🔍

Willoughby

NSW 2068 • Greater Sydney

7,124
Population (2021)
$65,728
Median 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

🚌 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

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Willoughby by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Willoughby Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Willoughby" under Suburb

🏠 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)

🎓 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)

Income 2016
$55,692
Income 2021
$65,728
▲ 18.0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 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.