Cromer
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Cromer reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Cromer's population is approximately 8,299 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 253 people, a 3.1% rise since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 8,046. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,282 in June 2024 and an additional 10 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,108 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Cromer has shown resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%, outperforming its SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 75.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, lower quartile growth is anticipated, with Cromer expected to grow by 89 persons by 2041, recording a gain of approximately 0.9% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Cromer has recorded approximately 14 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, 72 homes were approved, with an additional one approved so far in FY-26. On average, for every home built over these five years, there have been 3.5 new residents.

This indicates that demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties during this period was $238,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY-26, there have been $7.8 million in commercial approvals, suggesting limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Cromer shows approximately 60% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 22nd percentile of areas assessed nationally.

This indicates more limited choices for buyers, supporting demand for existing homes. Recent construction comprises 64.0% standalone homes and 36.0% townhouses or apartments, showing an expanding range of medium-density options. The location has approximately 753 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. Looking ahead, Cromer is expected to grow by 72 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Cromer has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes to local infrastructure projects. AreaSearch has identified 18 such projects that could potentially impact this particular area. Among these key projects are Wakehurst Parkway Improvements (Frenchs Forest to Narrabeen), Casa Delmar, Northern Beaches Corridor Capacity: Seaforth To Mona Vale (A8), and Northern Beaches Bus Network Improvements. The following list provides details on those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

Cromer has a well-educated workforce with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate is 3.6%, as of June 2025.

In this month, 4,328 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.6% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation stands at 62.2%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment in Cromer is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and professional & technical services. Construction employment is particularly high, at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.9% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. Labour force levels in Cromer remained unchanged over the year to June 2025 while employment decreased by 1.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw employment grow by 2.6% and labour force expand by 2.9%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, issued in May 2025, project national growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Cromer's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years.

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

In financial year 2022, Cromer had a median taxpayer income of $59,497 and an average income of $89,414. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $67,000 (median) and $100,689 (average), based on a 12.61% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, Cromer's household incomes rank at the 87th percentile with weekly earnings of $2,379. In terms of income bands, 27.6% of the community earns over $4,000 per week (2,290 individuals), contrasting with the region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. The district demonstrates affluence with 40.8% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 17.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 83rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

In Cromer, as per the latest Census evaluation, 75.9% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 24.1% consisting of semi-detached properties, apartments, and other dwelling types. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Cromer stood at 40.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.1% and rented ones at 15.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,179, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,000. The median weekly rent figure in Cromer was recorded as $650, compared to Sydney metro's $592. Nationally, Cromer's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 78.1% of all households, including 44.5% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.9%, with lone person households at 20.1% and group households making up 1.7%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Cromer shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area has educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 30.0%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 41.5%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are most common at 21.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.6%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 36.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (22.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.5% in primary education, 9.8% in secondary education, and 4.2% pursuing tertiary education. The area has educational provision including Cromer Public School and Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus, serving a total of 1,641 students. It demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1069). Educational provision is conventional, with one primary and one secondary institution. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 19.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 16.2, indicating 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

Public transport analysis shows 61 active transport stops operating within Cromer. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 41 individual routes that provide 2,318 weekly passenger trips combined. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 144 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 331 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 38 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Cromer is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Cromer demonstrates above-average health outcomes. Both young and old age cohorts have a low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (5,311 people), compared to 71.5% across Greater Sydney.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.2 and 6.3% of residents respectively. A total of 72.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% across Greater Sydney. The area has 21.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,790 people), which is higher than the 17.8% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Cromer was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Cromer, as per the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity above average with 13.0% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 25.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in Cromer, making up 56.6% of its population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented compared to Greater Sydney, comprising 0.3% of Cromer's population.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (29.9%), Australian (25.1%), and Irish (7.7%). There were also notable differences in the representation of Serbian (1.0%, vs regional 0.6%), French (0.8%, vs regional 1.1%) and Welsh (0.8%, vs regional 0.7%) ethnic groups.

Cromer hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Cromer is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 8.9% of the population in Cromer, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 7.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.1% to 14.2%, and the 85+ cohort has grown from 3.2% to 4.8%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 age group has decreased from 9.4% to 7.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Cromer. The 85+ age group is expected to grow by 99%, reaching 792 people from 397, with the combined 65+ age groups accounting for 99% of total population growth. In contrast, the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.