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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
The median house price in Heathcote - Waterfall is $1.49m, with units at $1.15m. House values have moved 3.5% a year compounded over five years.
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Heathcote - Waterfall has an estimated 6,728 residents, up from 6,673 at the 2021 Census. That puts 244 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Heathcote - Waterfall stands at approximately 6,728 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 55 people (0.8%) compared to the 6,673 people counted during the 2021 Census. This calculation is derived from the ABS estimated resident population figure of 6,720 recorded as of June 2025 alongside 59 validated new addresses registered post-Census. With a population density of 243 persons per square kilometer, the locality offers ample space per resident and room for future expansion. The community's post-census expansion of 0.8% places it within 2.4 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (3.2%), indicating healthy growth indicators.
Recent population gains were almost exclusively propelled by overseas migration, which served as the primary growth contributor. Projections from ABS/Geoscience Australia released in 2024 (using 2022 as the base year) are incorporated by AreaSearch for SA2 boundaries, supplemented by NSW State Government SA2 projections published in 2022 (with 2021 as the base year) where coverage is absent. These combined datasets also inform age-cohort growth rates projected between 2032 and 2041. Looking toward long-term demographic patterns, the locality is projected to track in the lower quartile of Australian statistical areas, gaining an estimated 216 persons by 2041 relative to the latest annual ERP numbers—a cumulative rise of 3.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
115 new dwellings have been approved in Heathcote - Waterfall over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 3.4 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 35% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals in Heathcote - Waterfall have averaged roughly 23 properties per annum, culminating in 115 homes across the past 5 financial years. With the local populace shrinking in recent times, this pipeline has supported consumer choice while matching market requirements, with incoming residences holding an average construction value of $545,000. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $1.4 million during the ongoing financial year, underlining the district's predominantly residential character. Per capita residential development in Heathcote - Waterfall sits 19.0% above regional average per person over the 5 year period compared to Greater Sydney, sustaining buyer options while bolstering local asset values despite a recent deceleration in building activity.
This volume remains lower than the nationwide norm, highlighting the community's established footprint and potential planning constraints. Upcoming residential builds consist of 35.0% detached houses and 65.0% townhouses or apartments. This pivot toward higher-density dwelling options creates cost-effective market entries that appeal to first-home buyers, investors, and downsizing households. Such figures contrast with the prevailing housing composition (where standalone houses account for 76.0%), illustrating reduced parcel availability alongside evolving lifestyle choices and budgeting considerations. A ratio of 759 people per approved dwelling underscores the suburb's tranquil, restrained development landscape. Projections indicate that Heathcote - Waterfall will add 208 residents by 2041 based on the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Provided construction maintains its pace, incoming residential supply is well positioned to absorb projected demand, fostering favorable buyer conditions and potentially enabling growth that exceeds current demographic forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Heathcote - Waterfall
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside Heathcote - Waterfall, worth an estimated $8 million. A further 86 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.65 billion. 14 are already under construction and 43 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Area performance is heavily guided by public works, local planning adjustments, and major infrastructure initiatives. In total, 13 developments have been tracked by AreaSearch as having significant relevance to the region. Key undertakings comprise Waratah Road Townhouses, Hermitage Apartments, Engadine Central Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and Heathcote Apartments Development.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Heathcote Apartments Development
Redevelopment of former pub site into 168 apartments including 25 affordable units, with retail and commercial spaces.
Waterfall Stabling Yard and Platform Extension
The project is part of the More Trains, More Services program and includes the installation of a new retaining wall to widen the rail corridor, extension of the island platform to accommodate longer intercity trains, new stabling yard, and realignment of tracks and overhead wiring.
Waterfall Enabling Works
Early works package delivered near Waterfall Station to prepare for the Waterfall Stabling Yard and platform extension under the More Trains, More Services program. Scope included boundary retaining walls (approx 500 m total), services searches, relocation of utilities over ~2 km, earthworks, drainage, temporary reinforced embankment, and traffic and pedestrian management along Princes Highway. The enabling works were completed in 2020, paving the way for the main Waterfall stabling yard and platform extension now led by Transport for NSW.
Waterfall Station Upgrade
Design and construct Easy Access Upgrade to Waterfall Station, delivering a new station entry with level access, a lift from entry to platform, a platform extension to form a lift waiting area, new canopies, accessible toilets, upgraded platform for level access, interchange improvements and expanded lighting/CCTV. Delivered four months ahead of schedule (Nov 2013-Aug 2015) for Transport for NSW.
