Canley Vale - Canley Heights

Population growth drivers in Canley Vale - Canley Heights are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Canley Vale - Canley Heights' population is approximately 22,696 as of November 2025. Between the 2021 Census and June 2024, the population increased by 435 people (2.0%), reaching an estimated resident population of 22,469. This increase is attributed to 65 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density as of November 2025 is approximately 4,187 persons per square kilometer, placing Canley Vale - Canley Heights in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade (2015-2025), the area has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.6%, outperforming its SA3 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 93.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above median growth for Australian statistical areas, with Canley Vale - Canley Heights expected to grow by 3,016 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 12.3% over the 17-year period based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Canley Vale - Canley Heights recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Canley Vale - Canley Heights has averaged approximately 113 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 567 homes. As of FY26 so far, 38 approvals have been recorded. Despite a decline in population during this period, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average value of new properties constructed is $278,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $140.3 million in commercial approvals, indicating high levels of local commercial activity. When compared to Greater Sydney, Canley Vale - Canley Heights has similar development levels per capita, preserving market equilibrium with surrounding areas, although development activity has moderated recently. New development comprises 46.0% detached houses and 54.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 66.0% houses. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points and caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 303 people per approval, Canley Vale - Canley Heights reflects a low density area.

Population forecasts indicate that the area will gain approximately 2,785 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Canley Vale - Canley Heights has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

AreaSearch has identified 41 projects that could impact the area significantly. These include Canley Heights and Canley Vale Special Entertainment Precincts, Cabravale Club Resort - Stage 2 Redevelopment (Novotel Sydney Cabramatta), Western Sydney Freight Line and Intermodal Terminal, and Canley Vale High School Upgrade. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Canley Vale - Canley Heights shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Canley Vale - Canley Heights has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.9% as of September 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.7%. As of September 2025, 9,816 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.7% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 42.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment among residents is concentrated in manufacturing, retail trade, and health care & social assistance.

Manufacturing employment levels were particularly notable at 2.8 times the regional average. Professional & technical employment was limited at 5.7%, compared to 11.5% regionally. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. During the year to September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.7% and labour force increased by 4.2%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 1.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.1%, labour force grew by 2.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.2 percentage points. State-level data to 25-Nov shows NSW employment contracted by 0.03% (losing 2,260 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 3.9%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Canley Vale - Canley Heights's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.6% over five years and 12.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The median income among taxpayers in Canley Vale - Canley Heights SA2 was $40,807 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $48,675 during the same period. These figures are lower than those for Greater Sydney, which were $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes would be approximately $45,953 and $54,813 based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.61%. Census data shows individual incomes at the 2nd percentile were $478 weekly, while household income was at the 29th percentile. In terms of income distribution, 30.4% of the population (6,899 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region's 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 81.1% of income remaining, ranking at the 25th percentile.

Canley Vale - Canley Heights displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Canley Vale - Canley Heights, as per the latest Census, 66.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 34.1% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This contrasts with Sydney's metropolitan area, where 73.3% of dwellings are houses. Home ownership in Canley Vale - Canley Heights stood at 30.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 27.8% and rented ones at 41.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,815, below the Sydney metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in the area was $360, compared to Sydney's $400. Nationally, Canley Vale - Canley Heights has lower mortgage repayments ($1,815 vs $1,863) and rents ($360 vs $375).

Canley Vale - Canley Heights features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 78.8% of all households, including 40.3% couples with children, 14.5% couples without children, and 21.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for 21.2%, consisting of 18.2% lone person households and 3.0% group households. The median household size is 3.3 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 3.2.

Canley Vale - Canley Heights faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 17.6%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 14.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (0.7%). Vocational pathways account for 21.3% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 8.1% and certificates at 13.2%. Educational participation is high, with 32.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.0% in secondary education, 9.4% in primary education, and 6.7% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Canley Vale - Canley Heights has 72 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. There are 29 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 3,969 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport in the area is rated as good, with residents typically located 203 meters from the nearest transport stop. On average, there are 567 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Canley Vale - Canley Heights shows excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with very low prevalence of common health conditions. As of 2021, approximately 46% of the total population (~10,417 people) has private health cover, significantly lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Diabetes and arthritis are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.8 and 5.1% of residents respectively, as of 2021 data. A total of 78.5% of residents report being completely free of medical ailments, higher than Greater Sydney's 75.6%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.0% (3,858 people) compared to Greater Sydney's 19.0%, but health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with the general population's profile.

Canley Vale - Canley Heights is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Canley Vale-Canley Heights is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 62.2% of its population born overseas as of the 2016 Census. In this area, 81.7% speak a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Canley Vale-Canley Heights was Buddhism, accounting for 39.6%.

This is significantly higher compared to the Greater Sydney average of 21.7%. Regarding ancestry, Vietnamese people make up 33.8%, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 17.8%. Chinese people comprise 21.5% of the population, also notably higher than the regional average of 12.0%. The 'Other' category accounts for 19.8%, lower than the regional average of 32.7%. There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Serbian is overrepresented at 1.1% compared to the regional average of 1.8%, Samoan at 1.1% versus 1.0%, and Russian at 0.5% compared to 0.4%.

Canley Vale - Canley Heights's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Canley Vale - Canley Heights is 38 years, similar to Greater Sydney's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Sydney, Canley Vale - Canley Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (13.2%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (12.0%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the 65 to 74 age group has increased from 8.3% to 10.2%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 12.5% to 11.5%. By 2041, Canley Vale - Canley Heights is projected to experience significant shifts in its age composition. The 75 to 84 age group is expected to grow by 90%, reaching 2,048 from 1,078. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 69% of the population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 age groups.