Blackheath - Megalong Valley
Statistical Area - sa2

Blackheath - Megalong Valley is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Blackheath-Megalong Valley's population is 5,886 as of November 2025, based on AreaSearch's analysis. This shows an increase of 122 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,764. The change is inferred from ABS data: an estimated resident population of 5,830 in June 2024 and 45 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 42 persons per square kilometer. Blackheath-Megalong Valley's growth rate of 2.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's 1.2%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends anticipate lower quartile growth, with the area expected to expand by 46 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, reflecting a decline of 0.2% over 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Blackheath - Megalong Valley according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Blackheath-Megalong Valley averaged approximately 21 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years (FY-21 to FY-25), with a total of 107 homes approved during this period and an additional 6 approved in FY-26. On average, around 0.5 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that new supply has kept pace with or exceeded demand. The average construction cost value of new homes was $302,000, aligning with regional patterns.

This financial year (FY-26), $2.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Blackheath-Megalong Valley exhibited 84.0% higher new home approvals per capita between FY-21 and FY-25. This has offered buyers greater choice, although building activity has slowed in recent years. New development primarily consists of standalone homes (86.0%) with a smaller proportion of attached dwellings (14.0%), maintaining the area's traditional low-density character and appealing to those seeking family homes with space.

The estimated population per dwelling approval in Blackheath-Megalong Valley is 376 people, reflecting its quiet, low-activity development environment. With population expected to remain stable or decline, this should result in reduced pressure on housing, potentially creating opportunities for buyers.

Blackheath - Megalong Valley has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Nine projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area's performance. Key projects include Great Western Highway Upgrade from Katoomba to Lithgow, Mount Victoria Memorial Park Playspace and Court Upgrades, Mount Victoria Station Upgrade, and Katoomba Cultural Centre and Civic Precinct Upgrade. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

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While Blackheath - Megalong Valley retains a healthy unemployment rate of 3.6%, recent employment declines have impacted its national performance ranking

Blackheath-Megalong Valley has a highly educated workforce with essential services sectors well represented, and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. As of June 2025, 2801 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation in the area is 50.5%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has particularly high representation, with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Finance & insurance employs only 2.8% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 7.3%.

The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by Census data showing fewer working residents than expected based on population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 2.3%, employment declined by 2.0%, causing unemployment to fall by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment rising slightly. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates vary by industry. Applying these projections to Blackheath-Megalong Valley's current employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Blackheath-Megalong Valley had a median taxpayer income of $43,408 and an average of $60,859 in financial year 2022. This was lower than the national average, with Greater Sydney's median being $56,994 and average $80,856. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $48,882 (median) and $68,533 (average), based on a 12.61% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Incomes in Blackheath-Megalong Valley ranked modestly according to the 2021 Census, between the 21st and 34th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The $1,500-$2,999 income bracket dominated with 28.6% of residents (1,683 people), similar to regional levels at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 84.6% of income remaining, ranking at the 23rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Blackheath - Megalong Valley is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Blackheath-Megalong Valley, as per the latest Census, 96.5% of dwellings were houses with the remaining 3.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This compares to Sydney's metropolitan area where 92.3% of dwellings are houses and 7.7% are other types. Home ownership in Blackheath-Megalong Valley stood at 48.4%, with mortgaged properties at 31.2% and rented ones at 20.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,733, below Sydney's average of $2,033. Weekly rent in the area averaged $380, compared to Sydney's $400. Nationally, Blackheath-Megalong Valley's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Blackheath - Megalong Valley features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.1% of all households, including 18.4% couples with children, 30.8% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 38.9%, with lone person households at 35.9% and group households comprising 3.2%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

The educational profile of Blackheath - Megalong Valley exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Blackheath-Megalong Valley shows significant superiority over broader standards. Among residents aged 15+, 40.1% possess university qualifications, compared to 23.9% in the SA4 region and 30.4% nationally. This educational edge positions the area favourably for knowledge-based prospects. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 24.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.8%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%).

Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas comprise 12.9% and certificates make up 20.4%. Educational participation is notably high, with 25.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.3% in primary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education. Blackheath-Megalong Valley's 5 schools have a combined enrollment of 602 students as of the latest data. The area exhibits typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1036) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix consists of 3 primary and 2 K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents stand at 10.2, below the regional average of 14.5, indicating some students may attend schools in nearby areas.

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

The analysis of public transport in the Blackheath - Megalong Valley area shows that there are currently 100 active transport stops operating. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services, with 16 individual routes serving them collectively. The total number of weekly passenger trips provided by these routes is 1,060.

Transport accessibility in the region is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 224 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is around 151 trips per day, which equates to about 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Blackheath - Megalong Valley is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Blackheath-Megalong Valley faces substantial health challenges, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Approximately 50% (~2943 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Sydney's 54.4% and Australia's national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (10.4%) and mental health issues (9.6%).

61.0% report no medical ailments, compared to 64.1% in Greater Sydney. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 30.8% (1814 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 24.3%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong, outperforming the general population in health metrics.

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

Blackheath-Megalong Valley's cultural diversity was roughly aligned with the wider region's average, with 77.5% of its population born in Australia, 88.9% being citizens, and 92.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion, comprising 37.7% of people in Blackheath-Megalong Valley. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.5%, compared to 0.2% across Greater Sydney.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (30.6%), Australian (22.6%), and Irish (12.3%). There were also notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Scottish was overrepresented at 10.6%, Hungarian at 0.6%, and Russian at 0.6%.

Blackheath - Megalong Valley ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

Blackheath - Megalong Valley has a median age of 52, which is higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and significantly above the national norm of 38. The age group of 65-74 shows strong representation at 16.6%, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 7.3%. This 65-74 concentration is well above the national figure of 9.4%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 9.5% to 12.0%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 6.7% to 7.7%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort has declined from 10.5% to 8.8%. By 2041, Blackheath - Megalong Valley is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading this demographic shift, the 75 to 84 group will grow by 30%, reaching 919 people from 704. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising all of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 25 to 34 age cohorts.