Suburb in Canada Bay

Russell Lea, NSW

Russell Lea had a population of 4,920 at the 2021 Census (−0.3% since 2016). Median age 42.9. Median weekly household income $2,685. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Russell Lea at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with New South Wales.

In Sydney - Inner West

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Russell Lea's population shrank by 0.3% to 4,920, slower than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 42.9, it is older than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 11.1% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 13.3%.

25.8% of households rent, a smaller share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 37.8% own their home outright. Flats and apartments are 23.4% of homes (21.8% across New South Wales). The 2021 Census counted 1,780 households.

The median household earns $2,685 a week, above the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $523 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $3,290 a month.

27.9% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the NSW average of 31.0%. 26.7% use a language other than English at home. 29.6% report no religion, lower than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Russell Lea beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureRussell LeaNSWAustralia
Population4,9208,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016−0.3%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age42.938.438.2
Households1,7802,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments23.4%21.8%14.3%
Renting25.8%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright37.8%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,685$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$523$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$3,290$2,142$1,866
Born overseas27.9%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home26.7%28.2%23.6%
No religion29.6%35.7%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

−0.3% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 4,7182011
  2. 4,9362016
  3. 4,9202021

Age

Median age 42.9, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Russell Lea New South Wales
Share of people by age, Russell Lea and New South Wales
0–911.1%
10–1912.9%
20–299.9%
30–3910.9%
40–4916.0%
50–5914.3%
60–6911.3%
70–797.1%
80+6.2%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in Russell Lea at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English25.0%
  2. Italian24.4%
  3. Australian24.3%
  4. Irish11.7%
  5. Chinese6.9%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Italian10.1%
  2. Greek3.8%
  3. Mandarin2.0%
  4. Cantonese1.6%
  5. Vietnamese1.1%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. Italy6.5%
  2. England3.4%
  3. China1.9%
  4. Greece1.8%
  5. New Zealand1.5%

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

Around Russell Lea

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Russell Lea in Censible

Every census figure for Russell Lea, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.