Suburb in Sydney

Waterloo, NSW

Waterloo had a population of 16,379 at the 2021 Census (+12.1% since 2016). Median age 33.2. Median weekly household income $2,030. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

Waterloo at a glance

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

In Sydney - City and Inner South

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Waterloo's population grew by 12.1% to 16,379, faster than New South Wales as a whole (+7.9%). With a median age of 33.2, it is younger than the NSW average (38.4). Children under 10 make up 6.2% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 7.3%.

74.1% of households rent, a larger share than the NSW average of 33.1%. 6.3% own their home outright. Most homes are flats or apartments (91.2%). The 2021 Census counted 8,046 households.

The median household earns $2,030 a week, above the NSW average of $1,829. Renters pay a median $532 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,508 a month.

59.3% of residents were born overseas, more than the NSW average of 31.0%. 43.3% use a language other than English at home. 56.9% report no religion, higher than the NSW average (35.7%).

Key figures

2021 Census, Waterloo beside NSW and Australia.

MeasureWaterlooNSWAustralia
Population16,3798,072,17125,422,828
Growth since 2016+12.1%+7.9%+8.6%
Median age33.238.438.2
Households8,0462,900,4569,275,123
Flats and apartments91.2%21.8%14.3%
Renting74.1%33.1%31.1%
Owned outright6.3%32.0%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,030$1,829$1,747
Median rent a week$532$423$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,508$2,142$1,866
Born overseas59.3%31.0%29.3%
Other language at home43.3%28.2%23.6%
No religion56.9%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

+12.1% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 10,6572011
  2. 14,6162016
  3. 16,3792021

Age

Median age 33.2, against 38.4 for New South Wales.

Waterloo New South Wales
Share of people by age, Waterloo and New South Wales
0–96.2%
10–193.4%
20–2927.2%
30–3929.6%
40–4911.4%
50–598.3%
60–696.7%
70–794.5%
80+2.8%

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

Cultural background

The largest groups in Waterloo at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English23.9%
  2. Chinese21.1%
  3. Australian14.9%
  4. Irish10.5%
  5. Scottish5.9%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin13.1%
  2. Spanish3.5%
  3. Cantonese3.3%
  4. Russian3.0%
  5. Portuguese1.7%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. China12.6%
  2. England6.1%
  3. New Zealand2.8%
  4. Ireland2.6%
  5. Brazil1.9%

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

Around Waterloo

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore Waterloo in Censible

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