Bayview - Elanora Heights

An assessment of population growth drivers in Bayview - Elanora Heights reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Bayview - Elanora Heights' population is approximately 11,394 as of February 2026. This figure shows an increase of 151 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 11,243. The ABS estimated resident population in June 2024 was 11,332, with an additional 39 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density of 176 persons per square kilometer. Bayview - Elanora Heights' 1.3% growth rate since the census is within 0.7 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate, indicating competitive growth trends. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this population increase.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. These projections indicate a population decline of 29 persons by 2041 for Bayview - Elanora Heights, while specific age cohorts are expected to grow, notably the 85 and over age group which is projected to expand by 624 people.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Bayview - Elanora Heights, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Bayview - Elanora Heights has seen approximately 25 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 129 homes. In FY-26 so far, 9 approvals have been recorded. The area has experienced population decline, with housing supply remaining adequate relative to demand, resulting in a well-balanced market offering good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average value of $604,000, indicating developers' focus on the premium market and high-end developments.

This financial year has seen $3.8 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Sydney, Bayview - Elanora Heights shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person, placing it among the 20th percentile of areas assessed nationally. This results in relatively constrained buyer choice, supporting interest in existing homes. The area's established nature is also indicated by its being under the national average for construction activity.

Recent construction comprises 88.0% detached dwellings and 12.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 1055 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, Bayview - Elanora Heights should see reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Bayview - Elanora Heights has limited levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 0thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 38 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones are Warriewood Valley Release Area, Dove Lane Residences, Pittwater Plaza Redevelopment, and Arri Estate, as detailed below.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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The employment landscape in Bayview - Elanora Heights presents a mixed picture: unemployment remains low at 3.9%, yet recent job losses have affected its comparative national standing

Bayview - Elanora Heights has a well-educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 3.9%. As of September 2025, 5680 residents are employed while the area's unemployment rate is 0.3% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation is at 61.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 70.0%. According to Census responses, 49.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, construction, and health care & social assistance sectors. The area shows strong specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

However, transport, postal & warehousing employs only 2.5% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 5.3%. Over the year to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.6%, and employment declined by 2.2%, resulting in a 1.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.1% and unemployment rose by only 0.2 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Bayview - Elanora Heights' employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The Bayview - Elanora Heights SA2 had exceptionally high national income levels according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year ended June 2023. The median income among taxpayers was $61,511 and the average income stood at $105,882, compared to Greater Sydney's figures of $60,817 and $83,003 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year ended June 2023, current estimates would be approximately $66,961 (median) and $115,263 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Bayview - Elanora Heights, between the 79th and 91st percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.4% of the population (3,691 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, unlike broader area trends where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. The locality demonstrates considerable affluence with 45.0% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 15.2% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 91st percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Bayview - Elanora Heights is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Bayview - Elanora Heights' dwellings were 82.0% houses and 18.0% other types at the latest Census. This compares to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Bayview - Elanora Heights was 50.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.6% and rented at 11.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,467, above Sydney metro's $2,427. Median weekly rent was $745 compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Bayview - Elanora Heights' mortgage repayments were higher at $3,467 than the Australian average of $1,863. Rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Bayview - Elanora Heights has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 76.8% of all households, including 39.3% couples with children, 30.1% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 21.7% and group households comprising 1.4%. The median household size is 2.7 people, aligning with the Greater Sydney average.

Bayview - Elanora Heights shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 37.4% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and the NSW rate of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 32.4% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 13.9% and certificates at 18.5%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.8% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Bayview - Elanora Heights has 136 active public transport stops offering a mix of ferry and bus services. These stops are served by 62 individual routes, collectively facilitating 2,109 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents on average located 238 meters from the nearest stop. The area is primarily residential, with most commuters traveling outward. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 87%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 49.1% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 301 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 15 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

Bayview - Elanora Heights's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Bayview-Elanora Heights shows excellent health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all ages. Private health cover is exceptionally high at 73% (8,329 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (9.0%) and asthma (6.2%), while 70.8% report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Sydney's 74.6%.

Residents aged 65 and over comprise 28.4% (3,231 people), higher than Greater Sydney's 15.4%. Senior health outcomes align with national rankings, mirroring the general population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Bayview - Elanora Heights records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Bayview-Elanora Heights, surveyed in June 2016, had a cultural diversity index of 9.1%, with residents speaking languages other than English at home. Overseas-born population was 26.1%. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 53.5%.

Judaism, at 0.3%, was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney's 0.8%. Ancestry-wise, English (32.4%), Australian (24.5%), and Irish (8.8%) were the top groups, all higher than regional averages of 19.0%, 17.8%, respectively. Notably, French (0.9%), South African (0.9%), and Serbian (0.6%) ethnicities were also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.5%.

Bayview - Elanora Heights hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Bayview - Elanora Heights has a median age of 49, which is older than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and also higher than the national average of 38. The age profile shows that those aged 75-84 years are particularly prominent, making up 11.0% of the population, while those aged 25-34 years make up only 5.1%. According to the 2021 Census, the proportion of people aged 15-24 has increased from 11.6% to 13.5%, and the proportion of those aged 85+ has grown from 3.8% to 5.1%. Conversely, the proportion of people aged 35-44 has decreased from 9.9% to 8.3%, and the proportion of those aged 25-34 has dropped from 6.1% to 5.1%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Bayview - Elanora Heights's age structure. The 85+ group is expected to grow by 91%, reaching 1,111 people from 582. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for all of the total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, the 25-34 and 55-64 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.