Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora
Statistical Area - sa2

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's population was around 20,932 as of Nov 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 5 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 20,927. The change is inferred from ABS estimates of 20,908 in June 2024 and additional validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 626 persons per square kilometer. Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's 0.0% growth since census compares to the SA3 area's 2.6%, demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, NSW State Government's SA2 level projections are used, 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. Future population dynamics anticipate lower quartile growth, with the area expected to grow by 647 persons to 2041 based on latest numbers, indicating a total increase of 2.9% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora recorded approximately 47 residential property approvals per year. Between FY21 and FY25, around 235 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved in FY26 so far. This area has experienced population decline, suggesting that new supply is meeting demand, offering good choices for buyers.

The average construction value of new properties is $429,000, which is moderately above regional levels, indicating quality construction emphasis. In FY26, $10.0 million in commercial approvals have been registered, showing steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, placing it among the 11th percentile nationally, which may limit choices for buyers and support demand for existing dwellings. Recent construction comprises 77.0% standalone homes and 23.0% medium and high-density housing, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1418 people, reflecting its quiet development environment. Future projections indicate Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora adding 616 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should meet demand adequately, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects that could affect the area. Notable projects include Baxter Place, Illawong Village Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Heathcote Road Upgrade from Infantry Parade to The Avenue, and Sutherland Public School Hall Upgrade. The following list 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 Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate in the area was 2.1% as of June 2025, which is below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.3%. There were 12,223 residents in work during this period, with workforce participation at 67.7%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and construction. Notably, employment levels in education & training are at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical employs only 9.3% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. During the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.3%, and labour force increased by 3.3%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. In contrast, Greater Sydney recorded employment growth of 2.6%, labour force growth of 2.9%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's employment mix could grow by approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year ended June 2022, Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora had a median income among taxpayers of $61,314 and an average income of $80,783. Nationally, these figures are extremely high compared to the national median of $56,994 and average of $80,856 in Greater Sydney. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.61% from financial year ended June 2022 to September 2025, estimated current incomes would be approximately $69,046 (median) and $90,970 (average). Census data indicates household incomes rank at the 94th percentile with a weekly income of $2,692. Income distribution shows that 28.8% of the population, equating to 6,028 individuals, fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which is similar to the regional average of 30.9%. Higher earners make up a substantial portion with 44.3% exceeding $3,000 weekly, suggesting strong purchasing power in the community. Housing expenses account for 13.5% of income. Strong earnings also rank residents within the 94th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 82.7% houses and 17.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Sydney metro had 70.4% houses and 29.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora stood at 40.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 48.0% and rented ones at 11.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,687, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,600. The median weekly rent figure was $580, compared to Sydney metro's $483. Nationally, Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863, and rents substantially above the national average of $375.

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 86.5% of all households, including 48.7% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 13.5%, with lone person households at 12.5% and group households comprising 1.0%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.8 people.

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora, 28.6% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to 38.0% in Greater Sydney. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.0%) and graduate diplomas (2.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 37.1% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (24.5%). Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.7% in primary education, 8.4% in secondary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education. The area has a robust network of 9 schools educating approximately 5,639 students, with above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1075). There are 4 primary, 2 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools in the area. Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora functions as an education hub with 26.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 17.8, attracting students from surrounding communities. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to parent campus.

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

Transport analysis in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora shows 133 active transport stops operating. These are a mix of bus stops serviced by 58 routes providing 2,326 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is excellent with residents typically located 166 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 332 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 17 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Menai-Lucas Heights-Woronora shows better-than-average health outcomes for both younger and older age groups.

Common health conditions have low prevalence here; 7.7% of residents have asthma, 7.6% have arthritis, and 71.2% report no medical ailments, compared to 70.6% in Greater Sydney. Approximately 60% of the total population (12,517 people) has private health cover. The area has an 18.4% senior population (3,861 people), and seniors' health outcomes are above average, similar to those of the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Menai-Lucas Heights-Woronora has a higher than average cultural diversity, with 18.2% of its population born overseas and 14.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Menai-Lucas Heights-Woronora, accounting for 69.7%, compared to 61.9% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups are Australian (26.3%), English (25.9%), and Irish (8.0%).

Notably, Macedonian (1.4%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.8%. Greek (3.2%) and Lebanese (1.2%) also have higher representations than the respective regional averages of 2.2% and 1.1%.

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. The area has an over-representation of the 65-74 cohort at 11.1%, compared to the Greater Sydney average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 8.9%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has increased from 4.1% to 5.6% of the population. Conversely, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 14.6% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Menai - Lucas Heights - Woronora's age profile. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 850 people (73%), from 1,165 to 2,016. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are projected to account for 79% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. Meanwhile, the 15-24 and 25-34 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.