Sydney Population 2026
Sydney has a population of 5,638,830, making it the #1 biggest city in 🇦🇺 Australia, located in New South Wales. Roughly 21% of Australia's population lives here.
Population (city proper)
5,638,830
Rank in Australia
#1
Coordinates
33.87°S, 151.21°E
~58 m elevation · Australia/Sydney
Distance to capital (Canberra)
247 km
153 miles, straight line
Other big cities in New South Wales
| City | Population | Rank in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | 508,437 | #7 |
| Central Coast | 346,596 | #10 |
| Wollongong | 280,153 | #13 |
| Maitland | 89,597 | #24 |
| Coffs Harbour | 78,759 | #28 |
| Port Macquarie | 51,965 | #33 |
| Tamworth | 43,874 | #35 |
| Dubbo | 43,516 | #36 |
Cities near Sydney
- Parramatta30,211 people · ~20 km away
- Hornsby22,462 people · ~21 km away
- Liverpool31,078 people · ~27 km away
- Central Coast346,596 people · ~51 km away
- Wollongong280,153 people · ~68 km away
- Cessnock23,211 people · ~116 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Sydney?
Sydney has a population of 5,638,830 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1 biggest city in Australia.
What region is Sydney in?
Sydney is located in New South Wales, Australia.
Is Sydney the capital of Australia?
No, the capital of Australia is Canberra, about 247 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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