Paddington: Wealthy Terrace-House Professionals on Sydney's Gallery Strip

Paddington is one of Sydney's wealthiest inner suburbs. The 11,400 residents earn a median household income of $3,130 per week. A full 91% of workers are white collar, the highest rate in this study. Professionals account for 53.7% and managers 24.2%, working in science and tech (26.4%), financial services (16.5%) and health (10.4%). The median age is 38 and 54.6% of households are families. University graduates make up 34.8% of the population.

Paddington is 68.0% Australian-born with 8.3% English-born and 11.2% Northern and Western European by cultural origin. English is the only language in 89% of homes, making it one of the most linguistically homogeneous suburbs in inner Sydney. The suburb is 53.6% non-religious, with 41.0% Christian (20.8% Catholic, 12.8% Anglican). Residents stay 4.3 years on average. This is a suburb of art galleries, Oxford Street boutiques and terrace houses that regularly sell above $3 million.

The wealthiest streets in Paddington cluster along the northern ridge. Broughton Street near Cascade Street records 76.5% Australian-born with household incomes of $4,677 per week. Elizabeth Street nearby hits $4,674 with 79.0% Australian-born. Dudley Street and Elizabeth Street records $4,546 and 73.2% Australian-born, with 13.8% Northern and Western Europeans. Cambridge Lane and Cambridge Street shows $4,507. These are the premier terrace-house streets with harbour views.

The central belt running along Glenmore Road and the streets between Oxford Street and Jersey Road is moderately wealthy. Jersey Road records 72.1% Australian-born with $3,824 per week and a median age of 42. Bent Street and Gordon Street is 76.7% Australian-born with $3,562. Boundary Street near Brown Street records 69.9% Australian-born with $3,656. These are established family streets where the terraces are smaller than the ridge-top mansions.

The southern and western edges closer to Oxford Street are younger and less wealthy. Barcom Avenue and Boundary Street records 61.3% Australian-born with 12.1% Northern and Western Europeans and incomes of $2,107. The median age of 33 and the lower incomes suggest renters and younger couples. Alma Street and Brown Street is 63.2% Australian-born with a median age of 60 and incomes of just $1,544, pointing to a pocket of older residents possibly in smaller flats.

Albert Square and Albert Street records the highest Northern and Western European concentration at 15.6%, with 66.6% Australian-born and incomes of $2,358. Albion Avenue shows 13.1% Northern and Western European in one pocket and 10.5% in another. These streets attract British and Irish professionals renting in the Oxford Street precinct.

The Moore Park Road edge is the thinnest part of the suburb. Leinster Street and Moore Park Road is 72.0% Australian-born with 13.0% Northern and Western Europeans and incomes of $2,750. The tiny Greens Road pocket is 100% Australian-born but has only 36 residents.

Paddington is politically divided. Right-wing voting is at 34.0% and left-wing at 23.9%, with a large moderate middle. The conservatism score of 20.6% is low for a suburb with $3,130 per week household incomes. Paddington is socially progressive but economically comfortable. Residents support marriage equality and climate action while also valuing low taxes and property rights. The federal seat of Wentworth, which covers Paddington, has historically swung between Liberal and independent candidates who combine fiscal conservatism with social liberalism.