Lane Cove
Statistical Area - sa2

Lane Cove lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Lane Cove's population was approximately 16,656 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 768 people from the 2021 Census count of 15,888. The increase is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 16,640 in June 2024 and 29 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,726 persons per square kilometer, placing Lane Cove in the upper quartile compared to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Lane Cove's population grew at a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%, outperforming its SA3 area. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 67% 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 from these aggregations are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to population projections, Lane Cove is expected to increase by just below the median rate of national areas, reaching an additional 1,322 persons by 2041, with a total increase of 7.8% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Lane Cove among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Lane Cove has recorded approximately 45 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 227 homes were approved, with an additional 4 approved so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, around 4.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built.

This significant demand outpaces supply, which typically increases competition among buyers and puts upward pressure on prices. The average expected construction cost value of new homes being built is $1,062,000, indicating that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY26, Lane Cove has recorded $19.3 million in commercial development approvals, demonstrating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lane Cove has significantly less development activity, at 55.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. However, building activity has accelerated in recent years.

Nationally, this activity is also lower than the national average, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity in Lane Cove shows 35.0% detached dwellings and 65.0% townhouses or apartments, focusing on higher-density living to create more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. The area has approximately 719 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts suggest Lane Cove will gain 1,306 residents by 2041. Existing development levels appear aligned with future requirements, maintaining stable market conditions without significant price pressures.

Lane Cove has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Arena Lane Cove, Mindarie Street Social Housing Development, Lane Cove North Affordable Housing Project, and St Andrews Anglican Church Redevelopment. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Lane Cove remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Lane Cove has a highly educated workforce with the technology sector being particularly prominent. The unemployment rate in Lane Cove is 5.1%.

As of June 2025, there are 9,609 residents employed while the unemployment rate stands at 5.1%, which is 0.9% higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Lane Cove is high at 69.9%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment among residents is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and finance & insurance sectors. Notably, the area shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

Conversely, retail trade employs only 6.2% of local workers, lower than Greater Sydney's 9.3%. Many Lane Cove residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. In the year to June 2025, Lane Cove's labour force decreased by 0.2%, and employment declined by 2.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney saw 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 14.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lane Cove's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 7.5% over five years and 14.9% over ten years.

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

Lane Cove's median income among taxpayers was $76,891 and average income stood at $126,742 in the financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are higher than Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $86,587 (median) and $142,724 (average). In the 2021 Census, Lane Cove's household, family, and personal incomes ranked highly nationally, between the 93rd and 96th percentiles. The $4000+ earnings band captured 33.2% of the community (5,529 individuals), contrasting with the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket led at 30.9%. Higher earners represented a substantial presence with 45.6% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consumed 16.8% of income, though strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 92nd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 10th decile.

Lane Cove features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Lane Cove's dwelling structure in its latest Census evaluation showed 36.0% houses and 64.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 41.1% houses and 58.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lane Cove was at 27.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.2% and rented ones at 38.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,000, below Sydney metro's average of $3,033. Median weekly rent in Lane Cove was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $560. Nationally, Lane Cove's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Lane Cove has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.0% of all households, including 34.3% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 8.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.0%, with lone person households at 27.1% and group households comprising 2.8%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Lane Cove demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

In Lane Cove, 58.7% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 32.2% in NSW. This high level of educational attainment positions the area favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 36.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (17.7%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational pathways account for 20.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 10.2% and certificates 10.0%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.2% pursuing tertiary education. Lane Cove's five schools have a combined enrollment reaching 1,819 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates exceptional educational performance with an ICSEA score of 1160, placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. All five schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Note that where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Lane Cove has 94 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 52 different routes that together facilitate 4,930 weekly passenger trips. The average distance residents live from the nearest transport stop is 120 meters.

On average, there are 704 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 52 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Lane Cove shows excellent health outcomes, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is remarkably high at approximately 80% of the total population (13,358 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 6.8% and 6.1% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 76.9%, report being completely free from medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Sydney's 78.0%. As of September 2021, Lane Cove has a senior population (aged 65 and over) of 15.5% (2,588 people). Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are notably strong and largely align with the overall population's health profile.

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

Lane Cove's population has high cultural diversity, with 30.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 40.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 48.1%. While Judaism remains at 1.0%, its representation in Lane Cove mirrors Greater Sydney's 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (21.0%), Australian (18.0%), and Other (13.1%). Notably, Russian is overrepresented at 0.7% compared to the regional average of 0.6%, Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.4%, and Korean at 1.2% against a regional average of 1.8%.

Lane Cove's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Lane Cove is 38 years, close to Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and equivalent to Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lane Cove has a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (18.4%) but fewer residents aged 15-24 (11.0%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.2% to 11.0%, while the 0-4 age group has decreased from 6.8% to 5.9%. By 2041, Lane Cove's age composition is expected to change significantly. The 65-74 age group is projected to grow by 45% (558 people), reaching 1,789 from 1,230. Meanwhile, both the 45-54 and 0-4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.