Cranebrook - Castlereagh

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

Cranebrook - Castlereagh's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 17,486. This figure represents an increase of 457 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,029. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 17,444 in June 2025 and an additional 67 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 357 persons per square kilometer. Natural growth accounted for approximately 71.1% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024, with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022, with a base year of 2021, are used. Growth rates by age group apply to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 378 persons based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 1.9%.

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

Cranebrook - Castlereagh averaged approximately 25 new dwelling approvals annually over recent years. It had 126 homes approved between the financial years FY-21 to FY-25, and an additional 12 approved so far in FY-26. Despite a declining population, this level of development activity has been adequate relative to other areas.

New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $341,000. In the current financial year, $756,000 worth of commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating the area's residential dominance. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cranebrook - Castlereagh has significantly lower building activity, with 76.0% fewer approvals per person than the regional average. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties in the area. Recent construction comprises predominantly detached dwellings (87.0%) with a smaller proportion of townhouses or apartments (13.0%), maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 825 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Population forecasts indicate an expected increase of 336 residents by 2041, with current development patterns suggesting that new housing supply should meet demand, potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Twenty-one projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to impact the area's performance. Key projects include Nepean Business Park, Cranebrook Retail Development, Nepean Business Park (Penrith Lakes Employment Lands) at 14-278 Old Castlereagh Road, and Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment. The below list details those likely to be 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.

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

Cranebrook-Castlereagh has a balanced workforce with both white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is notably represented. As of December 2025, the unemployment rate is 3.6%.

There are 9,439 residents employed, which is 0.5% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is 71.4%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 30.8% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

Construction employment is particularly high at 1.7 times the regional average. Professional & technical jobs are limited at 4.7%, compared to 11.5% regionally. The area may not offer many local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 4.7% and employment declined by 4.4%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.2%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Cranebrook-Castlereagh's employment should increase by 6.2% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

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

The median taxpayer income in Cranebrook - Castlereagh SA2 is $61,773, with an average of $71,559 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is higher than national averages, which are $60,817 median and $83,003 average in Greater Sydney. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for March 2026 would be approximately $68,148 median and $78,944 average. Census data shows incomes in Cranebrook - Castlereagh cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. The largest income segment comprises 38.3% earning between $1,500 to $2,999 weekly (6,697 residents), similar to the surrounding region at 30.9%. High housing costs consume 16.6% of income. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 72nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the fifth decile.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As per the latest Census evaluation in Cranebrook - Castlereagh, 90.3% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 9.8% being semi-detached properties, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cranebrook - Castlereagh stood at 24.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.9% and rented ones at 26.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. Median weekly rent in the area was recorded as $410, compared to $470 in Sydney metro. Nationally, Cranebrook - Castlereagh's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 against Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $410 compared to the national figure of $375.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households comprise 81.6% of all households, including 41.8% couples with children, 23.5% couples without children, and 15.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for 18.4%, with lone person households at 16.7% and group households making up 1.6%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational outcomes in Cranebrook - Castlereagh fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 16.7%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (30.8%). Educational participation is high, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.9% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 3.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Cranebrook-Castlereagh has 141 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 60 different routes that together facilitate 1,276 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent; residents on average live 189 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily, with cars being the primary mode of transport at 92%. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 30.8% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The service frequency across all routes averages 182 trips per day, equating to roughly nine weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the area's centerpoint.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Cranebrook - Castlereagh's health data shows positive outcomes overall. Mortality rates and health conditions are largely comparable to national averages.

Common health conditions' prevalence is low among the general population but higher in older, at-risk groups compared to national figures. Approximately 55% (~9,599 people) have private health cover, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 59.9%. Mental health issues and asthma are most prevalent, affecting 9.1 and 9.0% respectively. About 68.7% report no medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic conditions. The area has 13.3% (2,332 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cranebrook-Castlereagh had a cultural diversity index of 84.2%, with 91.1% citizens and 89.8% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, at 58.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%. Top ancestry groups were Australian (29.2%), English (26.2%), and Irish (7.2%).

Notably, Maltese (4.3%) and Samoan (0.6%) were overrepresented, while Australian Aboriginal was at 4.6%.

Cranebrook - Castlereagh hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Cranebrook - Castlereagh's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cranebrook - Castlereagh has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.2%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (14.2%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population share of those aged 75 to 84 has grown from 2.7% to 4.0%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 7.1% to 8.2%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has declined from 12.7% to 11.7%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest significant demographic shifts in Cranebrook - Castlereagh. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 25%, adding 512 residents to reach a total of 2,553. Residents aged 65 and above will drive 62% of population growth, reflecting demographic aging trends. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 age cohorts.