Malabar - La Perouse
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Malabar - La Perouse reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Malabar - La Perouse's population is around 10,982 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 372 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,610 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,915 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 22 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 1,305 persons per square kilometer. Over the past decade, Malabar - La Perouse has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 0.2%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year, and NSW State Government's SA2 level projections for areas not covered by this data, released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a population increase just below the median of national statistical areas is expected, with the area expected to increase by 1,312 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 11.3% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Malabar - La Perouse recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Malabar - La Perouse has granted approximately 79 residential property approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that over the past five financial years, between FY20 and FY25, around 398 homes have been approved. As of FY26, four approvals have already been recorded. Despite a decline in population during this period, new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good options for buyers.

The average construction cost value of new properties is $722,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment. In FY26, commercial development approvals totaled $1.1 million, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Malabar - La Perouse has recorded 109.0% more building activity per person as of recent data. This increased activity offers greater choice for buyers. New developments consist of approximately 17.0% detached houses and 83.0% attached dwellings, indicating a trend towards denser development to provide accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This shift contrasts with the current housing stock, which is 47.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and evolving lifestyle needs.

The area has an approximate density of 185 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market. Looking ahead to 2041, Malabar - La Perouse is projected to grow by around 1,245 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers and potentially enabling growth that may exceed current forecasts.

Malabar - La Perouse has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to affect this region. Notable projects include Malabar Ocean Pool Accessible Amenities Building, Kamay Ferry Wharves, Jennifer St, Little Bay, and 27 Jennifer Street, Little Bay. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment drivers in Malabar - La Perouse are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Malabar - La Perouse has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 7.8% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.7%. In June 2025, 5,196 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 3.6%, which is higher than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation in Malabar - La Perouse was 50.1%, lagging behind Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

The area has a particular specialization in public administration & safety, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. Retail trade has limited presence in Malabar - La Perouse, with 7.0% employment compared to 9.3% regionally. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.7%, while labour force increased by 2.4%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment of 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Sydney experienced employment growth of 2.6% and labour force growth of 2.9%, with an increase in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.3%. This compares favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%, but lags behind the national employment growth of 0.26%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Malabar - La Perouse could experience local employment growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Malabar - La Perouse had a median taxpayer income of $62,493 and an average income of $87,551. These figures are among the highest in Australia, compared to Greater Sydney's median of $56,994 and average of $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022, current estimates for Malabar - La Perouse would be approximately $69,117 (median) and $96,831 (average) as of March 2025. According to the 2021 Census, incomes in Malabar - La Perouse rank highly nationally, between the 78th and 79th percentiles for household, family, and personal incomes. The predominant income cohort spans 25.5% (2,800 people) earning over $4,000 weekly, unlike regional trends where 30.9% fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 range. Higher earners make up a substantial 37.1%, indicating strong purchasing power. High housing costs consume 18.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 75th percentile nationally, with the area's SEIFA income ranking placing it in the 8th decile.

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

Malabar - La Perouse had 46.6% houses and 53.4% other dwellings in its dwelling structure at the latest Census, compared to Sydney metro's 26.9% houses and 73.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Malabar - La Perouse stood at 33.2%, with mortgaged properties at 28.8% and rented ones at 38.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,200, above Sydney metro's average of $3,033, while the median weekly rent figure was $535, compared to Sydney metro's $550. Nationally, Malabar - La Perouse's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Malabar - La Perouse has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.2% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.8%, with lone person households at 27.6% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.4.

Malabar - La Perouse shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 39.5%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 54.6%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 24.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.2%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas account for 12.1% and certificates for 20.7%. Educational participation is high, with 36.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 12.0% in primary education, 10.0% in secondary education, and 6.8% pursuing tertiary education. The three schools in Malabar - La Perouse have a combined enrollment of 773 students, serving typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1030) with balanced educational opportunities. These schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School places per 100 residents are at 7.0, below the regional average of 11.1, indicating some students may attend schools in adjacent areas.

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

The public transport analysis indicates 65 active transport stops operating within Malabar - La Perouse. These stops service a mix of buses along 20 individual routes, collectively providing 3,724 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 163 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 532 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 57 weekly trips per individual stop.

Malabar - La Perouse's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Malabar - La Perouse residents show generally good health outcomes, with common conditions evenly distributed across age groups. Private health cover is high at approximately 64%, compared to 70.6% in Greater Sydney and a national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent conditions are arthritis (7.6%) and mental health issues (6.4%).

About 71.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 76.0% in Greater Sydney. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.4%, higher than the 15.1% in Greater Sydney. Overall, the area's health profile aligns with the general population.

Malabar - La Perouse was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Malabar-La Perouse, surveyed in 2016, had a higher proportion of residents speaking languages other than English at home, at 23.9%, compared to the majority of local markets. Born overseas, 32.7% of its population was born outside Australia. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 60.4%.

Judaism showed an overrepresentation in Malabar-La Perouse, comprising 2.2% compared to Greater Sydney's 0.9%. Regarding ancestry, English (22.0%), Australian (18.4%), and Irish (10.6%) were the top groups represented. Notably, French was slightly overrepresented at 1.8%, Russian at 0.9%, and Hungarian at 0.5% compared to regional percentages of 1.5%, 1.1%, and 0.6% respectively.

Malabar - La Perouse hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Malabar - La Perouse's median age stands at 44, surpassing Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group comprises 11.2%, higher than Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.8%. Post-2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group increased from 9.5% to 11.8%, yet the 25 to 34 cohort decreased from 11.6% to 10.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Malabar - La Perouse's age profile. The 65 to 74 group is forecast to grow by 33%, reaching 1,644 from 1,232. Those aged 65 and above are expected to account for 72% of the projected population growth. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 5 to 14 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.