The Strathfield Council area estimated resident population for 2020 is 47,767, with a population density of 3,444 persons/km². In 2016, 56.3% of people in the Strathfield Council area were born overseas, compared with 36.7% in Greater Sydney. The median age of Strathfield residents is 32 years.

It is estimated that by 2036, Strathfield LGA’s population will number over 80,000 people. The areas of highest population increase are in the transport corridors of Homebush, Homebush West and Strathfield Town Centre due to building of new units on land rezoned for medium to high-rise development.

Residents’ main countries of birth are India, China, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Philippines and Italy. Nearly 64% of residents speak a language other than English, any many speak multiple languages. Other than English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Tamil and Arabic are the most spoken languages.

Strathfield Council has been a recipient of a New South Wales Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Material grant. In 2025, Strathfield Council has consulted with its community through this grant on ways to prevent litter ending up in stormwater and local waterways.

Strathfield Council has interpreted some information on waste management into language for:

Tamil, Vietnamese, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Nepali

How is litter managed?

Littering prevention is managed using a combination pillar including 1. Community Education and Engagement, 2. Regulation and Enforcement, and 3. Bins and clean sites.

Strathfield Council is in the process of developing a Litter Prevention Plan. Baseline studies of litter are also being undertaken.

Fines for littering and illegal dumping under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO) have increased. A $160 on-the-spot littering fine can be issued by an Authorised Officer for littering cigarettes and small items. Littering from a car/ vehicle can inure a fine of between $500 t $1000, however maximum penalties can be up to $100, 000. Failure to comply with clean-up notices can also be subjected to larger cumulative fines.

Projects

The Council received the NSW EPA Litter Prevention Round 5 Grant to target litter in the Homebush West industrial area by working with businesses and their employees to create cleaner public spaces. The project started with a clean-up of the industrial area’s public spaces. Local businesses were surveyed for littering solutions and invited to take a leadership role in managing outside their premises. Businesses were offered infrastructure and collateral to manage litter on site. Kerbside stenciling and signs have also been used to engage site users and promote a litter-free space. Council’s regulatory officers are more visible in the area to support enforcement efforts.

Council has installed public ashstrays around the municipality’s public area to reduce the littering of cigarette butts. Smoking has also been prohibited in Strathfield CBD.

Council has partnered with Responsible Cafés to reduce the use of disposable coffee cups from the local cafes. The Responsible Cafés program encourages cafés to provide a small discount to customers who bring a reusable cup. Strathfield Council is one of almost 50 Councils to join the program and work with local businesses and the community to keep our environment healthy and clean.