Hermitage Apartments
A boutique development featuring 64 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with modern amenities, designed to blend with the natural surroundings, offering views of the city, national park, or district. The project has experienced delays due to developer disputes and construction issues, and is approaching completion following receivership appointment.
Engadine Central Shopping Centre Redevelopment
A $4 million refurbishment of the Woolworths-anchored Engadine Central Shopping Centre. The project involved a comprehensive aesthetic and functional upgrade, including modernized external facades, upgraded entry points, new internal flooring and pathways, improved signage, and refreshed landscaping to revitalize the local retail hub.
Engadine High School Upgrade
The upgrade includes a new multipurpose hall with a multi-use sports court, stage, amenities, and storage facilities for sports and performances. The project was completed in June 2024.
Waratah Road Townhouses
Completed development consisting of 6 townhouses in a prime location near shops, transport, and schools.
3,776 residents of Heathcote - Waterfall are employed, from a labour force of 3,871. Unemployment sits at 2.5%, with participation at 70.2%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,615, about 83% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Heathcote - Waterfall maintains an adept labor pool with prominent representation in essential services, recording an unemployment rate of 2.5% alongside a 0.6% yearly rise in employment. By March 2026, employed locals numbered 3,776, keeping joblessness 1.7% below the Greater Sydney benchmark of 4.1%, while overall labor participation aligned closely with the metropolitan standard of 68.9%. Census metrics showed 38.7% of working locals operating remotely from home, a figure influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Leading industry sectors employing local residents comprise health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training.
The district demonstrates a notable concentration in construction, where local representation is 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, finance & insurance is comparatively limited, engaging 4.5% of the local workforce versus 7.3% across Greater Sydney. A comparison between Census working population and resident population indicates that local job generation remains constrained within the immediate boundaries. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM figures show that in the 12 months leading to March 2026, local employment advanced by 0.6% and the labor pool expanded by 0.5%, yielding a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the unemployment rate. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced a 1.9% rise in employment, a 1.9% expansion in its labor force, and a slight decrease in joblessness. National employment outlooks from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future workforce requirements in Heathcote - Waterfall. These five- and ten-year forecasts have been applied against local industry shares to map anticipated expansion. Nationally, employment is expected to increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though trajectories diverge across different fields. Weighting these projections against the local industry distribution indicates potential local job increases of 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (serving as an illustrative extrapolation that excludes localized population modeling).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Heathcote - Waterfall is $2,239 a week (about $116,000 a year), with median personal income at $949 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $65,788 a year against an average of $78,322. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO figures compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show local earnings exceeding national medians, with the median income recorded at $65,788 and the average income reaching $78,322. By comparison, Greater Sydney reported a median income of $60,817 alongside an average income of $83,003. Applying a 10.32% Wage Price Index increase since financial year 2023 brings estimated current figures to roughly $72,577 (median) and $86,405 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census findings, family, personal, and household earnings all place between the 73rd and 80th percentiles nationwide. In terms of earnings brackets, 30.0% of residents (2,018 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly category, mirroring the 30.9% regional rate.
