dsum and ignoring empty cells

Ok here goes.

I have a large database (30k+ rows) with about 10 columns. Lets say the first 3 columns are suburb_code, income, households.

Each project will have a different list of suburb_codes. I want to sum all the incomes from this selected list of suburb_codes. So I am trying to use the list as the dsum - criteria. The list could range from 5 rows to 5000.

Problem: I am trying to use dsum to sum all the incomes from the selected list. =dsum(database,incomes,D1:D5000). However, this criteria will include empty cells and therefore it sums all incomes from the database.

Is there an efficient solution for this (apart from entering blanks cells in the criteria, or changing the range of the criteria everytime i run a new project)?

Happy for all non-dsum solutions as well.

I have attached a spreadsheet (updated) as an example.

Thanks for any assistance.

The sample sheet didn't attach...

make sure you click Upload before closing the Attachment dialogue.

attach a zipped XL2003 copy please.