Parramatta
Parramatta ranks =72nd of 128 overall in NSW, with community services the area most needing attention.
"Sydney's second city centre — the geographic heart of Greater Sydney"
See where Parramatta ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · metro council · Pop. 274,956
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
50 out of 100
#20 of 34 metro councils in NSW
#72 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 57/100 |
| Community Services | 43/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 47/100 |
| Core Operations | 56/100 |
What This Means For You
Among metropolitan councils, Parramatta performs strongest in Sustainability (scoring 57 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Community Services (currently 43 out of 100).
What Makes This Place Unique
Sydney's second city centre — the geographic heart of Greater Sydney
Parramatta is being positioned as Sydney's second CBD, with major corporate relocations, university campuses, and infrastructure investment transforming it. It has genuine heritage (Australia's second-oldest European settlement) alongside rapid modernisation.
Known For
- Parramatta CBD — Sydney's emerging second city centre
- Old Government House — UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Western Sydney Stadium and entertainment precinct
- Parramatta River foreshore walks
Living Here
Parramatta is Sydney's best-connected western suburb — trains, buses, and the new metro make it genuinely convenient. The heritage is significant and the investment is real. It's noisy and under construction in parts, but the trajectory is upward.
Hidden Gem
Lake Parramatta Reserve — a bushland swimming lake with walking trails, minutes from the CBD, that feels like a national park.