Summerland Point - Gwandalan
Statistical Area - sa2

Summerland Point - Gwandalan lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Summerland Point - Gwandalan's population is around 6,940 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 448 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,492 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 6,915 in June 2024 and an additional 205 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 756 persons per square kilometer. Summerland Point - Gwandalan's growth rate of 6.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (3.1%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 67.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises NSW State Government's SA2 level projections released in 2022 with 2021 as the base year. Growth rates by age group are applied to all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Summerland Point - Gwandalan is projected to grow by 1,269 persons based on latest population numbers, with an increase of 17.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Summerland Point - Gwandalan among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Summerland Point - Gwandalan has recorded approximately 28 residential properties granted approval per year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 141 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, with an additional 14 approvals in FY-26 so far. On average, around 1.8 people have moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years. This indicates a balanced supply and demand creating stable market conditions, with new homes being constructed at an average expected cost of $479,000, aligning with regional trends.

In FY-26, there have been $460,000 in commercial approvals registered, suggesting a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Sydney, Summerland Point - Gwandalan records 166.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. New building activity shows 87.0% standalone homes and 13.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low-density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The population reflects a developing area, with around 74 people per approval. Population forecasts indicate Summerland Point - Gwandalan will gain approximately 1,244 residents by 2041.

At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Summerland Point - Gwandalan has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified one major project expected to impact this region: Crangan Bay Residential Estate, South East Growth Area Plan, Mardi Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, and Hunter Transmission Project are key projects, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Summerland Point - Gwandalan has been broadly consistent with national averages

Summerland Point - Gwandalan has a balanced workforce with white and blue collar jobs. Essential services sectors are well represented, unemployment rate is 3.3%.

Over the past year, employment growth was estimated at 1.9%. As of June 2025, 3,158 residents are employed while unemployment rate is 0.9% below Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Workforce participation lags at 53.3%, compared to Greater Sydney's 60.0%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade.

Construction employment is notably high at 1.9 times the regional average. Professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 4.4% of the workforce compared to Greater Sydney's 11.5%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 1.9%, labour force by 2.7%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.8 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 Summerland Point - Gwandalan's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.4%% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

Summerland Point - Gwandalan had lower incomes than average nationally in financial year 2022, according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. The median income among taxpayers was $48,369 and the average income stood at $58,775. This compares to Greater Sydney's figures of $56,994 and $80,856 respectively. By March 2025, current estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $53,496 and the average around $65,005, based on a 10.6% growth since financial year 2022. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Summerland Point - Gwandalan rank modestly, between the 23rd and 30th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 31.9% of the population (2,213 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to surrounding regions at 30.9%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 28th percentile.

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

Summerland Point - Gwandalan's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.5% houses and 3.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Sydney metro's 83.2% houses and 16.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Summerland Point - Gwandalan stood at 40.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.7% and rented ones at 20.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,753, lower than Sydney metro's $1,900. Median weekly rent in the area was $395, slightly higher than Sydney metro's $385. Nationally, Summerland Point - Gwandalan's mortgage repayments were below the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Summerland Point - Gwandalan has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 74.9 percent of all households, including 27.8 percent composed of couples with children, 33.0 percent consisting of couples without children, and 13.0 percent being single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.1 percent, with lone person households at 23.1 percent and group households comprising 2.2 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which aligns with the Greater Sydney average.

Summerland Point - Gwandalan faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 11.4%, significantly lower than Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common (8.2%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (1.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 46.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 37.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 25.8% currently enrolled in formal education: 9.6% in primary, 7.3% in secondary, and 2.5% in tertiary. Gwandalan Public School serves the area, enrolling 348 students as of a recent date. Summerland Point - Gwandalan has typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 955), offering balanced educational opportunities. The sole local school focuses on primary education; secondary options are available nearby due to limited local capacity (5.0 places per 100 residents vs the regional average of 13.6).

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

Analysis shows 32 active public transport stops operating between Summerland Point and Gwandalan. These stops are served by a mix of buses via 22 individual routes, offering 234 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 204 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 33 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 7 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Summerland Point - Gwandalan is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Health data indicates significant health challenges at Summerland Point - Gwandalan. Both younger and older age groups exhibit high prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is relatively low, with approximately 49% coverage (~3,407 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (11.4%) and mental health issues (9.5%). Around 61.0% of residents report being free from medical ailments, similar to Greater Sydney's 61.5%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (24.3%, or 1,686 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 22.3%. Health outcomes among seniors are challenging, broadly reflective of the general population's health profile.

Summerland Point - Gwandalan is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Summerland Point-Gwandalan, surveyed in 2016, had a predominantly Australian-born population with 88.9% born there. Citizenship was high at 92.9%, and English-only speakers at home were 96.1%. Christianity dominated the religious landscape at 56.6%, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 56.2%.

Ancestry-wise, English (31.7%) and Australian (31.1%) topped the list, followed by Irish (9.2%). Notable differences included Maltese at 1.8% (regional: 1.0%), Australian Aboriginal at 4.5% (equal to regional), and Hungarian at 0.3% (regional: 0.2%).

Summerland Point - Gwandalan hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Summerland Point - Gwandalan is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Sydney's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Sydney, Summerland Point - Gwandalan has a higher percentage of residents aged 75-84 (9.4%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (10.0%). According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group increased from 7.3% to 9.4%, while the 15 to 24 cohort rose from 10.8% to 11.9%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort decreased from 13.5% to 12.3%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.6% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Summerland Point - Gwandalan's age structure. The 65 to 74 age group is expected to grow by 32%, reaching 1,130 people from 852. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 59% of total population growth. In contrast, the 15 to 24 age group is projected to decrease by 7 residents.