Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park

An assessment of population growth drivers in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park's population was 10,960 as of February 2021. By February 2026, it had increased to approximately 11,217, a rise of 257 people (2.3%). This growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,055 in June 2024 and six additional validated addresses since the Census date. The population density is around 316 persons per square kilometer. The area's 2.3% growth since the census is close to the SA4 region's 3.7%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

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, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections, released in 2022 with a base year of 2021. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. According to demographic trends, the area is expected to expand by 149 persons by 2041, reflecting an anticipated decrease of 0.1% in total over the 17-year period.

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

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park has recorded approximately 15 residential properties granted approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling 78 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded to date. On average, 0.5 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25. New construction has matched or outpaced demand, offering buyers more options while enabling population growth.

The average expected construction cost of new properties is $251,000, below the regional average. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $690,000, indicating minimal commercial development activity compared to Greater Sydney, where construction is 67.0% higher per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting potential planning limitations. New building activity comprises 83.0% detached houses and 17.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes. The estimated population count per dwelling approval is 1268 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population projections show stability or decline, indicating reduced housing demand pressures that could benefit potential buyers in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 45thth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified nine projects likely impacting the area. Key projects are Crangan Bay Residential Estate, Lake Munmorah Recreation Facility, Lakes Ridge Residential Estate, and Darkinjung LALC & Landcom Housing Project. Below details those 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.

Employment conditions in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, unemployment is at 4.3%, and employment growth over the past year is estimated at 2.2%. As of September 2025, there are 4,505 employed residents, an unemployment rate of 4.3% compared to Greater Sydney's 4.2%, and workforce participation stands at 50.0%.

Home workership is moderate at 20.8%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction is particularly strong with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level. Professional & technical services are under-represented, at 3.4% compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%.

Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 2.2%, labour force by 3.2%, raising unemployment by 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney had employment growth of 2.1% and a smaller rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia projects national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park's mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows that Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park SA2 has lower income compared to national averages. The median income is $53,436 and the average income stands at $63,442. In contrast, Greater Sydney has a median income of $60,817 and an average income of $83,003. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.86% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $58,170 (median) and $69,063 (average). According to the 2021 Census, Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park's household, family and personal incomes fall between the 6th and 10th percentiles nationally. The income distribution shows that 31.2% of residents earn between $400 and $799 (3,499 people), while in metropolitan regions, the dominant bracket is $1,500 to $2,999 at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 7th percentile nationally.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The dwelling structure in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park, as per the latest Census, consisted of 94.4% houses and 5.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. The home ownership rate in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park was 53.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.0% and rented ones at 17.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,733, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $380, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 65.6% of all households, including 20.3% couples with children, 32.8% couples without children, and 11.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 34.4%, with lone person households at 31.9% and group households making up 2.7%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 10.6%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 8.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.5%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 43.6% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.0%) and certificates (34.6%). A total of 23.6% of the population is actively engaged in formal education, comprising 8.5% in primary, 6.8% in secondary, and 2.6% in tertiary education.

A substantial 23.6% of the population actively pursues formal education. This includes 8.5% in primary education, 6.8% in secondary education, and 2.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park has 104 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 58 different routes that together facilitate 557 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average located just 165 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 96% of residents. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, 20.8% of residents work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 79 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately five weekly trips per stop on average. A map accompanies this report, displaying the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Health performance in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across all age cohorts but to a considerably higher degree among older age groups. The rate of private health cover is relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~5,664 people), compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (14.4%) and mental health issues (9.5%), while 53.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% in Greater Sydney. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 36.0% of residents aged 65 and over (4,038 people), which is higher than the 15.4% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Lake Munmorah-Mannering Park, surveyed in June 2016, had a predominantly Australian-born population: 87.5%. It was also highly homogeneous with regards to citizenship (91.6%) and language spoken at home (97.3% English only). Christianity was the dominant religion, practised by 61.0% of residents, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%.

Ancestry-wise, English (33.7%), Australian (31.7%), and Irish (8.2%) were the top groups, all substantially higher than regional averages. Notably, Maltese, Australian Aboriginal, and New Zealand groups had higher representations in Lake Munmorah-Mannering Park compared to regional figures: 1.0% vs 1.0%, 4.2% vs 1.3%, and 0.7% vs 0.5% respectively.

Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park is 52, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and the national norm of 38. The 75-84 age group makes up 15.7% of the population, compared to 6.1% nationally and a lower percentage in Greater Sydney. Post-2021 Census data shows this group grew from 13.4% to 15.7%, while the 85+ cohort increased from 3.5% to 5.0%. Conversely, the 45-54 age group declined from 10.5% to 8.4% and the 65-74 group dropped from 16.7% to 15.3%. By 2041, Lake Munmorah - Mannering Park is expected to see significant shifts in its age composition, with the 85+ group projected to grow by 84%, reaching 1,030 from 558. The aging population trend is clear, with those aged 65 and above comprising 99% of projected growth, while population declines are projected for the 65-74 and 15-24 age cohorts.