Manly - Lota

An assessment of population growth drivers in Manly - Lota reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Manly-Lota's population is approximately 8,416 as of November 2025. This figure represents a growth of 526 people (6.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 7,890. The increase was inferred from an estimated resident population of 8,254 in June 2024 and an additional 75 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,003 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Manly-Lota's growth rate exceeded that of the SA3 area (6.4%), positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth 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 and years post-2032, Queensland State Government's SA2 area projections are used, released in 2023 based on 2021 data. However, these state projections do not provide age category splits, so AreaSearch applies proportional growth weightings from the ABS Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data) for each age cohort where utilized. Future population trends suggest an increase just below the median of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, with Manly-Lota expected to grow by approximately 500 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 4.0% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Manly - Lota recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Manly - Lota has seen approximately 41 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25206 homes were approved, with a further 213 approved in FY26 as of now. On average, each dwelling constructed over these years accommodated around 1.7 new residents annually. However, this figure has increased to 4.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $645,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment. This year alone, $8.9 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Brisbane, Manly - Lota has experienced slightly more development activity, with 17.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balances buyer choice while supporting current property values, although development activity has moderated in recent periods.

The new development consists of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% medium to high-density housing, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points. This shift reflects the reduced availability of development sites and addresses changing lifestyle demands and affordability requirements, marking a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses at 77.0%. With around 286 people per dwelling approval, Manly - Lota indicates a developing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to add 338 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Manly - Lota has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 21stth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Royal Far West Neighbourhood Development, The Wellington Collection, Manly Hotel Refurbishment, and Breeze On Berrima. These are detailed below for relevance.

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 Manly - Lota performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Manly - Lota has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 1.9% as of September 2025, which is below Greater Brisbane's rate of 4.0%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.5%. As of that date, 4,842 residents were in work and workforce participation was broadly similar to Greater Brisbane's 64.5%. Key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and professional & technical services.

Health care & social assistance shows lower representation at 13.3% compared to the regional average of 16.1%. The area offers limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data. In the 12-month period ending September 2025, employment increased by 6.5% while labour force grew by 6.0%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.4 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Brisbane recorded employment growth of 3.8%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment falling 0.5 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, Queensland's employment contracted by 0.01% (losing 1,210 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Manly - Lota's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Manly - Lota SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $62,301. The average level stood at $80,647. These figures were among the highest in Australia, compared to $55,645 and $70,520 for Greater Brisbane respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 13.99% since financial year 2022, current estimates as of September 2025 would be approximately $71,017 (median) and $91,930 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Manly - Lota cluster around the 69th percentile nationally. In terms of income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 27.5% of residents (2,314 people), reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 33.3% similarly occupy this range. Economic strength is evident through 33.1% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Housing accounts for 14.4% of income. Strong earnings rank residents within the 72nd percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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

Manly-Lota's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 76.7% houses and 23.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Brisbane metro's 78.0% houses and 22.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Manly-Lota stood at 36.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.9% and rented ones at 27.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, higher than Brisbane metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent in Manly-Lota was $410, slightly above Brisbane metro's $420. Nationally, Manly-Lota's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Manly - Lota has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.4% of all households, including 31.8% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.6%, with lone person households at 27.5% and group households comprising 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Brisbane average of 2.6.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 33.1%, higher than the SA4 region average of 23.7% and Queensland's state average of 25.7%. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 22.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 34.9% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.6% and certificates at 22.3%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.0% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 8.1% in secondary education, and 4.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 41 active transport stops operating within Manly - Lota. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. They are serviced by 26 individual routes.

Collectively, they provide 1,895 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 197 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 270 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 46 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Manly - Lota is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Manly - Lota faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (5,032 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, impacting 8.8 and 8.8% of residents respectively. 66.7% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 69.4% across Greater Brisbane. As of 2016, 20.5% of residents are aged 65 and over (1,722 people), which is higher than the 16.7% in Greater Brisbane. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Manly-Lota has a lower-than-average cultural diversity, with 76.2% of its population born in Australia, 88.3% being citizens, and 94.1% speaking English only at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Manly-Lota, accounting for 53.1%, slightly higher than Greater Brisbane's 52.5%. The top three ancestry groups are English (32.2%), Australian (22.9%), and Irish (11.5%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry is overrepresented at 9.9% compared to the regional average of 8.4%, while New Zealand and French ancestries are underrepresented at 1.1% and 0.8% respectively.

Manly - Lota hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Manly - Lota has a median age of 45, which is higher than Greater Brisbane's figure of 36 and significantly exceeds the national norm of 38. The age group of 55-64 years old makes up 14.9% of Manly-Lota's population, compared to Greater Brisbane. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort comprises only 7.2%. According to the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 6.2% to 8.0%, while the 15 to 24 cohort has risen from 10.3% to 11.7%. However, the 5 to 14 age group has decreased from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling indicates significant changes in Manly-Lota's age profile. The 85+ cohort is projected to grow by 123%, reaching 441 people from 197. This growth is led by the aging population dynamic, with those aged 65 and above comprising 75% of the projected growth. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 and 0 to 4 age groups are expected to experience population declines.