Croydon
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Croydon's population was 10,993 people according to the 2021 Census. By Aug 2025, it had increased by 307 people to around 11,300, reflecting a growth of 2.8%. This increase is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 11,314 in June 2024 and three additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density was calculated as 4,362 persons per square kilometer, placing Croydon among the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. Overseas migration contributed approximately 99.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch's projections for Croydon are based on ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government SA2 level projections released in 2022 with a base year of 2021 are used. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Croydon is projected to have an above median population growth, increasing by 1,754 persons to a total of 12,697, reflecting a 15.7% increase over the 17-year period.

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

Croydon has averaged approximately 14 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, showing 72 homes over the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, with three approvals so far in FY-26. The area's population decline suggests that new supply has likely been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $685,000, reflecting quality-focused development.

There have also been $70,000 in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Croydon shows substantially reduced construction, 67.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction usually reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes, though development activity has picked up in recent periods. However, this activity remains under the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 61.0% standalone homes and 39.0% townhouses or apartments, offering choices across price ranges from spacious family homes to more accessible compact options.

With around 474 people per approval, Croydon indicates a mature market. Population forecasts indicate Croydon will gain 1,768 residents through to 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Croydon has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

A total of 39 projects have been identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the area. Key projects include the Croydon Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Masterplan, the Croydon Transport Oriented Development Precinct, the NSW Health Infrastructure Program - Inner West, and WestConnex M4 East. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

The employment landscape in Croydon shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Croydon has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 4.5% and it experienced an estimated employment growth of 4.1% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 6,120 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 0.3% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Croydon is lower at 57.6%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Education & training shows particularly strong specialization with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has lower representation at 6.3% compared to the regional average of 8.6%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited as indicated by the Census working population count versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 4.1% while labour force grew by 4.3%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6% and an unemployment increase of 0.3 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs) with a state unemployment rate of 4.3%, favourably comparing to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts for May 2025 project an expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with growth rates varying significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Croydon's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 indicates median income in Croydon is $53,208 and average income is $74,359. In comparison, Greater Sydney's median income was $56,994 and average income was $80,856 during the same period. Based on a 10.6% increase in wages as per the Wage Price Index from financial year ending June 2022 to March 2025, estimated median income for Croydon is approximately $58,848 and average income is around $82,241 by March 2025. According to census data, household income ranks at the 74th percentile ($2,121 weekly), while personal income ranks at the 46th percentile. Income analysis shows that 28.8% of locals (3,254 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly income bracket, which aligns with broader regional trends showing 30.9% in the same category. Notably, 34.6% earn above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 15.7% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 74th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Croydon displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Croydon's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 57.2% houses and 42.8% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Croydon stood at 37.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.0% and rented ones at 32.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,640, exceeding Sydney metro's average of $2,436. Weekly rent median in Croydon was $460, similar to Sydney metro's figure of $465. Nationally, Croydon's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,640 compared to the Australian average of $1,863. Rentals in Croydon were substantially above the national average weekly rent figure of $375.

Croydon features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.5% of all households, consisting of couples with children (37.4%), couples without children (23.8%), and single parent families (11.7%). Non-family households make up the remaining 25.5%, with lone person households at 21.2% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than Greater Sydney's average of 2.5.

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

Croydon's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. Among residents aged 15+, 43.3% hold university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational pathways account for 21.8% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 11.6%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.1% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.3% in tertiary education, 7.7% in primary education, and 7.7% pursuing secondary education. Croydon's five schools have a combined enrollment of 3,345 students. The area has an academic achievement index (ICSEA) of 1119, indicating significant socio-educational advantages. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and one K-12 school. As an education hub, Croydon offers 29.6 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 15.9, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

The analysis of public transport in Croydon indicates that there are currently 56 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops consist of a mix of train stations and bus stops, serviced by a total of 42 individual routes. The combined weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 5,300.

Residents in Croydon enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average proximity to the nearest transport stop of just 147 meters. Across all routes, service frequency averages at approximately 757 trips per day, which equates to around 94 weekly trips per individual stop.

Croydon's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Croydon.

Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population, which translates to around 6,384 people. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 6.1% and 6.1% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 74.0%, declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 77.0% across Greater Sydney. Croydon has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 19.8% (2,236 people) than the 14.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Croydon has a high level of cultural diversity, with 47.7% of its population born overseas and 53.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Croydon, making up 47.3% of people there. Notably, Buddhism is more prevalent in Croydon compared to Greater Sydney, with 6.9% versus 6.2%.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are Chinese (23.2%), Australian (12.6%), and English (12.4%). There are also notable differences in the representation of Croatian (Croydon: 1.6%, regional: 0.7%), Lebanese (Croydon: 4.3%, regional: 3.1%), and Korean (Croydon: 1.9%, regional: 2.8%) ethnic groups.

Croydon's median age exceeds the national pattern

Croydon's median age is 41 years, which is higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and slightly above Australia's median of 38 years. The age group of 15-24 years is notably overrepresented in Croydon at 15.2%, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 35-44 years cohort is underrepresented at 11.8%. According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 12.7% to 15.2%, and the 25-34 age group grew from 14.1% to 15.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group decreased from 10.5% to 8.9%, and the 55-64 years cohort dropped from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Croydon's age profile. The 35-44 years cohort is projected to grow by 81%, adding 1,083 residents to reach a total of 2,415. Residents aged 65 and older are expected to represent 56% of the population growth. Meanwhile, population declines are anticipated for the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups.