The origin of the suburb's name is unknown. It may have been a reference to the nearby Parramatta River which could have provided silver reflections of light off the water. The name was used when this part of the larger Newington Estate was first subdivided, in 1883. Industrial and residential developments occurred in parallel. In 1906, the area was first incorporated into the Borough of Auburn, later City of Auburn, until it was abolished in 2016.
Significant parts of the suburb became industrial land during the 20th century, due to the easy access to and from the suburb by road (east-west on Parramatta Road and north–south on the A6 arterial road) and by water on Parramatta River. Some of the former industrial land has seen redevelopment as waterfront parkland and commercial offices. In 1970, the Silverwater Correctional Complex was opened, and that complex now occupies a large section of the suburb.
Heritage listings
Silverwater has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
Silverwater is home to many small to medium enterprises seeking the expediency of having warehouse space and a sales area in the one industrial unit. It has companies which have successfully been operating in the area for over 50 years due to its central Sydney location. Large companies also have a presence in the area. Whilst the suburb was initially developed as a medium/heavy industrial area, it has been redeveloped into a premier light industrial/commercial district with some pockets of residential dwellings.
There are cafes and restaurants scattered throughout Silverwater, and these are generally small in size. Just south of Silverwater is Red Yard, which has numerous commercial and restaurant complexes.
Trains do not run through Silverwater but are accessible by a short trip to or from Auburn.
Landmarks
Silverwater Correctional Centre sits on the Parramatta River. The complex contains Newington House and associated heritage-listed buildings. The Administrative Block, Newington Chapel and the former Superintendent's House are all listed on the Register of the National Estate.[3]
At the 2011 census, Silverwater recorded a population of 3,162. Of these:[4]
The age distribution was unusual, with a preponderance of young adults compared to the country in general, but similar to the neighbouring suburb of Rosehill. The median age was 32 years, compared to the national median of 37 years. There was a large concentration of people between 20 and 34 years of age; they make up 38.1% of residents (national average is 20.6%). Children aged 0–14 years made up 13.0% of the population (national average is 19.3%) and people aged 65 years and over made up only 4.2% of the population (national average is 14.0%).
Just over half (53.5%) of residents were born in Australia; the next common countries of birth were Korea 5.8%, Lebanon 3.5%, Vietnam 3.0%, New Zealand 2.4% and Indonesia 2.1%. Only 21.2% of people spoke English at home; other languages spoken at home included Arabic 8.2%, Korean 7.3%, Turkish 2.1%, Cantonese 1.5% and Mandarin 1.5%.
6.3% of the work-force was unemployed, slightly above the national average of 5.6%.
Only 14.3% of employed people travelled to work on public transport, and 69.1% by car (either as driver or as passenger).
2016 Census
Data from the 2016 Census reveals that Silverwater has a population of 4,166. Of this population:[5]
The median age is 33.
66.2% are male, with 33.8% being female.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.8% of the population.
47.3% were born overseas, the top countries of birth being Korea (8.4%), China (3.8%), Vietnam (2.3%), Lebanon (2.2%) and New Zealand (2.0%).
18.0% of people spoke English at home, with the top responses being Korean (10.7%), Arabic (5.1%), Mandarin (2.7%), Cantonese (1.3%) and Urdu (1.3%).
66.2% of people work full time, with 24.3% working part time. The unemployment rate at Silverwater is 8.0%, above the national average of 6.9%.
2021 Census
Data from the 2021 Census reveals that Silverwater has a population of 3,600. Of this population:[6]
The median age is 35.
64.4% are male, with 35.6% being female.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 8.7% of the population.
45.7% were born overseas, the top countries of birth being South Korea (9.5%), China (3.6%), India (2.6%), Lebanon (2.2%) and New Zealand (1.9%).
20.3% of people spoke English at home, with the top responses being Korean (12.1%), Arabic (4.9%), Mandarin (4.1%), Urdu (3.1%) and Cantonese (2.4%).
50.6% of people work full time, with 28.4% working part time. The unemployment rate at Silverwater is 6.3%, above the national average of 5.1%.
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