Those earning weekly amounts above $3,000 comprise 34.5% of the community, signaling strong local purchasing power. Housing expenditures absorb 14.8% of income, while overall earnings place the locality in the 80th percentile for disposable income and the 7th decile for SEIFA income.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Heathcote - Waterfall had 2,325 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 76% detached houses and 12% apartments. 46% are owned with a mortgage, 12% rented and 42% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $520 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,513 a month, a total housing cost higher than 76% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 23.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the most recent Census, the local housing landscape in Heathcote - Waterfall consisted of 76.1% houses and 23.9% other dwellings (incorporating apartments, semi-detached properties, and other residential formats), compared to Sydney metro figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership reached 41.7%, markedly outpacing Sydney metro levels, with remaining households divided between mortgaged properties (46.1%) and rental arrangements (12.2%). Median monthly mortgage costs sat above the metropolitan average at $2,513, while median weekly rent was $520, against Sydney metro metrics of $2,427 and $470. Relative to Australia-wide figures, local mortgage repayments significantly surpass the national average of $1,863, and rents outstrip the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Heathcote - Waterfall counted 2,325 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.7 people each. 40% are couples with children, more than in 79% of areas nationally, against 28% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the vast majority of local households at 77.9%, encompassing couples with children at 39.7%, couples without children at 27.6%, and single parent households at 9.9%. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 22.1%, comprising lone person households at 20.9% and group living situations at 1.1%. The area's median household size is 2.7 people, matching Greater Sydney exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
24.4% of adults in Heathcote - Waterfall hold a university qualification, including 15.9% with a bachelor degree and 5.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.6% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,095 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,034 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The proportion of residents holding university qualifications in the area is 24.4%, falling short of the Greater Sydney benchmark of 38.0%. Among tertiary degree holders, bachelor degrees represent 15.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.5% and graduate diplomas at 3.0%. Meanwhile, vocational and technical credentials are widespread, with 41.9% of the population aged 15+ possessing vocational training, broken down into certificates (29.6%) and advanced diplomas (12.3%). Active participation in education is significant, with 29.8% of residents enrolled across study programs. This group comprises 10.4% in primary school, 8.3% attending secondary institutions, and 4.1% enrolled in tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Heathcote - Waterfall reaches 65 stops on 17 routes, timetabled for about 2,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 130 m from its nearest stop. Trains carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity in Heathcote - Waterfall is facilitated by 65 active transit stops spanning bus and rail services. Across these stops, 17 distinct routes operate to deliver 2,554 weekly scheduled trips. Transit access is rated as top-tier, with typical walking distances of 130 meters from homes to the closest boarding point. Commuters predominantly travel outside the area for employment, with private motor vehicles accounting for 89% of trips and rail capturing 7%. Vehicle ownership sits at an above-average 1.6 per dwelling. Additionally, 38.7% of workers were recorded working from home during the 2021 Census, subject to COVID-19 influences.
Transport schedules provide an average of 364 trips per day across the network, translating to roughly 39 weekly departures per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
65.3% of residents in Heathcote - Waterfall report no long-term health condition. 5.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 58.0% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.8 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic condition incidence and mortality indicate notable health considerations for Heathcote - Waterfall, with standard ailments prevalent throughout the populace, particularly among senior age groups, while private health insurance coverage is extensive at roughly 58% of the total population (~3,902 people). Arthritis and mental health concerns represent the most widespread conditions locally, affecting 9.6 and 8.2% of residents respectively, whereas 65.3% reported having no diagnosed medical conditions compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Health measures for working-age adults generally match broader standards. Seniors aged 65 and over comprise 20.7% of the locality (1,390 people), exceeding the 15.5% share observed in Greater Sydney, with older cohorts experiencing health hurdles that nevertheless rank favorably against national metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Heathcote - Waterfall is largely Australian-born, at 87.7% of residents, with 5.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.4%) and English (31.2%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity metrics in Heathcote - Waterfall track below metropolitan averages, with Australian-born individuals making up 87.7% of residents, Australian citizens accounting for 93.5%, and 95.0% speaking solely English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, identified by 58.6% of the population compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. Regarding ancestral background based on parents' birthplaces, the three most common ancestries in Heathcote - Waterfall are Australian at 31.4% (well above the regional 17.8%), English at 31.2% (exceeding the regional 19.0%), and Irish at 9.6%. Distinct variations appear among other heritages: Maltese represents 0.7% (vs 1.0% regionally), South Australian accounts for 0.5% (vs 0.5%), and Welsh comprises 0.6% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Heathcote - Waterfall is 42. 22.4% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic structure of Heathcote - Waterfall skews older than the Greater Sydney average. Based on estimates updated to August 2026, retiree and senior cohorts aged 65+ make up 20.7% of the populace against 15.5% regionally, while young to middle-aged adults aged 25 - 44 constitute 22.0% compared to 31.4% across the broader metro area. The median age remains 42, matching the 2021 Census figure and sitting 5 years above the Greater Sydney median of 37 recorded in that same census. The share of seniors has decreased from 22.3% at the Census to an estimated 20.7%.
Looking to 2041, senior demographics are anticipated to drive the bulk of local growth, expanding by 413 residents (30%) to reach a total of 1,803, while cohorts of children, young adults, and adults aged 25 - 44 are expected to decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Heathcote - Waterfall
8 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 8 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2025 about a year ago all 4 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2025. | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 59 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,673 at the 2021 Census → 6,728 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (128021533). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.