lower than the national average (41.9%).

Key figures

2021 Census, New South Wales beside Australia.

New South WalesAustralia
Population8,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+7.9%+8.6%
Median age38.438.2
Households2,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments21.8%14.3%
Renting33.1%31.1%
Owned outright32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,142$1,866
Born overseas31.0%29.3%
Other language at home28.2%23.6%
No religion35.7%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

+7.9% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 6,917,6402011
  2. 7,480,2152016
  3. 8,072,1712021

Age

Median age 38.4, against 38.2 for Australia.

New South Wales Australia
0–912.0%
10–1911.9%
20–2913.0%
30–3914.4%
40–4912.9%
50–5912.3%
60–6911.0%
70–797.9%
80+4.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in New South Wales at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English31.8%
  2. Australian30.5%
  3. Irish9.7%
  4. Scottish8.2%
  5. Chinese7.7%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin3.6%
  2. Arabic3.0%
  3. Cantonese2.0%
  4. Vietnamese1.6%
  5. Hindi1.1%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. China3.2%
  2. England3.0%
  3. India2.7%
  4. New Zealand1.5%
  5. the Philippines1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around New South Wales

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Part of

Council areas in New South Wales

Largest first.

Explore New South Wales in Censible

Every census figure for New South Wales, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.

Free accountHow the figures are built