The 8 Sydney Suburbs With the Most Heritage Homes 

As of June 2025, there are an estimated 30,000 heritage listed items and places in NSW, and at least 11,000 in Sydney. Dating as far back as 1840, heritage conservation areas in Sydney typically include Victorian, Federation, Georgian, and Art Deco style architecture. 

Residential heritage properties in Sydney are listed on either the local council’s Local Environmental Plans or on the NSW State Heritage Register. 

How Many Heritage Homes Are in Sydney?

The City of Sydney is estimated to have the largest number of private heritage residences at ~3,181. The Inner West Council comes in second with an estimated ~2,036 heritage homes, followed by the North Sydney Council with ~1,455 heritage properties.

Council Area	Estimated Heritage Homes
City of Sydney	3,181
Inner West	2,036
North Sydney	1,455
Woollahra	~1,000 (conservatively)
Ku-ring-gai	~1,200+ (based on HCAs)
Waverley	~700
Randwick	~600
Mosman	~600
Hunters Hill	~400
Willoughby	~400
Lane Cove	~200

Some of Sydney’s oldest heritage conservation areas include Millers Point (with buildings dating back to early 19th century), and East Sydney/Darlinghurst, which were developed following the 1840 subdivision of the Riley Estate. 

Heritage listed properties stretch far and wide from East, to West, North and South of the city. Here are the eight Sydney suburbs with the most heritage homes. 

Sydney Suburbs with the Most Heritage Homes

All heritage property data is sourced from the NSW State Heritage Inventory, 2025. 

1. North Sydney 

North Sydney has 199 heritage homes along Blues Point, Lavender Bay, and Crows Nest. Architectural styles include Sandstone Victorian cottages or Victorian Georgian, Colonial Georgian or Colonial Regency buildings, and Queen’s Anne buildings.

Number of private heritage residences: 197 listed on the Local Environmental Plan, 2 listed on the State Heritage Register as of June 2025.

2. Balmain 

The harbourside suburb of Balmain (and Balmain East) has a rich history dating back to an industrial past with workers’ cottages. Today, there are 188 heritage homes in Balmain that range from workers’ cottages to sandstone buildings and Victorian character homes. 

Number of private heritage residences: As of June 2025, 186 listed on the Local Environmental Plan, 2 listed on the State Heritage Register. Balmain East has 118 heritage homes listed on the Local Environmental Plan.

3. Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst has retained a lot of heritage architecture, including Victorian terraces along Oxford Street and Liverpool Street. There are 155 heritage-listed homes in Darlinghurst, making up ~21% of residential buildings in the suburb. 

Number of private heritage residences: 153 listed on the Local Environmental Plan, 2 listed on the State Heritage Register as of June 2025.

4. Summer Hill 

Summer Hill has 153 heritage-listed residences – many of which boast Federation, Victorian, and Art Deco architectural styles, giving the inner-west suburb a village-like atmosphere. The local Summer Hill community has demonstrated strong support for the preservation of heritage architecture. 

Number of private heritage residences: 153 listed on the Local Environmental Plan.

5. Strathfield 

As one of Sydney’s most prestigious residential suburbs in the late 1800s, Strathfield has a diverse history across its 143 heritage-listed homes. Heritage homes in Strathfield feature Victorian, Federation, and Interwar designs prominently, as well as less common styles like Georgian Revival, Spanish Mission, and Art Deco. 

Number of private heritage residences: 143 listed on the Local Environmental Plan.

6. Parramatta 

Home to Australia’s oldest public building, the Old Government House, Parramatta has a long history as one of the first settlements in Sydney. There are 106 heritage-listed homes in Parramatta, featuring architectural Victorian and Federation styles. 

Number of private heritage residences: 98 listed on the Local Environmental Plan, 8 listed on the State Heritage Register. 

7. Glebe 

As of June 2025, Glebe has 87 heritage-listed homes. Heritage properties reflect the suburb’s history as one of Sydney’s oldest areas, with British-colonial and Victorian terraces lining Glebe Point Road. 

Number of private heritage residences: 81 listed on the Local Environmental Plan, 6 listed on the State Heritage Register. 

8. Manly 

Manly has 72 heritage-listed residences that include art-deco redbrick apartments and classic federation style homes. 

Number of private heritage residences: 72 listed on the Local Environmental Plan.