Narara

Narara has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Narara's population was around 7,425 as of May 2026, reflecting an increase of 268 people since the 2021 Census. This growth equates to a density ratio of 964 persons per square kilometer, in line with averages across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Narara's population grew by 3.7% between the 2021 Census and June 2025, exceeding the SA3 area (2.6%) and the SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 57.0% of overall population gains during this period. AreaSearch adopted 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 utilised NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022 using 2021 as the base year.

Growth rates by age group were applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Narara is expected to increase by just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with an expansion of 694 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 9.3% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Narara according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Narara has seen approximately 14 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 72 homes. As of FY-26, 12 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 new residents have moved in per year for every home built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating demand outpaces supply, which can put upward pressure on prices and increase competition among buyers. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $260,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $3.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating limited focus on commercial development. Compared to Greater Sydney, Narara has roughly half the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 23rd percentile nationally, suggesting somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established dwellings. Recent construction comprises 82.0% detached dwellings and 18.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Narara's traditional suburban character focused on family homes. With around 688 people per approval, Narara shows a mature, established area.

By 2041, Narara is expected to grow by approximately 694 residents (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Narara has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 13 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Narara Valley Estate, Narara Ecovillage, Narara Community Centre and Library Redevelopment, and The Outlook Narara. The following list details projects most relevant to the area.

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

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Employment conditions in Narara demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Narara has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.9% in the past year, which saw an estimated employment growth of 3.6%. As of December 2025, 3,988 residents were in work, with an unemployment rate of 1.3%, below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%.

Workforce participation was on par with Greater Sydney's 68.8%. A high 31.9% of residents worked from home according to Census responses, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. Narara shows strong specialization in health care & social assistance with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level, while professional & technical employs just 6.4% of local workers, below Greater Sydney's 11.5%.

The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. In the 12-month period ending in May-25, employment increased by 3.6% alongside labour force increasing by 3.6%, leaving unemployment broadly flat. This contrasts with Greater Sydney where employment rose by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.3%, and unemployment rose marginally. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Narara's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Narara SA2 had an income level above the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year ending June 30, 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Narara was $56,985 and the average income stood at $71,808. These figures compared to those of Greater Sydney which were $60,817 and $83,003 respectively for median and average incomes. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since June 30, 2023, current estimates would be approximately $62,866 (median) and $79,219 (average) as of March 2026. According to the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Narara were at the 56th percentile nationally. Income analysis showed that the largest segment comprised 36.2% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, with a total of 2,687 residents falling into this category. This was consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region where 30.9% were in the same income bracket. High housing costs consumed 15.5% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 63rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

Narara is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Narara's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 88.7% houses and 11.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Sydney metro's 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Narara stood at 32.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.4% and rented ones at 20.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,993, lower than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure in Narara was recorded at $420, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Narara's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Narara features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.2% of all households, including 38.0% couples with children, 26.4% couples without children, and 13.5% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 19.1% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

Educational attainment in Narara aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 25.0%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them – advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 27.2%. Educational participation is high, with 28.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.6% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Narara has 61 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 63 individual routes, providing a total of 1,463 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 224 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 91%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.6 per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 31.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 209 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 23 weekly trips per stop.

Narara's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Narara's health metrics are close to national benchmarks. AreaSearch assessed mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, finding common health conditions among Narara's general population somewhat typical but higher than the national average among older cohorts.

Approximately 55% of Narara's total population (~4,076 people) has private health cover, compared to 59.9% across Greater Sydney. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in Narara, impacting 9.4 and 9.3% of residents respectively. 66.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.6% across Greater Sydney. Working-age residents show above average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 17.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,268 people), higher than the 15.5% in Greater Sydney. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

In terms of cultural diversity, Narara records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Narara's cultural diversity aligns with its broader region, as indicated by 80.1% of residents born in Australia, 91.6% being citizens, and 88.4% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Narara, comprising 52.6%, compared to 49.2% across Greater Sydney. The top three ancestry groups in Narara are English (29.5%), Australian (28.8%), and Irish (8.1%).

Notably, Russian (0.5%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.4%. Spanish representation stands at 0.6%, matching the regional average. Maltese, however, is underrepresented in Narara with 0.6% compared to the region's 1.0%.

Narara's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Narara is 39 years, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and very close to the national average of 38 years. Comparing Narara's demographics with Greater Sydney's, the 5-14 age cohort is notably over-represented at 13.9% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.0%. Post-2021 Census data shows that the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 4.1% to 5.6%, and the 15 to 24 cohort has increased from 11.3% to 12.6%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 12.9% to 11.5%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Narara. Leading these shifts, the 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow by 27%, adding 269 people to reach a total of 1,258 from 988. Meanwhile, both the 5-14 and 0-4 age groups are expected to decrease in number.