Sydney central business district
| Sydney CBD Sydney, New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney city centre | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 33°52′8″S 151°12′30″E / 33.86889°S 151.20833°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 16,667 (SAL 2021) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 5,669/km2 (14,680/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2000 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 58 m (190 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 2.94 km2 (1.1 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Sydney | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Sydney | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Sydney | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
The Sydney central business district (CBD) is the historical and main commercial centre of Sydney. The CBD is Sydney's city centre, or Sydney City, and the two terms are used interchangeably. Colloquially, the CBD or city centre is often referred to simply as "Town" or "the City".
The Sydney CBD is Australia's main financial and economic centre, as well as a leading hub of economic activity for the Asia Pacific region. 40.7% of businesses in the CBD fall within the ‘Finance and Financial Services’ or ‘Professional and Business services’ category. It is ranked overall #16 in the 2024 Oxford's Global Cities Index and amongst the top 10 cities in the Human Capital category. Approximately 15% of Sydney's total workforce is employed within the CBD. In 2012, the number of workers operating in the city was 226,972. Based on industry mix and relative occupational wage levels it is estimated that economic activity (GDP) generated in the city in 2023/24 was approximately $142 billion.
Culturally, the city centre is Sydney's focal point for nightlife and entertainment, and is also home to some of the city's most culturally significant buildings and structures.