Peakhurst - Lugarno
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Peakhurst - Lugarno are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Peakhurst-Lugarno's population is around 20,994 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 774 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 20,220. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,852 in June 2024 and an additional 203 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,810 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Peakhurst-Lugarno has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 92.5% 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. Anticipating future population dynamics, a population increase just below the median is expected, with the area projected to grow by 2,375 persons to 2041 based on latest population numbers, resulting in an overall increase of 10.6% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Peakhurst - Lugarno when compared nationally

Peakhurst-Lugarno recorded approximately 176 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, showing 883 homes over the past five years from FY20 to FY25, with 38 recorded so far in FY26. On average, 2.0 new residents arrived per new home over the past five financial years, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, recent data shows an increase to 4.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $539,000.

Additionally, $14.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Sydney, Peakhurst-Lugarno has slightly more development, with 16.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. New building activity shows 36.0% detached dwellings and 64.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns which are currently 71.0% houses. This trend may be due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences.

With around 371 people per approval, Peakhurst-Lugarno indicates a mature market. Future projections show Peakhurst-Lugarno adding approximately 2,233 residents by 2041. Current construction levels suggest housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Peakhurst - Lugarno 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 identified 34 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Henry Lawson Drive Stage 1B Upgrade, Rail Service Improvement Program (Mortdale-Kiama), 824-834 Forest Road Affordable Housing, and Mortdale Maintenance Centre Upgrade. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Peakhurst - Lugarno exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Peakhurst-Lugarno has an educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.1% and it saw estimated employment growth of 2.2% in the year to June 2025.

As of that date, 12,160 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate 1.1% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation is lower than average at 56.5%. Key industries for employment among locals are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Health care & social assistance has limited presence with 12.7% employment compared to the regional figure of 14.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. In the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.6%, and unemployment rose by 0.5 percentage points. Comparatively, Greater Sydney saw employment growth of 2.6% and an unemployment rate rise of 0.3 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows NSW employment contracted by 0.41% (losing 19,270 jobs), 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. Applying these projections to Peakhurst-Lugarno's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population ratios.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

AreaSearch released postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2022. Peakhurst - Lugarno's median income among taxpayers was $49,602, with an average of $65,780. This was slightly above the national average. In Greater Sydney, the median income was $56,994 and the average was $80,856. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.6% from financial year ending June 30, 2022 to March 2025, estimated median income would be approximately $54,860 and average income would be around $72,753 as of March 2025. According to the Census conducted in August 2021, household income ranked at the 72nd percentile with a weekly income of $2,091, while personal income was at the 55th percentile. The majority of residents, 28.2%, earned between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, which is similar to the metropolitan region where 30.9% earn in this bracket. Notably, 33.3% of residents earn above $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 15.8% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 72nd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Peakhurst-Lugarno's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 70.8% houses and 29.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Sydney metro had 52.1% houses and 47.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Peakhurst-Lugarno was 39.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.4% and rented ones at 21.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,466. Median weekly rent in Peakhurst-Lugarno was $450, compared to Sydney metro's $440. Nationally, mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Peakhurst - Lugarno features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 77.8 percent of all households, including 41.4 percent composed of couples with children, 24.3 percent consisting of couples without children, and 11.2 percent made up of single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.2 percent, with lone person households at 20.6 percent and group households comprising 1.6 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, which aligns with the Greater Sydney average.

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

Educational qualifications in Peakhurst-Lugarno show 31.2% of residents aged 15+ have university degrees, compared to Greater Sydney's 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (21.9%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 32.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them; advanced diplomas account for 12.0% and certificates for 20.7%. Educational participation is high at 29.8%, including 9.7% in primary, 8.5% in secondary, and 6.0% in tertiary education.

There are six schools operating within Peakhurst-Lugarno, educating approximately 2,376 students. The area has above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1054). Education provision is balanced with five primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups.

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

Transport analysis shows 143 active public transport stops in Peakhurst-Lugarno area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes totaling 27. They facilitate 2,173 weekly passenger trips combined.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents on average located 145 meters from nearest stop. Service frequency averages 310 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 15 weekly trips per individual stop.

Peakhurst - Lugarno's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data shows relatively positive outcomes for Peakhurst-Lugarno residents.

The prevalence of common health conditions among the general population is quite low but higher than the national average among older and at-risk cohorts. Approximately 52% of the total population (~11,000 people) have private health cover, slightly above the average SA2 area rate. The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, affecting 7.8% and 6.1% of residents respectively. About 72.1% of residents declare they are completely free from medical ailments, compared to 77.2% across Greater Sydney. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 21.6% (4,543 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 19.1%.

Peakhurst - Lugarno 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

Peakhurst-Lugarno had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 29.0% of its residents born overseas and 35.4% speaking a language other than English at home. The predominant religion in Peakhurst-Lugarno was Christianity, accounting for 65.8% of the population, compared to 49.7% across Greater Sydney. Regarding ancestry, the top groups were Australian (18.8%, higher than the regional average of 12.6%), English (18.4%, higher than the regional average of 13.2%), and Other (11.7%).

Some ethnic groups had notable representation: Greek at 6.8% (compared to the regional average of 5.6%), Macedonian at 3.1% (compared to 2.3%), and Lebanese at 3.8% (compared to 3.2%).

Peakhurst - Lugarno hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Peakhurst-Lugarno is 42 years, significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group constitutes 7.6% of the population, compared to Greater Sydney, while the 25-34 cohort makes up 10.2%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.3% to 13.1%, but the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 13.4% to 12.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Peakhurst-Lugarno. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 52% (831 people), reaching 2,429 from 1,597. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 83% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.