Castle Cove - Northbridge
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Castle Cove - Northbridge's population was 13,440 as of Nov 2021. By Nov 2025, it is around 13,558, an increase of 118 people (0.9%). This change is inferred from ABS' June 2024 estimate of 13,563 and 17 new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 1,765 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration primarily drove this growth.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for SA2 areas, released in 2024 with a 2022 base year. For uncovered areas, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a 2021 base year are used. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas until 2041. By 2041, the population is projected to decline by 48 persons. The 85 and over age group is expected to expand by 575 people during this period.

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

Castle Cove - Northbridge has seen approximately 34 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 171 homes were approved, with an additional 13 approved so far in FY-26. Despite a falling population during this period, the new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average expected construction cost value of these dwellings is $1,242,000, indicating developers' focus on the premium market and high-end developments. In FY-26, commercial approvals registered totalled $653,000, suggesting minimal commercial development activity in the area. Compared to Greater Sydney, Castle Cove - Northbridge has significantly lower building activity, at 60.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new homes typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this activity is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and potential planning constraints. The new building activity in Castle Cove - Northbridge shows a mix of housing types: 55.0% detached houses and 45.0% medium to high-density housing.

This shift from the existing housing stock (currently 84.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles, with an increasing demand for diverse and affordable housing options. With around 363 people per dwelling approval, Castle Cove - Northbridge exhibits characteristics of a developed market. Given stable or declining population projections, the area should experience reduced housing demand pressures in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Castle Cove - Northbridge has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 39 projects that could affect this region. Notable ones include Flo Northbridge by WINIM, Northbridge Public School Upgrade, Heart Of Willoughby, and Willoughby Grounds.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

AreaSearch assessment positions Castle Cove - Northbridge ahead of most Australian regions for employment performance

Castle Cove - Northbridge has an educated workforce with a notable presence in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 2.9%, lower than Greater Sydney's 4.2%.

As of June 2025, 6,960 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% below Greater Sydney's rate and workforce participation matching Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and health care & social assistance. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, which account for 1.9 times the regional average but has lower representation in construction at 4.9% compared to the regional average of 8.6%. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the labour force decreased by 0.3%, employment decreased by 0.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 0.5 percentage points.

In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia (May 2025) project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Castle Cove - Northbridge's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.7% over five years and 15.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only and does not account for localized population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Castle Cove - Northbridge had a median income among taxpayers of $76,458 and an average level of $180,158. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high compared to the Greater Sydney levels of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth from 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $86,099 (median) and $202,876 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Castle Cove - Northbridge ranks highly nationally for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 96th and 100th percentiles. Income analysis shows that the $4000+ bracket dominates with 49.9% of residents (6,765 people), differing from regional patterns where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 30.9%. Economic strength is evident through 59.8% of households earning high weekly incomes exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 88.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Castle Cove - Northbridge is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Castle Cove - Northbridge, as per the latest Census, consisted of 84.5% houses and 15.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 41.1% houses and 58.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Castle Cove - Northbridge was 49.8%, with the rest either mortgaged at 34.8% or rented at 15.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $4,333, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,033. The median weekly rent figure was $850 compared to Sydney metro's $560. Nationally, Castle Cove - Northbridge's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $4,333 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Castle Cove - Northbridge features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 83.1% of all households, including 48.3% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 7.9% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 16.9%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households making up 1.1%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Castle Cove - Northbridge demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Castle Cove - Northbridge is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. 57.1% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 36.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Vocational pathways account for 16.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 9.6% and certificates at 7.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.7% in secondary education, 11.0% in primary education, and 6.8% pursuing tertiary education. There are 7 schools operating within Castle Cove - Northbridge, educating approximately 1,252 students. The area's educational performance is exceptional (ICSEA: 1163), placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. The educational mix includes 5 primary and 2 K-12 schools. School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 9.2, with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Transport analysis shows 107 active transport stops operating within Castle Cove - Northbridge. These stops offer a mix of bus services. They are serviced by 58 individual routes, providing a total of 2,926 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 151 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 418 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 27 weekly trips per individual stop.

Castle Cove - Northbridge's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Castle Cove - Northbridge, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 91% of the total population (12,364 people), compared to 78.2% across Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.4 and 6.2% of residents respectively, while 76.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 78.0% across Greater Sydney.

The area has 22.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,999 people), higher than the 15.7% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Castle Cove - Northbridge was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Castle Cove-Northbridge, surveyed between July 2016 to June 2021, had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas. 22.6% spoke languages other than English at home and 33.2% were born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 52.4%.

Judaism was overrepresented, comprising 2.0%, compared to Sydney's 1.0%. In ancestry, English (24.4%) and Australian (20.1%) groups were higher than regional averages of 19.3% and 17.1% respectively. Chinese ancestry (10.8%) was lower than the regional average. Hungarian (0.7%), French (0.9%), and Russian (0.6%) ethnicities showed notable differences from regional averages.

Castle Cove - Northbridge hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Castle Cove - Northbridge is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Castle Cove - Northbridge has a higher percentage of residents aged 55-64 (14.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (4.6%). According to the 2021 Census, the age group 15-24 increased from 13.2% to 16.0%, while the age group 75-84 grew from 6.4% to 7.9%. Conversely, the age group 5-14 decreased from 16.0% to 14.2%, and the age group 35-44 dropped from 10.9% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Castle Cove - Northbridge's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 115%, reaching 1,033 people from 481. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 76% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.