Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North
Statistical Area - sa2

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

As of Aug 2025, Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North's population is approximately 23,890. This figure represents a growth of 2,596 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,294. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates of 23,203 in June 2024 and an additional 609 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density of 4,312 persons per square kilometer, placing the area within the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 12.2% since the 2021 Census exceeds both its SA4 region (5.4%) and state averages, making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 78.4% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for SA2 areas covered by this data. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 with a base year of 2021 are utilized. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by approximately 2,420 persons, representing a growth rate of 7.2% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Chatswood West - Lane Cove North recorded approximately 151 residential properties granted approval annually. Between Financial Year 2021 (FY-21) and FY-25759 homes were approved, with a further 9 approved in FY-26. Over the past five financial years, an average of one person moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this figure has intensified to 31 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $753,000, targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, $168.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney, Chatswood West - Lane Cove North has similar development levels per person, maintaining market equilibrium consistent with surrounding areas. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. New building activity shows 18.0% detached houses and 82.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 35.0% houses. With around 978 people per dwelling approval, Chatswood West - Lane Cove North reflects a highly mature market. Population forecasts indicate the area will gain 1,733 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include Chatswood Golf Club Redevelopment, Arena, Chatswood Chase Redevelopment, and Mowbray Road Affordable Housing. The following list details those likely most relevant.

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.

The employment landscape in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Chatswood West - Lane Cove North has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate as of June 2025 was 5.1%.

There were 13,441 residents employed, which is 0.9% higher than Greater Sydney's unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation was 68.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance sectors. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 5.4% compared to the regional average of 8.6%. Over the year ending June 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.2%, and employment declined by 1.8%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chatswood West - Lane Cove North's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 on Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North. The median income among taxpayers was $66,193 with an average of $108,547. Nationally, this is exceptionally high compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $74,540 (median) and $122,235 (average). Census 2021 income data shows Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North ranks highly nationally for household, family, and personal incomes, between the 88th and 92nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 30.4% of residents earn $1,500-$2,999 weekly, similar to the metropolitan region at 30.9%. A substantial proportion, 41.3%, earns above $3,000 weekly, indicating strong economic capacity. High housing costs consume 17.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 86th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As of the latest Census, 35.4% of dwellings in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North were houses, with the remaining 64.5% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types of dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 41.1% houses and 58.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North stood at 26.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.4% and rented ones at 38.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,708, below Sydney's average of $3,033. Median weekly rent was $500, compared to Sydney's $560. Nationally, Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 68.6 percent of all households, including 33.9 percent couples with children, 25.2 percent couples without children, and 8.4 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 31.4 percent, with lone person households at 26.5 percent and group households accounting for 4.8 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Greater Sydney average.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North 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 Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North is notably high with 59.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications, compared to national rates of 30.4% and NSW rates of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 36.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational pathways account for 19.8% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 9.5%. Educational participation is high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.2% in primary, 7.1% in tertiary, and 6.7% pursuing secondary education.

The area's three schools have a combined enrollment of 3,793 students as of the latest data. Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1142. Education provision is balanced with two primary schools and one secondary school serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 15.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 11.9, indicating that the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Transport analysis shows 112 active transport stops in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North. These stops are served by a mix of buses on 42 individual routes, offering 5,076 weekly passenger trips collectively. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 108 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 725 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 45 weekly trips per individual stop.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Chatswood West - Lane Cove North demonstrates excellent health outcomes, with a low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 75% of its total population of 17,989 people have private health cover, compared to Greater Sydney's 78.2%. Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are asthma (6.0%) and mental health issues (5.8%), with 78.3% of residents reporting no medical ailments. This is comparable to Greater Sydney's 78.0%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 14.1% (3,366 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with the general population's health profile.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Chatswood West - Lane Cove North has a high level of cultural diversity, with 43.2% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 49.1% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in this area, comprising 39.4% of the population. Notably, Judaism is slightly overrepresented here compared to Greater Sydney, making up 1.1% of the population versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are Chinese (19.3%), English (18.1%), and Other (14.9%). Some ethnic groups have notable differences in representation: Korean is overrepresented at 1.7%, Russian at 0.7%, and French at 0.8% compared to regional figures.

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North has a median age of 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's median age of 38 years. The 35-44 age group constitutes 18.1% of the population in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North, higher than Greater Sydney's percentage. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort stands at 11.3%, lower compared to Greater Sydney. Between 2021 and present, the proportion of individuals aged 15-24 has increased from 9.7% to 11.3%. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group has decreased from 6.1% to 5.2%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Chatswood (West) - Lane Cove North's age structure. Notably, the 55-64 age group is projected to grow by 26%, adding 612 people and reaching a total of 2,951 from its current figure of 2,338. This growth reflects an aging population trend, with those aged 65 years and above accounting for 51% of the projected population increase. Conversely, the 25-34 and 0-4 age cohorts are expected to experience population declines by 2041.