Waterloo is often called one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Australia for its numerous modern apartments and buildings and fast-growing urban population. Its strategic location in the centre of New South Wales contributes to its growing popularity and economic significance. Also, it’s considered a safe and convenient place to live by the locals.
Waterloo is an inner suburb of Sydney, located about three kilometres south of the Sydney CBD. The northern borders are formed by the suburbs of Redfern and Darlington, while the suburbs of Eveleigh and Alexandria exist on the west. In its south lies the suburb of Rosebery, and Moore Park, Zetland, and Kensington form the eastern boundary. Known for its rich history and hippy culture, Waterloo is a popular residential and commercial destination in NSW. Read on for more such interesting facts about Waterloo, including things to do in Waterloo.
The name of Waterloo originated from the Battle of Waterloo fought in 1815. William Hutchison, who was granted 1,400 acres of land in the area, named it the Waterloo Estate after the Battle of Waterloo. Hutchison was also the founder of the most famous Waterloo flour mill.
During the 1800s, the suburb grew as an industrial hub, hosting manufacturing units and mills of many popular businesses.
The area where the modern Waterloo is located was once a wetland and forest region belonging to the aboriginal Gadigal people.
The first paper mill in Australia, the Fisher and Duncan Paper Mill, was started in 1818 and had its headquarters in Waterloo.
Over the years, especially after 2000, Waterloo has been going through steady gentrification, turning it into a growing business district and a preferred home for tech firms. Many of the city’s old flats and towers have been re-developed or are in the process of being redeveloped into large luxury apartments and complexes, providing affordable housing to migrants and residents.
The Waterloo Urban Conservation Area, one of the oldest residential areas in the suburb, contains 19th-century terrace and cottage housing.
A large number of modern, high-rise apartment buildings are situated in the area adjoining South Dowling Street. Over the next couple of decades, the NSW government plans to build 6,800 new homes and 6 high-rise buildings in the suburb as a part of its Waterloo social housing estate redevelopment masterplan.
Green Square Station is the major train station in the suburb. Located on the Airport line, it serves trains to the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs. Redfern railway station is located on the borders of Waterloo and Redfern.
The Chatswood to Bankstown Sydney Metro City & Southwest line, which is under construction, will serve the new Waterloo Metro Station and is scheduled to open in 2024.
According to the 2021 census, the population of Waterloo was 16,379, a 12% increase from the 2016 census.
Over 37% of the city’s residents were born in Australia, while around 11% were Chinese, 6% English, 2.6% New Zealanders, and 2% Irish. Popular languages spoken included English (45%), Mandarin 12%, Cantonese 3%, Spanish 3%, Russian 2.7% and Portuguese 1.6%.
Catholicism (16.5%) is the largest religion in the suburb. Popular Churches in and around Waterloo include the Waterloo campus of Hillsong Church Grace City Anglican Church, Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Waterloo Congregational Church, South Sydney Uniting Church and Waterloo Salvation Army.
In terms of housing, around 91% of all houses were units, including flats or apartments. Almost 72% of all buildings in the suburb were rented.
Despite being one of Sydney’s smallest suburbs, with just a 1.1 square kilometre area, Waterloo is also one of the most densely populated suburbs in the region.
There are a significant amount of green spaces within the suburb’s limits. The Waterloo Skate Park, Waterloo Oval, Joynton Park and Victoria Park are some major recreational centres in and around the region.