Paddington
NSW 2021 · Woollahra
12,701 (2021) → 13,350 est. (2025) · Stable
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Paddington is a stable suburb in Woollahra, NSW 2021, about 2km from Sydney CBD. Its median house price of $3.66M is more expensive than the NSW average. The suburb has 4 schools, a transport score of 88/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Paddington has an overall score of 93/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 74/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 2021 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: England (7.97%), New Zealand (3.5%), USA (2.08%), South Africa (1.24%), France (0.9%)
Top languages: French (1.38%), Spanish (1.22%), Greek (1.02%), Italian (0.98%), Mandarin (0.75%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: NSW Valuer General · Updated Q1 2026
Residential Safety
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: BOCSAR · Updated March 2026
Schools
Outstanding school access
Top 20% nationally — strong, high-ICSEA schools nearby with genuine choice. An excellent suburb for families prioritising education.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1110 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Glenmore Road Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1176
- St Francis of Assisi Regional Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary · CatholicICSEA 1167
- Paddington Public SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1155
- Sydney Grammar School - Edgecliff Preparatory SchoolPrimary · Independent
Nearby (within 10km)
- Darlinghurst Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 0.7kmICSEA 1156
- Ascham SchoolCombined · Independent · 1kmICSEA 1217
- Crown Street Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.2kmICSEA 1114
- Woollahra Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.2kmICSEA 1193
- Sydney Boys High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.3kmICSEA 1189
- SCEGGS DarlinghurstCombined · Independent · 1.3kmICSEA 1209
- Bourke Street Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1135
- Sydney Girls High SchoolSecondary · Government · 1.4kmICSEA 1193
- Oasis College Surry HillsSecondary · Independent · 1.4km
- Double Bay Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1135
- Sydney Distance Education Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.5kmICSEA 1094
- Plunkett Street Public SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.6kmICSEA 968
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Fitness paradise
Top 20% nationally — gyms, leisure centres, pools and sports fields all close by. Easy to stay active without travelling far.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Outdoor paradise
Top 20% nationally — abundant parks and green space, plus trails, bike paths and places to enjoy the outdoors.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Cultural hotspot
Top 20% nationally — theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and landmarks all within reach. A genuinely vibrant cultural scene.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Solid scene
Well above average for licensed venues — you won't struggle for a night out or a good meal.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: Liquor & Gaming NSW · Updated June 2024
Childcare
Some choices available
Around the national average — a reasonable mix of childcare options, though popular services may have waiting lists.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
StableSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Woollahra
Compare Paddington with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Paddington
Is Paddington safe?
Paddington has a residential safety score of 74/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 4,338 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Paddington?
In Paddington, the median house price is $3.66M and the median unit price is $981K. Median weekly house rent is $1,650.
How far is Paddington from Sydney CBD?
Paddington is about 2.3 km from Sydney CBD, an estimated 19 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Paddington?
Paddington has 4 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1166 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Paddington?
Paddington has a transport score of 88/100 and 26 bus stops.