Woolooware - Burraneer

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

Woolooware-Burraneer's population is 10,028 as of May 2026. This shows an increase of 1,081 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 8,947. The growth was inferred from ABS' June 2025 estimate of 9,989 and validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 3,011 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch. Woolooware-Burraneer's growth rate of 12.1% since the 2021 Census exceeded its SA4 region (5.0%) and SA3 area, indicating leadership in regional population growth. Interstate migration contributed approximately 50.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers being positive factors.

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, 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. Based on projected demographic shifts, Woolooware-Burraneer is forecasted to experience significant population increase in the top quartile nationally, with an expected growth of 2,257 persons by 2041, reflecting a total gain of 22.1% over the 16 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Woolooware - Burraneer among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Woolooware-Burraneer recorded around 103 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 518 homes were approved, with an additional 48 approved so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, two new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded. However, recent data shows this has increased to five people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints.

New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost of $266,000, below regional norms, offering more affordable housing options for purchasers. This year alone, there have been $185.9 million in commercial approvals, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Sydney, Woolooware-Burraneer shows 70.0% higher development activity per person, providing buyers with ample choice. However, building activity has slowed in recent years. The majority of recent construction comprises 80.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant departure from the existing housing pattern of 60.0% houses. This trend suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 215 people per dwelling approval, there is room for growth in the area.

According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Woolooware-Burraneer is expected to grow by 2,218 residents through to 2041. Given current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Woolooware - Burraneer has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 21 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include St Aloysius College Cronulla Expansion, VUE Cronulla, Woolooware Bay Town Centre, and Caringbah Pavilion. 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Woolooware - Burraneer performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Woolooware-Burraneer has a well-educated workforce with professional services being prominently represented. The unemployment rate was 1.9% as of December 2025, which is lower than Greater Sydney's rate of 4.2%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 0.5%.

There were 5,703 residents in work while workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Sydney's 68.8%. According to Census responses, 43.7% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in construction, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. The area has a notably high concentration in construction with employment levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

Conversely, health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 11.5% compared to the regional average of 14.1%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 0.5% while labour force grew by 0.9%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. This compares to Greater Sydney where employment grew by 2.2%, labour force expanded by 2.3%, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment should expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to Woolooware-Burraneer's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population 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 ATO data released on 30 June 2023 for financial year 2023, Woolooware - Burraneer SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $69,349 and an average level of $105,973. This places it in the top percentile nationally, compared to Greater Sydney's levels of $60,817 and $83,030 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $76,506 (median) and $116,909 (average). The 2021 Census ranks household, family, and personal incomes in Woolooware - Burraneer between the 88th and 91st percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that 30.9% of individuals earn over $4,000 annually, contrasting with Greater Sydney's leading bracket of $1,500-$2,999 at 30.9%. The district demonstrates affluence with 44.1% earning over $3,000 weekly, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 91st percentile nationally, with the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 9th decile.

Woolooware - Burraneer displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census showed that in Woolooware - Burraneer, 59.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 40.4% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Sydney metro's figures of 55.9% houses and 44.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Woolooware - Burraneer stood at 38.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.9% and rented ones at 20.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,000, higher than Sydney metro's average of $2,427. The median weekly rent figure for Woolooware - Burraneer was $550, compared to Sydney metro's $470. Nationally, Woolooware - Burraneer's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Woolooware - Burraneer has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 74.9% of all households, including 38.6% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 25.1%, with lone person households at 23.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Sydney average of 2.7.

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

University qualification levels in Woolooware-Burraneer stand at 33.4%, slightly below Greater Sydney's average of 38.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common (24.2%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.9%). Vocational credentials are held by 35.7% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 13.9% and certificates at 21.8%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.9% currently enrolled in formal education: 8.6% in primary, 8.2% in secondary, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

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

Woolooware-Burraneer has 86 active public transport stops offering train and bus services. These are served by 32 routes, providing a total of 3,088 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically living 125 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the primary mode of transport, used by 91% of residents. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 43.7% of residents work from home, which may be due to COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 441 trips per day, equating to approximately 35 weekly trips per stop.

Woolooware - Burraneer's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Woolooware - Burraneer shows excellent health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, with very low prevalence across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 73% (7,330 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 59.9% and the national average of 55.7%. The most common conditions are arthritis (7.2%) and asthma (6.7%), with 75.0% reporting no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Sydney's 74.6%.

The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 19.6% (1,960 people), compared to Greater Sydney's 15.5%. Health outcomes among seniors are strong but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Woolooware - Burraneer ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Woolooware-Burraneer had a cultural diversity below average, with 83.9% of its population born in Australia, 93.0% being citizens, and 90.3% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the main religion, comprising 63.1%, compared to Greater Sydney's 49.2%. The top three ancestry groups were English (29.9%), Australian (26.2%), and Irish (9.6%).

There were notable divergences in other ethnic groups: Croatian at 0.9% vs regional 0.7%, Macedonian at 0.5% vs 0.4%, and Greek at 2.4% vs 1.9%.

Woolooware - Burraneer's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Woolooware - Burraneer has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Sydney's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. In comparison to the Greater Sydney average, the 55-64 age cohort is notably over-represented in Woolooware-Burraneer, making up 12.9% of the local population, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.8%. Between 2021 and now, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 5.1% to 6.3% of the population. Conversely, the 45 to 54 age cohort has declined from 14.3% to 11.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Woolooware-Burraneer's age profile will change significantly. The 45 to 54 age cohort is projected to expand by 444 people (37%), growing from 1,198 to 1,643. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 age cohort is expected to grow modestly by 5%, adding 25 people.