Lidcombe
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Lidcombe's population, as of August 2025, is approximately 24,003. This figure reflects a rise of 2,806 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,197. The increase is inferred from the estimated resident population of 23,949 in June 2024 and an additional 529 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of approximately 3,750 persons per square kilometer, placing Lidcombe in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Lidcombe's growth rate of 13.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both the state (6.4%) and metropolitan area averages, indicating its status as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 88.1% 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 the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Lidcombe is forecasted to experience a significant population increase, growing by approximately 6,923 persons, resulting in a total gain of 28.6% over the seventeen-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Lidcombe among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Lidcombe has averaged approximately 221 new dwelling approvals annually. Development approval data is provided by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 1,109 approvals over the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with 10 approvals recorded so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling has accommodated 2.3 new residents annually over these five years, indicating strong demand that supports property values. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $428,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for buyers.

This financial year has seen $90.7 million in commercial approvals registered, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lidcombe maintains similar development levels per capita, preserving market equilibrium with surrounding areas, although construction activity has recently eased. The current building activity comprises 29.0% detached houses and 71.0% attached dwellings, demonstrating a shift towards compact living that offers affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a significant change from the current housing mix of 46.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. Lidcombe has approximately 296 people per dwelling approval, indicating potential room for growth.

Looking ahead, Lidcombe is projected to grow by 6,869 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially supporting population growth beyond current projections.

Lidcombe 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 41 projects that may impact this region. Notable initiatives include The Concourse at Lidcombe - DOOLEYS Expansion, Lidcombe Public Domain Plan, New Auburn Basketball Centre, and Central Lidcombe Multi-Storey Warehouse. Below is a list of projects likely to be most relevant.

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

The labour market in Lidcombe demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Lidcombe has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.2% as of the past year, showing an estimated employment growth of 2.3%.

As of June 2025, 13,652 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.0% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%, and workforce participation at 55.3%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation & food, with notable concentration in the latter, being 1.7 times the regional average. Professional & technical services have limited presence, with 8.3% employment compared to the regional average of 11.5%. Many Lidcombe residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 2.3%, labour force grew by 3.1%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.8 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment rise by 2.6% and unemployment increase by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41%, with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with industry-specific projections suggesting Lidcombe's employment mix could grow approximately 6.7%% over five years and 13.9% over ten years.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Lidcombe's median income among taxpayers was $42,443 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $53,855 during the same period. In Greater Sydney, the median income was $56,994 and the average income was $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Lidcombe's median income would be approximately $46,942 as of March 2025, with the average income estimated at $59,564 during the same period. According to Census 2021 income data, household income in Lidcombe ranks at the 58th percentile ($1,886 weekly), while personal income sits at the 29th percentile. In terms of income distribution, 33.7% of locals (8,089 people) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. This is similar to the broader area where 30.9% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 19.7% of income in Lidcombe. Despite this, disposable income ranks at the 54th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Lidcombe, as per the latest Census, consisted of 46.3% houses and 53.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metropolitan area had 33.5% houses and 66.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lidcombe was at 24.8%, with the rest of dwellings either mortgaged (31.0%) or rented (44.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in Lidcombe was $2,230, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,167. The median weekly rent figure for Lidcombe was recorded at $480, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Lidcombe's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 75.2% of all households, including 35.8% couples with children, 25.9% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.8%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households comprising 8.9%. The median household size is 3.0 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.8.

The educational profile of Lidcombe exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

The area's educational profile is notable within the region, with university qualification rates at 37.5% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and New South Wales' rate of 32.2%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 26.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational pathways account for 23.6% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.7% and certificates at 10.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 9.0% in tertiary education, 7.0% in primary education, and 5.6% pursuing secondary education. The area's educational provision includes St Joachim's Catholic Primary School and Lidcombe Public School, serving a total of 1,149 students. Lidcombe Public School demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1043) with balanced educational opportunities. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. Local school capacity is limited at 4.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.8, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

The public transport analysis shows that Lidcombe has 102 active transport stops, which include both train and bus services. These stops are served by 24 individual routes that collectively facilitate 16,369 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 148 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 2,338 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 160 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Lidcombe, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is found to be very low at approximately 47% of the total population (around 11,281 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are diabetes and arthritis, affecting 4.7 and 4.0% of residents respectively, while 83.1% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, similar to the 83.5% figure across Greater Sydney. Lidcombe has 13.6% of residents aged 65 and over (around 3,269 people), which is higher than the 11.1% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly matching the general population's health profile.

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

Lidcombe has a high level of cultural diversity, with 68.0% of its population born overseas and 79.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Lidcombe, comprising 36.8% of the population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Lidcombe compared to Greater Sydney, making up 10.4% versus 7.5%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (24.9%), Other (24.1%), and Korean (15.9%). Notably, Vietnamese (4.5%) and Filipino (3.4%) are overrepresented in Lidcombe compared to regional averages of 2.6% and 2.5%, respectively. Conversely, Lebanese representation is lower at 3.2% compared to the regional average of 4.1%.

Lidcombe's population is younger than the national pattern

Lidcombe's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Sydney's median of 37 and the national average of 38. The age group of 25-34 years has a strong representation in Lidcombe at 23.2%, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 5-14 age group is less prevalent at 7.8%. This concentration of the 25-34 age group is higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 13.4% to 14.6%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has grown from 7.4% to 8.6%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age group has decreased from 11.4% to 9.7%, and the 5-14 age group has dropped from 8.8% to 7.8%. Population forecasts for Lidcombe in 2041 indicate significant demographic changes, with the 75-84 age cohort projected to grow exceptionally by 1,080 people (123%), increasing from 880 to 1,961.