Freshwater - Brookvale
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Freshwater - Brookvale's population is approximately 23,355 as of August 2025. This represents an increase of 1,527 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,828. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates showing an EPP of 23,255 in June 2024 and an additional 52 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 3,252 persons per square kilometer, placing Freshwater - Brookvale in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. The area's growth rate of 7.0% since the 2021 Census exceeded both its SA4 region (3.1%) and SA3 area, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.3% of overall population gains recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 are used, with growth rates by age group applied to all areas from 2032 to 2041. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile national growth, with Freshwater - Brookvale expected to grow by 490 persons to 2041 based on current numbers, representing a total increase of 1.7% over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Freshwater - Brookvale when compared nationally

Freshwater - Brookvale has recorded approximately 62 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 311 homes were approved, with an additional 25 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling accommodates about 2.2 new residents per year over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values.

The average construction cost value of new homes is $1,054,000, suggesting developers focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year has seen around $111.1 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting robust commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney, Freshwater - Brookvale maintains similar development levels per capita, preserving market balance consistent with the broader area. However, these activity levels are below the national average, suggesting an established nature and potential planning limitations for the area.

Recent construction comprises 62% standalone homes and 38% medium to high-density housing, offering options across different price points from family homes to more affordable compact living. Notably, developers build more traditional houses than the current mix suggests (42% at Census), indicating continued strong demand for family homes despite density pressures. With around 426 people per approval, Freshwater - Brookvale indicates a mature market with future projections showing an addition of approximately 390 residents by 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Freshwater - Brookvale has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of a region is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 32 such projects that could potentially impact this area. Notable projects include the Freshwater Beach Masterplan, Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Campus Expansion, The Alba, and Freshwater Mixed Use Development (48-50 Lawrence Street). A detailed list of these projects is provided below for further reference.

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 analysis places Freshwater - Brookvale well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Freshwater - Brookvale has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 2.6%.

The area's residents have an unemployment rate of 1.6% lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, and their workforce participation is at 72.0%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and construction. Professional & technical jobs are particularly concentrated here, with levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Health care & social assistance, however, has a limited presence at 11.3%, compared to the regional average of 14.1%.

The ratio of workers to residents, as recorded in the Census, is 0.8, indicating higher than usual local employment opportunities. In the 12-month period preceding June 2025, labour force decreased by 0.0% and employment decreased by 0.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 0.6 percentage points. Conversely, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%. According to Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025, national employment is projected to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Freshwater - Brookvale's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2%% over five years and 14.3% over ten years.

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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that Freshwater - Brookvale's median income among taxpayers is $71,210, with an average of $127,367. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Freshwater - Brookvale would be approximately $80,190 (median) and $143,428 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Freshwater - Brookvale rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 94th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 32.0% of residents (7,473 people) fall into the $4000+ bracket, contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.9%. Economic strength is evident through 46.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consume 17.2% of income, but strong earnings still place disposable income at the 93rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Freshwater - Brookvale features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Freshwater - Brookvale, as per the latest Census evaluation, 41.7% of dwellings were houses while 58.4% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 57.6% houses and 42.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Freshwater - Brookvale was at 27.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.4% and rented ones at 37.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,033, higher than Sydney metro's average of $3,000. Median weekly rent stood at $600, compared to Sydney metro's $592. Nationally, Freshwater - Brookvale's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Freshwater - Brookvale features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.3% of all households, including 33.2% couples with children, 27.9% couples without children, and 8.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.7%, with lone person households at 24.5% and group households comprising 5.2%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational achievement in Freshwater - Brookvale places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Freshwater - Brookvale's residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 46.9% compared to Australia's 30.4% and NSW's 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 32.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (11.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%). Vocational credentials, such as advanced diplomas (11.7%) and certificates (15.9%), are held by 27.6% of residents aged 15+. Educational participation is high with 28.5% currently enrolled in formal education: primary (8.9%), secondary (7.8%), and tertiary (5.3%).

Six schools operate within Freshwater - Brookvale, educating approximately 3,623 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1111. The educational mix includes three primary, one secondary, and two K-12 schools.

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 Freshwater-Brookvale shows that there are currently 153 active transport stops operating in the area. All these stops are served by buses, with a total of 114 individual routes providing service. These routes combined offer 9,717 weekly passenger trips to residents.

The accessibility of public transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 141 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are 1,388 trips made per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 63 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Freshwater - Brookvale shows excellent health outcomes, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 81% of the total population (18,964 people), compared to 71.5% across Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.3% and 5.8% of residents respectively.

A total of 78.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.7% across Greater Sydney. The area has 13.5% of residents aged 65 and over (3,162 people), which is lower than the 17.8% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Freshwater - Brookvale 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

Freshwater-Brookvale has a higher level of cultural diversity than most local markets, with 16.5% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 33.3% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Freshwater-Brookvale, making up 45.3% of its population. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented, comprising 0.2% compared to 0.3% across Greater Sydney.

The top three ancestry groups are English (29.5%), Australian (21.5%), and Other (9.8%). Some ethnic groups have notable divergences in representation: French at 1.3% (vs regional 1.1%), Spanish at 0.8% (vs regional 0.6%), and Welsh at 0.8% (vs regional 0.7%).

Freshwater - Brookvale's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Freshwater-Brookvale's median age is 37, matching Greater Sydney's figure and closely resembling Australia's 38 years. The 45-54 age group comprises 13.9%, higher than Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 cohort stands at 10.1%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.4% to 12.2%. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort decreased from 11.9% to 10.1%, and the 45-54 group dropped from 15.1% to 13.9%. By 2041, projections indicate significant shifts in Freshwater-Brookvale's age structure. The 75-84 group is expected to grow by 65% (654 people), reaching 1,663 from 1,008. Those aged 65 and above will account for 93% of projected growth. Meanwhile, the 45-54 and 15-24 cohorts are projected to decline in population.