Rushcutters Bay

Rushcutters Bay Sydney,New South Wales
Rushcutters Bay
Population	2,335 (SAL2021)
Postcode(s)	2011
Elevation	28 m (92 ft)
Area	0.2 km2(0.1 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) east ofSydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Sydney
State electorate(s)	Sydney Vaucluse
Federal division(s)	Wentworth
Suburbsaround Rushcutters Bay: Potts Point Elizabeth Bay Port Jackson Potts Point Rushcutters Bay Darling Point Darlinghurst Paddington Edgecliff

Rushcutters Bayis a harbourside inner-east suburb of Sydney, in the state ofNew South Wales,Australia, 3 kilometres east of theSydney central business districtin thelocal government areaof theCity of Sydney.

The suburb of Rushcutters Bay sits beside the bay it takes its name from, onSydney Harbour.It is surrounded by the suburbs ofElizabeth Bay,Darlinghurst,PaddingtonandDarling Point.Kings Crossis a locality on the western border.

History

After British settlement, the area was first known as 'Rush Cutting Bay' because the swampy land was covered in tallrushesused by early settlers forthatchinghouses. In 1878, 2 hectares (6 acres) were reserved for recreation; and, afterreclamation workwas completed, Rushcutters Bay Park was created, bounded byNew South Head Roadand the bay atSydney Harbour.

Rushcutters Bay was once the site of the famousSydney Stadium.OnBoxing Day1908 at the Stadium,Tommy Burnslost his heavyweight title to the legendaryJack Johnson,famously the first African-American to win a world title. For many years Rushcutters Bay was home toWhite City Stadiumfor major tennis tournaments, prior to the establishment of tennis facilities atSydney Olympic Park.

On 6 April 1927Herbert Pratten,FederalMinister for Trade,appeared in aLee DeForestfilm to celebrate the opening of aPhonofilmstudio in Rushcutters Bay.

In the 20th century, when neighbouringDarlinghurstwas seen as down-at-heel, some businesses and residents abutting that boundary would, for appearance's sake, list their addresses as being in Rushcutters Bay. This phenomenon persists despite Darlinghurst's gentrification; for example, aBMWdealership on Craigend Street, Darlinghurst, provides customers with an incorrect address.

The bay at Sydney Harbour served as host for thesailingevents during the2000 Summer Olympics.

Heritage listings

Rushcutters Bay has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Rushcutters Bay Park:Rushcutters Bay Sewage Pumping Station

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia(left) andSydney Stadiumduring theJack Johnson-Tommy Burnsboxing match on 26 December 1908.

Demographics

According to the2021 census,there were 2,335 people living in Rushcutters Bay.

At the2016 census,the suburb of Rushcutters Bay recorded a population of 2,547 people. Of these:

• Age distribution:Residents had a similar range of ages to the country overall, except for notably fewer children. The median age was 37 years, the same as the national median. Children aged under 15 years made up 5.6% of the population (national average is 18.7%) and people aged 65 years and over made up 14.9% of the population (national average is 15.8%).
• Ethnic diversity:Just under half (48%) were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 67%; the next most common countries of birth were England 6.4%, New Zealand 3.9%, Brazil 1.8%, China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 1.6% and India 1.6%. At home, 65.5% of residents only spoke English; other languages spoken at home included Portuguese, 1.9%, Spanish 1.8%, French 1/7%, Mandarin 1.4% and Italian 1.0%.