Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay
Statistical Area - sa2

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay's population is around 3,372 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 3 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 3,369 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 3,366 in June 2024 and an additional 6 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,655 persons per square kilometer. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 79.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting 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. Considering projected demographic shifts, the area is expected to grow by 458 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, recording a gain of 13.4% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has recorded approximately 9 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with around 45 homes approved over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, and 2 already recorded in FY26. On average, about 0.5 new residents per year have been associated with each dwelling constructed during this period.

This supply has met or exceeded demand, providing more buyer choices while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average construction value of these dwellings is $767,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Compared to Greater Sydney, Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has shown substantially reduced construction activity, 69.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, though building activity has accelerated in recent years. This is also below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent construction comprises 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% medium to high-density housing.

This marks a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 95.0% houses, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. The location has approximately 354 people per dwelling approval, reflecting an established area. Looking ahead, Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay is expected to grow by 452 residents through to 2041. Construction is maintaining a reasonable pace with projected growth, although buyers may encounter growing competition as population increases.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

No changes were identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy, Ozone Cronulla Apartment Development, Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL), and Rail Service Improvement Program - T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line.

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

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 0.7% as of June 2025, which is significantly lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.9%. A total of 2,012 residents were employed in June 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.5%, and a workforce participation rate of 66.9%, higher than Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key employment sectors include construction, professional & technical services, and education & training. Construction stands out with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance has lower representation at 11.5% compared to the regional average of 14.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the census working population versus resident population count. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 2.9%, labour force grew by 3.2%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6%, labour force expansion of 2.9%, and a similar unemployment rate increase of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, slightly better than the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May 2025, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay's employment mix suggests local growth could be approximately 6.9% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

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

In financial year 2022, Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay had a median income among taxpayers of $70,199 and an average level of $104,531. Nationally, these figures place the area in the top percentile. In Greater Sydney, the median was $56,994 and the average stood at $80,856. By March 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $77,640 (median) and $115,611 (average), accounting for a 10.6% growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay ranked between the 91st and 99th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that 43.9% of the community earned over $4,000 annually (1,480 individuals), contrasting with the region where earnings between $1,500 and $2,999 were most common at 30.9%. The district's affluence was evident, with 58.0% earning more than $3,000 weekly, enabling premium retail and service offerings. After housing costs, residents retained 86.8% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 10th decile.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay, as per the latest Census, 94.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. In comparison, Sydney metro had 52.4% houses and 47.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay stood at 48.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 44.1% and rented ones at 7.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,900, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,774. The median weekly rent in the area was $833, compared to Sydney metro's $500. Nationally, Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay had significantly higher mortgage repayments at $3,900 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and substantially higher rents at $833 compared to the national figure of $375.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 90.3% of all households, including 55.0% couples with children, 28.3% couples without children, and 6.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 9.7%, with lone person households at 9.3% and group households at 0.4%. The median household size is 3.2 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.5.

Educational achievement in Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 36.2% of residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's rate of 31.0%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 24.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.1%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 32.1% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 12.4% and certificates for 19.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 31.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.3% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education. Lilli Pilli Public School serves the area, with an enrollment of 355 students as of a recent report. The suburb shows significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, indicated by its ICSEA score of 1114. There is one school focusing exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. School places per 100 residents stand at 10.5, below the regional average of 13.9, suggesting some students may attend schools outside the suburb.

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

Lilli Pilli, Port Hacking, Dolans Bay have 19 active public transport stops. These are served by buses on four different routes, offering a total of 480 weekly passenger trips. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 146 meters to the nearest stop.

The service frequency is 68 trips per day across all routes, translating to about 25 weekly trips per individual stop.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay 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 74% (2,485 people), compared to 65.7% in Greater Sydney and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (6.8%) and asthma (5.6%), while 77.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 72.3% in Greater Sydney.

The area has 18.7% of residents aged 65 and over (630 people), lower than the 21.1% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lilli Pilli-Port Hacking-Dolans Bay, surveyed in August 2016, had a below average cultural diversity with 87.0% of its population born in Australia, 95.7% being citizens, and 91.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 68.5%, compared to 61.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.4%), Australian (27.2%), and Irish (9.8%).

Notably, French (1.0%) and Greek (3.7%) ethnicities were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.6% and 3.2%, respectively, while Macedonian was underrepresented at 0.6%.

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay has a median age of 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median age of 38 years. As of the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group made up 17.5% of the local population, compared to 15.4% in 2016, indicating a notable increase. Conversely, the 25-34 age group was under-represented at 7.1%, down from 9.8% in 2016. The 75-84 age cohort also grew, from 5.1% to 6.9%. However, the 45-54 age group declined from 15.2% to 13.8%. By 2041, demographic projections suggest significant changes in Lilli Pilli - Port Hacking - Dolans Bay's age profile. The 45-54 cohort is expected to grow by 28%, adding 132 residents to reach a total of 599. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are projected to decrease in number.